Page 138 of Claimed By Prince Daddy

“Except this present… it wasn’t a gift. It was death.”

A chill slipped down my spine.

“A witch had gifted me silverbane, a highly toxic substance to werewolves, more toxic than iron.” Her hands trembled in her lap.

I could see how much this story was costing Sasha. I encircled my arm around her shoulder and drew her in close.

“I’m here,” I whispered near her ear.

Sasha nodded, her arm coming around to wrap around my narrow hips.

“I-I, was dying. My parents rushed me to the omega healer of the pack. He told my parents the silverbane was fatal. And the only way to save me was by letting a part of me die. Either the human part or the wolf.”

Soft tears pelted my bare stomach.

“They chose the wolf. And that day, on the day of my birth—my inner wolf died. I never blamed my parents for being a latent. Not once, not even when my peers shunned or beat me—out of sight of the adults—did I let my spirit break. I told myself that as long as I had my family, I was fine.” She sniffled.

A knot of anger burrowed deep in my stomach as I imagined a young Sasha attacked because of having no inner wolf. Ostracized. I wanted to rip out their throats.

“Then our pack had a battle with the werebears. And I saw you,” Sasha said.

I blinked.

“I saw you from my vantage point in the trees. And my soul recognized you as mine. Then I felt claws rake along my insides. I looked into myself and… there she was. My inner wolf.”

My eyes widened.

Sasha lifted her head and smiled up at me. “You brought me to life, Damon. Both parts of me. So never call yourself an ass. If you must call yourself something—saymy mate.”

I swallowed past the lump in my throat. “Sasha…”

She leaned up and pressed a tender kiss to my lips. I cupped her cheek, relishing the tiny tingles that swept over me, causing my hand to tremble. She pulled away. Her eyes blazed with renewed determination.

“We need to go to Alpha Ryan.”

I scowled. “Why?”

“Because he only gave me twelve weeks to solve this case. That leaves today as the last day!” Sasha scrambled out of the bed, and my eyes snagged on her rounded ass. “He’ll wage war against you and your clan otherwise.”

“Let the bastard try.”

Sasha tossed me a glare as she hopped and wiggled into her jeans. “Damon.”

I held her glare.

“We’regoing.”

A few seconds passed. I got my ass out of bed, cussing up a storm.

Never did I imagine I would cross into Silverfang pack territory, let alone with my feisty mate, Sasha, at my side.

But the hostile glares we received by the werewolves were proof enough.

“Scared yet?” Sasha teased under her breath.

“You wish,” I growled, meeting every scowl with hot amber eyes of my own.

We traveled through the passages in the mountain flanked by my sentinels and Sasha’s Beta Garret and another sentinel of hers. Wolves moved out the way, snarling at spotting me and my sentinels. It was a wonder we slipped through the territory boarder, once sighted by a patrol. But Sasha having relayed the news of the investigation breakthrough had allowed us passage. A male werewolf came jogging toward us. He enveloped Sasha in a hug, to which she returned the embrace. My claws sliced out, moments away from ripping his head off. Then I caught the familial scent. Eyeing the male more closely, I figured him a sibling.

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