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Damon's POV:

"Damon, why are you so upset?." Alec asked once we were in my office.

"I just had a rough morning," I lied, then quickly sat down behind my desk, thinking back to the incident that had happened yesterday.

I wasn't angry; I was beyond that. I wanted nothing to do with her. That's why I had decided to go back. But when Alec approached me, he pointed out how I needed to decide what to do with her because we always made a decision the same day when a rogue crossed our territory.

I was conflicted for a minute but decided to go with him. When we reached the damn cell, I knew there and then that she was my mate. 

 My wolf was purring, and her beautiful, intoxicating scent was stronger than her dirty, disturbing scent.

I felt confused at that moment about how the Moon Goddess would bring her to me when she knew that I wanted nothing to do with her or any other woman.

Was I perhaps supposed to laugh at how she had planned it all?. Knowing I was a scarred-face bastard, did she pity me and decide to give me a blind mate who couldn't see me?

Her sniffs made me feel uncomfortable and very anxious.

She was sitting on the cold floor with her slightly trembling hands on her lap. Her hair was a mess. It was very muddy with leaves and twigs in it.

Her bare feet were bleeding, and her ripped dress was showing her bruised body. Her tears were making a trail on her dirty cheeks, and her eyes made me clench my hands into fists.

I wanted to know which bastard had done that to her, but at the same time, I had to remind myself and my wolf of our sad past.

Instantly, his purrs stopped, and we composed ourselves.

Alec went on to tell her how she had made a mistake by crossing our pack, and he even went on to scare her a bit, which shockingly she welcomed by asking him to end her life.

I was stunned! We had all gone through a lot of pain in my pack, and that increased our will to survive everything and make it. Seeing how she wanted death confused me even more.

I found myself walking into the damn cell and grabbing her shoulders as if to snap her out of her stupid request.

When the beautiful tingles spread throughout my body, I knew there and then that I wasn't going to allow her to die by our hands. If she had no use for her life, then it was okay because I needed her life.

With that decision, I announced to her that her life was now my own, and that seemed to terrify her.

 "Why was she more scared of living than dying?" I asked, breaking the silence. "As I walked away from her, she pleaded for my words to be reversed. She pleaded for death."

Alec and I walked out of the dungeon in silence and went straight to our rooms because we both needed time to think through everything.

Now that we were in my office, we needed to discuss everything, but I wasn't even in the mood for that.

"I have never met anyone who is that eager to die," he said in a low tone, then moved to the chair opposite me and sat down. 

"But I kind of understand her. She looks like she has gone through so much hell that we both know all too well. Her reason to fight and recover is broken. Alpha, perhaps we should grant her wish," he said as my wolf pulled through.

"No!" I growled loudly, making the desk shake.

He widened his eyes in shock, then bared his neck to show his respect.

"Please forgive me for speaking out of turn," he apologized.

My wolf pulled back, and I sighed heavily. 

"Alec, I'm so sorry for overreacting," I whispered, then slowly stood up and walked to the window that gave a good view of our training field.

"I understand, Alpha. Her suffering reminds us so much of our own. That's why I think you should let her out of the dungeon," he said hesitantly.

"Alec, seeing her in there didn't only ignite pity in my heart. Seeing her in that state made me furious. I wanted to know which bastard could do such a thing to her. I wanted him to go through so much pain that he had put her in. When she pleaded for death, I felt fear wash over me just at that moment, and my instincts kicked in to keep her alive. That's why I said that her life now belongs to me," I answered, then turned and faced him.

He was looking at me with his jaw dropped.

"Alpha, I know this question may be absurd, and please do forgive me if I offend you with it, but is that human blind girl your mate?" he asked seriously.

I sighed heavily, then went back to sit in my chair.

"Yes, Alec," I answered without holding back.

There was no way I was going to hide the truth from him. Sooner or later, he was going to find out on his own.

"What! But that's impossible!" he exclaimed.

"Exactly, that's what I thought too because second-chance mates are a myth, right?" I asked at the top of my voice.

He kept quiet and then shook his head.

"I no longer think they are myths anymore, Damon. No matter what, our wolves and instincts are never wrong when it comes to our mates. If your wolf is certain she is your mate, then she is your second chance mate," he said softly.

I brushed my hand through my hair and then swallowed hard.

"I don't need a mate. I vowed to never be with a Luna," I said sadly.

"I know, but what will you do?" he asked as I hit the desk with my fist lightly.

"It's either you reject her or set her free before the mate pull starts binding the two of you together," he whispered.

I knew he was right, but a part of me wasn't ready to just let go.

"First, take her out of the dungeon and have one of the best elderly Omegas take good care of her. When I'm sure she's okay or she feels much better, I'll let her go," I said bitterly, even though I knew in my heart that there was no way on earth I was going to let her go.

I didn't want her. At the same time, a part of me truly needed her.