Chapter 72 Damian's POV
"Brother."
The word hung in the air like poison.
I stared at Xavier at his calm smile, at the satisfaction in his eyes and felt fifteen years of carefully constructed walls threatening to crumble.
"Don't call me that." I said, my voice low and dangerous.
Xavier's smile didn't falter. "Why not? It is what you are. My half-brother has the same father, different mothers blood is blood, Damian."
"Blood means nothing."
I bent down and picked up the clipboard I had dropped, gripping it so hard the edges cut into my palm. I needed something to hold onto something to keep me grounded.
Kaden was looking between us, his expression confused and concerned. "Damian, what's going on? Why didn't you tell me you were related to the Dark Moon Pack?"
"Because it is not relevant."
"Not relevant?" Kaden's voice rose slightly.
"You are the half-brother of an Alpha from a royal bloodline that is extremely relevant."
"I'm not part of that bloodline anymore. I cut ties with the Dark Moon Pack fifteen years ago."
"You can't just cut ties with family," Xavier said, his voice still maddeningly calm.
"No matter how far you run, no matter what name you use, you are still a Royal."
"I'm Shawn . I chose that name for a reason."
"To hide to pretend you are someone you are not."
Anger flared hot in my chest. "To escape to be free of a pack I wanted no part of."
"The pack didn't force you to leave," Xavier said quietly. "You chose to go."
"Because staying meant accepting things I couldn't accept things that went against everything I believed in."
Kaden stepped forward. "What things? Damian, you're not making sense."
How could I explain? How could I tell him about the things I'd seen in the Dark Moon Pack?
"It doesn't matter," I said. "I made my choice fifteen years ago. I left and I'm never going back."
"But Xavier is here now." Kaden pressed.
"He saved Elara's life. Don't you think you owe him at least a conversation?"
I looked at Xavier at his calm, patient expression. Like he had all the time in the world to wait for me to come around.
"I don't owe him anything," I said.
"We may share blood, but that is all we share. Now if you will excuse me, I have a patient to attend to."
I turned and walked back toward the medical wing before either of them could stop me.
Behind me, I heard Kaden say, "Xavier, I'm sorry. I don't know what happened between you two, but-"
"Don't apologize for him," Xavier interrupted. "Damian has his reasons for being angry. I just hope someday he will let me explain my side."
I didn't wait to hear more pushed through the medical wing doors and let them close behind me, shutting out their voices.
My hands were shaking. I set down the clipboard and gripped the edge of the nurses' station, taking a deep breath.
Seeing Xavier hearing his voice brought everything back, the memory hit me before I could stop it.
Standing in the rain. In front of a fresh grave. The wooden coffin already lowered into the ground.
I could see her face in my mind with soft brown eyes. A gentle smile. The way she'd looked at me like I was the only person in the world who mattered.
Gone.
I'd stood there alone, rain mixing with tears, and sworn I would never go back and never be part of that world again.
The memory faded but the ache remained. It always remained.
I pushed away from the nurses' station and walked to Elara's room, needing to focus on something other than the past.
She was sleeping peacefully, the medication keeping her under. Her face was relaxed, free of the pain and fear that had twisted it earlier.
I moved to the chair beside her bed and sat down heavily.
For a long moment, I just watched her. Watched the steady rise and fall of her chest. Watched her hand resting protectively over her stomach even in sleep.
She was beautiful the first moment I'd found her in that forest, broken and dying had been beautiful every day since.
The way she smiled when she was genuinely happy. The strength she showed despite everything she'd been through. The kindness she offered to everyone, even those who didn't deserve it.
I'd watched her fall in love with Kaden all over again and watched her choose to give him another chance. I watched her build a future that didn't include me as anything more than her doctor.
And I'd accepted it. Because what else could I do?
She was his mate carrying his child. Building a life with him.
I was just the man who'd saved her life. Who cared about her. Who would have given anything to be the one she looked at with love instead of friendly gratitude.
A strand of hair had fallen across her face. Without thinking, I reached out and brushed it back gently.
My fingers lingered for just a moment against her soft warm cheek.
I pulled my hand back and clasped both hands together in my lap, staring at her sleeping face.
"Solara menthCredito vida. Korath sen dremora vestha menla serai."
The words hung in the quiet room.
And I sat there in the darkness, watching over the woman I could never have, speaking words from a past I had tried to forget.