Damien's POV The gala hall smelled of pine, expensive cologne, and the stifling heat of a hundred shifting bodies, running far too hot as the collective breath of the pack rose toward the crystal chandeliers to blur the light into a hazy, golden fog. To the wolves gathered here, this was stability, but to me, it was a cage. Clara moved closer, her fingers digging into the fabric of my dress shirt until her knuckles pressed hard against my collarbone. One part of my mind screamed to peel her away while the other was reminded of the debt, knowing she had sacrificed her wolf for me, and in our world, that sacrifice bought her a crown—it bought her me. “Damien,” she whispered, tilting her head as her eyes ran wide and glassy in the flickering candlelight. “I just want you to be happy. Are you ready? For us?” I searched for the snap of a mate bond, looking for that magnetic pull that was supposed to make my blood sing, but I found nothing except a leaden, obligated ache. “If you’re th
Last Updated : 2026-05-09 Read more