Page 46 of The Reluctant Wolf and His Fated Mate
“Take me with you,” Damon had begged before throwing his arms around her neck.
She’d hugged him back like she wouldn’t let him go, but then she released him. “You’re better off living here with the pack. They’re your family as much as I am.” She’d kissed his check. “Be a good boy.”
Then she’d stood and gave him one last smile. “No matter where I am, I’ll always be with you. And I’ll always love you.” She turned and walked into the woods, her brown clothing soon disappearing amid the green and brown frock of the forest.
Damon never saw her again.
If she loved him, why would she leave him?
His father withered, slowly losing his mind to his anguish. Fortunately, the pack cared for Damon.
Grayson, only a few years older, had adopted him like a younger brother. “Some wolves aren’t fit for pack life. Don’t let it bother you.”
Of course it did. Not only did Damon miss his mother, but his father became more detached. It was a surprise to no one when he declared that he was also leaving the pack.
He’d died within the year.
Reports of his mother’s death followed three years later.
Both of his parents had become lone wolves and had died alone. Was that also to be his fate?
From that point, his mindset had hardened. He wouldn’t suffer that same fate as his father. Besides, he had his mother’s blood in him. Maybe he was like her and not suited to living with a mate among a pack. Yet, Damon soon dismissed that as he yearned to belong to something and someone. He’d never leave his pack.
That must have meant he was more like his father. Tonight, he never felt more like him —lost, rejected, desperate.
Doomed.
Was there any way to crawl out of the despair before it drowned him?
He’d do anything to return to living the simple life he’d craved, serving as pack enforcer, and working ski patrol. Why had he messed up a comfortable life by inviting his mate into his life when she’d inevitably cause anguish?
Give her time,his wolf insisted.We were happy. We’d found our other half.
Damon scowled. She wasn’t coming back to him.
Somehow, he’d find a way to go on without Sophie. And it wasn’t as if he had a choice. She was going back to the city and he was staying here in the mountains.
Unfortunately for him, she’d be taking a piece of his soul with her.
Chapter 15
Sophie
Was everything that Damon said to her this week a lie?
Sophie stormed back into the guest room of his house to pack all her belongings, hell-bent on leaving all the madness on this mountain.
A small voice tugged at her. What if his theory about soulmates was true?
It didn’t matter. He hadn’t trusted her. A relationship had to be built on trust.
After he’d encouraged her to move up here, she’d started to consider it. She’d even begun to think about the practicalities of starting over as a freelance designer, both seeking clients online or bringing her portfolio to businesses here in the village.
What a fool she’d been.
While she stuffed all the clothing into one of her bags, she replayed all that had happened. She still couldn’t believe what she had seen. It was impossible.
Yet, she had witnessed Damon transform from a man to a massive wolf. She was sure she wasn’t drugged or hallucinating. And she didn’t feel like she was losing her mind.
