Chapter 3 Treated with respect

Damon's POV

For more than twelve years, I had been searching relentlessly for my mate.

I had traveled across regions and territories, visited countless packs, and explored every corner of the werewolf world in my desperate attempt to find her. No matter where I went, no matter how hard I tried, there was never even the faintest trace of her presence. At times, I had begun to wonder if fate itself was playing a cruel joke on me.

Never once did I imagine that she had been living all this time in my nephew's pack.

She was so close, yet completely out of my reach.

If it hadn't been for the witch, an old friend who possessed rare abilities to trace soulmate bonds, I might have continued searching for years without success. It was she who finally revealed the truth to me and guided me toward my destined mate.

And now, here she was. Standing right in front of me.

Small and fragile, as though a strong wind could knock her over. Her body was slender, almost alarmingly so, as if she barely ate. I saw faint tear stains marked on her pale cheeks. Even her eyes were swollen and red from crying.

My chest tightened at the sight.

Why had she been crying? Who had hurt her? Who had made my mate shed those tears?

An anger stirred deep within me, but I forced myself to suppress it for the moment. There would be time later to find out who was responsible.

Despite her fragile appearance, Reina was breathtaking. And the scent was hard to avoid. It was of sweet honey and fresh roses.

Her soft features, her expressive eyes, and her quiet strength made her more beautiful than anyone I had ever seen. She was everything I had imagined in my dreams and more. From the moment I sensed her presence stepping into this pack, I knew without a doubt that she was mine.

My Luna, my mate, and my future.

"I've been searching for you for over a decade, my mate," I said. "And now, I've finally found you. You're mine."

The words felt powerful as they left my lips.

It was as if I had finally won the longest and hardest battle of my life. Years of loneliness, frustration, and uncertainty vanished in that moment. All that remained was relief and triumph.

But her reaction was nothing like what I had expected.

Instead of smiling, stepping into my arms, and accepting her fate, Reina quickly stepped back, pulling away from my touch. The sudden distance left my fingers cold and empty.

"Sorry... what?" she asked in disbelief, her voice trembling.

Before I could respond, she shook her head repeatedly.

"I... I'm not your m-mate," she stuttered, her eyes filling with fresh tears.

Her words struck me like a blow.

What?

Before I could process her reaction, Fredrick's harsh voice cut through the room.

"Reina, have you lost your mind?" he barked angrily. "Do you even realize who is standing in front of you? This is the most powerful Alpha in the world, Damon Kingsley!"

She looked up at me again, and suddenly, she began to cry. She cried as if her heart was breaking all over again.

I frowned in confusion.

What was wrong with her?

Why was she reacting like this?

She was my mate and my destined partner.

Shouldn't she be happy? Shouldn't she be relieved?

I had expected her to smile, to feel the bond, to reach for my hand.

Never, in all my imagination, had I thought she would cry.

"I... I don't want a mate," Reina whispered brokenly.

Her words pierced through me.

For a moment, I was unable to speak.

Before I could respond, Fredrick hurried forward, panic evident on his face.

"Alpha Damon, please forgive my daughter," he said hastily. "She has been under a lot of stress lately because of work. She doesn't know what she's saying."

Then, without even sparing her a glance, Fredrick added firmly, "As per your proposal, the two of you will be married tomorrow."

I watched closely as Reina lifted her head to look at her father in confusion.

And that was when I made my decision. "We aren't waiting until tomorrow," I said coldly.

The room fell into stunned silence. Every pair of eyes turned toward me. Only then did Reina look at me, her gaze filled with confusion and fear.

"Reina and I will be married tonight," I continued firmly. "Everything has already been prepared. The wedding dress is ready."

Her lips parted slightly in shock, and her face drained of color.

"Of course, Alpha Damon," Britney replied quickly, forcing a polite smile. "I'll get her ready immediately."

Before Reina could protest, Britney grabbed her arm and began pulling her away. Reina stumbled slightly, her steps hesitant, as though she wanted to turn back. Within moments, she was dragged out of my sight.

My jaw tightened. Something was terribly wrong. No daughter should look that frightened in her own home. No father should allow his child to be treated that way. And I didn't want to leave Reina alone in this house even for a second. I wanted to make her my Luna, my wife.

Slowly, I turned my gaze toward Fredrick.

"Do you hurt your daughter?" I asked.

The golden glow in my eyes intensified.

Fredrick immediately lowered his head and bowed deeply. "Not at all, Alpha Damon," he replied without hesitation. I knew he was lying straight in my face.

I took a step closer to him, forcing him to retreat slightly.

"Then why did you introduce her as your illegitimate daughter?" I demanded. "Why would you humiliate her in front of my men and me?"

My voice hardened with every word.

"If I am going to be her husband, then she is to be treated with respect," I continued coldly. "She is to be honored as my mate and my future Luna."

I stopped right in front of him, towering over his trembling form. "Do you understand me, Fredrick?"

He nodded frantically. "Yes, Alpha... I understand."

"You will apologize to her," I added sharply. "For every mistake you have made. For every wound you have caused her. And you will do it before I uncover those mistakes myself."

I leaned in slightly, lowering my voice to a dangerous whisper. "Because if I do... You will not like the consequences."

I glanced at my beta, who understood my command and walked away.