DAMON.

　　"...think everything is alright with them," a low voice floats into my head and I groan loudly. The centre of my head is throbbing loudly and the sun from the open window is affecting my eyes. I instantly realize that I'm in my room again and I have a blurry picture of my beta carrying me back. Goddess bless his soul.

　　However, my whole face seems swollen and I raise my hand to touch it, but pain shoots up from my arm and I immediately drop it just as my mother's voice sounds again.

　　"Son, you're awake. How are you doing?" I shake my head once and groan in discomfort again as a series of pain litters my head. At that moment, I instantly promised myself never to take whiskey that strong again. My mother's familiar hand lifts me up into a sitting position and she hands me some painkillers which I quickly swallow.

　　I bury my head in my hands and close my eyes as the thought of the previous day begins to float into my head. My mate rejected me, went to the club, got drunk, and danced with topless strippers. I sigh and shake my head again, while my mother shifts closer to me and asks, "What's wrong with you Damon? Tell me."

　　I look up at her eyes and without holding back, I tell her everything. "Carlisle rejected me, Mother. She rejected me as her mate. I tried to convince her, but she remained adamant," I whimpered and sniffed slowly. "What do I do? I don't want to lose her. I don't, not after all these years."

　　My mother looks at me in silence for some minutes before she nods her head and rubs my back. "We need to send for a witch. A powerful one. I think something is wrong with your mate. From what you're saying, it seems they may have messed with her mind when she was kidnapped."

　　"Exactly my point. There's more to this, right?" I ask again and she eagerly nods.

　　"We'll find out what's wrong, Damon. Don't worry about it. Your mate will stay."

　　I watch with my head propped up on one arm, as my mother paces up and down the room. A few hours have passed, and it is the next day. My head and arm are still throbbing somewhat, but I barely even think of it.

　　The both of us don’t say a word, for we are waiting for Kieran to return with the witch. After that, I will have Carlisle back.

　　The faith I have in my mother’s words is what propels me to be patient. I wish to have joined Kieran in bringing the witch, if only to distract myself from everything that had happened. Carlisle will return to me. She will accept me as her mate. Nothing will go wrong.

　　I replay my mother’s words to me over and over again, as I try to hold on to my last vestiges of patience. Where was my beta, Kieran, and why was he taking so long in procuring the witch?

　　As soon as I am about to speak, a knock is heard on the door. My mother and I turn towards it, as it opens. It is Kieran entering the room once more. He looks tired, but triumphant. As soon as he enters, another person follows – an old woman. As soon as I look at her, I know that this is the witch.

　　I stand as my mother speaks to Kieran, “You have brought the witch?”

　　He nods at my mother’s question, and turns to me. I see his concern written all over his face, but I wave him off. Everything would be fine soon.

　　“I ‘m fine, man. Don’t beat yourself up about it.” I tell him, my mood a lot brighter now than in the past day. He seems to notice, and his expression relaxes. Though he has little idea of what is going on, he is still loyal to me, and concerned about my wellbeing. I nod at him, and he nods back.

　　“Kieran, wait outside a moment please,” my mother says to my beta.

　　Kieran straightens his suit jacket, and then turns to leave the room, as per my mother’s orders.

　　After he exits the room, my mother turns to look at the old woman – the witch.

　　“We need your help, witch,” she begins speaking, clasping her hands together. “It is an important and urgent matter. Will you help us?”

　　The witch responds, her eyes now looking at my mother. “Say your request, and I will do my best to grant it.”

　　“We need you to invade the mind of Damon’s mate, Carlisle. Can you do it?”

　　“I can do it.” Then the witch’s eyes turn from my mother to me. I meet her gaze, unafraid. “However, I would not call it wise to do so.”

　　I cannot help but speak at this point, “How so? It’s the only choice we have.” I try not to think about my memory of her rejection of me from not too long ago. Instead, I clench my fists and tell the witch, “You will help us with this.”

　　I move over to the door while my mother and the witch continue talking, opening it to call one of my wolves’ guard patrolling. He straightens as soon as he sees me, and speedily marches to my position.

　　“Alpha,” he bows from his neck respectfully to me.

　　“Send this message to everyone,” I order and he nods. “Keep your eyes on Carlisle. Do not let her leave the grounds no matter what. Station a few more men to guard her location at all times. I repeat, under no circumstances is she to leave the grounds.” She needed to stay put while we worked to figure our way out of this mess.

　　“Yes Alpha. It will be as you say,” he responds, bowing respectfully again, and walking away to carry out my orders. I re-enter the room now, and as soon as I shut the door, the witch speaks to me.

　　“That was not a good idea, Alpha Damon. It will not help your case whatsoever.”

　　I rub my face with my hand, aware of how it still hurts a bit, “What do you mean by that, witch?” I do not have patience for this. I only need Carlisle; I need her as my mate.

　　“Preventing her from leaving will only increase the hatred in her mind. It will have no positive effect on whether or not she accepts you as a mate.”

　　My mother speaks then and I can hear a bit of frustration in her voice, “What do you suggest we do, then? It is necessary for Carlisle to accept Damon as her mate.”

　　The witch pauses for a moment, and my patience is now wearing thin. I snarl at the woman, “Speak now, witch. I do not have time for this. What am I to do about this?”

　　“I suggest, Alpha Damon, that you call off the wolves’ guards first and foremost.” She replies unhurriedly, tapping her chin with her finger. “Instead, if she insists on leaving, offer her a drink as farewell. This drink will have a sleeping pill inside of it. It will be the best solution.”

　　I turn over her suggestion in my head, then look at my other and nod. The witch is right after all. I do not want Carlisle to think I am trapping her, thus hate me even more.

　　I still feel a deep ache inside of me; the memory of Carlisle’s words towards me is a weight upon me. I need to do this, I remind myself, sure of my decision.