Respect

"Goddess, I don't believe it. Alpha Damien?" Alpha Bayzil gasped in surprise as he shifted back into his human form to greet him.

He glanced down at Safira, whom Damien was carrying in his arms. He tried his best to hide his expression of shock but Damien caught it quickly. It also became painfully clear that the wolves of Nightmoon had surrounded the Alpha of Obsidian Howl.

Damien had no doubts in his own capabilities. He was confident that both him and Yukon had the ability to tear them all apart. But he couldn't do it, knowing it would put Safira in danger.

So, he decided to be a little more diplomatic. He mind-linked Beta Seth and the others to wait for instructions at their border while he tried a different approach.

"Alpha Bayzil, it's been a while. There's been a misunderstanding, which I hope you and I could find some mediation."

"A misunderstanding?" Alpha Bayzil asked with a smirk on his face.

Damien never liked Bayzil very much. He was too cocky for his own good. Furthermore, there were rumors surrounding him and his family that were distasteful at best.

"This she-wolf here is under my protection," Damien chose his words very carefully, with a strong hunch Bayzil knew who Safira was.

"She wandered into your packgrounds accidentally and caused some trouble for your border patrol. I'll get her out of your hair," he said before getting ready to leave once more.

"Alpha Damien, I think you've been deceived. This she-wolf is part of Nightmoon. We've been looking for this pathetic little thing. You can leave her with us. We'll take great care of her."

It was as if Bayzil didn't even bother to sugarcoat his words. The fake smile on his face was telling enough of his true intentions. If Damien left Safira with them now, he would never see her alive again.

Damien held onto Safira a little tighter. He quickly noticed she too was clutching on to him tightly. She was side facing against his chest, resting on his heart. Though she was still unconscious, it seemed as though she subconsciously held onto him tightly to feel safe and secure.

In truth, Safira was regaining consciousness. She could hear the older Alpha's voice. She heard every word he said and knew what it meant. In Damien's embrace, her defenses had fallen into shambles.

She allowed herself to be afraid, to be fearful.

The only way she knew how to tell Damien her intentions was through her sense of touch. So she clung onto him, as if she was holding onto him for dear life.

Damien knew exactly what she meant. He held her a little closer, using just enough strength so that he did not aggravate any of her injuries. He straightened his back and met Bayzil's gaze.

"I'm afraid I cannot leave her with you," he chose his words carefully, knowing full well anything he said next could incite a pack war.

"Alpha Damien, you came onto my packlands and are attempting to kidnap one of my pack members. Are you sure this is what you wish to do?" Alpha Bayzil asked as he folded his arms.

Their little conversation quickly turned into a battle of words and the older Alpha already thought he was winning. But Damien had a trump card. One that he didn't intend on revealing unless absolutely necessary.

He didn't want to force Safira into anything she didn't sign up for and announcing her as his mate right now could ruin everything.

"I found her grievously wounded. Injured by your border patrol. She most certainly did not seem like a member of your pack to me," Damien said calmly.

Yukon wanted to tear apart the old Alpha, and it was taking everything within him to keep his wolf in check. But Bayzil didn't back down either. He knew how to stoke the flames and he seemed extremely keen on keeping Safira, for whatever reason that might be.

"She's a traitor," Bayzil said with disdain, "She caused quite a scene with a visiting Alpha some time ago. Because of her little charade, we need to give him an answer for the trouble she's caused. I hope you don't make this difficult for us, Alpha Damien. We wouldn't want to make an enemy out of you, now would we?"

Bayzil signaled his wolves to move forward, closing the ring around Damien and Safira. Safira knew exactly what Bayzil meant. They were going to hand her over to Markus and let him deal with her as he pleased.

That would only result in death, or worse. She could not even begin to imagine what horrors awaited her should she be left with Bayzil. But Damien was innocent in all of it. He didn't sign up for any of this.

Remembering all that he had done for her up till this point, she knew she could not let him suffer on her behalf. Not only would her presence affect him, it would affect his pack too.

Innocent lives would be at stake.

Safira did all that she could to muster what strength remained in her body. She looked up at Damien. The determination in his eyes to keep her safe was as clear as crystal.

"Damien," she whispered with all the strength she had left.

He looked down at her at once, as if he had heard her speak his name with great clarity.

"Leave me here," she croaked, her emotions choking up in her wind pipes as she did.

He lowered his head, touching foreheads with her.

"I can't do that, Sunshine. I promised, remember? I'll never let anyone hurt you ever again."

He planted a soft kiss on her cheek as a fresh tear rolled down his cheek. The Moon Goddess had blessed her with such a loving mate, what had she done to deserve such care and kindness?

"Do what you must," she whispered to him, before relaxing in his arms.

Damien looked back up at the old Alpha and his wolves. He understood the meaning behind his words. Taking one step forward, he made a declaration for all to hear.

"Whatever grievances this Alpha you speak of have with her, he can come to me."

Alpha Bayzil was caught off guard. He didn't know why Damien would go out of the way to protect Safira, but he wasn't about the let the matter rest either.

"Damien, I can assure you-"

"It's Alpha Damien, Alpha Bayzil," he was not about to be disrespected.