Chapter 18 -DAMON-

“I’ve got this under control, old man,” I said as we walked into his office.

“She was mated, and you didn’t tell me? Is she even your mate?” My father asked, and I sighed. “She’s my mate, and I have it under control. She had a chosen mate, and he doesn’t want to let her go, but I’ll handle it,” I muttered, and he sighed.

“What if he doesn’t agree to let her go?” My father asked, tilting his head.

“Then I’ll kill him; it’s as easy as that,” I said, and he nodded slowly.

“I trust you to take care of it, but if you need my help, tell me,” he said, and I rolled my eyes.

“I won’t need your help. Bye,” I muttered, but his voice stopped me.

“She can’t be announced as your Luna if your mark isn’t on her, Damon,” he said, and I rolled my eyes.

“I know that.”

“You have to get that man’s mark off her and replace it with yours, then mate and mark her. I can see you both didn’t mate on your wedding night,” he pointed out, and I raised an eyebrow.

“And how do you know that?” I asked, and he scoffed.

“When I mated with your mother on our wedding night, I was all over her the next day. Every minute, I wanted to…”

“Shut it, old man!” I exclaimed, rushing out of his office as a cringe-worthy feeling surged through me.

I heard him laughing and rolled my eyes before walking away.

When I went outside, I saw Clara talking to my mother and sister. She seemed to be telling them her story.

“Oh dear, he wanted to make you share? He’s an animal,” my mother said, grabbing Clara’s face.

Noticing me, Clara turned and watched as I approached.

“We need to start now. Can I have my wife back now?” I said, extending my hand to Clara.

My mother pulled away, and Clara immediately took my hand. I pulled her up from the bench, our eyes never leaving each other.

“You both look so cute together. Damon is going to treat you right because he’s your soulmate, and your soulmate is meant to love and cherish you forever. You’ll never make her share, right, honey?” my mother asked. I turned my attention from Clara to her.

Instead of answering, I nodded slightly, interlocked my fingers with Clara’s, and led her toward the balcony overlooking most of the pack.

The trumpet sounded, and the pack members gathered. Those from a distance had arrived yesterday and were staying at the pack house.

“That’s a lot of people,” I heard Clara’s quiet voice. I turned to her; she seemed nervous, which made me smile. She usually seemed tough and collected; it was amusing to see her like this.

“You shouldn’t be nervous; you’re my wife. Every woman here is envious of you,” I murmured. She rolled her eyes.

“Narcissistic much?” she murmured. I grinned.

“Always,” I murmured. My breath caught when she smiled.

“Damon,” my father’s voice snapped me out of my trance. I cleared my throat and turned to him. His nod signaled we were about to begin.

I took Clara’s hand and led her closer to the edge so everyone could see her. My father greeted everyone and spoke before directing their attention to us.

“Today is a special day because my rebellious son here has finally found his mate, and they are married,” he announced. Loud murmurs erupted. “That’s enough,” my father said, and most quieted down, though a few still murmured.

“Silence!” I ordered, and immediately, silence fell. Clara turned to me, probably wondering about my power and authority, which made me smile. She hadn’t seen half of it.

My father stepped aside, and we took his place.

“Everyone, this is my wife, Clara Donovan, and you are to give her the same respect you give me. If any of you disrespect her, I will consider it an offense and a challenge against me, and you all know how much I hate those who disrespect me. Do you understand?” I said.

“Yes, Alpha!” they chorused.

“Would you like to say something?” I asked Clara. She shook her head.

“No,” she said. I smirked before turning back to the crowd.

“My wife would like to say a few words,” I announced. She stared at me with wide eyes. “But…” she began.

“What’s the matter, dear wife?” I asked innocently. She glared at me before turning to the eager crowd.

Clara took a deep breath, raising her shoulders; her nervousness vanished, replaced by confidence.

“Hello everyone, it is an honor to be in your midst and to be among this pack. I hope you’ll be kind to me and welcome me as a member of your pack,” she said. They cheered.

She smiled, stepped back, and interlocked her fingers with mine.

“You weren’t nervous anymore,” I murmured. She grinned.

“How can I be when I have you as my husband?” she murmured. Even though I knew she was being sarcastic, her words amused me.

“Another cheer for the new couple!” my father commanded. Everyone cheered, and I watched Clara glance around, her eyes shining with happiness.

Something clicked as I watched her. I suddenly became aware of all the unmated males looking at her.

I growled slightly and signaled to Luca, who ran toward me with a coat. Clara gave me a questioning look, but I ignored it as I draped the coat over her shoulders. “That sexy back should only be for my eyes only, Wife.”