Chapter 6 - Damon -

"No," she uttered, turning away and wiping her tears. No? Did she just say no to me? I scoffed, staring in disbelief. Who did she think she was?

"It wasn't asking you; we're getting married," I muttered. She turned, frowning. "But I said no. Why should we get married? I don't even know you," she murmured. My fist clenched; her stubbornness irritated me. Could this work? Maybe I should just find another girl and claim she was my mate.

"I'm your mate, sweetheart. You know that," I murmured sarcastically. She rolled her eyes, stood from the bench, and started to walk away. I grabbed her hand. "We have to get married now. Don't make me say this twice," I said threateningly. Most people would instantly comply, but this woman just glared at me.

"And why should I marry you?" she asked, maintaining eye contact—something not everyone could do. Though I wanted to gouge her eyes out, her defiance intrigued me.

"Because I'm your mate," I murmured.

"I'd rather be mated to a dog," she scoffed. I'd rather be mated to a troll, but here I was, all thanks to that old man.

"Look, frankly, I don't want you. Nothing about you interests me; your face bores me to death. But you're my mate, and by the fucking Moon Goddess's rules, we have to marry. So stop being stubborn and come with me," I muttered, turning away. Before I could pull her, she yanked her hand free. I sighed. This woman was either going to kill me, or I was going to kill her.

"Let me save you the trouble of looking at my boring face, then. What is your name?" she uttered. I slowly turned, raising an eyebrow.

"What are you doing?" I asked. She folded her arms, her eyes still red from crying. "I'm going to reject you. Tell me your name," she said. I scoffed. This witch!

"Do you really think I wanted to be mated to you? I'd do anything to reject you right now," I murmured, walking toward her.

"Then do it, or I will. Tell me your name," she muttered. I stared at her, tilting my head. "My name is Damon Donovan. You can reject me, but I promise, I'll kill everyone here, limb by limb, starting with your precious Aunt Amelia. That's what you call her, right?" I murmured slowly. Her eyes widened with fear. Finally, I'd gotten to her.

She stared, then pursed her lips. "Who who are you?" she asked. I shook my head.

"You'll find out when we get married. Now let's go. This pack is so fucking small, I'm claustrophobic," I muttered, glancing around with disgust.

"Why are you doing this? I don't want you as my mate, and you clearly don't want me either. Why don't we set each other free?" she asked. I sighed, turning to her. Before I could speak, I heard a gasp behind me.

"Alpha Damon, I wasn't aware you were visiting. I would have prepared a feast. Please forgive my insolence and extend my greetings to the Alpha King," a deep male voice said. Turning, I saw Alpha Liam, his head bowed. I never cared for him—a very insignificant Alpha—but he'd made my stubborn mate cry, and for some reason, I wanted to skin him alive. Must be the fucking mate bond.

"Your pack can't afford what I'd like to eat, so a feast would be a waste. I'm here for my mate, and we're leaving immediately," I uttered, turning back to my mate. Her eyes were wide.

"Donovan you you're the Alpha King's son?" she asked in disbelief. I smirked, puffing out my chest. "Yes, I am. Will you marry me now?" She frowned, as if hurt. "No," she uttered. Honestly, she wasn't worth the headache. I'd get another girl and claim her as my mate. My father wouldn't know, and that stupid superstition could be damned.

"Suit yourself, then," I muttered, turning to leave. I saw Liam staring at Clara with wide eyes, seemingly about to approach her, when a woman ran to him, interlocking her arms with his.

"Liam, you didn't come back, so I came searching for you," she murmured, then turned to me, her eyes widening with fear. "Sorry for my insolence, Alpha Damon, but Clara is your mate? She's an omega with no origin. How can you be so unfortunate?" she uttered. Though I agreed Clara wasn't worthy of being my Luna, her words angered me. Before I could respond, Clara intertwined her fingers with mine, looking not at me, but at Liam, who was staring at her.

"I'll marry you," she murmured, finally turning to me, her hazel eyes deep in my soul. "I'll marry you, Mate."

(Copyright removed as it's not applicable in this context.)