THE ALPHA'S BLIND MATE

th Ariana's face haunting me every night, reminding me of promises unkept, of a search that had dragged on far too long with nothing to show. It was as if the weight of the pack sat on

, " I stopped my voice hard and controlled. "All these years, you said you were searching for Ariana. But you never lifted a finger to help. You lied to me." He scoffed, setting his glass down. "And what would it have achieved, Damien? Chasing after some girl from your past?" He leaned forward, his voice dropping to a mocking whisper. "You were a fool to believe that she was worth anything more than a fleeting memory." Anger surged, fierce and unrestrained. "A fleeting memory?" My voice shook, and for a second, I could barely keep the rage in check. "She saved me. She risked everything for me, and you left her to rot!" He shrugged, utterly unmoved. "We did what was best for the pack, Damien. What's done is done. Let it go." But I couldn't. I wouldn't. I moved closer, feeling my wolf clawing at the edges of my control, desperate to be released. "You ruined everything. You destroyed Melina's life and left Ariana to fend for herself, all because you needed to keep me 'under control.'" "Watch your tone," he growled, standing now, his full height still imposing despite his age. But I didn't flinch. Not this time. "All those years I tried to be what you wanted," I continued, my voice growing cold. "I sacrificed everything for the pack, for you. But no more." His gaze sharpened, dark and warning. "You wouldn't dare