Page 68 of Damien’s Mate

She turned to face him, startled. She’d been so far away she hadn’t heard or scented him. He remembered what she’d said to him the first night—I always know when you’re around, hooman.

Apparently she didn’t anymore. She’d already moved on.

She put the shirt down and stepped forward, her eyes bright and almost feverish. “Damien, you’ll never believe it. I heard from them. The Lion Guard. They finally called me back.”

That floored him. Remy had just told him the Lion Guard of Makek-Dur had been destroyed. Who would have answered her call?

“But—who contacted you? How? That’s impossible—” He broke off.

She’d stopped in her tracks, her eyes narrowing. A growl sounded low in her throat. “Why is it impossible? How would you know?”

Oh, fuck. He hadn’t meant to tell her this way. “I had Remy do some research. Discreetly,” he added, as the growl got louder.

A feral light crept into her eyes. “You told them?” Her voice was a disbelieving whisper that made him wince. “You told them my secret? After you promised me you wouldn’t?”

“Just Remy.” He took a step forward, holding out his hand, and she recoiled. “I was worried about you. I didn’t think you’d ever hear back from them, and I wanted you to have some other way to fulfill your mission if you couldn’t—”

He took another step, and her claws came out. “You. Promised. Me. You broke your word. I trusted you.”

Her words, the expression on her face, raked gashes in his heart worse than her claws ever could.

“It wasn’t like that,” he protested. He had to make her understand.

“There’s no shades of gray about betrayal.”

That was like a slap in the face. He’d just wanted to help her. Why wouldn’t she even listen to him? “Is that you talking?” he snapped out. “Or your father?”

“There’s no difference! I am what he made me. I’m not a pet kitty-cat. I’m a soldier. And I’m going to finish my mission.”

Damien sighed. “Babe, there’s nothing left. There was a war, and the Royal House won, but the Lion Guard was destroyed. I don’t know who you talked to, but Remy’s contact told him reports out of Makek-Dur say the Lion Guard is nothing but a few old guys in ceremonial positions.”

She folded her arms. “Funny, the Lieutenant Commander didn’t mention that. They’re coming to get me.”

Damien felt like a trapdoor had opened underneath his feet, and he was falling. Remy’s intel had been wrong. He said numbly, “Well, I guess they would know if they exist or not.” He took a breath. “When are they coming?”

“Tomorrow.” Her voice was hard. She shoved the shirt into the bag without folding it and zipped it up, then slung it over her shoulder. “I’ll take the SUV. I’ll leave you the coordinates—I’m sure someone will drive you out to get it later.”

She brushed past him, and Damien grabbed her arm, swinging her around. Hurt and fury welled up inside him. “So that’s it? After everything we’ve been through together, you just take mySUV and leave? When were you going to tell me you were going? Were you going to tell me? Or were you just going to steal my ride and walk out without saying anything to anyone?”

“I was going to stay one more night, but I can see that was pointless. I might as well go now.”

“So you never cared about me at all.”

That sounded so fucking pathetic. But he had to know. He’d felt so much for her—he did feel so much for her. Had he just been a toy for her to play with while she waited for her real life to start again?

She looked away, but not before he saw her face soften. She said, “You always knew this was just for a little while. Until I went back.” She turned back to him. “Damien, I have to go back. I have to do this. It’s my duty.”

That infuriated him. Her father had brainwashed her with this ‘duty’, but he’d never made her feel loved or cared for. And she was still going to throw away what she and Damien could have, for that.

“Your duty to who?” he burst out. “You don’t owe the Lion Guard anything, even if they’re still there. They kicked your family out. Your parents died of broken hearts. Your dad literally killed himself trying to prove something to them, and all he accomplished was leaving you alone.”

Her eyes flashed green with anger. “At least I’ll be with people who know what honor means. People who keep their word. The Guard will welcome me home.”

But she didn’t sound sure. She sounded defiant.

He pressed the point, knowing he was hurting her, but not caring. “Really? How welcoming were they when you talked to them? Did they start the party plans yet?”

Lila jerked away from him. “So you’ve known me for what—a few weeks? And somehow you know better than me what I want and what I need?”