Chapter 3

Damian's POV

 I overheard some castle maids talking about Hazel's near death incident, and without hesitating, I had to rush down to be by her side. 

Princess Hazel and I have been friends for like forever, and our parents are pretty close because my father's the beta of the pack. 

"Who on earth are you, and what are you doing in the princesses chambers?” I asked, glaring at the black-haired young man in Hazel's room. 

He dusted his hands on his milk colored long sleeved shirt and ignored me. I bit my lip hard, trying to take the disrespect, and without hesitating, I blocked his path, ready to attack the moment my wolf felt something off about him. 

He paused and watched closely. “I only answer to the princess, so get out of my way before I strike you down,” he replied. His pupils were crimson red now. I wanted to talk back, but rather my wolf stayed mute. Acknowledging a higher authority. 

I coughed and swallowed back the words in my throat. Who on earth is this man?

"Damian! What's all the commotion about?” We both turned in the direction of the voice and stared at Hazel; the sunlight shone through her eyes, making them brighter than any star I had seen at night.

I rushed to her side, immediately grabbing hold of her soft, delicately manicured hands. “Hazel, are you alright? I heard what—"She immediately cut me off, giving no room for me to finish my speech. 

"I'm alright. There's really no need for you to worry,” she explained, her low voice sounded like music to my ears. 

My eyes roamed her entire body, and I smiled lovely at her. “You always look good in everything, Hazel,” I complimented, with my eyes not leaving her face. 

She looked at the young man from earlier and quickly withdrawn her hand from mine. That's strange. Is she afraid of him? Sensing her change in character, I sighed and reached out to brush a strand of hair from behind her ear. “You know, you can tell me anything.”

She nodded and forced a smile before sinking her butt into a couch close to her room window. I sat down beside her, still holding her hands. 

"I've been thinking, even though we're not mates, I still think we would make a great couple, " I confessed, with my eyes buried deeply into hers.

She looked away and drew her hands to herself. Resting them on her thighs. “Damian, I'm not-”

“What I meant was, I wouldn't mind marrying you. I could make you my mate, Hazel," I explained, with a wide smile spread across my lips. 

All my life, I have only wanted her. To hear her tell me she loved me and would always want to run in the wild, dark, cold night with me. 

Her eyes dropped the moment I said those words to her, causing me to realize no matter how hard I tried to convince her, she wouldn't choose me. 

My wolf likes Hazel too, so her constantly brushing what I feel for her off bored a deep hole in my chest, with it hurting every single time I think of her. 

I brushed my hair back with my palm and faked a smile. “Hazel, please! Say something," I pleaded, seeing as her silence was eating me alive. 

She slowly stood up from the couch and stood in front of the glass window. The sun pressed against her skin as the morning breeze waltzed through her strawberry blonde hair. Such beauty. 

“It doesn't work that way, Damian, " she began. “I know you care about me, but I can't help but feel like you're only doing this out of pity."

Now losing my patience with her i spoke up. “I'm charming and handsome, and I come from a respected family. What more do you want?” I inquired, aggressively running my fingers through my hair. 

Her eyes flashed with irritation and flared up. “Maybe someone who respects me and doesn't think of me as a prize to be won?”

I tried to reach for her hand, but she took a step back. I dropped my hand to my side, and my gaze landed on the young man watching us with a cold expression on his face. It was almost like he wanted to kill me at any moment. “You know, I don't think it's right for a rogue to be lurking around you.”

“He is not even worthy of being in the same room as you," I added, now familiar with his scent. It's that stench that makes your stomach churn and insides crawl. Aside from that, there's so much darkness, hate, and pilled up anger I could sense from him. 

She took a quick glance at him, then back at me. “Remy's my bodyguard, and he is only doing his job," she snapped, trying to be calm. 

I arched an eyebrow, my voice dripping with venom. “Protect you? From what exactly?”

She sighed and pressed her lips together. “Damian, I need some time alone, please."

I took a few steps closer to her and grabbed hold of her wrist. “I apologize for not being there to protect you. Let me love you.”

She smiled weakly, her eyes avoiding mine. “I understand, but it's really not your job to protect me.”

I have had enough of her constantly trying to push me away. Without further thinking, I crashed my lips on hers, and she pushed me off, sending a slap straight to my face. 

Her bodyguard sent a blow to my face, unaware, and I landed on my butt. Whipping off the hot red liquid that slide down my nose. I dragged myself off the floor and stood up. Rage poisened my veins. With everything in me now thirsting to have her certainly possible. 

"Hazel, for so long I have been the only man who wanted you. The only man who accepted your terrible personality and low status," I spat, with veins popped on my forehead. 

Love has successfully turned me into a madman. A man with no class and barbaric countenance. 

I want to stop and apologize before it gets to the point where I finally lose her, but a part of me, a part where there has always been darkness. Has had enough of her leading me on. 

I wanted to hurt her. To own her every being and make her so miserable for hurting my ego and letting a mere rogue touch me. 

I sprang up, shaking my head sideways. “No! You and I know that's not true. I love you, Hazel," I announced, totally ignoring the third party in our midst. 

"Getting a bodyguard won't save you. Maybe death is what you truly deserve, Hazel," I roared, feeling the intense pain burn in my chest. 

I do love her a lot. Why can't she see it?

I helped myself up and smirked. “No one would ever want you.”

She grabbed hold of his hand and stared intently at me. Her eyes are now red and burning with rage. 

"That's where your wrong. Remy's my mate, and he is the man I want to spend the rest of my life with," she fired back. Her chest was raising and falling due to the tension. 

Time froze as I watched her drag him out of the room. Leaving me unable to move nor comprehend what she had just said. 

You're mine, Hazel. Mine. And if you think using a mate as an excuse to push me away then that’s where you’re wrong.