Damon's POV
Vivian looked at me with obvious concern as she came in through the door with my mother. "Damon, are you alright?"
I clutched the two bands tightly in my hand, my wolf whimpering with bitter regret.
"This is all that omega's fault," Margaret said through gritted teeth, her voice distorted by pain. Her face was still swollen from the slap Kira had given her, and every word made her wince. "I told you from the beginning you shouldn't have mated someone like her."
"Mother, enough!" I snarled, my Alpha authority bleeding through. "Stop insulting Kira. We were mated for three years, and she never betrayed our bond. She was loyal when I didn't deserve it."
The words felt like swallowing broken glass, but they needed to be said.
"Everything Thornwood Pack has achieved? The contr
