Chapter 24
Lila
The tension in the hall hadn’t dissipated when Damon dismissed everyone. The girls hurried off, whispering amongst themselves, and Vanessa stomped away with her jaw clenched, her shoulders stiff with barely restrained fury.
But before I could follow, Damon’s voice cut through the air.
“Elena. Stay behind.”
I halted mid–step, pulse quickening. Beside me, Helen turned as well, her usual haughty demeanor cracking just enough to reveal the surprise beneath.
Damon’s gaze flicked to her. “Helen, due to your indiscriminate punishments, I’ve decided to remove you from your position. A new housekeeper will replace you by dinnertime.”
Helen stiffened as though she had been slapped. “M–my Lord,” she stammered, her voice faltering for the first time. “Please, reconsider! I have served the palace faithfully –”
Damon didn’t even spare her a second glance. “Your replacement has already been chosen.”
Helen’s
I watched as
‘s face drained of color. Her lips pressed into a thin line, but she wisely held her tongue. I could almost feel the waves of anger radiating off her as she dipped into a stiff curtsey and turned sharply on her heel, disappearing down the hall.
Good riddance. She had hated me for no reason from the r moment I arrived
Still, I couldn’t shake my curiosity. The Lycan King didn’t usually involve himself in things like this. If a servant stepped out of line, Ronan or another Beta handled it. Yet, he had personally seen to Helen’s removal.
Was it because of what he’d said last night? I frowned, pushing down the flicker of warmth at the thought. I refused to be foolish enough to read too much into his actions.
Damon turned his attention to me now, his eyes unreadable. “You didn’t show up today.”
I blinked “Excuse me?”
Damon’s expression remained impassive. “The combat selection hasn’t changed. You still have to fight me.”
A slow realization dawned on me. “Were you waiting for me at the training ground?”
A beat of silence
Then, almost imperceptibly, Damon hesitated. His jaw tensed, and for the first time, he seemed… caught off guard. Awkward. But the moment passed in a blink, and he scoffed. “Of course not,” he said smoothly. “I simply noticed your absence.” The way he avoided my gaze for half a second, the stiffness in his stance..it wasn’t much, but it was enough to tell me I had
+15 Bonus
struck a nerve. Hells, he really did wait for me, and I was confined to solitary punishment.
Despite myself, my lips curled slightly. “You shouldn’t go easy on me,” I said.
His eyes darkened. “I don’t intend to.” Then, with nothing more than a curt nod, he turned and strode away.
As soon as he disappeared, Ruby practically bounced beside me, her tail twitching excitedly. He cares about us! she gushed. His words are still cold, but he definitely cares.
I sighed, rubbing my temples. Don’t overthink it… Do you think we can win against him?
My voice softened as my mind drifted elsewhere. Right now, I only care about mom’s health. Why did Henry change his original plans?
Ruby’s enthusiasm dimmed slightly, but she remained quiet, letting my
thoughts s
settle.
It was dark by the time I returned to the training grounds later that evening, but Damon wasn’t there. Of course, he wasn’t. He had more important things to do than wait around for me.
I huffed at Ruby. See? I told you; you’re overthinking things. Ruby pointedly ignored me.
So I surveyed the arena. Other candidates were already training, pairing up to spar before the next round of selection. It was a good idea, I needed practice if I was going to have any hope of standing a chance.
Maybe you should find a training partner, Ruby suggested.
“Well, well. If it isn’t my lucky charm.”
I turned to find Asher strolling toward me, his usual smirk in place. His tousled dark hair was damp with sweat, and his sleeves were rolled up, revealing forearms lined with faint scars; a warrior’s markings.
He stopped just close enough to invade my space, tilting his head as he studied me. “Come to train?”
I crossed my arms “Yes Alone”
“Shame.” He clicked his tongue, feigning disappointment. “I was about to offer my assistance.”
I hesitated Training with him wouldn’t be the worst idea, he was skilled, after all. But the last thing I needed was to get too close
to someone like him. Asher was charming, unpredictable, and far too willing to push boundaries.
“I should keep my distance,” I said firmly. “I’m here for the selection, not to make friends.”
Asher raised a brow. “Who said anything about friendship?”
I shot him a pointed look.
He chuckled, holding up his hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright. But I won’t give up that easily.”
He stayed close anyway, watching me as I moved into a fighting stance. After a few minutes of testing my reflexes, he whistled. “I have to admit, your fighting skills are better than I expected.”
+15 Bonus
I frowned at him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
He grinned. “Just that you’re full of surprises, Elena.”
Before I could respond, he leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. “You know… I could put in a good word for you. Get the judges to give you high marks.”
I froze. That… was tempting Unfair, but tempting. I narrowed my eyes. “Why would you do that?”
Asher shrugged. “I like interesting people. And you, Lucky, are very interesting.”
I studied him carefully. He was hard to read – playful one moment, serious the next. And in this palace, trust was a dangerous thing.
As if sensing my hesitation, he smiled and took a step closer. Slowly, deliberately, he reached out and adjusted the thin strap of my tank top that had slipped down my shoulder, his fingers grazing my skin.
A shiver ran through me, though whether from unease or something else, I wasn’t sure.
“Think about it,” he murmured.
I exhaled slowly. Trust was a rare thing here. And I wasn’t sure if Asher had earned it.
Damon
The view from my office overlooked the training grounds, its open windows letting in the crisp night air. I leaned against the wooden frame, arms crossed over my chest, my thoughts tangled in a web of frustration.
Why did she ask if I was waiting for her? The question had irritated me more than it should have. Was it truly not that obvious?
I had only gone to the training grounds out of obligation. That was all.
I’m becoming too concerned about her. I shoved the thought aside, grounding myself in the truth I had clung to. Elena looked like Natalie, that was the only reason she unsettled me.
1 was merely using her to remember her
A growl rumbled from within me
“Elena is nothing like Natalie,” Zane interjected, his voice a deep rumble in my mind.
I exhaled slowly, fingers clenching “She never smiled at us like Natalie did. Natalie loved us without reservation.
Zane’s tone softened. But Elena is different. Cautious. Guarded. It makes me want to know what happened to make her this way?
I silenced him before he could continue. Elena doesn’t matter. I’ve always only wanted Natalie. She’s our mate. Always will be.
“No I want Lila. Zane’s reply was immediate, unwavering
His certainty sent a pulse of irritation through me. I pushed off the window frame, heading toward the door.
+15 Bonus
I stopped abruptly, my attention narrowing in on the training grounds. Through the dim torchlight outside, I spotted Elena.
Training.
And Asher’s hand on her bare shoulder.
