CHAPTER 114: A WATCHER IN THE DARK

• DAMON •

I’ve been watching her. Not my best course of action, but it was necessary. I needed answers to what happened that day.

My questions were answered after what I witnessed last night. My bloody brother, an Alpha, the terror that slaughtered the snowbloods, was feeding her.

I don’t understand. More importantly, I’m shocked. Who knew a snowblood walked this castle? This treachery was sure to earn me the monarch’s position.

For years, I’d concealed my true motive. In seclusion, plotting the time I’d be back to take back what I deserved, what was stolen from me.

Drevon was always the favored son because of his placid nature and his strong will to control his nature. But I believed that as Lycans’ control wasn’t the solid rock we needed, we were beasts and dominators, but Father wanted us to adjust to the new world order, and Drevon was perfect to bring that dream to life.

Now we’re more human than ourselves, and I fucking hated it. Everything. Drevon was the perfection my father sought, an embodiment of fetish, while I was the mistake for staying true to what the goddess made us for.

We were five years old when Father named Drevon his heir, even though, when it came to the line of succession, a choosing ceremony

was crucial. We were both Alpha males, and we both had a strong claim to the throne, which was our tradition.

Everything else went wrong from there, and I was denied my chance of a birthright. I was cast out into solitude, bidding my time when I’d come back to the castle and take back what he doesn’t deserve.

This...was the perfect situation I was looking for, and without hesitation, I should be rounding up the noble houses and unraveling Drevon’s secret about his wife. But here I was watching her instead of doing the needful.

Something was honestly wrong with me.

I followed her movement as she pushed the glass doors open, leading to the balcony. She was in a robe with a light nightdress beneath that left nothing for imagination. She walked to the balustrade, gazing upon the view with the brightest expression I have ever seen.

My every encounter with her was with a look of fury and disgust, a sight I relish entirely, but this captivated me enough to find myself suddenly on the balcony.

I was eagerly waiting for the panicked look on her face when she set her eyes on me, but what I saw was indifference.

"Damon?"

On cue, a smile spread on my lips, for a reason I cannot explain, I much prefer she said my name, maybe it was the way she pronounced it that made it unique.

"Hello, Eloise."

This was perfect. Using this opportunity, I could corner her. I may be fond of her, but that doesn’t stop her from being my pawn. She was the piece I’ve been waiting for to use to bring down my brother.

"I know what you are..." I began as my inside danced in amusement, eagerly waiting to see the kind of expression she would conjure. I licked my lips.

Eloise hiccupped, placing a hand on her lips.

Was she drunk?

"Oh my, have I been caught?"

"You honestly don’t think I’d know, do you? But it’s still hard to believe my brother was harboring one under the guise of a human. How did you do it? You seem more human than what you are. Did my brother help cover up, or were you a cunning woman who trapped my brother?"

She giggled, the sound catching me off guard. Did she think this was funny? Shouldn’t one’s response to having their secret uncovered be one of fright? Where is that expression I’d gladly enjoy?

"Look... the piece of trash is spouting nonsense..." she said with a wicked grin. "I should take cover or else your nonsense will get all over me."

Never in my entire life would I believe that someone as insignificant as this creature before me would cause such a rise in me. I defy control, so my response was unleashing my alpha command to subdue her.

"I do enjoy you, but I’m not objecting to snapping like a twig. It had long since been my desire ever since you waltzed into my wing."

She giggled again, and I froze. What is the meaning of this? I’ve unleashed my alpha command, yet it had no effect? She should be trembling in pain or short of breath or be on her knees, but she stood like nothing had happened.

I couldn’t help the smile tugging at my lips. "You’re a mystery, aren’t you, Lou?"

"Lou?"

I closed the distance between us. "Short for Eloise. You deserve that much, don’t you think? Given how different and incredible you are."

"And what may that be?" She fluttered her eyelashes at me.

"A snowblood."

She snorted loudly. "Oh my, even my hallucination is making jokes now. I ought to drink more."

That was yet another reaction I didn’t expect. This girl kept pulling up more surprises, not only did she come at me with nothing but words just to get under my skin, but now she brushes me off?

She’s...unbelieveable. A mere snowblood like her was making my pulse throb.

"You don’t know what you are, do you?’ I asked with narrowed eyes.

She pursed her lips and blinked before grinning widely. My mouth went agape, and a strange feeling coursed through me. Why was I suddenly feeling this way? One minute she was this fearless person, and next she was cute.

She walked closer, sniffing the air around me. "So that’s where the scent came from? It’s you... My own personal brand of wine."

My heart skipped a beat at her words, my expression a mix of confusion and shock.

Eloise closed her eyes, smiling before leaning away. "I could drink you all day."

I snatched her neck to jolt her from this stupor state, but she had fainted, her head backwards, before I had the chance to instill terror into her.

I lingered there for far too long trying to comprehend this... abnormality.

I leaned her against the balustrade, tipping my head to have a closer look. Her scent was very unusual, and it allured me more than I wanted.

Everything about her seduced me.

My canines dropped, inching towards her skin, a feeling clawing at my insides, the irresistible urge to bite. The thought of it gave me a very uncomfortable constriction in my pants. I’ve never wanted to bite something as much as I do right now, not even the countless whores I’ve had make me feel this way.

What is this?

So I attempt to do so, mark her and claim her right here.

"Drevon."

Her murmurs halted my advances. With a deep frown, I leaned away from her neck as she muttered his name like it was the only thing that mattered.