6) Invitation

Days had passed and the night was calm, the moon casting its silver glow through the grand windows. I sat in my study, staring at the flickering flames in the hearth. My desk was cluttered with papers of recent treaties, reports, and other documents that required my attention. Yet, my mind was elsewhere.

I leaned back in the leather chair, my fingers drumming against the armrest. The silence of the room was oppressive, almost mocking. It gave space for memories I'd rather forget, for thoughts I couldn't suppress. Her face surfaced again, the curve of her smile, the warmth in her eyes, a constant reminder of the life I cherished.

I closed my eyes briefly, the weight of her loss as fresh as it was years ago. No amount of time, power, or distraction had dulled the ache abd these days the ache became unbearable.

A knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts.

"Come in," I said, my voice sharp but controlled.

The door opened to reveal Adrian, my beta and the only person who dared challenge my silence. He strode in, his usual calm demeanor intact, but I could see the concern in his eyes.

"Damien," he greeted, closing the door behind him.

I didn't respond, waiting for him to speak. Adrian knew me well enough to skip unnecessary pleasantries.

He stopped in front of the desk, studying me for a moment before letting out a sigh that I so clearly knew. "Still thinking about her?"

The tension in the room thickened. I didn't answer, and my cold gaze told him not to press further and as always he ignored it.

Adrian pretended not to see my cold gaze or maybe he was just used to it. "It's been years, Damien. You can't keep shutting yourself away like this. Your mother is worried. Hell, I'm worried. Are you sure she'd be happy to see the way you've been living"

I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the desk. Staring at him intently "And what exactly would you have me do, Adrian?"

"Move on," he said simply. "Take a chosen mate. Give yourself another chance at happiness. You take care of this pack and you need someone to take care of you too. A chosen mate isn't a bad idea..."

Before he could finish, the temperature in the room seemed to drop. My aura filled the space, heavy and unrelenting. Adrian flinched slightly, but he stood his ground.

"Don't," I warned, my tone laced with finality.

Adrian held my gaze, his shoulders straight. "I'm not trying to disrespect her memory, Damien, you know how much I cared about her too. But you're alive, and you deserve more than this… existence, you're so pathetic."

"I don't need your pity," I snapped.

"It's not pity," he shot back. "It's concern. You're my alpha, but more than that, you're my friend. I want to see you live, not just survive."

The silence between us was deafening. Adrian sighed again, rubbing the back of his neck. He knew he had pushed me too far, but his worry outweighed his caution.

Switching tactics, he reached into his jacket and pulled out a thick envelope.

"There's something else," he said, placing it on the desk.

"What is it?" I asked trying to forget the intense conversation we just had.

"An invitation," he replied. "From Alpha Kieran. He's hosting a birthday celebration for his daughter."

I arched a brow, my expression unamused. "And how's that my concern?"

"And," Adrian continued, "it's an opportunity. You've declined every invitation they've sent before but this time, I think you should go."

I leaned back in my chair, folding my arms. "Why would I do that?"

Adrian's expression shifted to one of professionalism, though his concern lingered beneath. "It's about strengthening alliances. We have a treaty with Alpha Kieran's pack, and attending events like this shows good faith. It's politics, Damien. No matter how powerful you may be we still need allies and these things will strengthen our relationships"

I said nothing, my gaze fixed on him.

"And..." Adrian added a faint smirk playing on his lips, "it wouldn't hurt for you to interact with people outside these walls for a change. Talk to people who knows you might find someone that catches your eye"

I exhaled sharply. "You think a party will solve my problems?" one thing about Adrian was he was persistent.

"I think it might remind you there's more to life than this," Adrian replied gesturing to the study around us.

I stared at him for a long moment, weighing his words. Finally, I leaned forward and picked up the envelope. I opened it, scanning the neatly penned invitation.

"Two days," I murmured.

"Yes," Adrian said. "You don't have to stay long. Just show your face, honor the treaty, and leave if you want to."

I placed the invitation back on the desk. "I'll consider it."

Adrian nodded, his expression satisfied. "That's all I ask of you."

He lingered for a moment, as if debating whether to say more. Then he turned and left the room, closing the door behind him.