Damian POV
What the fuck happened to my life? I just can’t wrap my head around the last 48 hours. I just knew Nina was my mate, so I allowed myself to fall in love with her. She was perfect. She would have been the perfect Luna to my pack. She came from a good blood line and everyone loved her. Taking a sip of the whiskey I, have in my hand and leaning on my knees, I bent over at my desk. I just fucking believe it! HOLLY? How is Holly, my mate? I had never really paid attention to her before. After all, she is Trevor’s sister, bro code 101 right there. I am sure she is beautiful, but I just never thought of her more than a sister. I can’t believe I had to find out that way too. Completely embarrassed, Nina and the rumors going around about Holly right now are not good for her image. I just walked in with my gang and I saw Nina looking at Holly and I was thinking about how breathtaking she looked in that dress. Then, out of no-where, I smelled the most mouth-watering smell. Honey and citrus. My eyes widened as Colt, my wolf, yelled mate! I looked right at Holly and I felt the bond snap together. I was shocked and didn’t know what to do. The boys put the pieces together and suddenly the music stopped and everyone was staring. It was like my feet moved on their own towards the girls. What am I supposed to do? Go to my mate and ignore the girl I love or go comfort the girl I love and ignore my mate? We are raised to put nothing above the mate bond. That is something you cherish and respect. I take one steps toward Nina and I hear a growl that stops me in my tracks. I looked over and Holly had her hand over her mouth, not expecting that to come out. She was already jealous of Nina. I watched Nina run off and I told the guys to go after her and make sure she was okay. I told Holly to follow me to my office.
Sighing just thinking about Holly asking me if I was going to reject her had my wolf angry. Colt was confused and hurt but he knew we would always accept our mate. Holly told me about all of her and Nina’s conversations and Nina’s fears. Then the attack happened and we didn’t get to finish our conversation and I had to go kill some fucking rogues. If life wasn’t shitty enough, Nina’s parents died in the fight. Every single one of her fears happened tonight and I can’t be there to support her. I had funerals to plan and pack responsibilities to do. Trevor said he would take care of Nina for me since he didn’t want to be around Holly or myself at the moment. We all knew everything was going to change and no one wanted that change. Then I saw Nina at the funeral and she looked like she hadn’t stopped crying. She completely avoided me and I know I can’t complete the bond with Holly till we talk things through. Which was a fucking mistake. What she had to say to Holly and myself was not what I was expecting. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. I wouldn’t want to stay here either if it was me and Nina was mated to Trevor or Zach or any other guys really. Even with Holly, I don’t think I can handle that. This is so messed the fuck up. I went to hug Holly and I felt her looking at me and I turned and saw how much I was hurting her by just comforting Holly.
I swallowed the rest of my whiskey and filled another up. I quickly shot that back and threw my glass against the wall and it shattered in pieces just next to Trevor’s head as he came through my door.
“You should try knocking” I said, half pissed off at myself and half pissed off that Trevor had got to take care of Nina.
Sitting down on the couch I had in my office, he just shrugs. “I got Nina’s house cleaned up. She destroyed everything on the walls but I was able to save some pictures for her. She finally passed out. I slipped a sleeping pill in her drink so she would sleep. Otherwise, I knew she would have been up all night. What are you going to do dude?”
“Well, you know I can’t reject Holly. We are given our mates for a reason, but the thought of being with another girl is confusing. I always assumed it was Nina, you did too!” I yelled. I am so frustrated with the situation.
I smell her then. Honey and citrus and my body is instantly awake. I feel myself stiffening but the longing is there. The bond is getting stronger and it's harder to stay away from each other. I heard a soft knocking on the door.
“Come in” I grunted, sitting back down. “Watch out for the glass!”
Holly looks down and backs up to the wall and it registers what happened. Sighing, she just sits down by Trevor.
“So, what now?”
“I think we need to give it more time before we complete the bond. Give Nina some time and see how she is in a month. I don’t believe a word she said tonight. Surely, she won’t leave, but that girl is hard-headed. I am not going to reject you, but you need to understand I need some time to get passed Nina. I understand I need to let her go, but it’s not something that happens overnight. I am sorry this is happening to you Holly.”
She has tears in her eyes and I can already feel a little of what she feels. Guilt, jealousy, hurt and longing. I know this is not what she imagined finding her mate would be like. “I understand. I never thought it would end up like this. I just lost my best friend too.”
“For what it is worth, I don’t believe she is mad at either one of you guys. She knows you didn’t choose this, but with the death of her parents on top of this, I think she needs more time. She is broken right now and I don’t think seeing either of you is a good time right now either. You both need to stay clear of her. Also, the rumors going around this pack are insane. I don’t want to hurt Nina, but you need to announce you found your mate Damian and there will be a Luna ceremony in the future. I don’t need to tell you to do right by my sister, but I will be at Nina’s side, so she has at least one friend right now. I know Zach will be with me too.” Trevor said, walking out and slamming the door shut before we had a chance to respond.
We sat in silence for awhile and finally I said, “You can move into the pack house. My room is on the 3rd floor, you know, but I am going to let you have the guest room across the hall for a while. I am the only person that is up there. I will announce that you are my mate at breakfast tomorrow since we are eating together as a pack. With the attack we could use some unity. The Luna Ceremony could be in 2 months. How does that sound to you, Holly?”
She is quiet for a minute and I can tell she is deciding her words carefully. “I understand you love her, and I love her too, but I don’t feel like I should be punished by not being able to complete the mating bond within a reasonable time. I know you feel the draw to each other and my body is made for you. I know you and Nina never had sex, so I would be your first and only one. If we stay away from Nina as Trevor suggested, then it shouldn’t matter, right?”