Chapter 57 - Damon

"Are you really serious about the divorce?" Luca asked, storming into my office hours later. After asking him to take Clara home, I'd retreated to my office, wanting to be alone. I was overwhelmed with anger and hurt—primarily hurt that she hadn't told me, and angry that she was infertile.

"Yes," I muttered. "She's useless to me. My father will make me Alpha King regardless, and she can't give me an heir, so why bother?"

He scoffed. "Are you even listening to yourself? Do you think she's not hurt by her inability to bear children?"

I scoffed. "Is that my problem? She should have told me."

"She was afraid of your reaction," Luca reasoned. "Look at how you're reacting now! Her fears were valid. It's sad she can't give you an heir, but your behavior is wrong, Damon." My anger blinded me to reason; his words only fueled my rage.

"Get out before you regret meeting me," I snarled. "I didn't ask for your opinion, or anyone else's. Get out!"

He stared at me, sighed, and left. The moment he was gone, I grabbed a vase and hurled it at the wall. It shattered. Was I the bad guy? She knew the terms of our agreement—to produce an heir. She knew she couldn't bear children and yet agreed to the marriage. She deceived me!

My phone rang. Clara's name appeared on the screen, a frown twisting my lips. She called repeatedly, but I ignored it, watching the calls come in until she finally gave up.

"This is fucked up," I muttered, leaning back in my chair. I don't know when I fell asleep, but I was jolted awake the next morning by insistent knocking.

"Who the fuck is it?" I grumbled, irritated that even in my dreams, Clara haunted me—her face after I'd mentioned the divorce especially.

"Everyone's in the living room," Luca said from the other side of the door. "They want to discuss last night. Your father wants to see you."

"What the hell do they want to discuss? That I overreacted?"

He sighed. "You'll find out when you get there."

I sat for a moment, then sighed and stood. From the hallway, I heard their hushed conversation. Entering the living room, they fell silent, turning to me.

"What's this meeting about? If you're here to take Clara's side, I don't want to hear it."

My mother shook her head. "We understand the severity of the situation, and I'm very disappointed in Clara. She deceived you, she deceived us all. Alicia was right about her; she's a gold digger. She lied to marry you."

I paused. I hadn't expected that from her. Everyone agreed, except Delilah and Luca, who wore frowns.

"We agree with your mother," my father added. "Find another wife, at least to secure an heir. You need a blood heir, Damon."

Before I could respond, Delilah stood, groaning. "Listen to yourselves! Clara is suffering the most! Mother, you know the greatest joy for a woman is having children, and yet you were the first to condemn her!"

My mother frowned. "She deceived your brother…"

"She loves him, Mother, and she meant no harm. All she wants is a family, a home. It's not her fault she's barren. She called me last night, crying, begging me not to hate her, and you call her a gold digger? I've never been more disappointed in all of you, especially you, Mother!"

My father growled. "Watch your tongue, young lady!"

Ignoring him, Delilah approached me. "She was terrified to tell you because of your reaction, and you proved her right. If you want a divorce and another wife, fine. But don't let someone like her stay in a home where she's unwanted."

She left without looking back. Silence fell over the room.

"I'll do what I see fit," I said. "Don't interfere in my personal life. If I take another wife, or stay with Clara, it's my fucking choice. Excuse me."

I turned to leave. Luca caught up with me.

"Are you going to see Clara? Have you changed your mind?"

I paused. "Putting my feelings aside, I have a duty to this pack, to the entire wolf race. I need a blood heir, Luca, and she can't give me that. Get the divorce papers ready. Send them to my office, and once I've signed them, send them to her."

The final sentence is incomplete and contains what appears to be non-English characters. I have omitted them.