Chapter 13

He pulled out an all black clothing. Not that it mattered, as there was a ninety percent chance the shirt would not be returning to that room. Social events had a unique way of triggering Kronos. So far, none of the shirts he had worn to previous events had come back the same or even wearable

Finally prepared, Damon grabbed his sword, thrusting it into its sheath, and then slid the mask over his face. Suddenly, he lunged forward, ramming into the mirror, his arms bulging as he clutched the table. It was happening again—Kronos, for some reason, was having yet another fit. He clung to the vanity for composure, his breathing heavy and labored. A soaring pain ripped through his head, and he nearly buckled from the intense pain. Grabbing his head, the beast within roared, struggling to break free, letting out a loud growl. Damon's reflection stared back at him, inhuman red eyes glowing through the mask.

"Skip the ball," Kronos yelled. Now, this was a first—Kronos, frightened and compelling him not to go to a place so passionately.

Fighting the sudden urge to shift, his body tightened, arms contorting as his legs gave way under the second wave of intense, unbearable pain.

"Stop this madness this instant," he growled out.

"Skip the ball!" Kronos groaned back stubbornly.

After some agonizing moments, calmness returned. Damon stood there, gasping for breath, recovering from the struggle. His head gushed with blood, and steam filled the room, seeping from the injury. His wounds began closing slowly. He could heal faster from wounds inflicted by others, but self-inflicted wounds took longer. It was as if Kronos was taunting him, mocking him for hurting himself and purposely slowing down his wolf's healing process.

Damon glanced at his reflection once more. His eyes were almost back to normal, but blood still gushed from his head wound.

"Just great," he muttered to himself. The night hadn't even started yet. Taking off the soiled shirt, he headed back to the tub to wash off the blood.

Moments later, he descended the grand staircase, draped entirely in black, his face concealed behind a mask. Albert, the ever-watchful butler,couldn't resist suggesting, "Sire, it's not a masquerade ball. It would be best if you took off your mask."

Damon nonchalantly walked away, dismissing Albert's suggestion. "It's too much hassle," he stated, his voice carrying an air of indifference. As he approached the palace's bustling hall, the sounds of laughter and music intensified, signaling that the ball was in full swing.

Guests had already gathered, and a hush fell over the ballroom as Damon strolled through. Nervous glances followed him, and whispers rippled through the crowd. "Nigtfall's Demon prince," he overheard someone whispering to another. Unfazed by the attention, Damon pressed on, and people instinctively gave way as he moved through the crowd. His presence exuded darkness and brooding intensity, casting an aura of impending doom.

His destination was clear – the King. The monarch shifted uncomfortably in his seat as Damon approached, visibly nervous. Damon chuckled lightly, savoring the king's unease. Even the guards flanking the king appeared tense.

"You should try to relax, father," Damon teased, offering a small, mocking smile as he bowed slightly.

Brother." He greeted Aiden turning to the man standing next to the king. Aiden was a proper Prince fitting to inherit the throne after the king's passing.

The king was lucky he had another son. People said,One he didn't have to worry about killing him and taking over the throne, at least he had a responsible son he pass off his throne too.

With a subtle farewell, Damon withdrew to a table, retrieving a glass of wine and retreating to an isolated, partly hidden corner of the hall. Murmurs circulated in the background. "Why is he here?" voices whispered amongst themselves.

"Same question I've been asking myself." Damon stated picking on a middle aged man who had also asked the question.

The man cowered under his scrutinizing gaze and tried to hide himself.

Settling at his secluded spot and Sipping his wine, Damon observed the lively scene unfolding. From his vantage point, he scrutinized a giggling group of ladies at the far end of the hall, certain that his new bride was among them. A sinister smile crept onto his face as he envisioned Kronos having a thrilling time dealing with her, whoever she might be.

His eyes involuntarily drifted back to his brother. Aiden diligently carried out his princely duties, warmly welcoming the distinguished guests. Standing faithfully by his side was his mate, Lady Sophia.

Something interesting happened in that moment that captured Damon's attention and left him intrigued.

While welcoming guest, a man muttered something under his breath while engaging in pleasantries with Aiden before walking away. Gradually, Aiden's once bright smile faded, replaced by a visible cloud of anger. Determinedly, he stomped off in pursuit of the retreating individual, his frustration plain to see. In that moment, Sophia reached out and gently placed her hand on his arm, pulling him closer to her side.

Damon studied the two with a watchful gaze.

Was that was a mate is? He wondered to himself. She possessed an extraordinary ability to pacify him.

Men from Royal lineage were notorious for their propensity for sudden bursts of anger and tempestuous tempers.

That with the combined with having Kronos had turned Damon into a raving mad prince.

People often spoke of getting a mate as a perfect fit. He would over hear his knights who had found their mates talk about them at evenings during dinner with so much awe. Watching Aiden and Sophia now, he could understand a little of what he'd been told. Whenever Aiden talked with leaders they had strained relationship with, he would grab unto Sophia.

Mates were also a werewolves greatest weakness most times.

Damon turned away from the two. A mate was something he would never have the unfortunate circumstance of being burdened with. Kronos had made sure of it, a mate was a luxury he could never afford, there was no space in his life for such weakness.

With that in mind, he focused on watching other people.