Mated To My Mate's Worst Enemy (ARIA) novel Chapter 4

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DAMON

I should have known something was wrong when Aria didn't call.

The entire day had been devoted to Sera—visiting her physician, attending a gathering with the neighboring packs to formally announce our bond, sitting through endless congratulations that felt hollow in my chest. My friends had been there, all of them fawning over Sera like she was some precious artifact finally returned to its rightful place.

"She's even more beautiful than I remembered," Marcus, my head warrior, had said with an appreciative whistle that made my wolf bristle with possessive pride.

"And so graceful," Jennifer, one of the pack's senior she-wolves, had added. "Not like some omegas who don't know their place."

The comment had been subtle, but I'd caught the underlying dig at Aria. Jennifer had never approved of my... arrangement with her. Too lowborn, she'd said once. Too desperate for Alpha attention.

I'd wanted to defend Aria then, but Sera had laughed and squeezed my hand, and the moment had passed like smoke.

Throughout it all, Sera had been the perfect mate—smiling despite her weakness, charming everyone with that musical laugh I remembered from our childhood. But there had been moments when I'd caught her watching me with an expression I couldn't quite read. Calculating, almost.

As evening approached and the gathering wound down, Sera had pulled me aside.

"Damon," she'd said softly, her fingers trailing down my arm in a way that should have sent shivers through me but somehow didn't. "Could I stay at your house tonight? I hate being alone in mine, and with the silver poisoning getting worse..."

Her voice had trailed off, eyes filling with tears that tugged at something protective in my chest.

But I'd already made plans to check on Aria. She'd been upset last night—more upset than I'd ever seen her—and guilt had been gnawing at me all day despite my irritation with her tantrum over the pendant.

"I'm actually heading to your place tonight," I'd said, keeping my tone gentle. "I want to make sure you're comfortable there, check that your medical supplies are stocked properly."

Something had flickered across Sera's face—anger, maybe, or disappointment—but it vanished so quickly I wondered if I'd imagined it.

"Of course," she'd said with that same sweet smile. "You're always so thoughtful."

But as I'd driven her home and settled her in for the evening, that unsettled feeling in my gut had only grown stronger. I'd sent Aria three texts throughout the day, just checking in, making sure she was okay after our argument.

No response. Not even the little 'read' notification that told me she'd seen them.

My wolf paced restlessly beneath my skin, whining in a way that irritated me. Aria was fine. She was probably just sulking, wanting me to come grovel and apologize for prioritizing my actual mate over her feelings.