PACK OR MATE

Damon's P.O.V

I ask, my voice cracking slightly as I try to kickstart my heart again. "He's okay isn't he?"

"He's healing."

That's not okay. He's not okay.

"The pack won this match but word is spreading, quickly." He explains, his features dipping with sadness. "People have heard that you have not taken your position as alpha, they know you're not there and aren't afraid to challenge anymore. More packs want to challenge us for the number one position, all with younger, stronger alphas."

"I w-"

I stop myself, tongue running dry at the reminder that I couldn't step in even though I wanted to. I let my talons sink into my palms, needing something to steady me against the sting of my mocking thoughts. Each one hitting me like fresh whiplashes as everything I'd pushed away for the last two months comes rushing back in all at once.

I am not alpha.

They lied to me.

They didn't believe in me.

They think I'm a demon.