Chapter 37
“We need to talk. Elara” I say, gripping her hand tightly, my eyes locking onto hers. I’m not sure what I expect to achieve by doing this, but I can see the surprise flash across her face. There it is–the same sparkle she used to look at me with, the one I had foolishly ignored all these years.
But then, like a switch, her expression hardens, and her
er eyes n
marrow
row into a sharp glare. She opens her mouth, likely about to demand I let her go,
Before she can speak, another hand clamps down on mine with a firm grip, forcibly prying my hand off hers. My gaze shifts, and I’m met with a pair of cold, unrelenting gray eyes glaring at me.
“Don’t touch her. You promised to behave, remember? Or do I need to remind you what happens if you don’t?” Damien says, stepping between Elara and me. For a moment, neither of us speaks, and I see Elara step back, rubbing her hand as her glare cuts through me.
I close my eyes, taking a deep, shaky breath as frustration washes over me. For a brief moment, touching her sparked a faint connection with Theron–my well. But it vanished just as quickly, leaving me hollow.
She’s the cause. I’m sure of it now. She’s why Theron has been silent, why I’ve been cut off from him. And if I don’t get Elara back, I may never get Theron back either
My hand tightens into a fist as I fight to calm the storm brewing inside me. I can’t lose control–not when the goal is clear. When I open my eyes again, my expression is cold, detached. Without a word, 1 yank my hand free from Damien’s grip. He watches me with suspicion, as though he can see the war raging inside my mind.
Straightening my posture, I slide my hands into my pockets. “And don’t forges your promise, Damien,” I say, keeping my voice steady as my gaze. locks onto his. “You agreed to let me talk to Elara today. The resources in the South are not a trivial matter, so I expect you to hold up your end of The deal.
Talk to me? Deal? Wait, what do you mean?” Elara asks, her eyes wide as she glances between Damien and me, her confusion evident.
“Bastard.” Damien hisses through gritted teeth, his anger harely contained. He is angry at me and the corner of my lips curls into a slight smirk. enjoying his frustration.
He exhales sharply, closing his eyes for a brief moment before turning to Elara, who is staring at us, frozen in shock
“It’s nothing, little mate. Don’t mind what he’s saying.” Damien says, his voice softening as he takes a step toward her. But Elara instinctively backs away, her eyes filled with unease as her eyes darts between Damien and L
“He sold me a few minutes of your time just for the resources in the South, I say, my voice low and steady as I lean casually against the railing, not mussing a beat
Damien’s head snaps toward me so fast it’s a wonder it doesn’t break. His glare is searing, but for some strange reason. I can’t stop the smirk tugging at the comer of my lips from widening.
Strange reason indeed.
What Watching him lose his cool is just entertaining
“What?!” Elara screams, her face flushed with anger. I’ve never seen her this furious before. It’s as if the timid, gentle Elara I once knew has vanished in the blink of an eye. The woman standing before me now is someone entirely different–erce, outspoken, and unyielding.
Frankly, I’m not surprised by the drastic change. A few weeks in this goddess–forsaken pack could do that to anyone.
All the more reason for me to get her back. And I will
“He brought it up first,” Damien says, his voice smooth, but there’s a subtle crack in it now. “I didn’t want to do it, but be threatened to start another boring war, so I had no choice.
He turns back to Elara, lying without so much as blinking an eye. But his calm, cool demeanor falters, and for a brief moment, he looks like a chald caught doing something wrong
“–” Elara groans and runs her hand through her hair, but I don’t wait for her to finish. Frankly, I don’t have time for that. I need to talk to her nuw
I push off the railing and move toward her, intent on grabbing her. But as soon as Damien’s land shoots out to stop me, I sidestep quickly. narrowly avoiding his grasp. However, he’s faster than I remember–likely because, well, I don’t have Theron’s strength anymore.
His hand grabs my wrist, and I can feel has strength tightening around me. He’s strong, too strong. I stare blankly at him, trying my best not to let
12:54 PM c c
Chapter 37
him see how much it irritates me.
Damien’s expression remains unreadable as he speaks, “She has to agree to go with you, or else the deal is off, and the peace treaty goes down the
drain.
My frown deepens. Just when I think I might need to signal Elijah and move to Plan B–force.
Elara sighs dramatically, as if the entire situation is beneath her, and steps between us. With a firm push, she separates the both of us looking up at Damien and me with a mix of frustration and disbelief.
or five minutes”
She rubs the bridge of her nose before turning her full attention to me. “Fine, we’ll have a talk, but only for
My eyes light up slightly, and a faint smile rugs at my lips as I tower over her.
That’s all I need. Five minutes is more than enough
AB
