Chapter 69
Damien stood frozen, his phone still in his hand, her last words echoing in his cars like a spell he couldn’t shake.
I love you, Damien.
His breath hitched. For a moment, he wasn’t sure if he’d heard her right, but the words played over and over in his head, sinking deeper with every beat of his heart. His chest swelled, his wolf stirred restlessly inside him, purring in triumph. His lips stretched into a wide smile, almost boyish, as if he’d just been handed the entire world.
This was the first time Cassia had ever said she loved him. He replayed the tone of her voice, hesitant, soft, but real. His fingers trembled slightly as he lowered the phone to his desk, his pulse hammering.
He wanted to laugh, shout, run outside and announce it to the skies. She was his. Finally. Now he could hardly wait for his father to recover so he could return to her, mark her, and make her officially his. He pictured her under the moonlight, the bond snapping into place, and his chest burned with longing.
But his joy was quickly shadowed by the thought of Aiden. Cassia had mentioned his name, how he saved her. Damien’s jaw clenched, his smile faltering. His eyes darkened as the image of Aiden carrying her or standing close to her flickered in his mind. He slammed his fist against the desk, the wood groaning under the
pressure.
“No,” he muttered under his breath. “It doesn’t matter if he saved her. It doesn’t change what he did. She hates him. She’s mine p>
His wolf growled in agreement, the sound reverberating in his chest.
Damien lifted his gaze to his father across the room. Beta Kael was watching him, his expression unreadable.
“That woman isn’t for you, Damien,” Kael said calmly, his tone edged with cold certainty.
Damien’s head snapped up, his eyes blazing. “Father, I don’t know what you’re plotting, but hear me well, whatever it is, drop it. If you push me, I’ll forget you’re my father.” His voice was steady, but laced with warning. “I love Cassia. That’s final. And as for Seraphina, she will be my future mother–in–law. Accept it p>
He didn’t wait for a response. He turned sharply and strode out, his footsteps echoing against the stone floor.
Behind him, Kael’s lips curled into a smirk. “I’ll be here, waiting… waiting for the day you come crawling back, broken. Then you’ll see, I’m the only one who truly loves you p>
His words hung in the air, venomous. Kael’s jaw tightened as he gripped the handle of the chair he was sitting
The truth was darker than Damien knew. Kael had been weaving plans long before Cassia ever returned. Pretending to be sick was part of it, drawing Damien back, keeping him away from her while Seraphina weakened. He wanted the Alpha seat, and he would have it, even if it meant blood on his hands.
“When Seraphina finally falls,” Kael muttered to himself, his voice low, chilling, “the title will be mine. And when Amelia stumbles too… there will be nothing left in my way.” His eyes gleamed, hard with resolve. “Not
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Chapter 69
her. Not her heir son can take the position from me p>
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Meanwhile, Aiden sat in his car outside the hospital, his hands gripping the wheel so tight his knuckles turned white.
I love you, Damien.
The words tore through him, replaying in Cassia’s voice like a cruel melody. He could still see her face, the way her lips curved when she said it. His vision blurred with rage, and a growl rumbled low in his chest.
His wolf howled in protest inside him. She was his mate, his bond, his destiny. Hearing her give her love to another man felt like knives twisting into his heart.
He dragged in a shaky breath, trying to calm the storm inside him. But the more he tried, the more her words echoed until he thought he’d lose his mind.
“She’s mine,” he whispered to himself, his voice hoarse with pain. “No one else. Mine p>
He slammed the heel of his palm against the steering wheel, the sharp sound breaking the silence in the car. Finally, he forced himself to start the engine, driving back to the mansion with his mind burning.
When he arrived, the mansion felt eerily empty. No sign of Sofia, only maids moving silently through the halls. His jaw tightened.
“Where is she?” he demanded when he caught one of the maids by the stairs.
“She went to drop Ethan off at school, Alpha,” the maid said quickly.
Aiden muttered under his breath and gave a curt nod. “Clean the guest room. I want it ready immediately p>
The maid bowed and hurried off.
He climbed the stairs, making his way to his study. Surveillance footage from the fire was waiting on his desk, but the screen blurred as his thoughts returned to Cassia. Every image, every memory, drowned beneath the weight of her voice telling another man she loved him.
Meanwhile, Sofia returned, her heels clicking on the tiled floor. She paused when she saw the guest room open, a maid scrubbing diligently. Her brow furrowed. Why the guest room?
Suspicion prickled down her spine, but she forced herself to keep walking. She needed to see Aiden.
She opened the door to his study and stepped inside. He was behind his desk, staring blankly at the screen, his face tense, lost in thought.
“Aiden,” she called softly, testing his mood.
He raised his head, his eyes sharp, cutting through her façade. “Sofia p>
She moved closer, feigning innocence. “Why didn’t you come home last night p>
“I was busy,” he said flatly.
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Chapter 69
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“Busy with your ex–wife?” she sneered, folding her arms. “The one who died in that fire with her son? May their souls rest in peace p>
Aiden’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean died? What nonsense are you saying p>
Her lips parted. She stuttered, scrambling. “Isn’t that what the news said? That they’re dead p>
“Well, they’re not,” he cut her off, his voice hard. “They’re alive p>
Shock hit her like a wave. Her mask slipped for an instant before she forced it back into place with a strained smile. “Alive? Oh… well, good. That’s… good p>
“Why do you sound disappointed?” His gaze narrowed, pinning her.
“What? No!” She laughed nervously, her voice cracking. “Of course not. I only meant…for their safety, wouldn’t it be better if they went back to Velaris? This pack isn’t safe for them anymore p>
He leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving hers. “Since when do you care about Amelia’s safety p>
She fidgeted under his stare, her smile brittle. “Like you said, she’s the doctor here. She’s needed p>
Aiden didn’t believe a word. His silence stretched, heavy and accusing.
Finally, he said, “They’ll stay here. In this house. Until the matter is resolved p>
“What?” Her voice rose, shrill with panic. “No, Aiden. I won’t allow it p>
“You don’t get to allow or not. This is my house, my decision. And you’ll do well to remember that p>
“I’m your Luna,” she snapped, desperation leaking into her tone. “I have every say in this p>
His eyes hardened, his voice dropping low, dangerous. “My decision stands. She stays. And if you dare cause her trouble, Sofia, you’ll leave me no choice but to divorce you p>
Her breath caught. “You… you wouldn’t p>
“Oh, I would,” he said coldly. He shut his laptop with a decisive click and stood, brushing past her as if she were air.
The door closed behind him, leaving Sofia trembling. Her nails dug into her palms, fury twisting her face.
“That woman,” she hissed under her breath. Her eyes blazed with hatred. “Why won’t she just die p>
She stomped her foot against the floor, her teeth clenched. Every effort she’d made to separate them had only bound them tighter. Now they’d be under the same roof.
Her chest rose and fell rapidly as she whispered to herself, voice low and venomous. “Not if I can help it. Not under my watch p>
TBC
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Chapter 70
Chapter 70