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Chapter 3

**Damien:

Memories of my turbulent past flooded back when I arrived at the place I had left behind. Engaging and provoking countless conflicts that created tension with my presence, however, I was. Why? I didn't know. Maybe I was just a rebellious boy or just possessed by rage for my loss. My wise former Alpha advised me to explore the world, leave this place, and return only when I was ready to make peace with his land and himself. Now I was physically and spiritually aligned, and I was finally able to return to those who, deep down, would always be my family.

I felt a sense of nostalgia, and I held on to the hope that I might run into some old friends. I kept my senses alert to the various scents that filled the air, and new ones quickly appeared. For a moment I just observed the place and the surroundings. Then, suddenly, a familiar and intoxicating scent washed over me.

**Katherine:

On this particular morning, I felt a bit irritated. It had been a long night, one marked by insomnia caused by that irritating and womanizing wolf. As I glanced at the screen of my cell phone, I took a deep breath when I saw yet another missed call from Andrea. I knew she was confused about my disappearance from the party last night. But how could I explain that her brother had left me both tense and frustrated because he was with another woman?

**Damien:

My lips widened in a smile as I slowly approached the long-haired female. She was alone, shaking her head in frustration. I would recognize this scent anywhere. Since we had known each other since childhood, I knew it well and it would be hard to forget it. My wolf immediately stirred, rejoicing to see my friend. In just three paces, the scent of the female had changed and I became anxious. The female had sharp senses, as he had always thought she would have as a grown woman. When she turned around in alarm, her eyes locked with mine. My smile immediately grew wider. Like a predator sizing up its prey, I closed the distance between us.

**Katherine:

I had my first cup of coffee that morning with the hope that it would change my mood and wake up my body and my soul. At the very least, makes my day better than it was the night before. But on my way out of the diner, I had the feeling that someone was watching me intensely. My body tensed up and my neck started to tingle. Just what I needed, another man who would ruin my day. I took a deep breath before turning to assess the situation.

With my eyes fixed on the determined wolf that was approaching me, I was already ready to "attack" the one that dared to look at me as prey, on my territory. But all of a sudden the scent that reached me left me stunned for a moment.

**Damien:

I tried to suppress my amusement as I watched the female's posture. She was undoubtedly ready to pounce, judging by her intense glare from afar. I held my ground, taking care not to show my amusement, and approached her at a faster pace. I studied her beautiful face, her long, dark brown hair that fell in rebellious waves over her shoulders. Her tantalizing curves revealed a woman whose body was a magnet for the attention of any man. Katerine had grown up and blossomed into a breathtaking woman.

"Good morning, my Lady!" I said with a teasing tone that made Katerine glare. She didn't appreciate flattery. "I'm a little bit lost in this town. Would you have a few minutes to help a lost man?"

**Katherine:

With a raised eyebrow, I stared at the man in front of me. I had never seen him before, but there was something familiar about him. I assessed him cautiously, getting more and more irritated by how amused he sounded and acted. If this wolf thought he could play games with me, he was sorely mistaken. My wolf made herself known, ready and alert with a low growl. I took a deep breath to make sure it stayed muted, alert but silent. I heard him speak as I felt his lingering gaze fall upon me. That was the last straw that added to my annoyance with men in general.

"Please, do tell me..." I stared him down, leaning my head slightly, pretending to look thoughtful. "Has this sort of approach ever worked for you with any other females?" I knew my tone was dripping with sarcasm, but something wasn't right. The scent he was radiating was both very familiar and very disconcerting. "Could you be a bit more original?"

**Damien:

"Is this how you welcome an old friend?" I asked, shaking my head in a fake disappointment. "'Katherine... I never expected this from you!" He managed to hide his amused smile as Katerine shot him a stunned look. "I thought you'd jump into my arms, embrace me tightly and cover me with joyful kisses..." A look of surprise suddenly appeared on her face. "And maybe... even treat me to a free lunch."

**Katherine:

I was completely taken aback as childhood memories resurfaced along with his voice and familiar scent. Memories of countless games with Damien flooded my mind - happy moments when my parents and his grandparents were still alive. He had been my best friend, though maybe unwillingly in the beginning. I followed him everywhere, forcing him to take me with him and learn everything he did. Our friendship had grown strong until he left at the age of 16, even though I annoyed him most of the time.

"Damien...?" I kept my eyes fixed on his face, perplexed and emotional at the same time. His face no longer had pimples, and his hair was short, but those green eyes were also very familiar. It was Damien, unmistakably. If I hadn't been so disturbed by men that morning, I would have recognized those eyes anywhere. Or rather, one particular man. "It's really you!!!" I rushed into his arms, hugging him tightly, perhaps too tightly.

"It's been so long..." My voice was a whisper. His absence, years before, had left a considerable void in my life, especially in its most difficult moments. "I can't believe you're back..."

**Damien::

"I'm back!"I returned Katerine's embrace, wrapping my arms around her waist and taking in her scent. It felt wonderful to be embraced by those I had left behind. I missed them and was tired of having no place to call home. I desired the stability I once knew that only Wolfgang could provide. Smiling, I pulled away slightly and held her eyes. "It seems you're still as rebellious as ever," I giggled at the furrowed brow she shot in my direction. She was as lovely as I remembered. "No males yet, Kat? I guess I came back just in time to tame you."

**Katherine:

"Idiot!" I released him from the embrace, snarling and landing a powerful punch on his shoulder. "The 'just in time' part would have been returning a day after you left. I'm still mad at you - not even a word of goodbye, nothing!" I took a deep breath and held his gaze. He was almost like a brother to me, and it hurt that he had left without saying a word. "Why didn't you say goodbye, Damien? I needed you so much after..."

**Damien:

"I sent you a farewell letter," I couldn't believe how strong Katerine had become. I rubbed my shoulder, stunned, looking from head to toe. Who would have thought that the once tiny child had grown into such a strong woman?

"You know the environment was tense, I had to leave. I couldn't stay, it would have been disastrous in the short term," I said as he gently caressed her face. "And how are your parents doing?"

**Katherine:

"My parents..." I lowered my gaze. "They died on a hunt... shortly after you left."

**Damien:

"Oh, Katherine... I... I'm really sorry," I sighed, realizing now how much I had been missed in Katerine's life. She had been alone since my departure. "I will speak to the Alpha; he left the doors open to return when I felt the time had come. I'm here now.

**Katherine:

"First of all... it wasn't a letter, it was a telegram." I grimaced and gave him another playful punch on the shoulder. "And secondly, Jared..." I paused and took a deep breath as I felt a shiver run down my spine at the mention of his name. "He's the new Alpha. His father also died five years ago."

**Damien :

"Damn it..." I ran my fingers through my hair in frustration. "Seems like there have been more changes around here than I thought."

**Katherine:

"Damien..." I whispered in his ear, pulling him into another hug with a big smile on my face. "Welcome home!"

**Damien :

Thank you, Kat! It's good to be home!" I returned the hug, feeling truly at home. Suddenly my wolf felt a strong energy surrounding us, I glanced carefully over Katerine's shoulder, my senses on high alert, someone was watching us with an undercurrent of displeasure. In the distance, a burly man with long hair was watching us, seemingly irritated by my attitude towards Katherine. The man was in an almost confrontational posture. This was evidenced by the clenched fists at his sides. After a few seconds, the male quickly turned and walked away, almost huffing with annoyance. Stepping back from Katherine, I smiled and admired her beautiful face. It wouldn't be surprising if she had already attracted the attention of a male who wanted to tame her. After all, she had always been beautiful, determined and fierce... a true female Alpha.

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