Chapter 12
Damon
Elena’s tear–streaked face twisted something in my chest. It was a faint, almost imperceptible discomfort, but it was there. I
ignored it, clenching my jaw as I reminded myself why.
She only looked like her. That was all.
Natalie’s face haunted my memories, and for a moment, as the light glowed against Elena’s damp cheeks, I almost felt myself slip. But I wasn’t that weak. I knew better.
Zane’s voice broke through my thoughts. She seems more resilient than Natalie, he mused as we observed Elena with an
impassive gaze.
Maybe she’s putting on a show, trying to get our attention. I countered.
I exhaled sharply, turning my focus back to the girl in front of me. Elena stood stiffly, her hands clasped as if unsure whether to
defend herself or feign indifference.
Zane continued, ignoring my thoughts. I want to know more about her. Ronan mentioned that the other girls have been mocking
her. Maybe she’s crying because she wasn’t chosen.
Was that it? The sting of rejection? I hadn’t considered that. I studied her carefully for some sort of clue.
“Don’t cry,” I told her, my voice low and steady.
Elena flinched at the words, as if surprised by them. She blinked a few times before quickly wiping away the dampness on her cheeks. “I just miss my mother a little,” she murmured.
That was… not what I expected. She was definitely hiding something, but I couldn’t figure out why she was too embarrassed to admit she was hurt not to be chosen.
I narrowed my eyes slightly. “You don’t need to pretend to be strong,” I said, testing her.
Elena straightened, her expression smoothing over with a practiced ease. “I’m used to it,” she replied, her voice quiet but unwavering. “I don’t get hurt easily.”
A lie wrapped in truth.
I had met enough warriors, survivors, and leaders to recognize the ones who had built their armor from necessity rather than choice. Elena wasn’t weak, but she wasn’t untouched by pain, either. No one was
“No one is unaffected by pain,” I countered, watching her closely. Then, almost casually, I asked, “Have you ever heard of Natalie?”
Elena’s brows furrowed slightly, confusion flickering across her face.
Chapter 12
There it was.
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I studied her reaction, looking for the slightest sign of recognition, of deception, but there was none. She genuinely didn’t know.
Zane’s voice echoed in my mind. She’s innocent. She got caught up in this.
I wasn’t sure whether that made things better or worse.
Elena exhaled slowly, dropping her gaze to the floor. “Since I got here, I’ve already been punished by tending the garden and then
wiping floors all night.” Her tone was even, neither resentful nor seeking sympathy.
“I’m realistic and I never expect things that aren’t mine to expect. I’ll do my best to protect the precious things I have.”
I frowned. Punished? I hadn’t given that order.
Zane scoffed, clearly unimpressed. The palace rules aren’t as clear as they should be, he muttered. We need to make time to clean things up around here.
I barely heard him.
Elena, standing before me with quiet dignity, stirred a long dead something in my chest. I wasn’t sure I wanted to name it.
For now, I’d watch. Observe. And wait.
Lila
Damon’s gaze bore into me, but I didn’t flinch. I had already decided: if I wanted out of this, I needed to make him angry enough
to toss me aside himself.
So, I met his stare with calm defiance. “Like becoming the Luna,” I said, my voice steady.
The words hung between us like a blade, sharp and cold. But I didn’t stop there. If I had any chance of escaping, I had to make my
stance clear. “I don’t want to be chosen by you.” (1
A flicker of shock crossed his face with a touch of annoyance. His lips parted slightly before pressing back into a thin line. For the first time since I’d met him, he looked caught off guard.
Damon’s eyes darkened, a storm brewing behind them. “Do you know how many women covet that position?” His voice was quiet but laced with restrained power, like a beast waiting to be unleashed.
I nodded, keeping my expression neutral. “Even if everyone wants it, can’t I have a different opinion?”
A slow exhale left him, measured and controlled. “And what exactly is your opinion, Elena?” My fake name rolled off his tongue with something dangerously close to curiosity.
Before I could answer, Ruby’s voice cut into my mind. The curfew is approaching. If we don’t get back in time, we’ll be scrubbing toilets for a week
I bit back a groan. Any punishment that doesn’t get me expelled isn’t worth it, I responded.
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Damon was still watching me, waiting for an answer. His sheer presence filled the space between us, pressing down on me like an
unseen force. I wasn’t sure if it was his aura as a King or something more primalthat made my skin tingle and my heartbeat.
stutter.
I shoved the feeling away. “It’s time for me to go,” I said, my voice firmer now. “Goodbye, Your Highness.”
I turned to leave, hoping, praying, that would be the end of it. If dismissing the King didn’t get me kicked out, I wasn’t sure what would.
But I had barely taken a step before a strong hand closed around my waist.
A startled breath escaped me as I was pulled back, my body colliding with a wall of solid muscle. Damon’s grip was firm, possessive, and far too warm. A shiver ran down my spine at the sudden proximity.
“Goodbye?” His voice was low, almost amused, but there was an unmistakable edge to it. “Is this your way of playing hard to get?”
I inhaled sharply, refusing to acknowledge the heat of his palm against my waist. My hands pressed lightly against his chest, bracing myself, but I didn’t push away. Not yet.
“I don’t play games,” I murmured, tilting my chin up to meet his eyes.
A slow smirk curled at the edge of his lips, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Then you’re going to cause a lot of trouble for yourself, little wolf.”
My heart hammered in my chest, a mix of nerves and desire. Damon was intense–every inch of him exuded dominance and command, as if he was born to be obeyed.
But I wouldn’t obey. I couldn’t
“I’ve been in trouble my whole life,” I said softly, my voice steady despite the war raging inside me.
His grip tightened, just for a second, and his thumb brushed against the fabric of my dress. The small, seemingly accidental touch sent a ripple of awareness through me, my wolf shifting restlessly beneath my skin.
No. No, no, no. I didn’t want this. I didn’t want to feel anything for him. He was clearly messing with me,
Damon studied me, as if searching for beneath my defiance. His eyes flicked down to my lips for the briefest moment before snapping back up.
1 swallowed hard, ignoring the heat creeping up my neck
“Let me go,” I said, keeping my voice even.
