Chapter 4 Proof of Love?
The “Ariel” necklace was worth a fortune. The only way to sell it off was through an auction house.
So that meant Damon must’ve seen the “Ariel” necklace appear at an auction—and immediately shifted into wolf form to race back here?
She didn’t answer right away. Instead, she asked, “You went to the auction?”
Damon froze, his eyes flickering with guilt. It took him a few seconds to respond. “I wanted to get you some new jewelry.”
Was it really for her—or for Isabelle?
Well, Isabelle had just given him a grand surprise. Naturally, he’d want to return the favor.
Ariel had already calmed down. Her voice was level. “I didn’t sell it. I donated it.”
Hearing that, Damon sighed and took her hand. “Ariel, I know you’re kind, but if you want to donate something, pick anything else. Just not that.”
He pulled a small box from his coat and placed it in front of her.
The black velvet case opened to reveal the same “Ariel” necklace.
The stone’s unique glow shimmered like before.
“I bought it back. It’s the proof of my love for you. No matter what happens, you can’t take it off.”
As he spoke, Damon once again fastened the necklace around her neck with his own hands.
Ariel stared at the necklace, now returned to its place, and let out a soft, bitter laugh.
Damon, how are you such a convincing actor?
Just hours ago, you were tangled up with another she-wolf. And now you’re here whispering sweet nothings to me like nothing ever happened.
That night, as she was about to fall asleep, Damon’s phone rang.
He silenced it immediately and gently patted her back, trying to soothe her.
Seconds later, it rang again.
And again.
After several rounds of this, Damon finally frowned and picked up the call.
The voice on the other end came through loud and clear in the quiet room.
“Alpha, come out! We’re all here already—just waiting on you!”
Damon didn’t even hesitate. “I’m putting Ariel to sleep. Gotta go.”
“Hey, hey, don’t hang up!”
“You’ve been with her nonstop. It’s been ages since you came out to hang with us.”
“Yeah, other people still show up even after they get a mate. You? You disappeared. That’s messed up, man.”
The voices were chaotic. Damon covered the speaker and muttered, “Enough. I told you—no one in the world matters more than Ariel. I’m staying with her.”
Even after that, they refused to give up.
One after another, his friends took turns pleading with him to come out, determined not to let him off the hook.
Just as things reached a stalemate, Ariel spoke. “Go. You should hang out with them—it’s been a long time.”
She knew those voices. They were the elite beta warriors of the pack—Damon’s inner circle.
“…Fine.”
Damon pouted, clearly reluctant. “But I’m taking you with me. If you don’t come, I’m not going either.”
The voices on the other end lit up.
“Luna, come join us too! It’ll be fun!”
“Please, Luna! If you don’t come, Alpha won’t budge!”
With the conversation at that point, Ariel could only nod and agree.
They arrived at a clearing deep in the forest, where moonlight poured down over the gathered group. Damon’s elite betas were all there—each surrounded by female wolves. About a dozen in total, all Omegas.
Ariel’s brow creased. Before she could react, Damon had already taken her hand and started pulling her away.
“Hey! Alpha, don’t leave!” one of the betas called out, hurrying to shoo away the Omegas. “Go on, all of you—get lost.”
Only after the Omega women had all scattered did the man sigh and drape an arm over Damon’s shoulders.
“Alpha, you haven’t changed a bit. Still won’t let any she-wolf get close—except Luna.”
Damon pushed his arm off, his tone dead serious. “Ariel’s my mate. I only love her.”
Laughter broke out across the clearing, with more than a few side-eyes tossed Ariel’s way.
She gave a faint smile and said nothing.
What followed was Damon’s brand of suffocating devotion.
His eyes never left her.
When someone lit a cigarette, he shot them a glare so sharp they snuffed it out on the spot. “Ariel doesn’t like the smell of smoke.”
When someone offered him a drink, he shook his head without hesitation. “Ariel doesn’t like alcohol on my breath.”
When a sparring match broke out nearby, he frowned. “Stay away from Ariel. Don’t get her hurt.”
The bonfire crackled in the center of the clearing. Damon stood at Ariel’s side, completely unmoving.
Then he caught a chill in the air. He pulled off the fur pelt from his shoulders and wrapped it around her, tucking her in close to his body heat. He nuzzled her ear gently.
“Ariel, does that feel better? Still cold?”
A chorus of howls and whistles rang out. Low growls of amusement rippled through the group.
“Alpha, you’re completely bewitched by your Luna!”
