Chapter 5 Damon's POV After I posted the announcement canceling the ceremony, Lydia threw herself into my arms. "I'll prove I'm a better Luna for you than she ever was," she whispered in my ear. I pushed her away and walked to my desk. I still had a list of ten other candidates to get through. But the thought of it just left me cold. The carefully selected she-wolves sent me messages every day, but I never replied. Some nights, after a brutal day of pack business, I'd call Lydia to my chambers. I didn't know why, but burying myself in her body was the only thing that made me feel like an Alpha anymore. Her soft moans helped me forget the day's troubles. But the pleasure only lasted until dawn. Because after several months without Elysia, the pack was starting to fall apart. "Alpha, there's trouble on the border again," my second-in-command, Beta Marcus, said, walking into my office with a grim look. "What is it?" "The Silverclaw Pack just tore up our trade agreement. They said our leadership is a joke and we can't be trusted." My fists clenched. The pack's combat readiness had plummeted by a third since Elysia left. Without her tactical guidance, we'd been losing even small skirmishes. "Then renegotiate." "Who do we send?" Marcus gave a bitter laugh. "We don't have a negotiator like Elysia anymore." Elysia. Her name was a thorn in my side. "Send Lydia," I said, forcing down my irritation. "Alpha..." Marcus hesitated. "Lydia... she's not suited for this kind of work. The last negotiation at the mines..." "Enough!" I roared. "That wasn't her fault!" 1/3 Chapter 5 But deep down, I knew it was. Since she had tried to take over Elysia's duties, bad news followed. We lost the priceless Moonstone Quarry. During a critical territory negotiation, we even lost a strategic outpost. Every night, I was flooded with complaints and questions from pack members. "When is Elysia coming back?" "Our income has been cut in half without our Head Beta." "Pack morale is at an all-time low." I tried to contact Elysia. I sent her countless messages, but she never answered. I even went to the Thundering Peaks territory myself, but her father's guards turned me away. "Elysia doesn't want to see you," the guard said coldly. "Go home." Late at night, I lay in bed, Lydia sleeping soundly beside me. Looking at her defenseless face, a wave of disgust washed over me. She was too weak. She had no strategic talent, no leadership skills, not even basic negotiation etiquette. How could she ever be worthy of the Head Beta position? And Elysia... Elysia was a brilliant strategist, a fierce warrior, a decisive leader. For six years, she was my sword and my shield. It hit me then, hard as a fist to the gut: the pack couldn't function without her. And neither could I. +25 Bonus "Alpha, there's important news," Marcus rushed in the next day. "The Crystal Auction House is holding a special event tonight. They say a prime Moon-Essence Herb is up for sale." A Moon-Essence Herb? A legendary plant said to strengthen a wolf's soul. If I could get this for Elysia... she would have to forgive me. "Get the car ready," I said, standing immediately. "We're going to the auction." 2/3 Chapter 5 +25 Bonus "Alpha, I want to go too!" Lydia appeared at the door, her eyes sparkling. "I hear it's so exciting!" "This isn't a theme park," I frowned. "Please-" she whined, wrapping her arms around mine. "And after the auction, we can relax at the hotel. You've been working so hard, you need to unwind." Her hint was obvious. It was true, pack affairs had me on edge. Maybe I did need to release some stress. "Fine," I nodded. On the way to the auction, my mind was a mess. If I could win the herb, maybe Elysia would agree to see me. Maybe we could start over. When I saw her sitting in the auction hall, my heart nearly stopped. She was here! I knew it. She still cared about me. She knew I was coming. She was here for me. Maybe she'd finally come to her senses. She was ready to forgive me. I walked toward her, a wave of ecstasy washing over me. "Following me again?" I asked, my tone mocking, but my heart soared. She still loves me. She has to. Why else would she be here? But then my gaze dropped to her stomach-to the swell of her belly beneath her dress-and my world shattered into silence. ப Support ច Share 3/3