Chapter 17

In Chapter 17 of “I Left Before He Learned My Worth,” Damon returns to the pack lands, feeling the weight of numerous missed calls regarding urgent pack matters. However, he is drawn to the Shadowmere pack, intrigued by their recent upheaval following a curse that has left their Alpha incapacitated for three years. The leadership dynamics are unclear, and Damon knows he must secure permission to visit their merchant district, which is known for its secrecy and protective nature.

Upon contacting Shadowmere, Damon speaks with Beta Nina, who informs him that their pack is preparing for a significant event—the crowning of a new Luna. This news unsettles Damon, especially as he learns that the new Luna will be responsible for all territorial visits. The mention of the Luna raises suspicions in Damon, particularly given the timing of Aria’s departure a week prior. He cannot shake the feeling that there is a connection between Aria’s absence and the emergence of this new Luna, leading him to question the nature of her trip.

As the conversation unfolds, Nina’s tone reveals a possessive undertone regarding the new Luna, adding to Damon’s unease. He is left with a sense of dread, compounded by memories of Aria’s abrupt text ending their relationship. This moment of vulnerability forces Damon to confront the possibility that Aria may not be gathering herbs as she claimed, but rather forming a bond with the cursed Alpha of Shadowmere.

Determined to uncover the truth, Damon reaches out to Luna Margaret, who had previously informed him of Aria’s trip. His urgency is palpable as he demands specific details about Aria’s whereabouts. The silence from Margaret only amplifies his fears, and he realizes that the situation may be more complicated than he initially thought. This chapter captures Damon’s emotional turmoil as he grapples with uncertainty, betrayal, and the looming threat of losing Aria to another pack.

**Chapter 17 p>

**DAMON p>

By the time I made my way back to the pack lands, the sun had ascended to its zenith, casting a warm glow over everything it touched. My phone was incessantly buzzing in my pocket, a cacophony of missed calls that hinted at pack matters demanding my immediate attention. Disputes, negotiations, issues that couldn’t afford to wait.

Yet, before diving into those pressing responsibilities, I felt an urgent need to reach out to the Shadowmere pack.

Last night, I had spent hours researching their merchant district, piecing together the best way to arrange a visit. Shadowmere was infamous for its protective nature over its territory; they were not known to welcome outsiders with open arms. This wariness had only intensified since their Alpha had been cursed three years prior.

The leadership dynamics within Shadowmere had become a tangled web of uncertainty in the aftermath of that curse. Some whispers suggested that the Beta was now at the helm, while others spoke of a council of elders making decisions. The truth was shrouded in mystery, and no one seemed to have a clear understanding of the situation behind the tightly guarded borders of Shadowmere.

If I wanted access to their merchants, I would have to secure permission from whoever was currently in charge.

I settled into my office, which Sera had transformed with her usual ruthless efficiency during my absence. The space felt organized, almost too pristine for my liking, but I appreciated her efforts. I pulled up the contact details for the Shadowmere pack, my heart racing slightly as I dialed their administrative office.

The phone rang four times before a voice finally answered.

“Shadowmere pack, Beta Nina speaking. How may I assist you today p>

“Beta Nina, this is Alpha Damon Cross from the Blackwood pack,” I replied, trying to keep my tone steady despite the underlying tension. “I’m reaching out to request permission for a visit to your territory. I need to meet with one of your merchants regarding a commission for some jewelry work p>

There was a noticeable pause on the other end of the line. When Nina finally spoke again, her voice was laced with an unsettling neutrality. “Alpha Cross. What an… interesting time to call p>

Her tone sent a shiver down my spine, and I felt my instincts kick in. “Is there an issue? I’m aware that Shadowmere has been closed to outsiders, but this is a matter of significant importance for my pack p>

“I’m sure it is,” she interrupted, her voice smooth as silk. “However, I regret to inform you that we cannot accommodate visitors at this time. Our pack is currently engaged in preparations for a significant event. Perhaps you could try again in three days p>

Three days. That timeline coincided with Aria’s expected return.

“What kind of event?” I asked, curiosity piqued despite my better judgment.

Another pause, heavy with unspoken implications. “We’re crowning our new Luna. It has been three long years since our pack enjoyed proper leadership, and we are finally rectifying that. The ceremony is quite elaborate, and we cannot afford any distractions p>

A new Luna. It made sense, given the dire state of their Alpha. Someone had to step up to lead the pack.

Yet, the way Nina pronounced “Luna” set my teeth on edge. There was a hint of possessiveness in her tone, as if she was speaking of someone she held dear.

“I understand,” I replied, striving to keep my frustration in check. “And what about after the ceremony? Will I be able to visit then p>

“Post-ceremony, our Luna will be responsible for approving all territorial visits. You will need to go through her for any permissions. I’m certain she will be reasonable regarding trade requests p>

“Your Luna will be in charge?” I couldn’t mask my surprise. “Not your Beta or Alpha p>

“Our Alpha is… compromised,” Nina stated carefully. “The curse remains unbroken, though we hold onto hope. 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 the intricacies of pack management and diplomatic protocols p>

A chill coursed down my spine. Aria had left about a week ago. But surely, that was just a coincidence. The Eastern forests were vast; there were numerous packs scattered throughout that region.

“This Luna,” I ventured slowly, “is she originally from your pack, or p>

“That’s internal pack business, Alpha Cross.” Nina’s voice had shifted to a cool, professional tone. “I can assure you that a formal announcement will follow the mating ceremony. All neighboring packs will be informed of our new leadership structure p>

Mating ceremony.

So their new Luna was bonding with someone. Most likely their cursed Alpha, though the logistics of that seemed impossible given his current state.

“I see,” I said, forcing my voice to remain steady. “Well, congratulations to your pack. I’ll reach out again after the ceremony p>

“We look forward to your call.” There was an unmistakable note of amusement—or was it satisfaction?—in Nina’s voice. “But I should caution you, Alpha Cross, that our Luna takes her responsibilities very seriously. She is fiercely protective of this pack and its interests. Any trade agreements or visits will need to align with her vision for Shadowmere’s future p>

“Of course. Thank you for your time, Beta Nina p>

I ended the call and stared at my phone, an unsettling chill morphing into a gnawing sense of dread.

Something was amiss. I couldn’t quite identify what it was, but my wolf was pacing restlessly within me, whining softly.

The timing felt too coincidental. Aria’s departure a week ago, the emergence of this new Luna in Shadowmere around the same time, and the ceremony scheduled for three days from now—just when Aria was supposed to return home.

But that was absurd. Aria was out gathering herbs, not forming some bond with a cursed Alpha she had never met.

Except…

I couldn’t shake the memory of that cold, detached text she had sent. The way she had abruptly stopped responding to my messages. The broken photograph in her cabin, the expensive necklace I had gifted her lying abandoned in the dust.

“I’m ending whatever this was between us p>

Those had been her final words to me before she walked away.

I had convinced myself that she was simply upset, needing time to cool off. I believed she would return, and we would work through our issues, restoring everything to its previous state.

But what if “ending it” was precisely what she meant?

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

My hands trembled as I pulled up Luna Margaret’s contact information. She had been the one to inform me about Aria’s trip. She would know the truth.

The phone rang six times before Margaret answered, her voice sounding rushed and flustered.

“Alpha Cross, I’m in the middle of p>

“Where exactly did Aria go?” I interrupted, urgency threading through my words. “You said she was gathering herbs in the Eastern forests. I need specific locations— which forests, which territories p>

Margaret’s silence was deafening, echoing my growing fears.

“Luna Margaret,” I said, my voice low and commanding, the authority of my title seeping through. “You need to answer me p>

As the weight of uncertainty pressed down on Damon, he grappled with the chilling possibility that Aria had truly severed their bond. The echoes of her final words haunted him, intertwining with the unsettling realization that her absence coincided with the emergence of a new Luna in Shadowmere. The more he pondered, the more it became evident that the threads of their fate were not merely frayed but perhaps entirely severed. The warmth of the sun outside felt distant, overshadowed by the cold reality of his spiraling thoughts. Damon was left with a gnawing dread, a fear that he had underestimated the depth of Aria’s resolve, and in doing so, he may have lost her forever.

In that moment of despair, a flicker of determination ignited within him. He was not ready to surrender to the shadows of doubt or the allure of resignation. Damon understood that the stakes had risen; it was no longer just about trade agreements or pack politics—it was about reclaiming what was rightfully his. The sense of urgency propelled him to seek the truth, to confront whatever lay ahead. With a newfound resolve, he prepared to navigate the complexities of both his pack and the looming threat of Shadowmere. In the face of uncertainty, Damon realized that he could not afford to leave anything to chance. He had to fight for Aria, for their connection, and for the chance to prove his worth—not only to her but to himself.

**What to Expect in Next Chapter p>

As the tension builds, readers can expect Damon to delve deeper into the mysteries surrounding Aria’s sudden departure and the crowning of Shadowmere’s new Luna. With every unanswered question weighing heavily on his mind, Damon’s determination to uncover the truth will lead him down a path fraught with danger and unexpected revelations. Will he discover that Aria’s absence is more than just a simple trip for herbs? The stakes are raised as he navigates the complex political landscape of the Shadowmere pack, where loyalties are tested, and secrets threaten to unravel everything he thought he knew about his relationship with Aria.

Moreover, the imminent crowning ceremony promises to be a pivotal moment not only for Shadowmere but also for Damon and the Blackwood pack. As the new Luna takes her place, the dynamics of power will shift dramatically, and Damon must grapple with the implications of this change on his own territory. Will he be able to confront the truth about Aria’s connection to this new leader? The upcoming chapter will likely explore the intricate web of alliances and rivalries within the packs, setting the stage for a confrontation that could alter the course of their fates forever. Prepare for a whirlwind of emotions, revelations, and the ever-looming threat of betrayal as the story unfolds!

Mark