Doctor Luna’s revenge: mated to the Alpha King

Chapter 4: A Shared Den

Chapter 4: A Shared Den

(Seraphina Vance's POV)

Damien’s brow furrowed the moment the words left my mouth. His silver eyes, already cold, seemed to flash with an even deeper chill.

“Let me make something clear,” he stated, his tone cutting through the quiet air. “We are mated, yes. But that does not grant you the right to interfere in my private affairs. Remember your place.”

His words were a physical blow. Heat flared in my cheeks, a painful mix of embarrassment and hurt. Had I overstepped already? We’d been mated for less than an hour, and I was already on his bad side.

“I… I’m sorry,” I stammered, my gaze falling to my feet. “I was just worried.”

“I don’t need your worry,” he replied curtly.

I simply nodded, my throat tight. When I offered to help him move his belongings, he refused just as coldly.

“I have other matters to attend to,” he said, plucking the key to my lodge from my outstretched hand. Without another glance, he turned and disappeared into the crowd, leaving me alone on the steps of the Blood Oath Hall.

I watched his tall figure vanish, a familiar ache of rejection settling in my chest. But then I straightened my shoulders. This was a means to an end. I mated him to escape my troubles, not for love. I shouldn’t ask for more. I just needed to fulfill my duties as a mate and enjoy my newfound freedom.

Shaking off the unease, I hailed a ride. As I settled into the backseat, my phone buzzed. Julian Thorne’s name flashed on the screen. I declined the call without a second thought and blocked his number. I’d already sent him a text before the ceremony, telling him our betrothal was over. Whether he’d seen it or not was no longer my problem.

When the phone buzzed again with an unknown number, I knew it was him. I powered it off completely, severing the final tie to my old life. Leaning my head back against the seat, I looked down at the Mating Certificate on my lap. A small, bittersweet smile touched my lips. It was tinged with apprehension about the cold man I had just bound myself to, but it was overwhelmed by a profound sense of relief.

I was free. Free from Julian, free from my family, free from a future I dreaded. Things would get better. They had to.

Back at Briar Lodge, I threw myself into preparing a room for Damien. The task consumed my afternoon, a welcome distraction from his rejection. I changed the sheets, dusted every surface, and made sure the spare bedroom was spotless. Maybe if I proved I was a capable mate, he would warm up to me.

Later that evening, I found myself browsing online for furniture, wondering what style he might prefer. Modern or traditional? Dark colors or light? The screen glowed in the dim room, highlighting my ignorance. I knew nothing about him. We had rushed through the ceremony so quickly we hadn't even learned the basics.

On impulse, I reached for my phone to call him, then froze. My hand dropped. In the whirlwind of our cold, business-like bonding, we had forgotten to exchange numbers.

“How could I be so stupid?” I muttered, chiding myself for being too intimidated to think of something so basic. Perhaps it was for the best. He’d made it clear he didn’t want me interfering.

Just as I closed the laptop, a knock echoed from the front door. My heart leaped. Who could be visiting so late? I hurried over and pulled the door open, my breath catching in my throat.

Damien was leaning against the doorframe, looking even paler than he had this morning. Dark circles shadowed his silver eyes, and he seemed to be holding himself up through sheer force of will.

He had no luggage. No bags, no boxes, nothing but the clothes on his back.

“You… you didn’t bring anything?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

He met my gaze, his own looking strained. “Can I come in?” he asked, his voice unexpectedly hoarse.

“Of… of course,” I stammered, quickly stepping aside to let him pass. Whatever was wrong, he looked like he was about to collapse.

(Damien Blackwood's POV)

A black armored SUV pulled up to the curb moments after I left Seraphina. The familiar rumble of the engine was a welcome sound in the chaos of my thoughts. My Beta, Caleb North, exited the passenger seat and opened the rear door for me. His face was stoic, but the concern in his amber eyes was unmistakable.

“Alpha,” he said quietly. “Please get in.”

I slid into the plush leather seat, the exhaustion I’d been holding at bay crashing down on me. Leaving my den while still recovering from the assassination attempt had been a necessary risk, but a taxing one. I could feel the silver-laced wound in my side throbbing with each beat of my heart, the poison still retarding my healing.

“Have the Pack Healers change my dressing,” I commanded, leaning my head back and closing my eyes. “And make sure they are discreet.”

“Already arranged, Alpha,” Caleb confirmed, his eyes meeting mine in the rearview mirror. “I’ve sent your grandfather Alistair’s patrols on a ghost chase away from your primary den. They haven't discovered your injury.”

Good. If my grandfather knew I was this weak, this rushed mating would have been for nothing. Worse, it would alert the other ambitious wolves in the pack that the Alpha King’s heir was vulnerable. Secrecy was my only shield.

“Any word on the assassins?” I asked.

“They’ve gone to ground,” Caleb reported. “But we have a lead. We’ll find them.”

I nodded, the weight of my responsibilities pressing down on me. The Mating Certificate lay on the seat beside me, a stark white reminder of the desperate measure I’d taken. A political necessity, I reminded myself. A tool to appease my grandfather and secure my position. I had to remain rational, unswayed by a pair of frightened, beautiful eyes. As the SUV hit a bump, the certificate slid off the seat and fluttered to a stop on the floor. I ignored it.

Back at my den, the Healer worked quickly and quietly, but my reprieve was short-lived. Caleb returned with a grim update.

“Alpha, your grandfather’s men are expanding their surveillance. They’re watching this den, and they’ve placed eyes on your other properties as well.”

I clenched my jaw. If a Healer was seen entering or leaving any of my known safe houses, my grandfather would know I was injured within the hour.

I ran through my options, my mind racing. There was only one place they wouldn’t be watching. One place so new, so unexpected, that it wouldn’t be on anyone’s radar.

My new mate’s lodge.