Chapter 76

Chapter 76
Damon’s POV

My forehead burnt hot, yet I felt cold shivers in my bones. The shiver was followed by pain - sharp and intense. The room was dark, safe for a single candle burning in a corner, and the smell of burning herbs filled my nostrils. I tried to move and intense pain shot through my bones.

Memories filtered in like nightmare. Fangs in the air, charging at me. Pain as they dug into my side and tore me. The voice of Lycan Asher screaming my name. I tore off my shirt suddenly and stared at the heavy bandage over my side. I had been woken up by a nightmare, but the nightmare was indeed real.

I turned with effort, clenching my teeth hard as pain shot to my feet. When I managed to get off the bed, I dragged myself to the window. I was in Crescent moon pack, I could see. A full moon was peeping underneath a small cloud. I wasn’t sure how many days I had been out but I knew the last time I was conscious, I was at the southern border with Lycan Asher.

I called out my wolf. There was no answer. Only silence that made me tremble.

My form reminded me of how I was injured. I was still half shifted with the claws of my wolf. I reached out again, but nothing stirred. My bones twisted, my muscles pulled but my wolf did not come out.  

It had not been a dream. I had heard those words that I may not be able to shift again. A growl tore from my throat. I was Alpha born, known for strength. I had fought beasts twice my size. This could not be the end.

I tried again, and again. But each time, I became weaker and the growl was soon permanently replaced by a human cry. 

The door opened suddenly, and my first instinct was to hide. Who wanted to see a half shifted Alpha that could no longer call his wolf? My Luna walked in, smile suddenly replaced by the look of horror.

‘’You should not be up, Alpha Damon,’’ she began, walking towards me and dropping the sheets in her hand. ‘’You need to rest so your wounds would heal up.’’

Shame burned in my chest. I was not a pup. And the look in her eyes broke me. It made me feel inadequate. 

‘’Leave,’’ I whispered, turning my face away from her and swinging my hand towards the door she had come in through.

She stopped only for a few seconds, then she began walking towards me again. ‘’Damon -’’

‘’I said go!’’ I snapped, louder this time, holding onto the railing on the window. She stopped walking and stared at me for a moment before she turned away from the room. 

I reached for the closest objects around me and flung them. I leaned against the wall when exhaustion finally kicked in, breathing raggedly. How could I call myself Alpha or protect my Luna when I couldn't protect myself? How could I let bloody panther shifters injure to the point of becoming lame? What was an Alpha without his wolf?

I snatched my coat from the hanger and threw it over my bare torso. I stumbled into the corridor, snarling angrily at the guards who as much as looked in my direction.  My bones groaned in protest as I arrived outside. Cold air blew my hair and I looked up at the sky. I had no place here until I got my wolf back.

‘’Damon!’’

I didn’t turn back when I heard Lycan Asher’s voice. What did he want?

‘’Where the hell are you headed to?’’ he asked, pulling me by the shoulder. I shrugged his hand off. Lady Melody was beside him, confusion and fear etched on her face. I hated the realization of how they saw me now. They saw me as a weakling. And I was going to proof them wrong. 

‘’I need some air. Or am I a prisoner now?’’ I snapped.

He hesitated but let go. ‘’Don’t go too far, Damon,’’ he said. 

Rain appeared by my side. ‘’I’ll go with you, Alpha Damon.’’

‘’No,’’ I said, pushing him away. ‘’I need to be alone.’’

The walk was excruciatingly painful, but I managed to get to the top of a small hill. Perhaps being closer to the moon would awaken my wolf. I called for hours with no response. When the night sky began to clear away for daybreak, I collapsed out of exhaustion and drifted into sleep.

But I remained on the hill for days. I saw the beta wolves looking for me. I heard my name being called out, but I remained hidden. Until someone found me.

It was a gentle tap one night. I opened my eyes, spitting out the dirt that had covered my mouth.

‘’I said I want to be alone.’’ My voice carried little strength. But the touch persisted. 

I looked up and a stranger stood over me. My vision blurred but I heard her voice.

‘’You are not alone, Alpha Damon.’’ Her voice was as calm as water and as powerful as a running stream.

‘’Who -’’

‘’The moon goddess has heard your prayers and you will serve her purpose when the time comes,’’ she whispered and leaned forward, brushing my side with her fingers.  

And she was gone.

I wasn’t sure if it was a dream or if it was real. But I woke up with a start and clutched my side. The pain was gone. The wound was healed. It almost seemed as though I had  no injury there. I remained still for a long time, trying to process what had just happened. I pinched myself a couple of times. But it was real. The moon was still up, and I was still in Crescent moon pack.

Then I reached inward again. The answer came. I felt my wolf. I heard him. With tremor in my bones, and the familiar surge of heat, I shifted to my wolf and let out a loud and powerful howl.