Transmigrated: The Lycan King's Pet-Chapter 124 Not on My Watch

Lydia poured us drinks before sitting back in her chair, her eyes locked on mine. "But Ember... what if you actually find your real mate that day?"

My hand paused mid-air. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, you’re turning eighteen soon. What if you really find your mate on that day? Then what?"

Caroline shifted on her seat. "It’s rare, but it happens. You might fake it, only for the real thing to hit you right after. And when it does, there’s no hiding it."

I didn’t know what to say. My throat tightened. "But what if I don’t? What if no one’s out there for me?"

"Then you’ll still be free," Lydia said gently. "You’ll have choices. Not everyone finds their mate at eighteen, but at least... you’ll know you tried."

Caroline leaned forward. "But Ember... if Alpha Damon really cared about you, wouldn’t he fight to keep you by his side? Even if he had a Luna?"

My mouth parted but no words came out.

I didn’t know anymore. Maybe I never did. My fingers tightened around the rim of the cup. "Sometimes, I feel like he cares... then he turns around and acts like I’m nothing but property."

Lydia was quiet for a moment. "Then maybe he’s confused too."

"Or maybe I’m just imagining things," I muttered, lowering my gaze. "It’s foolish to hope, right?"

Caroline placed her hand over mine. "It’s not foolish."

I looked up at her, forcing a small smile. A warm part of me wanted to believe there was still something between me and Damon. But logic whispered otherwise.

Maybe that’s what made it harder.

.......

(Damon’s POV)

The elders sat in silence, watching me like they always did, like I was a beast they couldn’t control unless chained with politics.

"The Alpha Gathering is in ten days," Elder Dominic finally said. "We’ve begun preparations."

I nodded with an expressionless gaze.

Elder Martin cleared his throat. "We’ve also finalized the bond ceremony. You’ll be mating Alpha Allison during the gathering."

The words felt like rocks dropping inside my chest.

Beowulf’s snarl echoed in my mind. "No."

"I thought that was still being discussed," I said, keeping my voice flat.

"It was," Dominic replied. "But she has agreed sooner than we expected, and her pack will lend their full support."

Martin added, "Allison will be your Luna. You’ll be mated publicly to sends a strong message to the other Alphas."

I didn’t speak. The only sound was the faint ticking of the wall clock and the hum of Beowulf’s growing fury.

Beowulf thrashed again, snarling inside me like he was caged. "You should have refused. She’s not ours. You know it."

I ignored him, he wasn’t helping the issue.

I’d made my decision days ago, and I wasn’t the type to change my mind just because my wolf was displeased by my decision.

The bond with Allison would solidify my influence and control.

"Everything has been arranged," Dominic continued. "Your formal vow will come first, followed by the ceremony and feast. Allison’s pack is handling their own needs. After all, there will be many Alphas in this year’s gathering."

I nodded again.

"She’ll be arriving few days to the party," Martin added. "She wants to stay a few days in the bloodshade pack. She claimed it’ll give the two of you time to... connect."

My jaw tightened for half a second before I caught myself.

’Connect?’

There was nothing to connect. This wasn’t about feelings. It was politics dressed up as love, and everyone in this room knew it.

Beowulf let out a low growl. "I thought you wanted us to observe what Ember means to us. Aren’t we blowing our chances if she turns out to be our second chance mate?"

"There is nothing like a second chance. And besides she is an Omega. She can’t grants us power... I don’t think she is our second mate. The mark might just be a coincidence." I said to Beowulf.

"She’ll be treated with respect," I said flatly, turning to elder Dominic. "Give her whatever she needs. I’ll play my part."

The elders looked pleased.

Elder Martin leaned back, folding his hands. "You’ve done well, Alpha. This will go down in history, and our pack will be stronger than ever. Now we stand a better chance of winning this war."

Their words passed through my ears like wind.

I didn’t need their praise. I never cared for it. I was doing what needed to be done.

When the meeting ended, I stood and left the room without another glance.

The halls were quiet as I walked, but my mind wasn’t.

"You’re going to betray Emelia," Beowulf hissed. "And you’re going to stand there and let Ember watch you claim someone else?"

"She was never mine to mate with. She is my pet." I muttered under my breath.

I reached the corridor leading to my chambers, pausing at the entrance.

For a second, I thought I caught her scent in the air.

Then the scent came again but this time stronger. ’She must be around here. But what is she doing here?’

My feet moved on their own in the direction her scent was coming.

I stopped in front of the kitchen door, I could hear voices coming from the other end of the door, My breath hitched when I heard Ember’s voice.

I don’t know why, but my body had been reacting differently to Ember... a reaction I could not control. Especially lately, the effect had been growing stronger on me.

I took a deep breath, contemplating whether I should go inside or not. But what am I going to say to her? And when did I start to think about what to say to her beforehand?

What is wrong with me?

I inhaled deeply.

"I mean, you’re turning eighteen soon. What if you really find your mate on that day? Then what?"

The distinct voice of one of her friends brushed through my ears. ’Mate? She is turning eighteen?... does that mean she is going to leave me?’

A deep growl rumbled from my chest. "A mate?... not on my watch."

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