Episode 13%
The silence between us grew heavier, the tension thick in the air. Then, with a sudden movement, Jaqin pulled a card from his pocket and extended it toward Damien.}
Damien eyed it warily but didn’t take it. “What is this?” he asked, suspicion lacing his tone.}
“Take it,” Jaqin said coolly.
“If it’s money-,” Damien started, but Jaqin interrupted with a roll of his eyes.}
“It’s not money.”
When Damien refused to take it, Jaqin handed it to Kaia instead. Caught off guard by the commanding presence of Alpha, she instinctively accepted it. She glanced at the card, her eyes widened as she read its contents.}
“This is…” Kaia trailed off, looking between me and Jaqin.
”
“Our bonding ceremony, Jaqin said with a smirk, his gaze fixed on Damien, who had gone pale at the announcement. “I figured you should know what’s happening.”}
Before either of them could respond, Jaqin took my hand and led me away, leaving them stunned in our wake.}
On the day of our ceremony, Damien and Kaia arrived at the ceremony. Damien still wore a cast on his leg and leaned heavily on Kaia for support. Several warrior wolves stood discreetly nearby, ready to step in if they caused trouble.
Ugave Jaqin a questioning look, unsure why he’d allowed them to come. He shrugged nonchalantly. “Keeping them where I can see them is the best way to avoid problems.”}
Kirst snorted from nearby. “That’s just your excuse for being a master manipulator.”}
As we exchanged vows and promises to the Moon Goddess, a sudden commotion erupted. Damien shoved Kaia aside, her forehead striking the edge of a nearby table and drawing blood. He didn’t even glance at her as she crumpled to the floor.
The scene jolted a painful memory–Kaia’s welcome–back party, where Damien had spilled soup on me and abandoned me to chase after her.
Damien tried to rise, shouting, but the Warrior wolves restrained him, covering his mouth.}
After the ceremony, I approached them. Kaia sat slumped against a chair, blood staining her hairline, while Damien glared at her with unmasked disdain.}
I looked at Kaia, my voice was calm. “Now that you’ve seen me properly, do you think we look alike?“}
Kaia stared at me, her eyes hollow. After a long pause, she let out a bitter laugh through her tears. “Does it even matter? He never truly loved either of us.”
Damien snapped, his voice sharp with frustration. “Don’t say that! I loved you once–but now, it’s Thalia I love. You’ve always come between us! If you hadn’t returned, everything would’ve been fine!“}
I shook my head. “Damien, stop lying to yourself. Besides, I’ve been bonded with someone now.“}
His face fell, his words caught in his throat. He sank back to the ground, defeated and silent.
Jaqin stepped forward and took my hand, his touch warm and grounding. Without a word, we walked away together.
As we strolled past the cheering crowd, Jaqin leaned close and whispered mischievously, “Come on, the pack is waiting for the reception to begin. I heard your brother complaining he’s hungry already.”
I laughed and playfully nudged his arm. He grinned, pulling my hand to his lips for a quick kiss.}
As for Damien, news of his downfall spread quickly. In his bitterness, he blamed Kaia for everything, tormenting her until she retaliated. In a moment of desperation, she pushed Damien and herself to a cliff where she died.}.
Damien survived the fall but half of his body is no longer working.
Damien’s family, ostracized by the other packs for their cruelty and drama, saw their alliances crumble. They were cast out, left to survive on their own.
When I later asked Jaqin why he hadn’t let Damien face harsher consequences, he made a quick call to confirm Damien’s survival. “I made a promise,” he said simply. “I told him he’d live to see you happy for the rest of your life. That doesn’t happen if he dies now.”
I stared at him, speechless, while Kirst’s earlier words echoed in my mind. This man really was devious.
But as Jaqin smiled at me, his eyes warm and steady, I knew he was the one who would give me the peace and happiness I deserved.
