“She’s not here either! Damn it!” Damion says, slamming his hand on the steering wheel. I was sure she’d be here.
The new Beta’s house is dark and empty. Damion drives away, clearly frustrated.
“She could be anywhere,” Sera sighs, also frustrated. They’d be driving around aimlessly.
“There’s one more place she could be,” Damion states, pulling a U-turn in the middle of the road. They drive to the Wolf and Fiddle, a small pub near the pack border. Sera follows him inside and sure enough, Miriam is there, sitting at the counter, slumped over a martini glass. Several empty ones are strewn around her; clearly, she’s been drinking.
“Miriam,” Damion exclaims, as relief washes over his face. When she hears her name, she turns around. It takes her eyes a few moments to focus, but then she topples off the bar stool and runs, clumsily, into Damion’s arms. She leaps up and he catches her, spinning her around like a scene from a movie.
Sera watches this with skepticism. She’s never seen Miriam before. She’s heard a lot about her, but she’s never actually seen her in person. When Damion releases her from his embrace, she studies Miriam’s face.
The first thing Sera notices are the long, blonde curls. Sera’s always been a little jealous of wolves with blonde hair; hers is just a mousy brown. The texture is similar, though. Next she sees Miriam’s bright blue eyes. They’re the same color as Sera’s own eyes. Their lips have the same fullness, too. In fact, the more she looks at Miriam, the more similarities she sees. Miriam is younger, and her features are much more delicate - she looks more like a porcelain doll than an actual person - but overall, they could easily pass for sisters.
Damion softly wipes a tear from Miriam’s cheek with his thumb. They’re even the same height!
He’s been using me! Sera slowly realizes. He’s been using me as a substitute for her! Is that why he chose me? Because I look so much like her? Sera didn’t think it was possible, but her heart breaks again.
Look how he holds her. Damion wipes away another tear and then kisses her, softly, on the top of her head. He’s so gentle with her, so soft and caring. He never held me like that; he never kissed me on the top of the head. Damion looks deep into Miriam’s eyes and sighs. He really does love her. And I actually thought, for a moment….
Sera realizes that she’s been a fool. Her wolf lets out a low growl, the sound of pain. Damion had always been kind to her, but not like that. He’d never been protective of her, or so soft. Sera had assumed it was because he was Alpha and Alpha’s have a lot of pride. It’s time to face the truth, though, Sera.
Sera thinks back to all the times they’d been in bed together. Her wolf had connected with him during sex. Like, really connected. Or at least, she’d thought it had. She’d had deep feelings for him, real feelings. She assumed that he had, too, and that he was just controlling his wolf, like all Alpha’s do.
He was faking it? The whole time? He felt no connection? I thought we were mates, and he knew it, too. But I thought he just wouldn’t admit it. That he was just blocking our connection. I’ve been so stupid! I should have known! Look at the way he looks at her! He never named me Luna because Miriam is his true mate. I see it now. I’m nothing to him – just someone to pass the time with, someone to keep his bed warm…
“I can’t believe you’re finally back,” Damion says. Miriam smiles and hiccups. “You silly girl. How many drinks did you have? You’re a little drunk.”
He talks to her so kindly…
“Yes.I.am,” she says, slurry the words slightly. “But I’m drunk cuz I was upset. I thought I was too late, Damion! Who was that woman on the phone? I thought you said that you’d wait for me. That you wouldn’t allow anyone into your bedroom.”
Miriam pouts, jutting out her bottom lip. Damion tucks her hair behind her ear and kisses her on the cheek. ‘Then he turns to Sera, his eyes pleading.
Now! Now’s the time. Please explain it to her, his eyes say.
Sera takes a deep breath. Just tell her what you came here to say and then you can go, she thinks, prepping for herself. She opens her mouth to start, but Damion wraps his arm around Miriam in such a protective, loving way that Sera just about loses her mind.
She can’t even string together a sentence. She feels tears, threatening to spill out and she blinks them back. She needs to get out of there. It’s all just too much.
“I’m…I’m sorry,” is all she can get out. Then she runs from the pub.
Realization dawns on Miriam’s face. She nods knowingly. “Damion, you should go after her. She’s very upset.”
“Don’t be such a hypocrite,” Damion laughs. “You yelled at me and hung up the phone when you thought I was with another girl. And now you want me to chase after her?”
“I see it differently now,” Miriam shrugs.
“No way! I’m not leaving your side! I’ve waited waaaay to long for you. You’re the most important thing in the world to me.”
Miriam sighs. “I overreacted. On the phone. It just, it upset me to think about you with…another girl. But Damion, I’ve been gone for a long time. Too long. And I understand. You have…needs.” She looks up at him, her eyes full of desire. “And I couldn’t be there for you. Of course you took a lover.”
“I don’t want to talk about this,” Damion exclaims, surprised at her sudden leniency. Perhaps it was the alcohol?
“Please, go get her and bring her back. I’d like to thank her. She took care of you when I couldn’t. I owe her my gratitude.”
Damion pulls her into his chest in a strong embrace. “It’s not like that,” he says, shaking his head and holding her tightly. “She doesn’t mean anything to me. She’s nothing.”
Miriam pulls away from his chest. She smiles. “You can’t lie to me, Damion. I can feel your wolf. He’s disturbed, distraught. I can feel it when you hug me. She clearly meant something to you. She’s way too graceful to be some unimportant maid. And she’s gorgeous. Really, she is. Well educated, too, I assume. You don’t owe me any explanations. I get it.”
Damion searches her eyes. He can see that she’s being sincere. “I know you love me. I can see it in your eyes. Please, find her. I already feel guilty enough as it is. She’s out there all alone.”
Damion sighs. Miriam is right. Sera wasn’t ‘nothing’ to him, she just didn’t matter much anymore since Miriam was back. But he should help her get home; it was the right thing to do.
“Fine, I’ll go stay with her. But only until Mathew gets here. My father has sent him to bring her back.”
“Mathew? Is he the new Beta?”
Damion nods as they walk to the door. He kisses Miriam on the forehead and then hugs her again. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
Miriam smiles sweetly at him. “I know you will.”
She closes the pub door behind him and then turns to the corner as an old woman walks out from the dark.
“Sera? Are you okay?”Sera was crying loudly when Damion found her out in the street. The sounds of her sobs hurt him. He hadn’t meant to upset her.“Damion? What are you doing here? I’m fine, honestly! Go be with Miriam. She’s upset. Go comfort her,” Sera says, wiping away her tears with her sleeve.What is he doing out here? And now he’s caught me ugly crying! This is so embarrassing. She sniffs deeply and tries to regain her composure. “I’ve come to check on you,” he tells her. “And you don’t look fine.” He takes a step towards her but she takes a step back.“Nonsense. I’ll find my way home,” Sera says. “I’d really prefer to be alone right now.”“Father has sent someone to take you home. It’s late and it’s dark. I’ll wait with you.”They stand in awkward silence for a few minutes, with only the sound of Sera’s sniffles to break it up. But it’s not long before Mathew pulls up. Mathew sees them both and heads towards them, but Damion intersects them. He pulls M
“Let me take your temperature,” Sera says to June. June doesn’t look any sicker than she had when they’d left earlier, but Sera is still worried about her none-the-less. “It was so nice of you to come back. Wasn’t it nice of her, Stephen? Just to look after me?” June asks, trying to talk with the thermometer sticking out of her mouth. “Yes,” Sera smiles. “But please, keep your mouth closed so I can get a good read. I need to see if you have a fever.” They are sitting in the living room, tea and snacks spread out before them. Sera had thought it was a little odd, the late night spread. If June wasn’t feeling well, then why had she made them all snacks like this?And she really doesn’t seem sick. In fact, she seems happy. She was very enthusiastic to meet us at the door.“Don’t worry about Miriam. Mathew will bring her home. Let’s just enjoy our snacks. And each other’s company.” June is perched on the edge of the couch, smiling, even with the thermomete
“Sorry about the conversation at breakfast. About Miriam. I could tell you were uncomfortable,” Sera says as they pull out onto the road. “I don’t know her well but I’m sure she’s a great girl. I know that you have feelings for her and-“ Mathew’s laughter interrupts Sera. “A great girl? Hardly. She’s horrible. We grew up together. I know exactly the type of person she is.” “But there must be something good about her? Damion’s head over heels for her,” Sera suggests. How could Damion, sweet, kind Damion, love an awful person? Mathew shakes his head. “Damion isn’t seeing clearly. He’s like a brother to me, so of course I want him to be happy. But Miriam is not the right wolf for him. She was with me at one point, when we were younger. But when Damion was named Alpha, she ditched me for him. Didn’t even feel bad about it. Not an ounce of remorse. And get this. After Damion’s accident, when he was all messed up and vulnerable, she wasn’t even here. She
Sera glances around one more time quickly, looking for any chance of escape.There’s none. The man pushes her towards the small wooden house and with every step closer, the scent of blood becomes thicker. Given how thick the scent is, she’s terrified of what she’ll find inside. “Len,” the man says, entering the house. He pulls her through the kitchen. “She’s here. She’s pretty young, though. Are you sure such a young chick can…” They walk into a room then and she sees the source of the blood, lying on a bed. Her eyes immediately scan the situation. It’s bad. It’s really, really bad. “Yes,” the man on the bed says. The blood is dripping from his side and pooling on the floor. The sheet is stained a dark crimson. “He needs to go to the hospital,” Sera states. “He needs proper medical supplies. He needs-“ “Clearly, we’re not going to a hospital, moron. Why the hell do you think we brought you here? You have to save
“You’re healing nicely,” Sera says. And he is. She’s been tending to him diligently, and she’s happy with Len’s progress.She can’t say the same for her living conditions, though. It’s been two days and Sera has resigned herself to the fact that there is no possible escape. She’s tried – the bathroom window, the back door, even the window from the second story – but Len’s men are guarding every possible exit. She has no choice but to stay here and keep caring for Len.“How’s the pain level? Getting better?” Sera asks. “Fine,” he replies bluntly. Len is a man of little words. Sera’s tried to engage him in conversation several times, but his response is never more than a word or two. It’s not that he’s mean; he’s actually treated her quite well. He’s given orders that she be given everything she needs, comfortable bedding, toiletries, nice meals. She’s even been offered an occasional glass of wine with her supper. But even so, the truth remains - she’s still a hostage.
Damion’s vibrating phone is impossible to ignore. Clearly, someone is trying very badly to get a hold of him. Why isn’t he answering it? Sera wonders.“Please, baby. Just call me back, okay? When you can?”It’s Miriam. Sera recognizes her voice on the message instantly. Guilt washes through Sera. Poor Damion. He’s been out looking for her instead of with the woman he loves. “You should talk to her,” Sera suggests as they drive away from the Riverbrood Pack territory. The darkness is palpable, with only a crescent moon in the sky. Sera looks out the window. “She’s probably worried, Damion. I imagine you’ve been out looking for me for a while now? What if something’s wrong? What if it’s an emergency?” Damion sighs deeply. Then he nods, grabs his phone, and dials.Sera can’t help but eavesdrop in the conversation.“Did you find her?”“Yes.”“Is she alright?”“Yes.”“Is she still with you.”“Yes.”Brief pause. And then - “I completely understand, sweethea
Damion is in a world of pain. He tries to roll over to his side but the danger wound sends shock waves through his body. The room fades in and out through his blurred vision. He feels his body burning up and tries to kick off his blankets. “We can’t get his fever down,” a doctor whispers to Jackson outside Damion’s bedroom door. “He’s slipping in and out of consciousness. I’m afraid he’ll go into a coma.” “Do you know what’s wrong with him?” Butler Jackson asks. “Not for certain. But I believe he’s been poisoned with some type of new wolfbane. Seems to be causing extreme pain, high fever, and loss of consciousness. I’m going to run some more tests on his bloodwork.” The doctor walks away just as Miriam walks up. “I need to see him,” she tells Jackson, reaching for the door handle. He stops her. “No, Miriam. He’s not allowed any visitors. Doctor’s orders. He’s been in and out of consciousness. He’s likely unconscious now. He cou
Sera climbs into her car and is just about to leave when she sees Miriam making a beeline for her. “We need to talk,” Miriam says, leaning through the passenger side window. She smiles sweetly as Sera. Sera hesitates. “Please, Sera. This is important. I won’t take up much of your time, I promise. How about a coffee? At Express Bean?” Sera doesn’t know what to do. She seems friendly enough. She must be stressed about Damion. Maybe she needs to vent.“Okay, sure,” Sera smiles back. They walk to the secluded café. The café is far from the pack border; no one will recognize them there.In the café, the two women sip their lattes.“Nice weather today,” Sera comments. This is so awkward. Why did I come here? I have nothing to say to her, Sera thinks to herself.“It is, yes,” Miriam responds dryly. Seriously? She’s talking about the weather. This woman is such a bore!Sera tries to think of something else to say, when she sees Miriam reach up and touch a necklace around her nec