Finally Met Her
Damien’s POV
I hated today.
Interviews for human surrogates—what a joke. But here I was, pretending to be invested in the process. My people were relentless in their demands: "You need an heir, your Majesty. You’re not getting any younger." If only it were that simple.
It’s no secret that I have a severe repulsion to females—at least, to those not related to me by blood. My skin literally breaks out if they so much as brush my hand. My physicians have no explanation, and my people whisper about curses and fate.
Was told a tale of how only my mate will be able to break it. I naively believed it, searched everywhere but never found her. I’ve long stopped searching— and caring.
Girls don’t even bother to flirt with me anymore. Well—except Melissa.
Daughter of the Duke of Sable Valley who also handled trade and finance issues in the kingdom. She’s been relentless in her pursuit. She returned from overseas with a master's in physical wellness and quickly inserted herself into my life—and my nerves. I tolerated her out of respect for her father, but she twisted that tolerance into a delusion that she'd become my Queen.
Every time she touched me, I recoiled. She saw it. Everyone saw it. But she kept trying. Even now, though I’ve explicitly told her to stay away, she still calls and texts like a woman possessed. Her obsession is part of the reason I built this company here, in human territory—far from her claws.
I decided to use a surrogate. Discreet. Human. Simple. I had already provided the seed. All I needed was a womb to rent—someone healthy, with good genetics, and absolutely no ties to my world.
Or so I thought.
“Laura,” I buzzed my assistant, who entered almost immediately. She was petite, efficient, and a werewolf with a veiled past. I never pried, though her aura always intrigued me.
“Yes, Alpha?”
“How many are left?” I rubbed my temples, feeling a migraine creep in.
“Only one, sir.”
“Let’s get this over with. Bring her in.”
I turned my chair toward the floor-to-ceiling window, uninterested. That was when it hit me—
Strawberries.
A soft, sweet scent—faint but unmistakable—drifted into the room. My Lycan, Damon, stirred violently.
“Mate.”
I froze.
No. It couldn’t be.
“It is her,” Damon growled, nearly coming unglued with excitement. “She’s ours.”
But the scent... it was so faint. Almost like it was being suppressed. That couldn’t be normal. And if she were truly mine, why hadn’t I sensed her before? Why only now?
Footsteps approached. I waved Laura out absently, not even registering her words. My thoughts were consumed by the storm inside me. Could this woman really be my mate? Now, of all times? Here?
My chair remained turned to the window, despite Damon urging me to turn and see her.
And then, I could read her thoughts! It hit me that indeed she was mine! Only mates could do so! I remained rooted, my mind muddled, yet excited!
I couldn't believe my mate was right behind me, yet she seemed unfazed—or maybe not?
Her heart was pounding and it could deafen me!
“Take a seat,” I said, keeping my voice calm despite the chaos within. “And calm that heart of yours, little wolf.”
I turned the chair and there she was.
She looked like she was about to bolt. Hands clenched on the chair, perched on the edge like a deer caught in headlights. Her heart thundered in her chest, and I found myself wanting to hear that rhythm forever.
She couldn’t sense me—couldn’t feel our bond—but I could feel her. That irked me.
My entire being responded to her presence—yet she seemed to be far from reciprocating.
Her eyes widened. She heard the term. Understood it. She knew who—what—I was.
Her thoughts brushed against mine. Is he really the terrifying Alpha McKnight who can read minds?
I nearly smiled. So the rumors had spread far. If only she knew the truth—that I hadn’t been able to read anyone’s thoughts until this very moment. Until her.
But it seems she couldn’t read mine. Why?
She sat hesitantly. My eyes drank her in. Angelic face, heart-shaped and framed by a cascade of golden curls. Her eyes—a mirror of my own—shimmered with uncertainty and curiosity. She was breathtaking. A perfect match. My other half.
Yet... she was afraid of me.
My heart clenched.
I wanted to reach for her. To hold her and never let go. To see if my affliction would spare her, or perhaps cure me. But I stayed still, fighting the need to close the space between us.
“When you’re done admiring me,” I said, smirking to ease her nerves, “let me know.”
She bit her lip. I swallowed hard, resisting the urge to lean forward and taste her.
This was going to be harder than I thought.