4- Jealous Nephew

DAMON

He watched Lucian walk away with angry eyes.

Then he turned back to Eveline. “Was he the one? Did he give you that mark?”

“Don’t touch me.” Eveline yanked her arm free from his grip and walked away, heading back to the waiting area.

Damon followed, trying to keep his breath under control. He could feel his wolf rearing inside, rising to answer to his temper.

“Evie, can you stop and listen to me?” he growled.

She slowed down to collect her purse from Tammy. “I don’t have to do anything you want,” she said.

“Yes, you do. I am your fiance, and you still need me to complete your father’s payment.”

She stopped, and Damon felt a small smile tug on his lips. His family had been financing Marcus Hale’s treatment for a while now, even sending their best healers. And he had no doubt that they would come forward now as well, but only if he said so.

“You can’t just turn your back on me,” he said calmly, drawing closer to her. “Let’s just forget any of this happened. We get married and we can get your father all the help he needs.”

Eveline stared at him, her mouth slightly open in disbelief. “Forget that you cheated on me with my stepsister on my engagement night?”

“You have to understand. She came on to me and-”

“Was there even any point where any of this meant anything to you? Did you ever love me?”

He scoffed. “Of course I did. You’re going to be my wife, and we’ll rule the Vale pack together.”

“Then why would you cheat on her?” Tammy snapped.

Damon felt his temper rise again. Why did he have to keep begging and going over this? Eveline belonged to him, and he was an alpha. Heir to the Vales, and a powerful pack at that.

He didn’t have to explain himself to anyone. Least of all, to her and to her bloody friend.

“That’s enough,” he growled. “Let’s get back home, and we’ll talk better.”

Eveline scoffed. “Fuck off, Damon.”

She turned back to the elevator but he grabbed her again, yanking her back.

“Let go of me,” she snarled.

“After all I’ve done for you…” Damon’s eyes flashed red, his claws digging into her skin. “You don’t get to walk away from me.”

A hand clamped down on Damon’s wrist the next second. He hissed, releasing her almost immediately, then turned to find Lucian was the one gripping his hand.

“This is my hospital,” Lucian said in a cold voice. “My territory. I will not allow you to hurt anyone here.”

H shoved Damon backwards, then pressed the button on the wall beside the elevator. The doors slid open and Eveline stepped in with Tammy.

“You will pay for this,” Damon hissed.

“I’m waiting,” Lucian replied with a lazy smile. “Till then, you can take the stairs and get the fuck out of my hospital.”

Damon stormed out of the hospital, his wolf fighting to tear its way out of his skin. He managed to keep it in, suppressing his claws and fangs as he walked up to his car.

That bastard. Just who the fuck did he think he was? Waltzing back into the city and growing the balls to lay his hand on him. And on Eveline.

He couldn’t stop thinking about how close he stood to Eveline, touching her neck. And that mark…

“Oh, I’m gonna show you, Uncle Lucian.”

He got into his car, drove straight to the Vale mansion, and stormed into the building.

The servants were cleaning up the remnants of the engagement party from the night before. Some of them were wise enough to stay out of his way once they sensed his anger. Some were not so lucky, and they got knocked aside if they stepped into his path.

He headed to his father’s study and found him standing by the tall window overlooking the yard.

Elias Vale turned as soon as his son walked in. He was a short, squat man, lines marking his face with old age. But his eyes retained their harsh alpha glow, his muscles still stood out under his sleeping robes.

And his voice thundered as he asked, “Where were you?”

“I was looking for Eveline.”

“You were looking for Eveline?” Elias snarled. “She was here all night, welcoming guests and making sure the engagement dinner was a success. So, Damon, where were you?”

“I was...I was handling something,” he mumbled.

Elias’ voice rose dangerously as he moved away from the window.

“And it was more important than securing this marriage alliance? Do you even remember why you need to marry that half-breed?”

Damon’s jaw tightened. “The engagement is still on. We don’t need a dinner to-”

“She is the last of the Grays, you fool!” Elias roared. His fangs were out now, and so were his claws. Damon swallowed and dropped his gaze, shrinking from his father’s fury.

“Marrying that girl will give us a hand in their territory! And you couldn’t be bothered to be present when it matters?!”

“The engagement is not off,” Damon said. “Our pack is still strong-”

“Strong?!” Elias slammed his fist onto his desk, and the wood cracked. “You are an even bigger fool if you believe that for one second. There has been multiple attacks on our patrol lately. Of course you wouldn’t know that, not when you’re out partying and wasting your damn life.”

“I am not getting any younger, Damon.” He sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “And honestly, I wonder if you have what it takes to lead the Vale Pack.”

Damon’s head snapped up. His anger boiled to the surface as he blurted, “I found uncle Lucian. He’s returned.”

Elias froze. “What?”

“I saw him at the hospital, where Eveline’s father was admitted.” He felt a bit of triumph as he added, “I believe he’s already making moves on her, claiming her.”

Elias turned back to the window. He was silent for so long, that Damon took an uncertain step forward, wondering if he said something wrong.

“At the precise moment that our borders are attacked, that you are engaged and Marcus falls ill….my brother appears.”

“Too much of a coincidence, if you ask me,” Damon agreed with a nod.

Elias turned again, and waved a hand at him. “Go deal with it. And try not to disappoint me.”

Damon grinned, finally allowing his claws to slip out.

“Sure thing, father.”