Mated To My Mate's Worst Enemy Chapter 4

DAMON

I should have known something was wrong when Aria didn't call.

The entire day had been devoted to Sera—visiting her physician, attending a gathering with the neighboring packs to formally announce our bond, sitting through endless congratulations that felt hollow in my chest. My friends had been there, all of them fawning over Sera like she was some precious artifact finally returned to its rightful place.

"She's even more beautiful than I remembered," Marcus, my head warrior, had said with an appreciative whistle that made my wolf bristle with possessive pride.

"And so graceful," Jennifer, one of the pack's senior she-wolves, had added. "Not like some omegas who don't know their place."

The comment had been subtle, but I'd caught the underlying dig at Aria. Jennifer had never approved of my... arrangement with her. Too lowborn, she'd said once. Too desperate for Alpha attention.

I'd wanted to defend Aria then, but Sera had laughed and squeezed my hand, and the moment had passed like smoke.

Throughout it all, Sera had been the perfect mate—smiling despite her weakness, charming everyone with that musical laugh I remembered from our childhood. But there had been moments when I'd caught her watching me with an expression I couldn't quite read. Calculating, almost.

As evening approached and the gathering wound down, Sera had pulled me aside.

"Damon," she'd said softly, her fingers trailing down my arm in a way that should have sent shivers through me but somehow didn't. "Could I stay at your house tonight? I hate being alone in mine, and with the silver poisoning getting worse..."

Her voice had trailed off, eyes filling with tears that tugged at something protective in my chest.

But I'd already made plans to check on Aria. She'd been upset last night—more upset than I'd ever seen her—and guilt had been gnawing at me all day despite my irritation with her tantrum over the pendant.

"I'm actually heading to your place tonight," I'd said, keeping my tone gentle. "I want to make sure you're comfortable there, check that your medical supplies are stocked properly."

Something had flickered across Sera's face—anger, maybe, or disappointment—but it vanished so quickly I wondered if I'd imagined it.

"Of course," she'd said with that same sweet smile. "You're always so thoughtful."

But as I'd driven her home and settled her in for the evening, that unsettled feeling in my gut had only grown stronger. I'd sent Aria three texts throughout the day, just checking in, making sure she was okay after our argument.

No response. Not even the little 'read' notification that told me she'd seen them.

My wolf paced restlessly beneath my skin, whining in a way that irritated me. Aria was fine. She was probably just sulking, wanting me to come grovel and apologize for prioritizing my actual mate over her feelings.

Except... Aria didn't sulk. She never had, not in all the years I'd known her.

When I finally made it back to pack lands as the moon rose, I headed straight to my house first. I needed to shower, to wash away Sera's cloying perfume that seemed to stick to my skin no matter how much distance I put between us. My wolf kept growling every time he caught that scent, which made no sense—Sera was our mate now. We should crave her scent.

But all I could think about was the way Aria's cabin always smelled like wildflowers and fresh rain.

As the hot water sluiced over me, I made a decision. I'd been putting it off, telling myself it was better to keep Aria at a distance, to maintain that separation between my chosen mate and my... what? What was Aria to me, exactly?

The omega who saved my life. The she-wolf who'd sacrificed everything to heal me when everyone else had given up. The one who'd held me through the darkest nights of wolfsbane poisoning, who'd whispered promises that I'd survive, that I'd be strong again.

The one I'd kissed and sworn to claim before Sera came back and turned my world upside down.

Guilt churned in my stomach as I dried off and dressed in fresh clothes. I'd been avoiding this decision, but it was time to face facts: keeping Aria in that isolated cabin on the outskirts was dangerous and impractical.

If rogues attacked—which they had been lately, with increasing frequency—she'd be vulnerable. Too far away to call for help, too exposed to defend herself properly.

I'd already sent Tom to clear out one of the guest rooms in the main pack house. A nice one, with windows facing the garden and enough space for her herbs and books. Close enough that I could keep an eye on her, make sure she was safe.

That was all this was about—safety. Practical Pack Alpha decisions.

My wolf snarled at the lie, but I ignored him.

Downstairs, I ran into Luna Margaret in the main hall. Aria's foster mother looked harried, clutching a stack of paperwork that probably had to do with the upcoming trade negotiations with the Eastern packs.

"Luna Margaret," I greeted her with a nod. "I'm heading out to check on Aria. We had a... disagreement last night, and I want to make sure she's alright."

Margaret's expression flickered with something I couldn't identify. Surprise? Relief?

"Oh, Alpha Damon, you won't find her there," she said quickly. "Aria left this morning on a journey to gather some rare healing plants. She said it was urgent—something about a remedy she'd been researching for the pack healers."

I frowned. "She didn't mention anything to me about a journey."

"Well, you've been rather busy with your new mate," Margaret said, and there was the slightest edge to her voice. "Aria probably didn't want to bother you with pack business when you have more important concerns."

The words felt like a subtle reprimand, though Margaret's face remained neutral.

"How long will she be gone?"