Chapter 4 Damian's Regrets and p

Damian pov: We finally entered Blackwood territory, the familiar landscape a mix of relief and tension. We could've made it here yesterday, but after I passed out, the guys decided to stop at a neutral ground and rent a cabin for the night so I could recover. Now, driving through the park lands, all I could think about was my mate. What's happening to her? and who is she? I closed my eyes, reaching for Storm my wolf. "What's going on, Storm? Why've you been silent?" I asked, but he didn't respond right away. When he did, he sounded drained. Sorry, Damian. I've been taking away the pain.

The closer we get to our territory, the worse it gets. I've been shielding you. What's happening? Who's our mate? I pressed, but Storm didn't answer. I don't know, Damian. I have suspicions, but I can't say anything until we get to the pack house and confirm." I sighed. I hope whatever our mate's going through isn't serious." Storm's response was grim. "For us to be feeling this pain, it's serious. We need to get to her. Just then, Josh spoke up. Storm finally responding to you?" Yeah, I replied. Mark ask's "So, now that we're back, are you seriously going to choose Vanessa as your mate? I scoffed. "What? Why would I choose Vanessa?" Because Vanessa's been telling everyone you're going to make her your chosen mate," Josh said, sounding irritated. "She's delusional," I said, shaking my head. "I never promised Vanessa anything. She's just got her hopes up, that's all. Josh nodded. "Apparently, she's been telling everyone you're going to make her your chosen mate." I scoffed. "That's news to me. You all know how Vanessa is. She started dating me, and I just went along with it. She got the wrong idea, and now she's running with it." Mark chuckled. "You know, it's a good thing you're not gonna reject your mate for her. you're mom's furious, by the way." I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?" Mark grinned. "She's waiting for you to get back so she can give you a piece of her mind. She's convinced you're gonna reject your mate for Vanessa, our mom told us when we called them last night. I laughed. "No way. Mom knows me better than that." As we drove through the park gates, the townspeople waved, happy to have their future leaders back. We drove up to the pack house, and our parents were waiting with smiles on their faces. Mark was the first to jump out of the car, running to hug his parents, yeap my future garman is a mama's boy. I followed, exchanging hugs and greetings with my folks, my Dad having a proud smile on the face and complimenting my new looks, I have filled out more. My mom looked at me, her expression serious. "You're not thinking of rejecting your mate for Vanessa, are you? I sighed. "Mom, I never promised Vanessa anything. I don't know where she got that idea from. My mom nodded, relieved. "I knew my son wouldn't disappoint me." Aunty Linda, Vanessa's mom, tried to support Vanessa's wishful thinking , but my mom shut her down with a firm look. "My son will not reject his mate for Vanessa. He's meant to be with his true mate, and that's all there is to it." As they talked, I got distracted by a familiar chocolate and vanilla scent wafting from inside the pack house. I followed it, my curiosity piqued... I followed the scent, my heart racing with anticipation, not knowing where it would lead me. The scent led me to the storage room, my heart racing. "Storm, is this...?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. Sofia's room," Storm confirmed. "Mate scent." I felt like I'd been punched. Sofia's our mate?" I demanded, but before Storm could answer, a searing pain hit me like a truck. I dropped to my knees, gritting my teeth. I groaned, clutching my chest. "What's happening?" I asked Storm. "Mate's in trouble. We need to shift and get to school," Storm replied, his voice urgent. Josh and Mark rushed to my side, trying to hold me up. "Damian what's going on?" Josh asked. I looked at them, my eyes wild. Sofia's in trouble. We need to go." They exchanged confused glances, but didn't hesitate. The three of us shifted into our wolves and took off, running out of the pack house. My parents shouted after us, but I didn't look back. We tore through the forest, our paws pounding the earth. I could feel Sofia's distress, and it was driving me crazy. What was happening to her? As I entered the school ground, the students' heads snapped down in unison, recognizing my Alpha aura. I sniffed the air, my heart racing with anticipation, and caught a whiff of the scent. But something was off. The scent was mixed with something else, blood. My heart sank, and I took off, following the scent to the school bathroom. I could feel Sofia's pain, and it was tearing me apart. I burst through the door, shifting back into my human form as I entered. The sight before me was like a nightmare. Sofia lay on the floor, a pool of crimson spreading beneath her. Her eyes were closed, her skin deathly pale. I felt like I'd been ripped apart. "No...no, no, no!" I rushed to her side, scooping her into my arms. I glared at Vanessa, who was trying to approach me. My growl sent her falling to her knees, and the others followed, trembling in submission. Sofia, baby, please...please wake up, I whispered, tears streaming down my face. I held her close, rocking her gently. "Moon Goddess, please...please don't take her from me. I'll do anything, just please...please let her be okay." I felt a faint tingle in my fingertips, but it was weak, almost non-existent. She hadn't received her wolf yet. The thought sent a fresh wave of panic through me. "Please, Sofia..please don't leave me," I begged, my voice breaking. I held her tighter, as if I could make her stay with me. "I can't lose you...I can't..." Sofia baby, stay with me," I whispered, tears streaming down my face. " As I held Sophia, Josh and Mark rushed to my side. "Damian, you need to calm down. We gotta get her to the pack hospital, now," Josh said, trying to pry her away from my hand. I growled, refusing to let go. But Mark added, "Damian, we need to get her help. Let's go." Just as they convinced me to move, a bright light appeared before us. My mom stepped out of the portal, her eyes calm. "It's okay, Damian. We'll get her to the hospital faster this way." She pointed revealing the pack hospital within. I nodded, still shaken, and followed her through. The healers rushed to take Sofia from me, whisking her away for treatment. I stood frozen, watching as they disappeared behind a curtain. My mom's hand on my shoulder was the only comfort I felt. "She'll be okay, Damian," she said softly. I turned to Josh and Mark, my voice low and deadly, my eyes blazing with fury. "I want everyone responsible for this locked in the dungeon. Whipped ten lashes every day for the next week. No one, absolutely no one, is to get them out until I say so." My gaze narrowed. "And those teachers who stood by and did nothing, knowing full well that Sophia was being mistreated... I want them sacked from the school. Everyone who has hurt my mate is going to pay." My words dripped with venom, my anger palpable. Josh and Mark nodded. "Yes, Alpha," they said in unison, before turning to carry out my orders. They knew better than to question me. My mate had been hurt, and I would stop at nothing to make those responsible pay. The dungeon would be their home for now, and I'd make sure they regretted ever hunting her.