5. MY NEW MATE

ONE YEAR LATER

DAMIEN

I walked through a grim scene—a bunch of dead bodies lined up for burial. These were my guys, my strongest soldiers, the ones who had my back. They made me look good as the leader of the Bloodhound pack.

But now, they were gone, and I could not shake off the guilt and questions in my head.

The whole mess started when my mom heard that Jayda, my Luna, got captured by the Shadowfang pack. The mere idea of her been in their hands made me furious and it took me back to the day I decided to take them on.

We went to war, fighting against the Shadowfangs. It was chaos, claws clashing, people screaming.

My best wolves fought hard, but one by one, they got taken down. The battlefield turned into a bloodbath, and only Beta Jason, a few other wolves, and I made it out alive.

Coming back to our pack after that defeat, I could not be sure if the Shadowfangs really had Jayda or if it was some kind of trick.

But whether it was true or not, I could not let go of the burning desire to end our feud and get Jayda back.

Losing my best wolves hit us hard. People in the pack started questioning my leadership. First, Jayda left, and now, my strongest warriors were gone.

The doubt and whispers among my pack members weighed on me, making it clear that I had to do something.

I geared up for the challenges ahead.

The journey to bring Jayda back was not going to be easy, but I was ready to face whatever came my way.

The uncertainty of it all didn't matter—I was determined to prove myself and bring back the one person who could change everything.

"I am really sorry you lost everything" mother said as she walked into the room.

I did not know if I was to blame her or blame myself for going into battle without having second thoughts about it, although I did what needed to be done.

"Sorry can't bring back the dead" I scoffed and threw my gaze elsewhere.

"I know and I am really sorry for all you went through, you are still our powerful Alpha but what happens when your pack, the omegas, what happens when they start to see you as a weak Alpha. You have lost your precious Luna and your best wolves, wolves that guarded their Alpha for a long time" She sat close to me, her expression full of concern.

"Are you here to rub it in my face? I went into battle because of the information you gave me, and now you're here to rub the losses on my face?" I retorted, frustration seeping into my voice.

The pain of those recent defeats weighed heavy on my shoulders and her presence only intensified the bitterness.

Her expression softened as she spoke "No, Damien, that's not why I'm here. I never wanted this for you. I wanted to see our pack thrive, and I believed confronting the Shadowfangs was the way to protect us. I didn't foresee the extent of the losses or the toll it would take on you"

She placed a comforting hand on my shoulder, her gaze sincere.

"You're still our powerful Alpha, but we can not ignore the murmurs among the omegas. They look up to you and if they perceive weakness, it could shake the foundation of our pack. We need to find a way to rebuild, to show them that you are still the leader they can trust" She paused and gave a suspenseful glare.

"How?" I questioned.

"Take Ayra as your Luna, mate her" she blurted out immediately.

"Mum? Why this topic again? Why do you like Ayra so much?" I gave a disappointing scowl.

"Let me explain, Ayra's father is a wealthy Alpha and he is powerful, he possess a great number of strong wolves, making an alliance with him would only strength you more. I know you do not like her but you need her, let her become your mate" She cajoled continuously

"What happens Jayda? How can I betray her like this?" I said lowly.

"That brat is long gone Damien, she is probably dead somewhere or somewhere enjoying her new mate" Mother spoke disdainfully.

"Don't say that! She would never betray me" I retorted again.

"She is nowhere to be found, I am only trying to help you, I am your mother, I only want what is best for you" She uttered before standing up to leave.

"Think deeply about what I said, I do not want to see you overthrown because once other packs see you as weak, they will come for you, most importantly, envious men of your pack will come. You will need to show them that you are still the strong, powerful and guarded Alpha that you have always proven to be, mate Ayra, that is the only way" She said finally before walking out of the room.

As much as I hated her suggestion, it only seemed to be of help than harm. I need Ayra's father now but how can I betray Jayda? The only woman I have ever loved wholeheartedly.

How can I mate another when my love for her still lingers fresh in my heart.

I know one thing for sure, Jayda is out there somewhere, looking for a way to get back to me. I know she would never abandon me even if no one else believes that.

Maybe she escaped from the clutches of the shadowfangs but can not come back because she is afraid for her life, wherever she is, I hope she is safe from harm.

But I need to get back on my feet as the most feared Alpha in the south, how can I battle a pack less superior than i am and loose. How can I loose my Luna and still be known as the feared Alpha.

Mother is right, I do not love Ayra and I never will but if I want to gain my stance back I need to make her my Luna, I need to mate her.

I need to make alliances with her father and rebuild my legacy as the most feared Alpha in the south, when I have built all I need to, I will go back and search for Jayda.

Nothing will stop me from getting to her, if it is the last thing I do before I die, I will.