002. Slimy Little Thing.

~DAMON~

I never knew I would show my face to this sorry ass pack again. Not after the mysterious way my parents died and the death threat that kept showing up on my doorstep afterward. Well, I ran for my dear life, and that was mostly because this pack had lost its flavor from the moment Mum and Dad took their last breath.

But right now, standing in front of the pack's mansion, I questioned my decision. Was it wise to leave the comfort of my penthouse in New York to come face the dark memories of the past few years?

I had no answer to that question. Only the moon goddess does. She kept appearing in my dreams for one week straight and in each of them, the message was crystal clear.

"Go home, Damon. Your duty awaits you. A unique bloodline to salvage. A bond to reignite."

Till now, I couldn't get what that meant. All I understood was the last part— and the only bond coming to mind was Nora's. But how could I reignite a bond with my brother's fiancé?

The thought of that sent bile lodging somewhere in my throat. I really fucked up things with her.

From the murderous gaze she casted my way, she didn't want me here.

And from the looks on the pack members faces at the training ground, they didn't either. I was a stranger, gone for so many years.

A villain.

My brother's murderous gaze also made it crystal clear. But fuck what he thought.

I wasn't here to contest the throne with him. But the glint of fear dancing in his eyes showed he thought so.

"Well, I'm going to let him chew on that for a little while."

But the look that stood out for me, making me feel like crap, was Ora's gaze. She made her disdainful gaze so obvious, and wanted me to get buried in it. Well, it did affect me, especially knowing why she was doing it.

"But damn, she is looking hotter, sexier and every inch stronger than when I left." I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face.

I had seen her press Dexter against the tree with ease. Her swordsmanship wasn't in doubt. But the kiss that came right after...

I couldn't get over how shocked I felt at seeing her grinding against him so passionately, even when it was clear that half the members of the pack were present. Or the pangs that still tugged at my chest at seeing their lips locked and bodies pressed together.

"When did Ora become so bold?" I asked in utter bewilderment. Traces of that girl who had knocked on my door to confess how much she loved me was gone. Replaced by this...strong, sassy young woman.

"And a little bitchy, might I add." I muttered, letting out a bitter laugh that hung somewhere in my throat. It was obvious that coming home was a bad idea, but the knowledge of Dexter having Nora takes the cake.

"Does he think I'm just going to let him have her?"

That question hung in the air, the answer clearly obvious. Nora was a fiery, rate she-wolf and a wolf like Dexter wasn't man enough to claim her, despite his impression of himself being the rightful heir.

People thought having almost the same face and body made twins become inseparable. Far from it. Damon and I might share the same womb, physique, face and almost the same voice. But I was man enough than he would ever be.

Speaking of...

I caught the sight of him heading out of the pack mansion, glancing backward at intervals as though he was being chased by something. I was about to look away, not really interested in whatever he was up to. But then he took the turn that led to the back exit and that raised an alarm in my head.

That road had never been used. We only leave the mansion through the gigantic gate. That road was only used during emergencies like escaping from a rogue attack.

"Dexter, you slimy little thing..." I muttered, my tongue sliding out to wet my lips as I folded my hands across my chest. "What are you up to?"

I was contended with just standing there, but when he disappeared out of the back gate, I couldn't stand still anymore. I raced towards that direction, catching up to the sight of him in less than a few minutes.

He was on the phone, hands pressed on his waist and voice hushed.

There was no way I could hear him except I got closer. But I couldn't risk stepping on twigs or leaves and alert him of my presence.

"What if he smells you?" My wolf, Darrien asked.

I gave a mental shake of my head. "Dexter doesn't pay attention to scents."

A part of me wanted to hear whatever call he was making that was so discreet that he had to use the back exit.

Pressing my lips together, I let my gaze slide to the ground as I started stepping closer, slowly and stealthily while avoiding the leaves.

"My brother is back,I think he wants to make a play for the throne. I need to be ready.." That was the first thing I heard.

My brows reflexively arched as a smile crossed my lips. “Now, this is an interesting conversation.”

I leaned closer to hear more.

"No, Nora can't know who she really is. Plus, I don't think she wants anything to do with him." I blinked, eyes slightly widening. My parents made it clear I was the only one who knew about Nora's secret identity.

"How come..."

"Just tell the woman I'm waiting." A wave of panic hit me.

"Which woman is he talking about?"

Luna's howl was an event where the chosen Luna got to be marked by her Alpha before ascending the throne fully as Luna.

"What plans was Dexter making that involved claiming Nora without even telling her who she is?"

"No, you don't understand.” He went on, seeming agitated. “I have to claim that throne, and I need her to do so."

My mouth fell open. Fucking goddess!

My mind buzzed from the knowledge hitting me squarely without giving me a space to breathe.

I had always known Dexter was a slimy little thing, but not to stoop this low.

One thing was clear: Dexter was bent on claiming the throne with the help of whoever he was talking to. Like, I was even contesting it with him.

I scoffed. "Heck, he even knows her identity."

My hands balled into fists as I felt raw anger surging through me. The vision alongside the instructions of the moon goddess flashed through my mind unendingly.

Maybe this was why I was sent home by the moon goddess. To disrupt him from climbing that throne on a lie.

My wolf pranced around, sharing in my rage.

The new decision was crystal clear in my head, and I had no choice but to take it.

"From the looks of it, Darien, I don't think we are going anyway anytime soon."

Just then, a white-haired woman appeared from nowhere, stopping right in front of him with a smile on her face.

From her all-white robe and apparel, it wasn't hard to deduce that she was the pack's priestess.

“Is she the woman he's talking about?” I can't help wondering.

What's worse, I couldn't hear what they were saying, no matter how hard I tried to listen.

That alone set the alarm bells ringing in my head. Dexter meeting in secret with the pack's priestess?

I shook my head. "What in goddess's name are you up to, brother?"