Wolves Of Nyx Haven

CHAPTER TWO: DAMIEN

The grand hall of the Blackwood estate was alive with energy, packed with werewolves from across Nyx Haven. The allied clan and even his biggest enemy,the Vale pack was present at the ceremony. The air thrummed with anticipation, a charged hum of submission and reverence as the new Alpha prepared to take his throne.

Tonight, Damien Blackwood would no longer be just the heir—he would be the Alpha.

Torches lined the stone walls,their flame casting a flickering shadow over the crowd. The scent of pine,leather and sage filled the hall as the pack elders took their places,forming a semi circle around the dais where Damien will be named Alpha. He stood tall,his sharp eyes studying the faces around him. Their faces passed different messages. Pride. Admiration. Expectations. They all looked up to him as their leader.

His brother Callum stood by his left side while his Beta,Riley Monroe stood by his right.

“Nervous?” Callum teased.

“Never” Damien replied,exhaling deeply.

“Liar” Callum muttered under his breath.

Damien gave him a sharp look before the ceremony began.

The eldest of the pack,a man who had served his father before him, stepped forward. “Tonight,under the blessing of the moon goddess we witnessed the Ascension of Damien Blackwood. May he lead with strength,wisdom and honor” he said facing the crowd. “Do you Damien,swear to uphold the Blackwood packs law and protect your people?” He continued facing Damien now.

Damien squared his shoulder, standing tall. “I swear it”

“Do you swear to put your pack above all else,forsaking personal desires in favor of duty?”

“I do”

“Then kneel”

Damien lowered himself into one kneel as the elder placed an iron dagger in his palm. He sliced the tip of his finger and let a single drop of blood fall into the ceremonial stone. The pack howled in unison,sealing their acceptance of him as Alpha.

He rose facing his own people. “I am Damien Blackwood,your Alpha” he declared. “From this day forward I will protect and lead you,and the Blackwood pack will stand unmatched”

Cheers erupted in the hall,shaking it. And before the echoes of celebration faded,a sharp scent hit him. His body tensed his wolf stirring restlessly beneath his skin.

Mate.

It couldn't be. He wanted a mate but not as early as this. He just took on his responsibilities as an Alpha and having a mate could be distracting. He searched the crowd for her,the scent becoming stronger. That was when he saw her standing in the crowd.

Serena.

But that wasn't possible,she was human and humans were completely oblivious of the werewolf world. There was only one explanation of this,she was also a werewolf and just like him she had sneaked out of Nyx Haven that night,just like him she had masked her scent fearing to run into another werewolf.

She must have also been scented by him because she was restless. Their eyes finally lock after realizing their connection, their irises ignite with an ethereal glow. Someone must have seen what was going on and shouted. “The Alpha has found his mate!”

“Who is she?” He asked Riley.

“She's Alpha Kade Vale’s daughter,” Riley replied.

“I've never seen her. I didn't know the devil had a daughter” Callum added.

“That's because her father is very protective of her. He doesn't let her out of their mansion” Riley replied.

It all made sense to Damien now. The father she was talking about was his enemy,the man who had been at loggerhead with his pack for years. Last night was no coincidence,it was planned. Alpha Kade Vale had tried to use his daughter to set him up. The daughter no one knew. But he was sure she knew him because he was very popular among the wolves of Nyx Haven. He wasn't going to give in to the man. Alpha Kade Vale's daughter couldn't be his Luna,he would make sure of that.

The room was quiet now. Everyone is waiting for him to take the next step. Accepting his Luna. Serena was also looking at him,her expression blank.

He started working towards her,whispers and murmurs filled the room. He could now see the whole of her family,standing with her. A big smirk on Alpha Kade's face. Damien smirked also. Alpha Kade had no idea what he was up to. He stopped facing Serena now.

“I,Damien Blackwood,reject you, Serena Vale,as my mate”

There was a collective gasp in the room.

His wolf howled in protest,but Damien held firm. He was an Alpha now.

Serena's lips parted,her face paling. He could see the shock in her eyes. Finally,with her voice as steady as his,she said,”I,Serena Vale,accept your rejection”

It was done. He was free of her. He faced the crowd, “Let's feast”

And there was a joyous roar from his pack,he might have just rejected his mate but it shouldn't kill the celebration mood.

He drags Riley and Callum with him and they disappear into his mansion,then his study.

“That was cold,even for you,” Callum muttered when they were finally seated.

“Alpha,I don't know the reason you rejected your mate but it was a bad idea. She is Alpha Kade's daughter,there will be a hope for alliance between you too. The largest pack and the second largest pack” Riley contributed.

“I was with her last night,” Damien said.

“What do you mean you were with her?” Callum asked.

“At Y city,she and I spent the night together,” Damien confessed.

“Woah..woah. I'm kinda lost brother. First you went to Y city,the human city, a night to your Ascension ceremony, then you spent a night with the daughter of your greatest enemy?” Callum said,to be sure.

“This is all your fault,” Damien said, rubbing his forehead. “You kept telling me to let loose”

“I didn't tell you to sleep with the daughter of Vale,” Callum said. “How didn't you both scent each other?”

“I masked mine, I'm guessing she also masked herself. The point is I think Alpha Kade set me up. He used his daughter to set me up”

“How could he have done that? He wouldn't have known you were going to Y city” Riley said.

“I'm sure he knew,I mean what are the chances of meeting a werewolf in Y city,much less Alpha Kade's daughter. I'm sure he is planning something” Damien said.

“I still think rejecting her is a bad idea,Damien,” Riley said.

“Even if he's not planning something, I'm sure he is now. This might lead to war,but you know I'm always ready” Callum said smiling. “Are you okay though? I mean you just rejected your mate”

“Just a little weak. I'll be fine” He knew he would be,this was

nothing compared to what he would be facing as an Alpha. And if this leads to war,he was ready