Thea's Pov 

The shadows seemed to part, revealing alpha damien. My breath caught in fear, I quickly scanned his face but I saw no hint of recognition, nothing that showed that he remembered our past together. I was relieved but it stung.

“H-how long have y-you been f-following me?" I stuttered shakily.

"Since you left the pack house. At first, it was amusing seeing you escape but I got bored of all the running.” He waved a gloved hand dismissively.

Then I realized, he broke that twig on purpose to get my attention.

“Ooh, let's play a game!" He clapped in excitement, his cold eyes glinting manically. The eyes I remembered from that night were warm and soft, was it all a ruse to get me in his bed?

The moon light caused the silver in his eyes to glow and with the shadows dancing across his features, he really looked ethereal and otherworldly, just as I remembered. 

He took a step towards me and instinctively, I stepped back, shivering in fright. My teeth chattered and chills ran down my spine.

It was a warm night so I knew it had to do with the rapid currents of terror coursing through my body.

“I didn't think you had it in you to actually run, I should be hurt that my bride wanted to run away from me but I'm intrigued.” he cocked his head in childlike curiosity.

He stood simply with his hands in his pocket yet everything about him screamed psychopath. I whimpered, unable to get the words stuck in my throat out.

This was the end of the road for me, surely. I hadn't lived yet, tears sprang unbidden to my eyes.

“Well, little wolf, if it's a hunt you want, it's a hunt you'll get.” He grinned sadistically, a cruel excitement lightening up his eyes, white canines gleaming. I choked back a sob.

“Run, little wolf, run.” I dashed into the forest. 

The sound of his paws were getting really close. I couldn't run, not with my ankle the way it was. I sobbed harder and limped behind a huge tree, hoping the shadows would conceal me from him.

Not a moment later, Damien burst into the clearing in his wolf form. He was so close, I could hear clearly the cracking of bones as he shifted into his human form.

“Little wolf, I know you're here somewhere. I can smell your fear. Smells delicious.” I heard his footsteps as he walked towards the tree I was hiding behind.

I squeezed my eyes tightly and clapsed my hands over my mouth to muffle my sobs. 

Then I heard his footsteps walk away. There was a moment of silence. I peeked out from where I was hiding, I could still feel his presence but I couldn't see him.

I cautiously stepped out of my hiding place, bracing myself to run if damien suddenly popped out of nowhere.

There was nothing,the forest was still and silent. I wasted no time in making my way through the forest.

I ran faster than I have ever run. I could see the border that separated my father's pack from another.

If I could just get over the border, I thought. Just few more feet….

A dark blur rammed into me throwing me back into a tree. I winced as I felt my spine come in contact with the tree.

“How does it feel to have freedom so close and ripped from your very hands.” A familiar deep, velvety voice laughed. Damien was standing over me, his hands in his pocket.

I realized that he was the dark blur that ran into me. At that moment I dawned on me that I was right to fear him. This wasn't the guy I had slept with years ago, it was as if he had a personality switch, or maybe he had always  even this way, my mind helpfully supplied. 

“You're a monster." I whispered.

“Only the best for my new wife." He winked at me. Then his face turned emotionless as he continued.

"Now, would you walk or do I have to drag you by your hair?" 

I grimaced as I tried to stand. Pain coursing through my back. I was pretty sure I was bruised all over. I was so close…

I closed my eyes, defeatedly. Tears of resignation ran down my face. This was it, this was my life now

___

“I'm going to miss you so much. Take care of yourself and keep your head low. Make the best of your situation." Maya whispered as she hugged me tightly, tears running down her face.

I had a lot of things to say to her but I couldn't get it past the lump stuck in my throat. 

We were in front of the pack house with my father, my sister and of course, my dreadful husband. Damien was kind enough to give me five minutes to say my goodbyes.

Maya squeezed me once more and released me. She stepped back and my father took her place. He hugged me.

“Thea, listen very carefully to what I'm about to tell you. Damien doesn't know you're Althea, he still thinks that he's marrying Astra.” My father whispered frantically.

" What!” I gasped. I tried to pull away but he held me tightly, almost to the point of pain.

"He thinks you're Astra. Do not let him find out the truth, Althea. The life of the pack, your sister and I depend on it. Damien will kill all of us if he finds out he’s being tricked, starting with you.” 

He released me and smiled but it was fake, his eyes held an urgent warning. I swallowed nervously, my heart racing. 

But he already knows I'm Althea! I wanted to say but the words got stuck in my throat. My father was playing a dangerous game with me as the pawn. I should have told him about I and Damien’s past but it was already too late.

My father stepped away, his eyes warning me one last time before he walked away. My sister took his place. She held my hands in hers.

“Damien is so hot! I'm so jealous. You did good Thea.” She squealed. I wanted to shout that she could have him and take him far away from me but I swallowed my words and smiled weakly.

“Yeah, lucky. Who's the lucky guy?” I asked her.

"Who?” Her face was a mask of confusion.

“Your mate silly" I chuckled. She looked even more confused.

" I don't have a mate yet. I haven't found him yet, you know this." My heart dropped. I scanned her face searching for any hint of a lie but her confusion was nothing but genuine.

Had my father lied to me? I'm sure there had to be some sort of mistake.