Chapter 24
Damien watches me, his hands casually tucked into his pockets, a smug expression playing on his
ashes
for me to say something.. maybe
No way. Why would an Alpha from one of the strongest packs in the world want a stupid compliment from someone like me–a wolfless, weak omega! Yet, as I stare into his eyes. I feel it. Despite that smug expression, there’s something in his gaze that tells me he actually wants me to compliment him.
“Ahem” I clear my throat awkwardly, turning away from him as I do my best to avoid his intense gaze. My eyes dart around, landing on anything but him.
I can practically feel the weight of his scowl drilling into my back. Before I even have a chance to react, he’s right behind me, towering over me like a giant. My hand is seized in his grip, and in a swift motion. I’m turned around to face him. His lips are slightly parsed, a subtle pour playing at the comers of his mouth, and I find myself caught in his gaze.
His eyes lock onto mine, and for a moment, the world seems to freeze. The intensity of his stare is almost suffocating, like he’s trying to read every thought in my head.
As the silence stretches on, I feel the weight of his attention pressing down on me, and before I even realize it, my mouth opens and closes, trying to find the right word. When they finally come out, they spill from me breathlessly.
“T–this is a nice garden” I whisper under my breath.
Before I can even blink, his pout vanishes, replaced by a genuine smile, the kind that makes his eyes shine with approval. He nods, the corners of his mouth curving upward
“Right,” he says, his voice smooth, almost proud. This is my favorite place”
My eyes widen slightly, not because he calls this place his favorite, but because of the fleeting, almost sad smile that I catch on his lips. I would have thought it to be an illusion, a trick of my mind if I weren’t secretly pinching myself on the thigh to make sure I’m not imagining it
For a moment, the smugness that usually surrounds him faliers, and he looks almost.. vulnerable. My heart tightens at the sight without me realizing it
But just as quickly as it appeared, the smile fades, and his usual arrogance returns, masking whatever emotion had briefly surfaced. He steps back, his gaze smug again as he stretches lazily, a condent grin playing on his lips. “I come here to think… or to escape from work,” he adds before winking at me.
“Ah, I see I respond, barely holding back the overwhelming urge to roll my eyes. Escape from work! How is this guy capable of competing with Lucian going head to head! It’s honestly confusing
“What? Why are you looking at me like that? You know how being an Alpha is frustrating enough. Hey, don’t give me those eyes,” Damien says, his voice tinged with mock indignation as I stare at him with the most disappointed, deadpan expression 1 can muster.
“Yes, yes,
I understand, Alpha,” I say with a slight bow, my tone dripping with sarcasm.
His smirk widens, and he lets out a low chuckle. “Careful, little mate. That sass of yours might make me like you more.”
I scoff, crossing my arms, though it’s more to hide the faint blush creeping up my checks. “Oh, please. You’re already carrying me around like a sack of potatoes. What’s next? Planning to drag me by my hair?
He frigns a thoughtful expression, tapping his chin. Hmm, not a bad idea. Very primal. Might suit you”
My jaw drops. You’re unbelievable”
“And you’re entertaining,” he shoots back, his grin downright wicked. “See? We make a good tram.
I groan, burying my face in my hands. How is it possible for someone to be this infuriating and string while still managing to look like he just stepped out of a dream! Life truly isn’t fair.
Without another word, I turn my gaze away, forusing instead on the vibrant flowers swaying gently in the breeze. My eyes catch on a particular flower that stands out from the rest. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. I walk over and bend slowly to touch its prials, tracing my fingers along their debate edges.
1, richer, almost like
blood
The color is red. No, not quite. It looks darker,
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12:52 PM c d
Chapter 24
“It’s called the bleeding heart.” Damien’s voice rumbles behind me, and I freeze, my hand hovering over the flower.
–
My heart pounds as I realize how close he is so close, I can feel the warmth of his body flush against mine. His presence is overwhelming, and I take in a deep breath to ignore the heat between my legs.
“You like it?” he asks, his tone softer than usual, almost as though he’s genuinely curious.
I swallow hard, trying to stay calm. “It’s beautiful,” I whisper, not daring to look back at him, afraid that the intensity in his eyes might shatter whatever composure I have left.
“It’s rare,” he says, his voice low, almost intimate. “Just like you.”
My breath catches in my throat, and I finally turn to face him, only to find his gaze locked on mine, his expression unreadable. For once, there’s no teasing smirk, no smugness—just something raw and unspoken that makes my chest tighten.
His face hovers near mine, his gaze flickering to my lips, and I swallow heavily when his hand slips behind me, pulling me closer. Every instinct within me screams to turn away, to ignore this–whatever this is, this magnetic pull bubbling between us. A voice deep inside warns me to run far, far away, whispering that this will only end the same way: me giving my heart to someone, only for them to break it into pieces, just like Lucian did
But I can’t pull away. I can’t stop staring into those eyes that seem to cast a spell, drawing me in deeper. He inches closer, his lips just a breath away. and before I can think better of it, I close my eyes and grip his shoulders tighter, waiting for what comes next.
But before he closes the distance between us, a sharp female voice breaks through the tension, making me snap my eyes open.
“What do you think you’re doing with my face?”
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