Serena’s POV Damien wouldn’t talk, look at me nor even acknowledge that I existed for more than a few fleeting seconds. And it was driving me insane. I tried to explain, I tried to tell him what really happened, that Caleb was the one who forced himself on me and I fought him off, that Ivy had twisted the whole thing but he didn’t budge. His expression remained unreadable, cold and distant. I didn’t even know what he did to Caleb. One moment the bastard was being dragged away, and the next, he was just… gone. No one spoke of him. No one dared. But Ivy wouldn’t stop with her rants as my step sisters sided with her to call me a manipulative slut. She turned everyone against me, whispering venom into their ears and painting me as the villain. She wished death upon me, cursing me out in the halls, screaming about how Damien had triggered an empire by attacking Caleb, saying that Lupine Pack would come for revenge and I should be ready to be blamed but that did nothing to Damien
Damien’s POV The room was damp, cold and thick with the smell of blood. Caleb sat tied to a chair in the middle of the room, his head hanging forward with his breathing labored. Blood dripped from his split lips onto the floor, joining the dark pool already forming beneath him. His right eye was swollen shut, his ribs caved in from the relentless blows my men had delivered, and his left knee was bent at an angle it shouldn’t be. I cracked my knuckles, flexing my fingers as I watched him struggle to stay conscious. He should be grateful I hadn't killed him yet. Silvo, my hammer, was still stained with his blood, resting beside me like a loyal pet waiting to be used again. The fucker had the audacity to put his hands on my mate. To touch what was mine. He lifted his head slowly, his one good eye barely open, and he gave me a weak, bloodstained smirk. “You think this changes anything, Damien?” His voice was rough and strained but there was something in his tone that irritated m
Serena's Pov The night was colder than I had expected as Damien’s words echoed in my head like a curse. Slut, Bitch, Gold digger. The venom in his voice and the sheer disgust in his eyes cut deeper than I wanted to admit. He wanted nothing to do with me and I should have been relieved or grateful but I wasn’t. Instead, my heart ached and my wolf howled in protest, my entire body burned with something I couldn’t name. It wasn’t love, but it was something just as dangerous as that word.. I ran faster as the trees blurred past me. I didn’t care where I was going and I just needed to get away. Away from the humiliation, the judgmental stares, Ivy’s betrayal, and my own step-sisters' cruel words. I was nothing to them. Nothing but a mistake. The wind carried a strange scent and I slowed down at the strong pungent of blood. A shiver ran down my spine as my ears twitched, picking up the faintest rustling. The trees around me were too still and the silence became unnatural which was
Damien's Pov The room was dimly lit, the air thick with cigar smoke and the scent of expensive whiskey. I sat at the head of the long, mahogany table, my fingers gripping the edge so hard my knuckles turned white. My friends—Tyler, Ash, Diego, and Zayn, who's my Beta— sat around me, their eyes were sharp, waiting for me to speak. But I couldn’t. Not yet because my chest felt tight, my body drained of energy. It made me feel so weak. That damn word rang in my head like a curse. I was never weak. Never. But tonight, I could barely keep my hands from trembling. I knew why and I fucking hated it. Diego leaned back in his chair, swirling his glass of whiskey lazily. "So, let me get this straight. Your father is captured, your mate is missing. And you—" He pointed at me with an arrogant smirk. "—look like you’re about to pass out." Tyler chuckled, dragging out a cigar and lighting it slowly. "Never thought I’d see the great Damien looking like he’s been drained dry. What’s the matter
Damien's Pov The air outside was sharp with the scent of rain, thick clouds were begining to gather like a storm. It almost seemed like a war was coming and I was ready to burn everything in my path to get her back. The boys were already moving. Tyler loaded magazines into his rifle, the familiar sound of metal clicking against metal filling the space, Ash adjusted the blades strapped to his belt, grinning like he was about to walk into a game instead of a bloodbath. Diego, ever the strategist, studied the map of Rune’s estate, his brows furrowed as he traced possible entry points. Zayn stood beside me, arms crossed. "This is fucking stupid," he muttered, shaking his head. "And we’re all probably going to die." I took another slow drag from my cigar, letting the smoke curl around my lips before flicking the ashes onto the ground. "Then why are you still here?" Zayn scoffed. "Because someone has to make sure you don’t get yourself killed before you can even get to her. I know
Damien's Pov The air in Rune’s territory was thick with death. I could smell the blood soaked into the earth, the lingering stench of decay that clung to the abandoned ruins of what once was a kingdom. My men moved like shadows beside me even though their wolves went restless beneath their skin. But I was the weakest one here and I fucking hated it. It's funny how my life flipped in seconds. If Runs finds out I'm getting weak, he'll tell the whole world to kill me in a blink, not that I'll allow that. Every step felt heavier than the last, every breath became more and more strained. My fingers trembled slightly when I clenched my fists, and my wolf, which usually snarled inside me, was quiet. Way too quiet. Something was wrong. Zayn noticed. "You good?" I glared at him. "Fine." "Liar," Tyler muttered. Ash smirked. "He looks like he’s about to pass out." "Shut up," I growled, but even that came out weaker than I wanted. Diego stepped in, his tone serious. "It’s Seren
Damien's Pov The air in Rune’s territory was thick with death. I could smell the blood soaked into the earth, the lingering stench of decay that clung to the abandoned ruins of what once was a kingdom. My men moved like shadows beside me even though their wolves went restless beneath their skin. But I was the weakest one here and I fucking hated it. It's funny how my life flipped in seconds. If Runs finds out I'm getting weak, he'll tell the whole world to kill me in a blink, not that I'll allow that. Every step felt heavier than the last, every breath became more and more strained. My fingers trembled slightly when I clenched my fists, and my wolf, which usually snarled inside me, was quiet. Way too quiet. Something was wrong. Zayn noticed. "You good?" I glared at him. "Fine." "Liar," Tyler muttered. Ash smirked. "He looks like he’s about to pass out." "Shut up," I growled, but even that came out weaker than I wanted. Diego stepped in, his tone serious. "
Damien's Pov My chest felt like it was being carved open with a blunt knife. My wolf was fading in and out and I couldn't stand straight. My knees were buckling under me like I’d aged a hundred years in an hour. Every time I tried to hold myself upright, another wave of weakness slammed into me like a train. I was bleeding strength, and I knew exactly why.She was using my powers.Serena.I should’ve been proud, right? She was out there holding her own against monsters. But the truth? I was not scared, Not for her but what she was becoming and what she was doing with the power I gave her by bond. I hadn’t claimed her fully and had not accepted her as mine in every way, and now... it was punishing me.Zayn looked just as bad as I did, but he tried to hide it like I didn’t notice his hand trembling at his side.“She’s fighting someone,” Zayn muttered as we stood outside Rune’s castle gates. “She Has to be. That’s the only time this drain happens. You’re losing strength because she’s u
Serena's Pov The silence in the car was thicker than smoke. Damien sat beside me, blood dried around his temple, his suit ruined, but somehow… he still looked like sin dressed in Armani.I could feel his power pulsing through me.It wasn’t just adrenaline or rage. It was real, Raw and alive. My body hummed with it, like a second heartbeat that wasn’t mine. And every time I looked at him, I could feel his pain, his fear and his obsession with protecting me, even when I didn’t ask for it.“You’re quiet,” he muttered, glancing over at me as the SUV sped down the road, leaving the burning warehouse behind us.“I just kicked a grown man off a rooftop,” I whispered, staring out the window. “I don’t think there’s a manual for this.”Damien chuckled under his breath, but it wasn’t playful, it was dark. “He deserved worse.”I turned to him slowly. “So this is what it feels like… being one of you.”“You’re not just one of us,” he said, eyes locking with mine. “You’re mine.”There was something
Damien's Pov I yelled at Vincent and he smirked, pinned Serena to his body.Her hands were tied and her lips were trembling with her eyes wide and a goddamn gun was pressed to her head.I took a nasty step to meet him but that same moment, someone slammed a pipe into the back of my knee and I went down.A scream ripped out of her throat and I felt enraged not from the stab but where when stabbed me because it would be difficult to heal. I tried to get up, but another strike came and my ribs cracked. “Tsk, tsk, Alpha Damien. Look at you. On your knees for a woman.” Vincent smirked with smile whispering into Serena's ears.“I’ll kill you,” I growled, spitting blood on the floor.He chuckled. “You said that already.”“Touch her again, and I’ll skin you alive,” I snarled in pain, looking for anything to distract him while it fucking slowly heals.“Such a devotion,” he smirked, then waved to one of his men.The guy stepped forward with a knife.I lunged, even on my knees and half-broken
Damien's Pov We had barely reached the warehouse when the wind carried the smell of smoke long before we saw the flames.Something felt off even before I left and I hated it. That eerie, cold twist in my gut. It wasn’t even about the fire. It wasn’t the silence on the line when I tried to call Serena for the fourth damn time. It was like my soul was pulling me in the opposite direction. I clenched my jaw, scanning the road as we drove. My wolf was restless, pacing under my skin, whispering her name like it was the only word left in the universe.I suddenly pulled the brakes hard.“Zayn,” I muttered, gripping the wheel tightly. “You need to go back.”Zayn’s brows pulled together. “We’re almost there, Damien. Don’t start.”“I’m serious. Go back.”“Why? So you can walk into hell alone? No.” He crossed his arms with his jaw firm.“Zayn—”“No,” he snapped. “This attack is mine too. You keep pushing me back like I’m some damn coward. I’m your Beta, not your bodyguard.”I slammed the door o
Serena's Pov They all left in a hurry, rushing like any more second would make everything collapse.Before I could puzzle it out, a familiar voice made my blood run cold."Well, well. Look who's back."I turned to find my stepsisters, Elena and Sloane, emerging from the shadows of the corridor. They'd been suspiciously quiet all day, and now I understood why—they'd been waiting and plotting theirs as if it would be any different."Where have you two vipers been hiding?" I asked, instinctively taking a defensive stance.Elena smirked, tossing her long blonde hair over her shoulder. "Watching you ruin everything, as usual. You really are a witch, aren't you? Poor Damien isn't even thinking straight anymore because of you.""Fuck off," I growled. "I don't have time for your games.""Oh, we can't do that," Sloane purred, stepping closer. Her sleek black hair framed a face that could have been beautiful if not for the cruelty in her eyes. "Not when you've made such a terrible mistake.""
Serena's Pov “I'll be back Damien, please just a moment with–”“I don't bloody care, don't fucking leave that door with Vincent!” He roared at me like a mad animal and my heart twisted, could he not think of it that way. I needed to talk to Vincent too, I need to confirm and set things right not to cause any misunderstanding and seeing that he was blind to all of that, I held Vincent's hand and walked outside l.The moment we stepped outside the mansion, Vincent grabbed my arm and shoved me against the rough stone wall. His eyes glowed amber as his wolf pushed to the surface, teeth elongating as he snarled in my face."What the fuck are you doing staying with Damien when we clearly had an agreement?" he growled, his breath hot on my face.I pushed back against his chest, refusing to be intimidated by his silky tantrums and fake concerns.. "It wasn't an agreement, Vincent. I was forced to say those things because of the situation and you freaking know that."His laugh was cold and hol
Damien's PovI couldn't help the smile that spread across my face when Serena slapped Ivy so hard she toppled off her chair. My little mate had fire in her and it's precisely what this pack needed in a Luna. Watching her drag Ivy back up by that ridiculously expensive dress and threaten her sent a surge of pride through my chest. If only she'd hit her again."Please, Alpha," one of the maids sobbed, falling to her knees before me. "We don't want to die. Have mercy!"Another was hunched over a decorative vase, emptying the contents of her stomach. The sound of retching filled the dining hall as panic spread among them like wildfire. Their faces had gone pale, eyes wide with terror—all because they believed I'd poisoned them.Fucking Fools. All of them."Get up," I commanded, my voice cutting through their pathetic cries. "I haven't poisoned anyone."The room fell silent except for a few hiccuping sobs."What?" one of them whispered, voice trembling.I leaned back in my chair, enjoying
Serena’s Pov My heart pounded in my chest as I watched Damien interact with the maids. The easy smile on his face, the way he laughed at their jokes, the casual touches—it all seemed so genuine that for a moment, I questioned whether I had misunderstood his intentions.“I meant behaviours for the benefit of this pack, don't worry please eat up.” He smiled but it was the fakest thing I've ever noticed"More wine, Alpha?" one of the maids simpered, leaning forward to give him a better view of her cleavage."Thank you, Lily," Damien replied smoothly, holding out his glass. His eyes flickered to mine briefly, and I caught a hint of something mischievous beneath his charming facade.When he caught me staring, his lips curved into a knowing smirk. I quickly looked away as heat rushed to my cheeks. This whole situation was making me uneasy. One minute he was declaring me as his mate, and the next he was flirting with the maids who had tormented me for months.What game is he playing? I wond
Serena's Pov I didn't know what Damien was up to but I leaned against the dining room doorway, watching the scene unfold with a mixture of disbelief and growing unease. The maids who had been in the dungeon, especially the very same ones who had sneered at me now sat around the Alpha's dining table dressed in clothes that probably cost more than everything I owned combined."Look at her face," one whispered loudly enough for me to hear. "She finally realizes her time is over."Another snickered. "After all, why would the Alpha keep her around when he's chosen someone worthy of his status?"I bit my lip hard, the metallic taste of blood filling my mouth with my wolf growled inside me. I shouldn't be standing her like this, I'm already tired of their rants and accusations thrown at me.“Keep calm”, I told my wolf This might be nothing serious.“Nothing serious?” my wolf scoffed. “ Open your eyes, Serena. Look around you.”The dining hall had been transformed. Crystal glasses sparkled u
Serena I couldn’t breathe at all.The weight of his words to Ivy played on repeat in my head like a broken, cursed record. “Wear something nice.” My heart cracked again. No matter how I tried to push it away, that sentence kept clawing at me. Was that what he said to me the first time he wanted me? Was that all I was to him? A pretty object to show off? A fucking costume to undress at night and forget by morning?My wolf growled deep inside me. She was seething, pacing in fury. Ivy? That traitorous she-wolf? That plastic, wide-smiled seductress who once watched me get whipped and laughed?My claws almost pushed through my skin as I bit my lip to stop myself from crying out.I shot up from the bed, not even caring that I was wearing nothing but one of his oversized black shirts that barely reached mid-thigh. No bra. No slippers. My bare feet hit the cold marble like a damn storm. Let them stare, Let them see the supposed "Luna" of the most feared Alpha in the werewolf world march thr