I sat there, not really listening to Alex and Damien's conversation. My mind to preoccupied with maintaining an indifferent facade. My body tense as I was forcing my body not to react in any way to Damien's. It was taking everything in me, to keep my feelings in check. I hadn't been this close to Damien in over a year. Not allowing myself to get close. After reading the book I had, I realized that in I had to stay as far away from him physically as possible. Our wolves would call upon each other, and with mine getting weaker, his wolf would want to soothe it's mate. While the man, himself, did not. He had made his choice, and it was on me to respect it. No matter what our bodies and wolves said otherwise.

I only heard bits and pieces of the conversation flowing around me. Something about rogue attacks, and contacting other Alphas. Not really paying any attention. In a hope to further distract myself from Damien, I watched as waiters and waitresses began filing out of the back door. Each carefully balancing two plates on each arm, of what appeared to be a starter course to the meal. I noticed another set of wait staff, filling each tables cups with beverages. I hadn't noticed, that our designated waiter was already making his round at our own table.

"Good evening folks. Your appetizers will be here momentarily. Would any of you care for a beverage? We have water, wine, soda, juice, and beer this evening.

I watched him take everyone's order of drinks, before finally his eyes fell to mine. He had warm brown eyes, with dirty blonde hair. Although not as attractive Damien is, still attractive. He smiled warmly at me, and his eyes were flirtatious while looking at me.

"Ummm, water please?" I stated as if in a question. "Thanks, uhhh."

"My name is Thomas, miss. Might I add, you look beautiful tonight"

"Thank you Thomas." I replied with a smile and a blush.

I noticed Damien tense beside me, and look at me with a scowl. I am not sure what I did to annoy him, but if that look were anything to go by, I must have. The last thing I wanted to do was to anger or annoy him, and I would chastise myself later in the privacy of my own room, when I could escape to it.

Thomas and another two waiters had re-approached our table with drinks and appetizers. The conversations of the entire pack became low murmurs of soft, as everyone began eating. The first course was a wedge salad drizzled in blue cheese dressing, with bits of delicious bacon sprinkled about. After that course, was a choice of lobster bisque or sage butternut squash soup. I opted to try the lobster bisque, as I had never eaten lobster before. I had promised myself to try things I had never had, before my limited time was up. So many experiences that most took for granted, because of the perceived notion that you had all the time in the world. But when you knew your time had a limit, you wanted to dive into life and do everything you could. I was surprised at the thick creaminess of the bisque, and its flavor. It was by far one of the most delectable items I had ever tasted, and was glad I had chosen it. Halfway through finishing the bisque, I noticed Damien looking at me with the same scowl upon his face as before. And immediately, I lost my appetite and set my spoon down, and waited for the next course

"Is the bisque not good, Lei?" My brother asked me.

"Umm, no, its quite good. I just don't want to over eat." I stated, then looking down to my hands in my lap again.

"Are you sure you are okay? You seem off tonight."

I signed a little, knowing I was causing stress and worry for my brother

"Yes, of course. Just a little overwhelmed with all the people. You know how I am." I added a small smile.

"Oh yea, I forgot you get a little skittish around large crowds. So what did you do today, since I couldn't find you, or should I ask whom?." He added while quirking one eyebrow up in a teasing fashion.

"Oh shush would you. I was just roaming the territory and letting my wolf run for a bit. She's been feeling caged in lately, with me wanting to read all day. You know how I love my books."

"Seriously, stop reading those cheesy romance novels and get out there. I know you haven't found your mate yet, but you can still have a little fun. I mean, with the looks Thomas has been sending your way all night, I doubt he would be adverse to taking you out."

I immediately blushed, but heard a sharp intake of breath come from Damien. Chancing a glance at his face, I looked to see what had caused this reaction from him.

"Leilani, you can not go to the woods on your own right now. There are dangerous rogues about." I heard him say, as I watched a nerve tick in his jawline. He was obviously furious with me.

"Oh, I am sorry Damien." I stated and once again diverted my eyes down to my lap.

"No need to apologize, I was planning on letting the pack know that they must only leave in groups of two or more now at the next meeting. At least until the rogue issue is dealt with to my satisfaction, that is."

I gave a short nod of my head in understanding, and sat quietly while waiting for the next course. The rest of the dinner went by without incident, and to be honest, I don't remember much after that conversation. I was entirely inside my head during the last course of the meal. It was as if I were eating cardboard. I just couldn't remember enjoying any of it.

As the wait staff cleared the entree dishes, and prepared to serve dessert, I watched as Damien pushed back his chair, and extend his lithe body up into a standing position. A flute of champagne in one hand, and his butter knife in the other. He began tapping the knife softly on the flute, causing a slight bell ringing sound effect to emit, gaining the attention of the entire pack. There once fluid conversations, slowly dying into a low hum, until there was silence. Everyone enraptured, and waiting for him to speak. Even I turned my eyes to look up at him. That was when he placed the knife and flute back upon the surface of the table. He extended his hand out to Rachel, and lifted her out of her seat to stand next to him. His arm protectively curving around her waist. Again, my heart plummeted, and those dark butterflies came to life in my stomach. My breathing began to hitch.

"Rachel and I want to thank you again for joining us this evening.. We hope you have enjoyed the meal and each others company this evening." Damien stated, while turning his head towards Rachel.

"My heart, Rachel, put this affair together, and I couldn't be any more proud for the mate I have chosen. I told Rachel that this was a surprise for Alex and his mate, Abby, when in truth it was her own surprise she was planning." I watched as Rachel placed one of her tiny hands over her mouth, and happy tears collected in her blue eyes.

Then Damien released her waist, and knelled down on one knee, not even four feet away from me. My breathing became more erratic, and I was barely keeping conscious at this point. The butterflies had now become a raging stampede within me. It was taking all my effort to remain upright, and to show zero emotion on my face.

"Rachel, my heart, my love. I have spent the last five years looking upon your beautiful face. The last four years sharing a bed and life with you. And I would be honored if you would share the rest of your life with me. I want to have pups with you, I want you to bare my mark on your neck. Will you do me the honor of marrying me, and become my true mate in every sense of the word?"

"Oh Damien! Yes, Yes, Yes, of course I will you silly man!"

I watched as the tears of happiness in Rachel's eyes slowly slide down her cheek. Simultaneously, I felt my heart shatter in my chest. Black spots began invading my vision. My heart beating frantically as if trying to escape my chest. My head feeling extremely light. Tears threatening to spill from my eyes. I was beginning to shake my head frantically back and forth trying to get a control over the run away speed train that were running rampant inside of me.

Then as if a light switch had been turned on, all the feelings inside me stopped as if it had hit a wall. The numbness took over. First starting at my stomach, until it enveloped my entire body. I felt my logical side taking over, and all emotion cease. I took a breathe, stiffened my spine straight and turned toward the newly engaged couple and clapped for them. Never realizing that a single tear had escaped and was currently running a trail down my face. Nor did I realize that, that tear had an audience to its performance in my brother, his mate, and even Damien.

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A/N: I have decided to add a bit of Damien's POV in this chapter. I do not feel it is enough to warrant an entire chapter. And I do not want to add another chapter that would be short.

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[Damien's POV]

As I held Rachel in an embrace, clutching her tiny body with mine, I saw Leilani. Her back stiff, and clapping for Rachel and I. But that's when I noticed the lone tear cascading down her cheek. And then I peered into her eyes, and saw something that caused a shattering effect to occur inside of me. I heard my wolf in my head, howling in pain as he recognized his mate's pain. He was calling out to her, wanting to offer her comfort. Wanting to ease her pain. But I ignored him, like I had done so many times before, and I would continue to, for the woman in my arms. But her eyes, her eyes were dead. As if the very life had been eradicated from her. There was absolutely nothing there. I had seen eyes like that before only once, during that terrifying encounter with the diseased rogues, and I shivered.