The lost mate

Chapter 58: Introduction

The grand dining hall stretched before them, a vast space filled with long tables and benches, packed with members of Damien’s pack. As Annie walked besides him, holding Ryan’s tiny hand, she could feel the weight of the crowd’s stares bearing down on her. The once-quiet murmur of conversation dwindled to hushed whispers, and Annie didn’t need to listen closely to catch the hostile glances that followed her every step.

"Is that her?"

"That’s Damien’s mate? The one who disappeared?"

"Why is she here now?"

The whispers, tinged with curiosity and judgement, pricked at Annie’s nerves. Her shoulders tensed, but she kept her gaze forward.

Then, as they continued deeper into the hall, something shifted. The whispers softened, and soon, a different kind of murmur filled the space—admiration.

"Look at him... He’s just like Damien."

"He’s adorable!"

"Spitting image of his father."

The focus shifted from Annie to Ryan. A few of the pack members smiled warmly at him, while others couldn’t stop whispering about how much he resembled Damien.

Annie’s heart clenched, both relieved and wary. It seemed the pack’s hostility towards her had been momentarily eclipsed by Ryan’s undeniable charm.

At the far end of the hall, Liana and Richard were already seated at the head table. Liana caught sight of them immediately. Richard wore his usual stoic expression, but his gaze flicked between Annie and Ryan with an unreadable intensity.

Damien led Annie and Ryan to stand besides him as the room continued to settle. Annie shifted uncomfortably, trying to stay close to Damien without drawing more attention to herself. But the moment Liana rose from her seat, she knew something was coming.

"Everyone," Liana called out, her voice commanding yet smooth, instantly capturing the room’s attention. "Thank you for gathering here today. I know there’s been a lot of questions and rumours, and it’s time we clear the air."

Annie braced herself, instinctively pulling Ryan closer. Damien’s arm rested protectively on her shoulder, but there was tension in his stance. He, too, knew his mother well enough to anticipate what was coming.

Liana smiled warmly at the pack, her expression glowing with pride as she gestured towards Damien, Annie, and Ryan. "I’m proud to introduce you to Damien’s long-lost mate, Annie, and their son, Ryan."

There was a brief ripple of murmurs through the crowd, some surprised, others excited. Liana waited until the noise died down before continuing, her smile widening as she told her carefully crafted tale.

"You see, years ago, due to a misunderstanding, Annie left," Liana explained, her voice softening with an almost theatrical sadness. "It was a difficult time for all of us, especially for Damien, who was heartbroken by her departure. But Damien, being the devoted mate and leader that he is, never gave up."

Liana’s eyes glistened with pride as she looked at Damien, painting him as the noble, unwavering hero. "He searched for her tirelessly, determined to bring her back. And, as fate would have it, he found her, along with their son, who was hidden from us all this time."

Annie’s stomach churned at the story Liana was weaving. It was so far from the truth. Liana had crafted a perfect fairy tale, one that made Damien look like a saviour while erasing the harsh reality of their past. She could feel her blood simmering beneath her skin, her jaw tightening as she forced herself to remain silent.

"And now, thanks to Damien’s perseverance," Liana continued, her voice rising with pride, "our pack has not only regained its future Luna but also a new heir, young Ryan Montfort, who will one day follow in his father’s footsteps."

The hall erupted into polite applause. Liana had painted Annie as some misguided runaway, and Damien was glorified while Annie’s reasons for leaving were completely erased. And yet, she had no choice but to stand there, with a strained smile on her face, pretending to be part of this grand narrative that Liana had spun for the pack.

Annie’s heart twisted—she was happy that Ryan was being accepted, but she couldn’t shake the bitter taste in her mouth.

Liana finally sat down, the room settling into a more relaxed hum of conversation as the speech ended. But even as the pack turned their attention to their meals, Annie could still feel the weight of their eyes on her.

Damien stepped forward, his tall frame towering over the crowd as he moved to address the pack. Clearing his throat, he glanced at Annie and Ryan before turning his gaze back to the crowd. His voice, steady but tinged with something raw and honest, broke the silence.

"I’m not a hero," he began.

The collective breath of the pack seemed to hitch in surprise. "I know that’s how my mother has painted things, but the truth is far from it. I don’t deserve that title."

Annie blinked, her heart skipping a beat at his words. She hadn’t expected him to go down this path—not in front of the entire pack.

"I made a mistake," Damien continued, his voice firm but laced with regret. "A mistake that cost me my mate, my family, and five years of my son’s life. I hurt the person I was supposed to protect. And for that, I’m deeply ashamed."

The room was utterly still. No one moved; no one whispered. All attention was fixed on Damien, the Alpha prince, who was now laying bare his failures in front of them.

"I lost her because of my own actions, and I live with that guilt every single day." His eyes flicked to Annie, who was staring at him, her expression softening as she processed his words. "But thanks to the goddess Luna, I was given a second chance. She reunited me with my mate, with Annie, and gave me the gift of a son—a son I didn’t know I had, but who I will spend the rest of my life making it up to."

Annie’s heart swelled as she gently stroked Ryan’s hair, still absorbing the weight of what Damien was saying.

"I know this pack," Damien went on, his voice growing stronger. "I know how we operate, and I know that you’ll want to welcome my family with open arms. Annie and Ryan are new to the pack; they know nothing about it. They deserve the chance to settle in without being overwhelmed. Please give them the time they need to become the family we were meant to be."

The pack rose to their feet. Applause filled the room, echoing off the high ceilings as members clapped, not just for Damien but for the honesty and humility he had shown.

Annie stood frozen for a moment, her emotions in turmoil. She was touched—deeply touched—by Damien’s speech. His admission of fault, his apology, his willingness to ask the pack for understanding—it was more than she had expected. Her walls, carefully built over years of hurt and distrust, cracked just a little.

She turned her head, catching a glimpse of Liana, who was sitting at the head table, her face stiff with anger.