Chapter 8: No One Touches Her..

Damon’s POV

The words barely settled inside me before something in me snapped.

The hell…

My grip tightened around the armrest of my chair so hard my knuckles turned white. The wood gave a faint creak under the pressure I was exerting, and I could feel it digging into my palm, rough and solid, grounding me, but it did nothing to steady what was rising inside my chest.

Burnt alive?

The image flashed through my head almost immediately, sharp and sudden, like it had been waiting for a chance to break through. For a moment, I could almost see it clearly.

Her.

That stubborn yet fiery beauty, hands and legs tied up, body suspended on a f**king pyre. Flames climbing up her skin slowly while the entire pack gathered around to watch.

F**k.

The picture sent a sharp ache through my skull, and my chest tightened with it like something heavy was pressing down on it. Everything about it felt wrong.

“No.”

The word slipped out before I could stop it. Low and rough, but it carried enough weight to make the entire hall go still.

I saw the elders stiffen in their seats. Their faces went pale, eyes widening in shock like they couldn't believe what they had just heard. Obviously, none of them saw that coming.

But among all the shocked faces, Danica looked the most affected.

“What?”

I watched as the smile dropped from her face. Her features tightened, twisting into something darker as the meaning of my words settled into her mind.

“What did you just say, brother?”

Her voice came out calm, but her eyes sharpened on me like a blade searching for something.

I didn't answer immediately because inside me, Rowan was already moving again, restless and angry. Pacing like a caged animal on the verge of breaking loose at the mere thought of what they planned to do to her.

*No one touches her, you hear me.*

His growl echoed inside my head forcefully, pressing hard against the control I was trying to hold on to.

*She is ours. Only we get to do things to her.*

My jaw clenched tighter, teeth grinding slightly against each other as I forced myself to stay in control yet again.

“Yeah… you heard me, Danica.” The words came out low, almost dragged out of me. “I refuse that.”

“But she broke the rules!” she snapped back almost immediately. Her fists clenched at her sides, nails digging into her palms, her eyes burning into mine with so much annoyance and defiance. “She disrespected me. She hit me in front of everyone, and you are saying…”

“And I still stand on the fact that she is not dying.”

My voice cut through hers again. Firm and final. And it was insane. A part of me had always thought Rowan was the one pushing this, but no. This was me too. I could feel it.

Whatever spell that she-wolf had on us, it was really effective.

“And why the hell is that?” Danica’s voice dropped into something calmer now as she spoke again, but it still carried a deadly edge, the kind that made the air feel thick.

From the corner of my eyes, I noticed the elders shifting uncomfortably in their seats. The earlier shock was gone from their faces, now replaced with unease and confusion just like hers.

“I mean… what is so special about her,” she continued, her voice dragging my attention back to her, “that you now go against my judgment, brother?”

I didn't respond immediately because she was right.

This was the first time I was doing it. For years, she had passed judgment in this court, and never once had I gone against it, no matter how inhumane it felt. But now…

Just like I said, that she-wolf had some kind of hold on me, one that was making me go against my rule. And though I didn't fully understand it, one thing was clear. I wasn't backing down in an argument that had something to do with her.

“It doesn't matter what she is.” I said finally as I leaned forward slightly, resting my elbows on my knees. I held her gaze without blinking.

“All that matters is what I decide. And I decide that…”

“And you think we are going to let you decide that without explaining why?”

My eyes dimmed at her words.

She wants an explanation? From me?

The king?

Not like this was the first time she was doing this. She had always been fond of that, questioning my authority. But today, for the first time, Rowan didn't take it lightly.

*How dare she…?* He surged forward again, stronger this time, not caring that she was our sister. *How dare she question our decision?*

His anger rippled through me, sharp and hot. It spread like wildfire against my skin, making the ache in my c*ck I had almost forgotten was there stir harder.

Bloody moon.

I gritted my teeth as I tried to ignore it and forced myself to focus on Danica instead.

She was still staring at me, waiting. Waiting for something I wasn't ready to give.

“Dani,” I called, her name rolling out of my tongue in a guttural growl, my eyes hardening. “You do realize…” However, before I could finish, a scent, her scent, suddenly hit me again out of nowhere, fresh and addictive, like she was right here in this room.

My breath caught immediately. My head tilted slightly, and my nose flared before I could stop it.

What the hell…

How is this possible?

“Brother?” Danica’s voice snapped me back just before I could spiral further. I turned to her and didn't miss the irritation in her tone, the way her brows pulled together. “What the hell are you doing…?”

“Enough, Danica.” The words burst out of me in a sharp growl as I finally regained composure, one that carried across the room instantly. The guards straightened, and the elders went completely still.

“You don't get to question my authority any way you like and for that, this meeting ends now.” I stood up immediately, the chair screeching back with a loud sound that echoed through the room.

Hell, I could feel my control slipping now. The longer Danica dragged this, the more Rowan ached to break free.

“But brother…” As expected, Danica didn't look the least bit satisfied. Her eyes held so much protest, but I ignored her and faced the elders instead. I was done with her bullsh*t.

“Leave the issue with the Katherina girl to me.” I said, tilting my head up slightly to assert authority.

“I will deal with her myself, and no one,” I moved my gaze across all of them, my face serious, “I repeat, no one,” this time I locked eyes with Danica, holding her gaze meaningfully, “not even you, Danica, is allowed to touch even a strand of her hair unless…”

I paused briefly, letting the words sink in before finishing.

“Unless you are begging for my wrath.”