CHAPTER 69

Ariana’s POV

"You're not making any sense," I snapped, though unease crept through me.

"I’ll do it." Her eyes gleamed with desperate sincerity. "I’ll marry Damien instead."

The words knocked the air from my lungs. She said it so easily, as if it were a simple request — as if it didn’t change everything.

"Why would you do that?" My voice came out harsher than I intended. "What do you get out of this?"

Seline hesitated, then sighed softly. "Because I love him."

I blinked. "You what?"

"I’m in love with Damien," she admitted, her eyes brimming with emotion. "I have been for a long time. Before I left the pack, I tried to push those feelings aside, but they never went away. And when I came back and saw how miserable this arrangement was making you… I thought maybe there was another way. One that could make both of us happy."

I stared at her, struggling to make sense of it all. "And Damien? Does he know how you feel?"

Seline shook her head. "No. And he doesn't have to. Not yet. But if you step aside, I could be the one at his side. I could make him happy — in ways you never will."

The memory of last night flashing through my mind. The green mist. The hypnotized guards. The control she so effortlessly wielded.

And now, here she was — pretending to be the selfless friend.

I had to be careful. Whatever Seline was planning, it wasn’t as innocent as she wanted me to believe.

"You think Damien will agree to that?" I asked, masking my suspicion.

She gave a soft, almost pitying smile. "Eventually. But he doesn’t need to know at first. We can make the switch just before the ceremony. Once it’s done, there’s nothing he can do."

I didn’t respond. I could feel her watching me, waiting for any sign of agreement.

But there was no way I was going to play into her hands.

"I need time to think about this," I said, keeping my voice neutral.

Seline’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "Of course. Take all the time you need."

She reached out, brushing my arm with a gentle touch that made my skin crawl.

"Remember," she whispered, "we’re friends now. And friends help each other."

I forced a smile, but the moment she turned away, my expression hardened.

She thinks she can take me for a fool. But I wasn’t about to let Seline get away with whatever twisted plan she was concocting. She may have fooled Damien with her innocent act, but I’d seen the truth.

There was no doubt in my mind — she was planning something. And whatever it was, it wouldn’t end well for him.

And even though I don’t love Damien, that doesn’t mean I want something terrible to happen to him.

He could be controlling, arrogant, and manipulative, but I wasn’t like him. I didn’t wish harm on people, even if they deserved it. And if Seline was capable of using her powers to control the guards, who knew what she could do next?

I have to warn him.

But the moment I started walking, doubt crept in.

Would he even believe me?

Damien wasn’t the type to trust people easily — not unless it benefited him. And after my refusal to marry him, the tension between us had only grown thicker.

He might think I was just trying to stir up trouble. Or worse, that I was trying to manipulate him the same way Seline was.

But I couldn’t ignore what I saw.

No matter how complicated things were between us, he needed to know.

If there was even a slight chance that I could stop whatever she was planning, it was worth it.

Finally, I reached his door.

The dark wooden surface stood tall and intimidating, just like the man behind it. I could already feel the tension thickening, knowing Damien wouldn’t be thrilled to see me.

But none of that mattered.

I lifted my hand and knocked.

No response.

I knocked again, this time harder.

Still nothing.

My fingers hovered over the handle, uncertainty flooding me. He could be ignoring me. Or maybe he wasn’t even here.

I swallowed the lump forming in my throat and hesitated.

"Damien," I called out, trying to keep my voice steady. "I need to talk to you. It’s important."

The silence dragged on.

Just as I was about to knock one more time, the door creaked open.

And there he was.

Damien stood in the doorway, his tall frame looming. His eyes darkened, scanning me with an unreadable expression. He wore a loose black shirt, the sleeves rolled up, revealing the powerful muscles of his arms.

My breath hitched.

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

Then, without breaking eye contact, Damien’s voice came low and sharp.

"It seems you have finally come to your senses, Ariana.”

"I’m not here to take back what I said," I replied firmly, meeting his gaze. "I came to talk about something else."

His brow arched, but a flicker of curiosity danced behind his irritation. For a moment, he simply studied me, as if trying to decipher why I was standing at his door after everything that had happened.

"Is that so?" He didn’t sound convinced.

"Yes."

Damien didn’t move at first, the tension thick between us. But then, with a resigned sigh, he stepped aside and gestured toward the room.

"Fine. Come in."

Damien closed the door, the soft click echoing behind me.

"Speak," he said, crossing his arms as he leaned against the doorframe. "What could possibly be so important?"

I took a deep breath, steadying my thoughts. Seline’s twisted smile, her glowing green mist, the hypnotized guards — it all flashed in my mind.

"I need to talk to you about Seline," I said, my voice even.

Damien’s expression hardened. "What about her?"

"She’s not who you think she is."

He scoffed, shaking his head. "Is this some pathetic attempt to slander her because you dislike her?"

“That isn’t it-”

"Because she was making sense yesterday?" Damien interrupted, his voice laced with venom. "You embarrassed me in front of everyone, and now you’re trying to turn it around by accusing Seline of something ridiculous?"

I clenched my fists at my sides, trying to remain calm. Of course, he’d think this was some personal vendetta. That was just like him — to dismiss anything that didn’t fit his perfect little narrative.

“Damien listen-”

“Do you want to know why I didn’t come and storm to your room yesterday?”

I swallowed, bracing myself. "Why?"

"Because of Seline," he spat, every word dripping with accusation. "She came to me. She explained everything — said you’re probably just going through a phase."

"A phase?" I echoed, disbelief washing over me.

He nodded sharply. "She said she’s been trying to get closer to you, to help you, but you push everyone away. And it’s obvious, Ariana."

Of course, she did. Seline wasn’t just manipulating the guards. She was manipulating him too —twisting the narrative to make herself look like the innocent, concerned friend.

And he fell for it.

"That’s not true," I shot back,

But he only laughed bitterly. "You think rejecting the marriage gives you the right to throw accusations around like a spoiled child?"

The more I tried to explain, the more he twisted my words against me. Seline had already done her damage, planting doubts and feeding him whatever lies she wanted.

He wouldn’t believe me. Not without proof.

If I want him to see the truth, I’ll need evidence. Spying on Seline — trying to catch her in the act. Never said it would be easy, but it was the only way. Words wouldn’t convince Damien. Only undeniable proof would.

But right now, I had to change tactics.

I took a shaky breath, lowering my gaze as if I were ashamed. "Maybe you’re right," I said softly.

Damien’s glare remained fixed on me, waiting.

"Maybe I was just… overthinking everything," I continued. "I haven’t been myself lately. I guess everything has just gotten to me."

His eyes narrowed slightly, suspicious of my sudden change. But the anger in his expression slowly eased.

"So, you finally see how ridiculous you sounded?" he asked, his voice still laced with irritation.

"I do," I nodded, plastering on the most convincing apologetic expression I could muster. "I’m sorry, Damien. I shouldn’t have said those things."

For a moment, I thought he might question me further. But then, satisfaction flickered in his eyes.

"Good," he said, his tone smug. "At least you’re finally thinking straight."

I swallowed the bile rising in my throat.

"Can I go now?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

He gave a slight nod. "You may."

I turned and opened the door, the tension in my body unrelenting. But just as I stepped forward, his voice stopped me cold.

"And Ariana," he called.

I froze, my hand still on the door.

"You’re in my territory," he said, his voice low and possessive. "And only I can love you for who you are."

My stomach twisted.

"Lycus rejected you," he continued, the words laced with venom. "He never came for you. He doesn’t care. If he did, he would have shown it. But he didn’t. Because he’s already forgotten about you."

My grip on the door handle tightened, but I didn’t turn around. I couldn’t.

"And I," Damien’s voice lowered, sending an unsettling chill down my spine, "will not let anyone else have you. Not even him."