Chapter 22 Is something wrong?
CATHERINE
Immediately the timer dinged, I quickly pulled the cookies from the oven, and the golden-brown treats looked absolutely perfect, just as I had hoped. The sweet aroma filled the kitchen.
Mia leaned against the counter, eyeing the cookies with a playful grin as I laid them out on the plates.
“Those look amazing, my lady! Where are you off to now?”
I adjusted the plate of cookies in my hands, at the thought of delivering them myself.
“I’m going to give these to Damon.”
Mia raised an eyebrow with a glimmer in her eyes.
“You want me to take them to him? I mean, I am your maid after all. It would be best to hand it over to him on your behalf.”
I shook my head. “No, I want to give them to him myself. It’s important to me.”
“Important? How so?” Mia pressed. Obviously she was curious because knew minute, I wanted to kill them all in that castle but here I was offering cookies with a smile on my face.
I hesitated, considering how much to reveal.
“It’s personal,” I finally said, feeling a blush creep onto my cheeks. I didn’t want to share the deeper reasons behind my desire to personally thank Damon. On my part, I wanted to get a hint on why I suddenly fainted.
Mia studied me for a moment.
“Okay, I get it. I’m here if you need me, anyway.”
“I appreciate that, Mia,” I replied, genuinely touched. “But I think this is something I need to handle myself. It’s not just about the cookies; it’s about showing my gratitude directly too.”
“Fair enough,” Mia said with a light chuckle, stepping aside as I made my way to the door. “Damon’s a good Beta. He’ll appreciate the gesture.”
With one last glance at the plate of cookies, I nodded. “I wish he was.”
“Did you say something, my lady?”
“Never mind!”
Stepping outside, the cool air hit my face. I took a deep breath, letting the crispness fill my lungs.
I thought about what I would say as I hands the cookies over and how he might react. Would he be surprised? Happy? Not sure.
Arriving at Damon’s door, I paused for a moment.
With a final deep breath, I knocked on the door, feeling the warmth of the cookies against my palms as I awaited his response.
“Come in!” I heard Damon call from inside.
Pushing the door open, I stepped inside, all smiles. Damon was leaning against the wall, a relaxed posture that instantly made me feel at weird.
“Catherine?” Obviously, he was shocked. Nobody would expect the Queen to visit the Beta in his home. Not when we're always at logger heads since I was captured into the castle.
“Hey, I brought you something,” I said, holding out the plate of cookies, my cheeks warming at the gesture.
His eyes widened in surprise, and a grin broke across his face.
“Wow, cookies? You made these?”
“I did,” I replied with pride. “I just wanted to thank you for being there when I fainted. I was told this phase lasted for two days...”
“Catherine, this is incredible,” he interrupted, taking the plate and glancing down at the treats. “I can’t remember the last time someone baked for me.”
“Really?” I teased, a playful sparkle in my eyes. “Anyway, like I was saying, I was told by my maid that this phase lasted for two days, just like the last time.”
I made sure I emphasized on the last words.
Damon chuckled, his gaze meeting mine.
“I don’t think he’s much of a baker. But these look way better than anything I thought you could whip up. I might be spoiled after this.”
He changed the dire tion of the conversation. Now, my curiosity was more piqued.
I laughed, gritting my teeth as he inspected the cookies. “I hope you like them.”
“I’m sure I will. You have a great eye for baking.” He reached for one and took a bite and his face instantly lighted up. “Oh, wow. These are amazing!”
I smiled wider, getting angry that he was evading what I really wanted to know.
“I’m glad you like them.”
Damon wiped a crumb from his mouth, his eyes softening as he looked at me.
“You really didn’t have to do this, you know. But I appreciate it. It means a lot.”
“Oh no! I wanted to. You’ve been a good friend to the king and a good protector too and I just thought it was the right thing to do.”
He nodded, glancing at me with a side eye. He was probably beginning to think of what really brought me there and for once, I thought he was going to get me answers or clues.
“Friends look out for each other. And I’ll always be here for you, Catherine, and the King, whether you need cookies or someone to talk to.”
“Shit.” I cursed out loudly when he spoke.
“Is something wrong?” he asked.
I laughed hysterically, smirking. How could something not be wrong.
“Well... it's nothing.” I uttered instead.
As Damon finished another cookie, I noticed his gaze lingering on me longer than usual, his expression was not softened, almost different.
I shifted a little, getting uneasy and I couldn't help but think about what's probably going on in that head of his.
“These cookies are honestly amazing, Catherine,” he said. “You really went all out, didn’t you?”
I shrugged, trying to downplay my nervousness.
“Just wanted to show my appreciation.”
Damon nodded, though something flickered in his eyes, something I couldn’t quite read. Setting the plate down, he leaned forward slightly, resting his hands on his knees.
“You know, Catherine… I’ve been meaning to talk to you about Kane.”
The mention of Kane’s name made my stomach tighten. “Oh?”
“Yeah. I know you’re still trying to understand him, but…” Damon hesitated. “Kane isn’t exactly stable. You’ve probably seen his mood swings yourself.”
I blinked, taken aback. Was this really coming from Damon?
“Well, he can be intense, I suppose.”
Damon let out a quiet sigh, his voice dropping, almost as if he were revealing a secret.
“It’s more than that. He has a darkness in him, Catherine. A side that’s dangerous.” He looked at me carefully, gauging my reaction. “I don’t want you to get hurt. The last thing I’d want is for you to find out the hard way.”
My mind whirled, conflicting thoughts pressing in. I knew Kane had his moments of anger, but dangerous? Yes, I was suspecting him. But was Damon really saying this? I tried to shake off the doubt creeping in, but Damon’s words stuck with me.
“Are you saying Kane would hurt me?” I asked softly.
Damon’s gaze held mine.
“I don’t know if he would intentionally. But there's a part of him he can’t control, not entirely.” He shook his head. “I’m just looking out for you, Catherine. You deserve better.”
I was silent, grappling with what he’d said. It didn’t seem fair to Kane; I’d seen his vulnerability as much as his strength. But Damon’s warning casted faint shadow over my trust.
“Maybe you’re right,” I murmured, not fully convinced but feeling suddenly unsure. “But is this about his previous women?”
Damon reached out, resting his hand on mine.
“Just be careful, alright?” His eyes softened again. “I’d hate to see anything happen to you.”
I gave him a small nod, unsure of what else to say. But everything he said about Kane confused me even more.