Damon.

　　I hurl the phone I'm holding across the room and it hits the wall which causes it to shatter into tiny pieces. I glare at it for a few moments and growl loudly, transforming into my wolf. Immediately, I dash to the side of the room and tear a few of the room curtains, pushing all my anger into my claws. As I do it, I continue to growl until I struggle to calm down, sinking to the floor in agony as I transform back to my human form.

　　My mind is a tumble of emotions and I'm confused on what to do. My heart feels like it's shattering into a million pieces and there's no way I can fix that. Right now, I feel a huge pain stumping on my chest and I still don't understand how Carlisle caught me with a stripper, while I have no recollection of the event. I can still see the look of anguish and disappointment on my mate's face.

　　A part of me feels sad about the fact that she now thinks of me as a despicable character, but the other part of me feels angry. Carlisle couldn't be bothered to have anything to do with me and she even escaped twice. She seduced a guard, stole from another one and managed to leave my pack undetected. A part of me blames her because if she hadn't escaped, all this wouldn't have happened.

　　I basically followed her to the clubhouse and yet I'm the one getting dirty looks for being caught with a stripper. At the thought of the strange lady, my blood boils and my body fills with anger. No matter how hard I try, I still cannot remember anything that happened. I place two fingers on my head and try to think about the events that led up to me going to the clubhouse, but all I can remember is receiving an anonymous note about the whereabouts of Carlisle.

　　Now that I think hard about it, I remember quickly going towards the address which turned out to be a clubhouse. I also remember dancing and getting a few drinks which must have gotten me drunk. At that thought, I pause and try to retrace my steps. Alcohol usually doesn't get me drunk, except it's a very strong brand which is made by the members of my pack.

　　Anything else doesn't get to me and I also remember when my mother told me that it was a gift from the goddess. So now, I'm confused as to why ordinary liquor would get me drunk until I would make out with a stripper and not remember. A pang of regret fills my consciousness and I push myself backwards till I'm lying on the hard floor.

　　I have never felt a need to turn back the hands of time like I do now. All I wish is that I hadn't gone to that clubhouse and I begin to remember my mother's warnings. Maybe I should have left Carlisle alone to follow her path while I continue to live my life. After all, even after everything I've done and tried to do, she has still rejected me and this new development only made things worse.

　　I let out a deep sigh and got up from the ground, moving forward towards my bed. I sit down and bury my head in my hands as I begin to think. Now that Carlisle is more angry at me, I'm positive she won't want to come back so easily. I begin to think of a way to get my mate back and suddenly, my mind shifts to Jake.

　　Jake of the wizard kingdom. I raise my head and squint my eyes into the distance as my thoughts begin to click into place. I remember how the guy warmly welcomed me into the clubhouse and he was the person who offered me the first drink. A tingle runs down my spine at the thought that he may have drugged my drink.

　　Now, I can also recall how handsy he was with my mate and I growl again as my wolf threatens to surface. Out of everyone who was present, he seemed most inclined to set Carlisle and I apart. I have little doubt in my mind that he was up to no good with my mate and I shook my head. I need to do whatever it takes to get him away from her because I certainly can't lose Carlisle to someone else.

　　However, another issue bugs my thoughts. Jack is a wizard which means he is certainly more powerful than a lot of folks in the kingdom. The wizard kingdom is a feared and revered one and I still can't understand how my mate was able to venture into it unharmed. They are famous for dealing with uninvited guests ruthlessly and even though I won't admit it, I still count myself lucky to be alive.

　　The fact that he can do anything is a concern I need to tackle before taking any action. With that in mind, I stand up from my bed and move towards the door where I meet a guard standing. Immediately he notices me, his face turns into one of alarm and he swiftly bows his head. I subtly sigh and shake my head at his actions.

　　I know the whole pack house must be talking about my current situation, because I am aware that my latest actions make them think I'm a bully and a bad person. That's part of the reason why I'm considering going after Carlisle again but the fact that she is still my mate continues to ring in my head. Also, there is also the issue of me ruling over this pack for more years as well as an heir.

　　No matter what my mate says, I instinctively know that there is no other mate for me. Just then, I realize that the guard is still waiting for me to give him an order and I tune back to the present.

　　"Yes, I need you to do something for me. It concerns the wizard kingdom," I start and I notice the shiver in his body. He looks at me with wide eyes and then swallows a gulp as he hesitatingly nods his head.

　　I ignore his looks of fear and continue on, after all he is supposed to be one of my fearless guards. "I want you to find out more information about the king of the wizard kingdom." I pause and allow the instruction to sink in for a moment before I go on in anticipation. "King Jake. Can you do it?"

　　"Umm, I'm aware of the kingdom. However, I know someone who can be of big help to your request. His father is from the wizard kingdom but he is also a guard here," the guard explains and I slowly nod my head in approval. Even though I will certainly not show it, I totally understand why the guard wants to suggest someone else.

　　The wizard kingdom is not an ordinary place and while it has most of the enjoyable spots in the entire land, I would rather remain bored than visit it. I remember the stories my father told me about its origins and how a lot of blood was shed for the kingdom to stand. Their magical abilities are top notch and it only seems wise that I would send a halfling guard to the place.

　　"Okay. Go and get this guard, let me see him," he nods his head and hurriedly scurries away while I enter back into my room to wait for them. Some minutes later, the both of them arrive and I stare at the guard in curiosity for some seconds. He looks like them in a way and I vaguely wonder why I've never noticed him before now. However, I push the thought out of my mind and repeat my earlier words to him.

　　Unlike the first guard who was obviously scared of the mission, this one seems enthusiastic and he instantly nods when I'm finished. "I'll get on it right away, Alpha." His eagerness makes me ask the question that has been in my mind since the first guard told me about a halfling in my pack.

　　"Why are you working for wolves when you are from the wizard kingdom?" He looks at me with a strange gaze and then shakes his head with a sad expression on his face.

　　"My mother is a wolf but she got married to a man from the wizard kingdom. She died while giving birth to me and I grew up with my father who only wanted to use me for his evil schemes. He made me steal and maim people to keep his wicked agendas hidden and eventually, I ran away." He stops there and shakes his head again while I and the other guard just stare at him.

　　He continues to explain how he wants to get revenge on his father and the other men that used him for their selfish desires. I simply nod my head and express a few sentences of sympathy before I send them away. As I watch the both of them leave, I can only hope that they won't disappoint me nor betray my trust. With nothing to do, I fall back on my bed again and say a short prayer to the goddess.

　　She alone knows why Carlisle and I are experiencing so many difficulties in our relationship. All I know is that I cannot afford to lose one chance at finding love and happiness, especially when it is within my reach. I know that she still loves me, but is scared of what her mother has threatened. I sigh and rub my forehead with the tips of my fingers. If only she'd let me protect her and our unborn children.

　　Someone knocks at my door and I shake slightly at the interruption, but I raise myself from my lying position and invite the person to come in. The door opens and I'm greeted by my beta's familiar scent. I watch as he walks into the room with a smile on his face and I'm about to ask why he looks so happy when I see what he is holding.

　　"Why are you with a bow and arrows?" I ask but he only shrugs and sets them in front of me, before sitting down on the couch beside my bed.

　　"Let's go hunting. It's been a while," he suggests and I immediately shake my head.

　　"I'm not in the mood to hunt animals." I can still remember how my wolf and I snapped that innocent squirrel into two and I consider it to be enough brutality for one week. However, Kieran shakes his head in response and picks up an arrow.

　　"You'll be once we start. Damon, you need to relax and unwind before you collapse. Remember that you're still the Alpha and no matter what happens, your first priority is this pack." I'm aware that he is referring to the troubles between my mate and I, but it is difficult to focus. Carlisle currently occupies most of my thoughts and I know that if Kieran is in my shoes, he will do the same.

　　Still, I understand what he's trying to say and I know that I need to relax my brain. That's the only way I'll be able to rationally think about my situation and what I'm supposed to do. Besides, hunting animals has always been a stress relieving activity for me.

　　I stare at the arrows and pick a handful of them up while my beta stands up from his seat and grins at me. "Let's go hunting."