Chapter 14

A sudden wave of inexplicable anticipation surged from his chest. He strode toward the living room, his gaze sweeping over that familiar silhouette, his lips curving upward uncontrollably.

"Seraphina, you're back?"

His voice was full of joy.

But when the person turned around, his smile instantly froze.

It was Clarissa.

She wore a pale pink silk dress, her hair loosely draped over her shoulders, her makeup flawless, with a hint of shyness and charm on her face.

"Damien." Her voice was gentle. "I came to see you."

Alpha Damien's expression darkened instantly, his tone turning cold. "What are you doing here?"

Clarissa was taken aback. "I missed you. You haven't been talking to me lately..."

She slowly approached, speaking as she tried to embrace him.

Alpha Damien didn't move. He just stood there, staring at her with heavy eyes.

He realized how ridiculous he had been.

How could she ever be you? She will never be you.

He pushed Clarissa away forcefully.

Clarissa was thrown onto the sofa, her expression instantly becoming shocked and aggrieved. "What are you doing... I'm your chosen mate. Can't I even touch you now?"

"Chosen mate?" Alpha Damien sneered, his gaze sharp as a blade. "Who told you that you're my chosen mate?"

Clarissa bit her lip, trying to look pitiful. "Didn't your pack's PR department officially confirm it? They even made a video... Damien, we've come this far. Are you still unwilling to face reality?"

He stepped closer, finally unable to contain the anger that had been building inside him. "Stop acting, Clarissa. I already know the truth about the pup. You planned it all."

Clarissa's face changed instantly.

"Did you think I still knew nothing? That video has gone viral online!"

Clarissa's face turned deathly pale. She had been hoping that someone as busy as Alpha Damien wouldn't pay attention to that video. She stammered:

"I... I just cared about you too much... I was afraid she would hurt you—"

"Don't use 'caring' as an excuse."

Alpha Damien cut her off, his eyes ice-cold. "You weren't afraid she would hurt me. You were afraid she would stay."

"She's gone." His voice was hoarse as he said this, like a knife scraping his throat. "Aren't you happy now?"

"So can we start over?"

Clarissa stepped closer, almost pleading. "Damien, we finally got together—now that she's gone, no one can come between us anymore."

"Us?" Alpha Damien laughed coldly.

He finally saw everything clearly.

"I admit, I used to have an obsession with you. But that was just an obsession with the past, a kind of guilt and unwillingness I couldn't let go of."

"But she is the mate I chose."

"I never understood what love was before, but now I do. Every day she was by my side, she never tried to make me give her anything in return. She silently endured your provocations and cold treatment, time after time, just to protect our bond."

Clarissa's eyes reddened. She hadn't expected Alpha Damien, who had always indulged her, to suddenly turn on her like this. "But Seraphina is already gone! What's the point of regretting it now?"

Alpha Damien's voice was like a cold wind. "I only regret that I drove her away with my own hands."

"Did you think that just because she's gone, I would love you? Impossible."

"You can leave now. Stop being so presumptuous. If you keep staying here, I'm afraid I won't be able to stop myself from getting revenge for you killing my pup."

Alpha Damien's gaze was ice-cold, as if he were looking at a complete stranger.