Chapter 20

Meanwhile, Alpha Damien had been trying to leave the Blackmoon Pack territory for several days to find me.

But whether it was Marcus's car, his own vehicle, or even taking a flight, he was stopped every time.

This day, he had just walked to the pack house lobby. Before he could step out of the glass door, the pack warrior Bastian blocked his way: "Alpha Damien, it's Elder Theron's Honoring Ceremony. You must attend."

"I don't have time." His voice was cold and hard.

"Elder Theron said," Bastian lowered his voice, "if you dare not go, this pack will have a new Alpha tomorrow."

Alpha Damien closed his eyes and clenched his fists tightly.

He turned around and ordered in a deep voice: "Have Marcus prepare a ceremonial gift."

Elder Theron's ninetieth Honoring Ceremony brought out the entire Blackmoon Pack. High-ranking wolves and allied pack representatives gathered, making it extremely lively.

But Alpha Damien's heart was as dead as water.

Elder Theron sat in the main seat and beckoned to him: "Damien, come sit here."

He stood up, walked over, and said quietly: "Grandfather."

Elder Theron looked him over: "Why have you lost so much weight recently?"

He didn't respond.

Elder Theron put down his goblet of red wine, looked at him, and said meaningfully: "I'm not afraid of anything in this life, except dying without anyone to carry on the Blackmoon Pack bloodline. You should understand what I mean."

Alpha Damien's throat tightened.

Elder Theron continued: "You've been unstable lately. Is it because that she-wolf left?"

Alpha Damien frowned: "She is my mate."

"You're not marked yet." Elder Theron's tone was firm. "You need to have a pup, an heir, before those words carry any weight."

Alpha Damien pressed his lips together, veins bulging at his temples: "I won't mark Clarissa."

"What you say now doesn't count." Elder Theron struck his ceremonial staff heavily on the ground. "She's carrying the Blackmoon Pack's only heir right now. Once this pup is born, the territory will be distributed according to my wishes."

"You want to force me to spend my whole life with a she-wolf I don't love at all?"

"You want to destroy the Blackmoon Pack? Destroy your grandfather's life's work?"

The two stared at each other, as if sparks were flying in the air.

Elder Theron looked away and smiled at the pack members and allied guests, as if the heated argument just now was merely casual conversation between two generations.

Alpha Damien stood there, his eyes reddening, jaw clenched tight.

He didn't flee, nor did he argue back.

Because he knew that now, he could no longer control anything.

"Alpha Damien, Clarissa has arrived," Marcus reminded him quietly.

Alpha Damien looked up and immediately saw Clarissa walking in, arm in arm with Matriarch Isolde.

She wore an elegant ceremonial gown, her belly slightly protruding, with a refined and appropriate smile on her face. She looked exactly like a she-wolf about to become the Luna of the Blackmoon Pack.

Alpha Damien coldly looked away, his fists secretly clenched.

He had never hated anyone so much, never regretted getting entangled with Clarissa and driving me away.

The ceremony reached its climax. Elder Orin took the stage and announced the ritual toasting segment. Everyone stood up with their goblets. Elder Theron looked spirited and full of smiles: "I'm happy today. Thank you to all the pack members and allied representatives who came from afar, and thank you for the efforts of the next generation of the Blackmoon Pack—"

His gaze swept over Alpha Damien, then landed on Clarissa with deep meaning.

Clarissa shyly lowered her head and nodded obediently.

All the guests raised their goblets in congratulation. The scene was harmonious and joyful.

Just then, a commotion suddenly came from the second floor—

"Ah—what is this?!"

"Look at the ceiling!"

Snap—a stack of photos fluttered down from the second floor.

Dozens of hands in the venue instinctively caught the photos. The next second, countless gasps rang out one after another.

"This... Clarissa?!"

"Aren't these photos from the rogue territories? How is she dressed like this?"

"She was with rogue wolves while pregnant..."

"Isn't this the Blackmoon Pack's future Luna? How could..."