Chapter 10 Damian Carrington

‘It has to be Levi!’

Scarlett knew Levi’s nature all too well. That man carried the blood of a wolf that flared easily with temper and loved to display his strength.

Now, every bit of that felt utterly repulsive to Scarlett.

“Damian, what exactly are you implying? Do not start trouble here!” Levi growled, furious.

Damian raised both hands in a casual gesture of surrender. “Hey now, friend, no need to get angry. My apologies, I’ve always had a terrible sense of humor.”

This time, Scarlett could no longer hold back her reaction. The moment she heard the tone of Damian’s voice, she jerked awake from her feigned sleep, coughing softly from having suppressed her laughter for so long. In that very instant, she realized something startling, her sleep spell had absolutely no effect on Damian at all.

Suddenly, every hair on Scarlett’s body stood on end.

‘Damian Carrington… In my past life, you were my sworn enemy, the one I hated most, and the one I always defeated so easily. But now… why do I suddenly feel afraid of you? Who… really are you?’

“Miss! You are awake!” Mia shrieked, pushing past Viviane and Levi, who stood only a short distance from Scarlett’s bed. She hurried to help Scarlett sit up and handed her water.

‘Dammit! She really is awake!’ Viviane and Levi screamed inside their heads almost at the same time. Their thoughts echoed loudly in Scarlett’s mind, causing her to choke on her water and break into a fresh fit of coughing.

“Sister, thank the Goddess you’ve come to!” Viviane cried out, grabbing Scarlett’s hand and shoving Mia roughly away from the bedside. Mia stumbled and would have fallen if Damian hadn’t reached out to steady her.

“Viviane, I am well, thanks to your prayers. But why did you push Mia?” Scarlett asked softly, pulling her hand free from Viviane’s grasp.

“I am so sorry, Sister. I didn’t mean to… it’s only because I was so worried about you,” Viviane replied, her eyes glistening with tears, twisting the fabric of her dress and bowing her head.

“Scarlett, we were all so worried about you. Viviane couldn’t even sleep last night thinking of you, please don’t blame her. Why must you always belittle her?” Levi cut in, taking Viviane’s hand and stroking it gently to soothe her.

Scarlett pressed her fingers to her temples, fighting back a wave of nausea. “Very well, I apologize. It is best if you all leave now. I am perfectly fine, and thank you for taking the time to visit,” she said, then slowly and with great effort tried to lie back down again.

Noticing Scarlett’s struggle, Viviane acted fast, trying to draw Levi’s attention away from where he had been gazing at Scarlett.

“Oh… my head… why does it suddenly feel so dizzy?” Viviane swayed, leaning her weight against Levi, who instinctively caught her. “I think it is from all the worry I’ve been feeling for my sister.”

“Viviane… what is wrong?” Levi asked, holding her body up in a panic.

‘Oh, curse it! Why does she have to do this now? I need to keep Scarlett’s attention before Damian tries to get close to her!’ Levi’s thoughts rang loud and clear in Scarlett’s mind, making her frown even deeper.

“Levi, perhaps you should help Viviane first. She looks quite unwell,” Scarlett said, effectively making the decision for him. Levi’s face hardened instantly.

He let out a cold snort. “Fine! Very well. I will take Viviane away from here so that you can be alone with Damian. Isn’t that exactly what you wanted?”

Damian raised an eyebrow briefly. Scarlett watched him closely, yet not a single thought crossed the mind of that handsome, composed man, nothing at all.

Damian let out an annoyed breath. “Levi, what is that supposed to mean? Mia is standing right here. Obviously we would not be left alone together. Besides, if you are leaving with Viviane, naturally I will go as well.”

“And anyway, Scarlett is awake now. That is enough,” Damian added calmly, speaking with perfect logic.

‘Yes… that is true. He has always remained calm and spoken such sensible, logical thoughts. Back then, I always found that attitude of his so infuriating. But now… it actually sounds far more reasonable than anything else I hear.’

Scarlett stretched out a hand toward Damian, who was standing furthest from the bed. “Damian… help me,” she said with a weary, bitter smile.

Seeing Scarlett extend her hand toward Damian, Viviane acted fast again. She let her body go limp and collapsed against Levi, noticing how irritated he looked at the sight.

“Damian, watch your manners! I am taking Viviane out of here. And you, you leave this room as well!” Levi barked.

Damian pulled back the hand he had begun to extend toward Scarlett, and once more lifted both hands in a gesture of surrender. “Of course. That would indeed be improper. I shall leave along with them,” he said, turning back to Scarlett. “I am sorry, Scarlett. I must go now. Please recover quickly.”

Scarlett nodded reluctantly. “Thank you.”

Damian walked out behind Levi, who was hurrying away while supporting Viviane’s weight. For a fleeting moment, Scarlett felt her heart beat wildly, as if it were about to leap right out of her chest, because Damian had looked straight into her eyes, deeply and intently, just before he vanished through the door.

At that moment, Scarlett understood one thing with absolute certainty.

She could not hear Damian’s thoughts. Not a single one. Only his.

‘Why?’

‘What is he really thinking?’

‘Why did he look at me like that?’

‘Is he truly the one chosen for me… or is he actually someone I should fear?’