Chapter 23
Elara pov
W–why is he defending met And, more importantly, why is my heart racing like
My heart pounds heavily in my chest, the echoes so loud I can almost hear them. Why is Damien defending me? He has done this before he saved me from Lucian that day, stopping him from taking me away.
No one has ever stood up for me back at Lucian’s pack. Since I was a child, my father and stepmother had always turned a blind eye to the mistreatment I endured from the staff. They ignored everything about me unless it involved Liora. Even after marrying Lucian, nothing changed. Has indifference gave the staff at the packhouse free rein to treat me the same way. Yet today, the first person who ever defends me is my mate
Damien.
lazy smirk plays on his lips, but his eyes remain cold, empty, and cruel.
1 gasp as Damien lifts me by the waist, effortlessly turning me to face him. A laz And in that moment, I realize–I’m looking at the real Damien
This Damien isn’t i
joking–not this time. Something deep inside me, a quiet intuition I can’t ignore, tells me he’s completely serious.
“What do you say?” His voice is low and smooth, laced with an edge of dangerous charm. “Just say the word, and your wish is my command, my Title mate.
He leans closer, so close 1 can feel the heat radiating off him. Instinctively. I shut my eyes tightly, the proximity overwhelming
Goddess, he’s beautiful How can a man like him even exist? And how
d how can
someone like me be his mate?
“Y–you’re joking” I manage to stutter, my voice trembling. My hands rise to his chest, intending to push him away, but instead, they linger there, frozen as if they belong to someone else. His arms snake around my waist, pulling me closer.
He chuckles softly, the sound both amused and dark, and the next thing I know, his head rests on my shoulder. His lips brush against my ear as he whispers, sending a shiver down my spine.
“Say yes, and you’ll find out if I am I’d kill all of them for you, right here and now. You could stand and watch or would you prefer to sit?”
My breath catches in my throat and my eyes snap open as his words sink in. “W–what?” I manage to stammer, my voice barely above a whisper. My mouth hangs open in shock as I stare at him, disbelief etched across my face. This man is insane. A freaking psycho!
The staff gasp audibly at his words, their fear palpable. Instantly, they fall to their knees, their voices trembling as they plead.
“We’re sorry, Alpha! Picase pardon us! We didn’t know
Their apologies are cut short when Darien raises a single finger to his lips and shushes them, the gesture eerily calm, like a parent silencing a child. The room falls deathly silent at his command, the sension thick enough to choke on.
This isn’t the same man who defended me moments ago. This is someone far darker–someone terrifyingly capable of doing exactly what he said. But strangely, my heart—damn it, my heart feels warm and fuzzy.
“So?” he asks again, snapping me out of my daze. It’s like a slap to my senses, and everything finally clicks. Panic surges through me, and I try to pull away, but his grip doesn’t falter. His hold is firm, unyielding, and his expression–almost amused–only fuels my frustration. He looks at me like I’m a pet throwing a tantrum. Which I most definitely am nod Mind yout
What the hell are you talking about? Are you crazy? Let me go this instant” I scream, my voice echoing through the room. Gasps of surprise erupt behind me, and it’s only then that I realize what I’ve done.
I’ve just screamed at a bloody Alpha. A man who, moments ago, casually threatened to kill for a mere rudeness against his guest.
My eyes widen in horror, and I clamp my mouth shut, silently cursing my impulsive tongue. I know I’ve crossed a line, and the slight upward tilt of his lips tells me he knows it too. His smirk grows, and feel my stomach drop.
I freeze as his hand moves toward me Oh no. He’s i
s going to hit me. Of course, he is. I disrespected him, and now I’m going to pay for it.
He’s going to hit me, he’s going to hit me
“Feisty girl,” he murmurs, has voice low and almost approving? Ilis fingers gently brush a stray strand of hair behind my ear, his touch startlingly soft. “That’s exactly how you should be with people like them”
Dumien laughs, the sound cold and mocking, before tilting has head to the side to meet the terrified gazes of the staff. His eyes curve with
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Chapter 23
amusement as he quips, “Good for you, ladies. It seems like you’re not dying to die today. but next time something like this happens, don’t expect mercy” His smile vanishes with those final words, replaced by a chilling seriousness.
“T–thank you, Alpha! Thank you for your mercy!” they stammer in unison, their voices trembling with relief and fear.
1e waves them off dismissively before turning his full attention back to me.
“Now, let’s go.” he says, his smile returning in an instant, as though the earlier tension never existed.
I’m about to ask where, but before the words can leave my mouth, a scream tears through me as he hoists me up like 1 weigh nothing. He throws me over his shoulder effortlessly, and before I can fully comprehend what’s happening, his hand comes down on my butt with a loud smack. Another piercing scream escapes me,
“What the freaking hell! What in the name of the Moon Goddess!” I yell, flailing wildly
“L–let me go right now! I demand you release me!” My fists pound against his back, my legs kicking in protest, but it’s like hitting a wall of stone. Damn the goddess for making this man into an indestructible rock
“Careful, mate,” he teases, a smirk evident in his tone. “Or I might just have to spank you again to get you to stop”
“Oh, goddess,” I hiss, mortified, as I cover my face with my hair to shield myself from the gawking onlookers, I can feel their stunned gazes boring into me. This crazy psychol
Before I can fire off another protest, Dansien suddenly stops. Confused, I hesitate before raising my head slightly, peeking past the curtain of my
hair
The sight before me steals my breath away. We’re in the garden, the most beautiful one I’ve ever seen. Vibrant flowers of every color stretch as far as the eye can see, their petals glistening like jewels under the sunlight. The air is sweet and fragrant, and the soft hum of bees mingles with the gentle rule of the breeze.
For a moment, I forget my predicament, my mouth falling open in awe. Damien carefully places me on the ground as I look at him in confusion.
How did he know and most of all, why in the world did he have to carry me all the way here when I could have walked?
田
