Chapter 283: Chapter 283 Choices and Consequences
I sighed. "I’ll only mate with my mate." My words were like a bomb.
The room fell into a deep silence, and the Elders wore stunned expressions.
Elder Dominic cleared his throat. "Alpha Damon, the last time we checked your mate is dead. We all saw her fall off the cliff." He paused, his jaw twitching. "Or are you trying to say that you won’t mate?"
The room grew tense, the tension was so palpable that a knife could slice through it.
"Enough! The meeting is adjourned. We’ll discuss how to handle Alpha Lucas and the Witches in the next meeting."
My cold glare pierced through them, daring them to question me.
With a reluctant grunt, they stepped out of the room one after the other. Alaric and Theo remained seated.
"I’m happy to see that you both are fine." My eyes flickered to them.
Theo aggressively pushed his glasses back, his hands balled into a fist.
"I’m happy that you are safe too..." Alaric began. "The image of you dying is a torturous one." He teased holding his chest.
His words made my chest clench, remembering how I chose Aeris over my pack. My gaze flattered a bit as the feeling of guilt spread across my chest... but I do not regret my decision, I’ll do it again if I were given another chance.
"I didn’t mean for you to experience that," I muttered under my breath.
"I know," he replied a little too quickly.
The room fell silent, I turned to Theo, he had remained quiet all this while.
"Theo I’m so proud of you... You have awakened your Lycan blood." I said.
He turned to face me, his hazel eyes sparkled beneath his glasses. "I was able to awaken it, all thanks to you." His voice sounded hurt.
I knew the sight of me dying must have been the hardest for him. I wanted to explain to him... but I was never the one to express his emotions.
I pressed my lips into a thin line.
After a moment of deafening silence, Theo parted his lips. "Why did you choose her over our pack..." He turned to face me, his eyes clouded with raw emotions. "Why did you choose her over me? You promised you would always be there for me." His voice was a bare whisper, but it was sharper than an edged sword, piercing through my chest.
’What do I say?’
"You don’t need to sugarcoat your words, Damon, be honest with him." Beowulf’s voice rang in my head.
My gaze softened as they met his. He was the last family member I had. I never wanted to put him through what I had gone through.
"Because I love her... and I couldn’t bear to watch her die." My heart clenched tightly as the memories of the Bone Witches’ fingers digging into Aeris’ skin, while the chain wrapped around her tightly.
My heart was already broken at that moment, I knew it would be dead if she died... I refused to live in the circle of watching the people I hold dear die, while I was stuck in the loop of grief and pain.
"I see..." Theo drawled, his voice solemn and low. "So the promise meant nothing even in that situation."
I lowered my gaze, my face was expressionless, yet my eyes flickered with emotions I couldn’t voice out.
"I was selfish, I know. I disappointed you and the whole pack. I didn’t live up to the expectations that I had created for myself..." My voice turned colder. "I have watched my mate die twice, I couldn’t watch her die for the third time. If I can protect the woman I love... how can I protect the pack?"
Theo lowered his head, and he exhaled shakily. "I understand your reasons... It’s just that I can’t bring myself to accept it." The chair scraped against the floor as he stood up.
"I need fresh air." He muttered before striding to the door.
"Theo..." I wanted to stop him, however, it might be best for him to be alone and sort out his emotions.
I remained seated, the weight of disappointment pressing against my shoulders.
Alaric cleared his throat again. "He’ll come around."
"You must be disappointed in me," I leaned back into my chair. "After all I bargained the lives of the pack for her."
"It sounds selfish when you weigh the weight of your decision, but if I were in your shoes I would definitely make the same choice as you did." A smile tugged his lips, however, his eyes were dull.
"Hearing that from you... It’s a little comforting." My eyes narrowed at him. "Tell me, what is bothering the carefree Beta?"
His green eyes flickered to me, but they immediately looked away the moment they met mine. "Nothing."
I clicked my tongue. "We have known each other for more than a century, yet you can’t even confide in me."
"Damon, it’s not that I wanted to keep it from you, it’s just that I don’t know how to tell you, especially when you have been busy with Aeris lately."
"What does that mean? Are you trying to say that I have been focusing on Aeris, and I missed what happened to you?"
"Yes."
"What did I miss?" My brows arched perfectly at him.
Alaric inhaled sharply, running his finger through his hair. "I found my mate..."
My eyes widened slightly, a genuine smile formed on my lips, but before I could congratulate him, he dropped the other half of his sentence.
"... and she happens to be a witch, and not just any witch, she is the same witch who demanded your heart." He added with a hurt expression.
My mouth snapped shut, and I was stunned in my chair. My hand clenched tightly, ’Why does she have to be a witch out of all the creatures in the world?... Is the moon goddess playing a prank on us?’
"How are you coping?" I asked with concern.
He nodded his head. "I’m good... although it is difficult sometimes." I sniffled.
I drummed my finger on my thigh, the only sound in the silence.
I glanced at him. "Do you want a drink?"
"I could use one or two." He said, flashing me a smile. But I knew it was all a facade.