Chapter One Hundred and Nine - Rebellion - Damian's POV

As I return to the room, I can't wait to have her in my arms again. But then I open the door and she's not there. My eyes scan the room as I step further inside, but I can't find her. I walk further into the room, listening to the bathroom and closet. Nothing. The door to the closet is wide open and some of her things are missing. 'Maya?" I go to the bathroom, pushing open the door, and know that I won't find her there. But I have to be sure. Sadly, my gut is right, and she's not. I rush back into the hallway, not wanting to admit the feeling in my stomach is right. She can't be gone. There is no way she'd just leave me. As I tear down through the hallways, I run right into Simon and almost knock him over. I catch him, my hands landing roughly on his shoulders. 'Where is she?" 'Where is who?" 'My mate. Where is she?" I ask again, my voice trembling with raw emotion. 'Why don't you ask the guard who just came to me about it? Ethan said one of the pack members saw her sneaking out hours ago," Simon says, his voice straightforward and bitter. 'Are you not keeping up with your own mate?" My entire world falls apart in an instant. She wasn't taken or persuaded to go with someone. She walked straight out of my life on her own accord. 'And no one went after her? Why didn't anyone come tell me?" Simon feigns ignorance. 'I just learned about it." 'And you thought to not come to me immediately? Why didn't anyone come to me? Who saw her leave and withheld this information?" My voice grows angrier with each question. How could they do this and risk our very lives? 'Simple. They came to me just now ,and I came to tell you," Simon says, his voice remaining steady. 'And how long have you known?" I ask, leaning closer as a growl works its way up my throat. 'Tell me." 'Five minutes," he replies dryly. 'The scent in the room tells me she's been gone for hours, so who waited that long to tell you?" I ask as my gaze narrows. A smile spreads across his face and I don't even have to press for an answer. It is probably Luce or whoever else is working with him. 'You've betrayed me." Three little words are all it takes for Simon's smile to fade. They hurt and I can't believe my own beta would do such a thing. 'You're too weak," he snaps. 'You've been weak and not wanting to adapt. She is just a human, Damian. You should have forced her into submission and made her accept the bond." 'She has to be willing," I shout back. 'What part of that are you too stupid to figure out? If she isn't willing, then our lives are forfeit." 'You should have made her willing," he shouts even louder. 'Woo her, win her, and do whatever it takes. That was what you should have done, but you were too caring and safe about it. What human doesn't fall for a rich werewolf? You should have used your wealth to buy her love." I flinch. Not because of his words, but because of the meaning behind it. Use the money to buy her. 'I used my money to buy her from her father, which was devastating enough. What makes you think I could win her over emotionally with money?" His gaze tells me he doesn't understand. It's like nothing makes sense to him unless we force ourselves through life. We just take what we want and keep moving. 'You shouldn't have done what you have," he whispers. 'It's too late to regret it or back track." Suddenly, I see movement behind him. At least a dozen wolves are standing there, all waiting to pounce. 'What have you done?" I ask, my voice cracking. 'What was necessary for the pack." As seconds pass, more sets of eyes join the original twelve in the hallway behind him. By the time they have all lined up, I figure it's at least half of the pack. 'You didn't just betray me. You planned an entire rebellion." With how many there are, I know I can never fight them off. The only other choice I have is fleeing. 'This is for the best," Simon says, his voice becoming soft. 'Your emotional weakness has put us all at risk. If you had just pushed her, then this wouldn't be happening." 'So, are you saying you'd force a mate to become yours? Do you realize that goes against everything we stand for?" I ask, feeling as if I might just crush his skull. But I don't know how I could do it without someone attempting to kill me in return. 'She was warming up to me and had accepted me until you called her into the woods to offer her that deal with Lorcan." As I scan the crowd, I realize some look hesitant. Not all are fully aligned with him. And now that they heard about the last part, they really look like they don't want to be here. 'I was only doing what any good fated mate would do. We wait for them to accept." Simon scoffs. 'Fated mates instantly mark each other. It's too irresistible." 'Not when your fated mate is human. They don't feel the same tug as wolves and don't act as quickly. That is how I'm able to wait," I remind him. One wolf tries to move ahead, as if to leave Simon's side, but he growls at him, keeping him back. I use that moment of distraction to run down the hallway, but sadly, I'm cut off as a few wolves cut the corner. My heart sinks as I realize they planned to block me in, so I have no other choice but to submit. I should have never left her alone. The best thing I could have done was take her and run while we could. If only I had known that leaving her alone for a few hours would do this.