Chapter 12

Damian’s POV  

The moment I heard her voice, everything around me faded into a very distant white noise. At first I ignored it, I was tired and really didn't want to do any thinking right now especially since I had barely just stepped through the gates of the pack house  when the commotion started. 

The trip had been exhausting and had drained meant  I had no patience for whatever petty pack drama was unfolding. All I wanted was a moment to breathe, to clear my head before dealing with the mess I had created.  

But then I heard it, her voice —Arielle. 

Her voice rang out sharply with anger as she demanded to see me immediately and for a brief second, I thought I imagined it. But there was no mistaking the trembling in her voice, or the fury that laced it. I turned toward the entrance, my heart pounding against my ribs, my wolf surging forward before I could stop him.  

What the hell is she doing here?  I stepped forward and held myself back a bit, I knew I should stay back. I knew I shouldn’t go to her—not now, not ever. But I couldn’t help myself.  

Images of her filled my mind—the last time I had seen her, the way I had shattered her when I rejected her. 

The way I had betrayed both of us when I let my control slip, when I let my hands roam over her body, my mouth on her skin, my scent tangled with hers.  

A sharp pang shot through my chest.  

I had been an irresponsible fool.  

Rejecting her had been cruel enough. But I had made it worse—so much worse—when I let my control slip.  

I had wanted one night, just one night with her that I could use to block out the bad things that happened to me, where I could pretend that we were meant to be with one another despite  all the signs that pointed otherwise. 

So when she had come to me begging me not to reject her,I had fallen like a house of cards. That night, when I had her beneath me, whispering my name like I was her world…  I should have walked away.  

But I marked her instead and then I left.  

Like a coward.  

So I wasn't surprised that she was here, demanding answers I wasn’t sure I could give to her. I moved toward the gate, but by the time I got there, she was gone. Elias and Kade  stood guard, their expressions stony. I could still hear her sound of her  footsteps fading out  in the distance.  

“What the hell was that about?” I demanded.  

Seth shifted uncomfortably. 

“Arielle showed up. She wanted to see you.”  

“No shit,” I snapped.

“And you just chased her away?” I hissed and he frowned.

"Were we supposed to let her throw herself at you again?” 

A growl rumbled in my throat before I could stop it. They had no idea what they were talking about.

With how I treated her, Arielle was definitely  not throwing herself at me. She was angry—and she had every right to be.  

"You could have sent her away without all the fuss" I muttered.

"You rejected her, Alpha.  What else were we supposed to do?" He asked and I stilled, they were right, I shouldn't be reacting like that, it had been my choice to reject her, which meant I was done with her. 

This feelings of guilt or remorse was not worth it in the first place and if she came all the way here to confront me, then it was likely she had found out that I marked her.

"We can go get her" they offered but I ignored them  I didn’t wait for an explanation either. Instead, I turned on my heel and followed her hoping that she hadn't gone too far. 

I was lucky to find her almost immediately, she hadn't gotten very far so I kept my distance, watching as she walked down the dirt path her shoulders tensed, her hands clenched into fists.  

Even from here, I could feel the frustration radiating off her. I had barely been back for an hour, and already, I had screwed things up again. She kept walking, looking down at her feet, as she did after a while she wiped at her face.  

She was crying and that was my fault as well a sharp pain settled in my chest. I had done that to her.  

I should have called out to her, rushed over and explained myself to her, even though I was not sure how that will help. I should have said something.  

But before I could, the air shifted a low growl echoed through the trees my entire body tensed.  

Arielle froze and I sniffed at the air. 

Rogues.  

My muscles tensed as the wind carried the scent of unwashed bodies and decay, it was the smell of death that every rogue was known for. 

A warning growl built in my throat when I sensed them near us, they were close. Too close and they were circling her. 

Arielle must have sensed it too, because she suddenly stopped walking. I moved before I even had time to think.