Mated To My Mate's Worst Enemy Chapter 17

DAMON

By the time I returned to pack lands, the sun was high in the sky and my phone was buzzing with missed calls. Pack business that couldn't wait, disputes that needed my attention.

But first, I needed to contact the Shadowmere pack.

I'd done some research last night about their merchant district, about how to arrange a visit. Shadowmere was notoriously protective of their territory—they didn't welcome outsiders easily. Especially not since their Alpha had been cursed three years ago.

Their leadership structure had become unclear after that. Some reports said the Beta was running things. Others mentioned a council of elders. Nobody seemed to know for certain what was happening behind Shadowmere's closed borders.

But if I wanted access to their merchant, I'd need permission from whoever was in charge.

I settled into my office—which Sera had organized with ruthless efficiency in my absence—and pulled up the contact information for Shadowmere pack. The main line went to their administrative office.

The phone rang four times before someone picked up.

"Shadowmere pack, Beta Nina speaking. How can I help you?"

"Beta Nina, this is Alpha Damon Cross of the Blackwood pack. I'm calling to request permission for a visit to your territory. I need to meet with one of your merchants about commissioning some jewelry work."

There was a pause on the other end. When Nina spoke again, her voice was carefully neutral. "Alpha Cross. What an... interesting time to call."

Something about her tone made my hackles rise. "Is there a problem? I understand Shadowmere has been closed to outsiders, but this is important pack business—"

"I'm sure it is," Nina interrupted smoothly. "However, I'm afraid we can't accommodate visitors at this time. Our pack is in the middle of preparations for a significant event. Perhaps you could try again in three days?"

Three days. That would be right around when Aria was supposed to return.

"What kind of event?" I asked, though I wasn't sure why it mattered.

Another pause. "We're crowning our new Luna. It's been three years since our pack had proper leadership, and we're finally rectifying that. The ceremony is quite elaborate—we can't afford distractions."

A new Luna. That made sense, given their Alpha's condition. Someone needed to lead the pack.

But something about Nina's voice when she said "Luna" set my teeth on edge. There was pride there. Possessiveness. Like she was talking about someone she cared about deeply.

"I understand," I said, trying to keep my frustration in check. "And after the ceremony? Would I be able to visit then?"

"After the ceremony, our Luna will be in charge of approving all territorial visits. You'll need to go through her for permission. I'm sure she'll be reasonable about trade requests."

"Your Luna will be in charge?" I couldn't keep the surprise from my voice. "Not your Beta or Alpha?"

"Our Alpha is... compromised," Nina said carefully. "The curse hasn't broken yet, though we're hopeful. In the meantime, yes, our Luna will assume full leadership of the pack. She's more than capable—she's been training with me for the past week, learning pack management and diplomatic protocols."

Past week?

A chill ran down my spine. Aria had left about a week ago. But that was just coincidence. The Eastern forests were vast—there were dozens of packs in that region.

"This Luna," I said slowly. "Is she from your pack originally, or...?"

"That's internal pack business, Alpha Cross." Nina's voice had turned cool, professional. "I can tell you that a formal announcement will be made after the mating ceremony is complete. All neighboring packs will be notified of our new leadership structure."

Mating ceremony.

So their new Luna was bonding with someone. Their cursed Alpha, presumably, though how that was supposed to work when he was trapped in wolf form, I couldn't imagine.

"I see," I said. "Well, congratulations to your pack. I'll contact you again after the ceremony."

"We'll look forward to hearing from you." There was something in Nina's voice—amusement? Satisfaction? "Though I should warn you, Alpha Cross, that our Luna takes her responsibilities very seriously. She's quite protective of this pack and its interests. Any trade agreements or visits will need to align with her vision for Shadowmere's future."

"Of course. Thank you for your time, Beta Nina."

I hung up and stared at my phone, that chill growing into full-blown unease.

Something was wrong. I couldn't put my finger on what, but my wolf was pacing restlessly, whining.

The timing was too coincidental. Aria leaving a week ago, this new Luna arriving at Shadowmere around the same time, the ceremony scheduled for three days from now—right around when Aria was supposed to return home.

But that was insane. Aria was out gathering herbs, not bonding with some cursed Alpha she'd never met.

Except...

I thought about that cold, impersonal text she'd sent. About how she'd stopped responding to my messages entirely. About the broken photograph in her cabin, the expensive necklace I'd given her left behind in the dust.

*I'm ending whatever this was between us.*

Those had been her last words to me before she left.

I'd thought she was just upset, that she needed time to cool down. That she'd come back and we'd work through our issues and everything would go back to normal.

But what if "ending it" had been exactly what she meant?

What if she hadn't gone to gather herbs at all?

My hands shook as I pulled up Luna Margaret's contact information. She'd been the one to tell me about Aria's trip. She would know the truth.

The phone rang six times before Margaret answered, sounding harried.

"Alpha Cross, I'm in the middle of—"

"Where exactly did Aria go?" I interrupted. "You said she was gathering herbs in the Eastern forests. I need specific locations—which forests, which territories."

Margaret's silence spoke volumes.

"Luna Margaret," I said, my Alpha command bleeding through. "Answer me."