CHAPTER 78: 78 - LOOKS STUBBORN

78

~Damon’s POV

I scoffed loudly, slamming the door behind me as I stepped back into my room.

But the moment I stepped in, the air felt different. Heavy. Like a storm waiting to happen.

Kael was sitting on the edge of my bed, arms folded. Rowan stood by the window, jaw clenched. Belinda? She was pacing like a damn lioness, her heels making sharp clicks on the floor.

"What the hell is going on here?" I asked, though I already knew.

Rowan turned first. His glare could kill.

"Where are you coming from?" His voice was sharp.

I rolled my eyes. "Lisa’s room."

Kael shot up like he was on fire. "You went to see that lowlife?"

I chuckled. "Yeah. I did. So?"

Belinda stopped pacing and spun toward me. Her eyes were burning. "So? Damon, are you out of your mind?! That girl is a maid. A human maid! And you’re sneaking into her room?"

I leaned against the wall, arms folded, pretending like I wasn’t bothered. "I went there to have fun. That’s all."

Kael growled. "You think this is a joke? She’s beneath us, Damon!"

"You mean our mate," I said quietly.

Silence.

They didn’t like that word. None of us did. Not when it came to her. Lisa.

"She’s not your mate," Belinda hissed, stepping forward. "I am! I’m from the Luna’s family. I was born to be your Luna. Not some worthless girl who scrubs the palace floor."

Kael looked at me, voice low and tight. "Damon, we’re trying to protect our pack. Our legacy. You going around... messing with Lisa, it makes things complicated."

"Complicated?" I stepped closer. "You mean it makes Belinda uncomfortable."

I shrugged. "It’s the truth, isn’t it? But I’m just doing this for fun. Nothing attached, Bel."

She walked right up to me and looked me dead in the eye. "You’re falling for her, Damon. I can see it. Your scent changes. You don’t even look at me the same way anymore."

I laughed bitterly. "You think I’m falling for her? Are you mad?"

She crossed her arms, chin high. "Are you?"

"No," I snapped. "Lisa’s just a distraction. Something... simple. Something easy. I don’t love her. I don’t even like her like that."

"Then why do you keep going there?" Rowan asked.

I didn’t answer right away.

Why did I keep going back?

"I don’t know but I got love her new vibes," I muttered.

Belinda scoffed. "Unbelievable. I gave up everything to be with you three. My title, my freedom, my life. And you all treat me like I’m invisible."

Kael ran a hand through his hair, clearly frustrated. "No one said you were invisible, Bel."

"You didn’t have to say it!" she yelled. "You let that human maid walk all over me. She makes me feel like I’m nothing!"

Belinda folded her arms and glared at me. "You all owe me. Especially you, Damon. If you want to keep sneaking off to Lisa’s room like a horny pup, then at least have the decency to make it up to me."

Rowan raised a brow. "Make it up to you?"

Kael chuckled softly. "After all that screaming?"

I rolled my eyes but didn’t say anything.

Kael walked over and tilted his head. "Alright, alright... What do you want, hmm?"

Rowan smiled a little. "Yeah. Ask nicely, and maybe we’ll listen."

She grinned now, a spark lighting up her face. "Take me shopping."

Kael groaned playfully. "Shopping?"

"Like, a real shopping spree," she said, eyes shining now. "Not some quick mall run. I want to go all out. New shoes, dresses, perfume... everything."

Rowan laughed. "Of course you do."

Belinda stepped closer, fluttering her lashes. "Come on, please? Pretty please? I’ve been so stressed. This will make me feel better."

I sighed but gave in. "Fine. Go get dressed. We’ll go."

She squealed. "Yes!"

Kael grinned and gave her a light push toward the door. "Go on, drama queen. Don’t keep us waiting too long."

"You all better look hot too!" she called out as she skipped out.

Rowan smirked. "We’re always hot."

Once she was gone, I sank into the couch.

"You okay?" Kael asked, watching me carefully.

I nodded slowly. "Yeah. Just... tired."

"She’s really something, huh?" I muttered.

Kael didn’t laugh. He just stared at me for a second, then crossed his arms. "You know you’re hurting her, right?"

I turned to him slowly. "What are you talking about?"

Rowan joined him, his tone softer but firm. "Damon... this thing with Lisa. It’s not just confusing for us. It’s tearing Belinda up."

I rolled my eyes. "I already told her I’m not falling for Lisa."

Kael shook his head. "Yeah, maybe not. But you’re getting close to her. Real close."

Rowan added, "Too close. We know you, Damon. You act like you’re just having fun, like Lisa is just a toy. But it’s starting to look like something more."

Kael stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Good. Then don’t act like you are. Because Belinda’s watching. And she’s hurting, Damon."

I looked away.

They were right. And that’s what made it worse.

"I hear you," I said quietly. "It won’t go further than it already has. I promise."

Rowan gave me a long look before nodding. "Alright. Just don’t mess this up for all of us."

Kael clapped my shoulder. "Belinda may be dramatic, but she’s still ours. Don’t make her feel like second choice."

I nodded again. "Yeah. Okay."

We met Belinda downstairs. She wore a short red dress that hugged her curves and shiny black heels. Her hair bounced with every step she took.

"Well?" she said, spinning. "Do I look Luna-worthy?"

"You look great," Kael said with a smirk.

"Beautiful," Rowan added.

I just gave a nod. "Let’s go."

She pouted at me for not saying more but didn’t press it.

It was one of the fanciest boutiques in the city, filled with gold accents, soft music, and that strong expensive-perfume smell. The workers already knew who we were. They welcomed us with wide smiles and bowed slightly.

Belinda practically flew to the racks. "Oh my God, look at this dress!" she squealed.

Kael followed her around like a bodyguard, laughing at everything she picked.

Rowan sat on the fancy couch with a drink, watching her try things on.

Me?

I wandered.

I didn’t even know why I was walking through the kid’s section. Maybe I just wanted quiet.

Then I saw it.

A little doll on the corner shelf.

She was small. Wore a faded blue dress and had wide brown eyes. Her hair was dark and tied in two rough buns. She looked handmade... soft, delicate.

Something about her reminded me of Lisa.

I don’t even know what it was, maybe the way her eyes looked too big for her face, like she always saw more than she said.

I picked her up, running my thumb over the stitching.

"She even looks stubborn," I muttered, smiling.

And without thinking, I walked up to the cashier and bought it, quietly, slipping it into a small black bag before anyone noticed.