Chapter 24 The Feast
~Sage~
The white dress clung to every curve of my body like water poured over skin, the fabric so thin I could feel the heat of every gaze that dared to linger. The light above around the room flashed on it, drawing attention I desperately didn't want. My fingers shook as I adjusted the neckline that plunged far too low, knowing that every movement was being watched by the Alpha King seated beside me.
Damon's hand rested on my thigh beneath the tablecloth, his fingers pressing into my flesh with calculated possession. Each squeeze sent a message to every wolf in the grand dining hall that I belonged to him, and tomorrow's marking ceremony would make it permanent.
"You seem nervous tonight, Luna," Damon murmured against my ear, his breath hot enough to make me shiver with revulsion I had to hide. "Your heart is racing like a frightened rabbit's."
"It's just excitement about tomorrow, my King," I managed to say, keeping my voice steady despite the terror crawling through my veins. "The ceremony is all I can think about."
His fingers traced higher up my thigh, and I fought not to flinch. "Is that so? Then why do you keep glancing at the door?"
Because Keith hadn't arrived yet, and every second that passed made my anxiety worse. But I couldn't say that. Instead, I forced myself to meet Damon's dark eyes, seeing my pale reflection in their depths. "I'm simply eager for the feast to begin properly, my King."
"Hmm," he hummed, unconvinced, and almost immediately, doors opened.
Keith entered the hall like a storm contained in human form, dressed in formal black that made his resemblance to his father even more striking. But where Damon's presence felt like a blade against my throat, Keith's made my heart ache with longing I had to bury deep. His eyes found mine across the room for one burning second before he looked away, his jaw clenched so tight I could see the muscle jumping.
"Ah, my son finally graces us with his presence," Damon announced loudly enough for the entire hall to hear. "Come, Keith. Sit here, directly across from your future stepmother."
The word 'stepmother' was a deliberate cruelty, and I saw Keith's hands curl into fists before he forced them to relax. He walked toward us with measured steps, each one looking like it cost him enormous effort. When he took his seat, I caught his scent despite the cologne he wore. It was the faintest trace of me from our stolen moments in the maze.
If I could smell it, could Damon?
"You smell different tonight, son," Damon observed casually, swirling his wine glass. "New perfume perhaps?"
"A gift from a packmate," Keith replied smoothly, though his knuckles were white where he gripped his own glass.
"Interesting choice," Damon continued, and his hand on my thigh tightened painfully. "Tell me, Keith, what did you think of Sage when you first met her?"
The question hung in the air like a trap waiting to spring. Keith's eyes flicked to mine briefly, and I tried to convey warning through my expression.
"I thought she would make a suitable Luna Queen," Keith answered carefully.
"Suitable?" Damon laughed, but there was no warmth in it. "Come now, surely you can do better than that. Look at her." His free hand suddenly gripped my chin, turning my face toward Keith. "Young, beautiful, innocent. Don't you think she's beautiful, son?"
Keith's jaw worked as he struggled for the right answer. Any answer would be wrong - admit I was beautiful and reveal too much, deny it and insult his father's choice.
"She's everything a Luna Queen should be," Keith finally said.
"That's not what I asked." Damon's fingers dug into my jaw hard enough to bruise. "I asked if you find her beautiful. It's a simple question."
The entire hall had gone silent, every wolf sensing the dangerous undercurrent. I could barely breathe, terrified that any movement might give away the truth.
"Yes," Keith said quietly, his voice rough. "She's beautiful."
"Good," Damon released my chin only to pull me against him possessively. "Then you'll understand why I'm so eager for tomorrow's ceremony. To finally claim what's mine completely."
His mouth crashed against mine in a kiss that was all dominance and display. I couldn't help the small whimper that escaped, and when Damon pulled back, his eyes went straight to Keith, whose hand had crushed the stem of his wine glass.
Blood dripped onto the white tablecloth.
"Careful, son," Damon said with dark amusement. "We wouldn't want you injured before tomorrow's celebration."
"It's nothing," Keith muttered, wrapping his napkin around his hand.
"Good. Because I have a special role for you in the ceremony," Damon continued, his smile sharp as a blade. "You'll stand as my witness when I mark her. A show of family unity."
I felt Keith go completely still across from us. To stand as witness meant he would have to watch his father claim me, mark me, make me his forever. It was the cruelest thing Damon could have demanded.
"I'm honored, Father," Keith said, his voice completely flat.
"As you should be." Damon stood suddenly, pulling me up with him. "Now, Sage and I will retire. We have preparations to discuss for tomorrow."
Panic flared through me as he began leading me from the hall. I caught sight of Keith starting to rise, our eyes met one last time, and I saw my own desperation reflected there.
Damon's chambers were exactly what I'd feared - dark wood and leather, dominated by an enormous bed that made my stomach turn. He released me only to pour himself whiskey, his back to me as he spoke.
"You know, three days is a long time to be away," he said conversationally. "Long enough for things to change. For people to make mistakes."
"I don't understand, my King," I whispered.
He turned slowly, his expression unreadable. "Don't you? Then let me be clearer. While I was gone, did my son visit you?"
"We encountered each other during meals and pack gatherings," I said carefully. "Nothing more."
"Is that so?" He moved closer, circling me like a predator. "Then why does your heart race when he enters a room? Why does he look at you like a man dying of thirst looks at water?"
"I don't know what you mean—"
His hand shot out, gripping my throat, not quite choking but making it clear he could. "Don't lie to me, Luna. I can smell deception."
"I'm not lying," I gasped. "Keith has been nothing but respectful."
"Respectful," he repeated, his thumb pressing against my pulse point. "Yet he crushed a glass at the thought of me marking you."
"Perhaps he's simply protective of his future stepmother," I managed.
Damon laughed coldly. "Protective. Yes, I'm sure that's it." He released my throat only to grip my shoulders, spinning me to face the mirror on the wall. "Look at yourself, Sage. Young, beautiful, untouched. Do you really expect me to believe my son hasn't noticed?"
I met his eyes in the reflection, forcing myself to hold his gaze. "What Keith notices doesn't matter. I belong to you."
"Yes," he agreed, his hands sliding down my arms. "You do. And tomorrow, everyone will know it. Every wolf will smell my mark on you, including my son. How do you think that will make him feel?"
"I wouldn't know, my King."
"No?" His hands moved to the zipper of my dress. "Then perhaps we should ensure there's no confusion. Take your dress off."
My hands shook as I reached for the zipper, but then Damon's phone rang. He cursed, checking the caller ID, then answered.
"What?" he snarled into the phone, then his entire body went rigid. "You're certain? In my son's room?"
My heart stopped completely.
Damon's eyes snapped to mine, and I saw something terrifying flash across his face - not anger, but dark satisfaction, like a hunter who'd finally cornered his prey.
"Bring it to me," he commanded whoever was on the phone. "Now."
He ended the call and moved toward me with deliberate slowness, his smile growing wider with each step.
"Tell me, Luna," he said softly, dangerously. "Is there any reason my guards would find your earring in Keith's bed?”