---- how Damon was using me, maybe it was better the child was gone. This way, after successfully breaking the mate bond, I wouldn't have any more entanglements with him. After some time, as I recovered from the grief of losing the child, I moved my lips and asked hoarsely, " How badly are you hurt?" Only then did Damon ruffle my hair, his tone casual. " Just took two arrows, nothing serious. I failed to protect you properly." He quickly stood up. "You rest here. I'll get the healer to examine you." After he left, my phone suddenly vibrated. I picked it up to find a video message from Lydia Ashford. The footage showed the scene from the restaurant earlier. In the restaurant, a group of pack guards were explaining repeatedly: ---- "Miss Ashford, how many times do we have to tell you before you believe us? The Alpha being with Sage Rivers is all planned. Pretending to love her is all an act. He needs to actually bond with Sage Rivers to trade her mating rights and threaten that bastard Garrett Rivers. Since the Blackwood and Ashford families have already agreed to the alliance, he'll definitely break the mate bond with Sage Rivers and become your mate. The Alpha always keeps his promises-when has he ever gone back on his word? Just don't sabotage the Alpha's plans, please." But Lydia only stared at Damon, her voice trembling. " Damon, is what they're saying true? You really don't care about Sage Rivers at all? It's all just using her?" The men quickly chimed in: "Of course! How could he possibly fall for his mortal enemy's sister? That's not Damon's style at all. If he actually fell for her, it wouldn't be Damon humiliating Garrett Rivers-it would be Garrett Rivers trampling Damon underfoot. Damn, I can't even imagine that scene." "T only want to hear it from Damon!" Lydia stared at Damon with red eyes. "Damon, you tell me." ---- Damon's expression was complex as he kept looking toward where I sat in the car. Finally, he nodded. Lydia finally threw herself into his arms, her voice choked with tears. "But I still don't feel secure. All the pack members know about our engagement, but you're still someone else's mate in name. You still have to act with another woman. How about this- arrange for your men to attack Sage Rivers with silver arrows so she gets hurt and hospitalized. Then I'll believe you, okay?" Damon was silent for a moment, then said quietly, " Alright." The video cut off there.