Chapter 15: The Exiled Alpha
Damon rode at the front of the army.
He dismounted slowly.
His eyes met mine.
For several seconds, neither of us spoke.
Then he said:
“Elara.”
I felt nothing.
No pain.
No longing.
Only distance.
“What do you want?”
“I came to help.”
Kael stepped between us.
“You’ve done enough.”
Damon looked at him.
“You don’t understand.”
“I understand perfectly.”
Damon’s jaw tightened.
“The Alpha King attacked my pack.”
I frowned.
“What?”
“He is no longer hiding.”
Damon looked toward the mountains.
“His remaining forces are moving south.”
Kael’s expression became serious.
“How many?”
“At least ten thousand.”
Mira cursed.
Damon continued.
“And they’re not normal wolves.”
“The Shadow Wolf.”
Damon nodded.
“They’re possessed.”
My mother stepped forward.
“How did you survive?”
Damon looked at her.
“I didn’t.”
Everyone froze.
“What?”
He touched his chest.
“The Shadow Wolf entered me.”
My blood went cold.
“Then how are you alive?”
Damon looked at me.
“Because your rejection broke something.”
I stared at him.
“What?”
“When I rejected you, our bond didn’t disappear.”
He swallowed.
“It shattered.”
“And?”
“The broken bond created a shield.”
My mother understood.
“Elara’s blood protected him.”
Damon nodded.
“That’s why the Shadow Wolf couldn’t control me completely.”
Kael looked at him carefully.
“You’re telling the truth.”
“I am.”
Damon looked at me.
“I came because I know what it feels like to have something inside you trying to take control.”
He lowered his head.
“I don’t want anyone else to suffer what I did.”
I studied him.
The man who had once destroyed me was standing before me.
But he was different.
Broken.
Humbled.
Human.
“I forgive you.”
Damon looked surprised.
“You do?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t want revenge anymore.”
Kael looked at me.
I smiled.
“Not the kind that destroys people.”
Damon nodded.
“Then let me fight beside you.”
I thought for a moment.
Then extended my hand.
Damon took it.
Not as my mate.
Not as my Alpha.
As an ally.
The war was coming.
And this time…
We would face it together.
