Chapter 16 Chapter 16
ANNA’S POV
I went back to my new room in the servant’s quarters that night.
It was small—just one old wooden bed, a cracked mirror, and a window that barely opened. Since my stepmother became the head maid, the castle had given me this place to stay. I tried to tell myself I didn’t mind.
At least it was quiet here.
But tonight, I was angry with myself.
I shouldn't have listened to Elijah. After what he did to me, he didn't deserve any love in his life. And now, he might have just ruined the only friendship I had in the Pack.
I sat on the bed, gripping my blanket. My chest felt heavy, and my thoughts wouldn’t stop spinning.
Then it came again.
A familiar sharp pain in my head.
It started at the back of my skull—just a small sting—but it grew quickly. I groaned and held my head, pressing my palms against my temples. The pain was sharp, stabbing, like something inside me was trying to claw its way out.
“Ah—!” I gasped, bending forward.
It felt like a wave crushing my skull. My breathing grew fast and uneven, and I couldn’t even open my eyes.
For a moment, I thought I’d pass out.
And then, just like always, it stopped.
The silence afterward was worse. My body trembled, and my skin felt cold. It had been happening often lately—these sudden pains that came and went without warning. It had been happening ever since I realized I couldn’t remember some parts of my life.
There were moments that felt… missing. It felt like whole chapters of me were gone. Every time I tried to recall, my head punished me with that burning pain.
I breathed deeply, forcing myself to calm down.
Then I remembered what Elijah said earlier.
“Damon is dangerous...”
I chuckled softly to myself, shaking my head.
He must have heard about that one night stand between me and Damon and gotten jealous. Of course he would. Men were all the same—acting like they cared, but really just trying to control you.
Men were so predictable.
And pathetic.
They could betray you, lie to you, pick your best friend over you, and then still act like they had the right to tell you who to talk to.
Honestly, Elijah thought he was so smart—giving me rules, acting like protectors, when he was the very person who caused my pain in the first place. Elijah had no right to warn me about Damon. He had no right to warn me about anyone.
I got up and walked to the window, pushing it open a little. The cold night air brushed my skin. The moonlight made the castle garden below look peaceful—all soft white roses and silver dew.
For a moment, I just stood there, staring.
It was so beautiful it almost made me forget everything.
Then—
THUD!!!
Something black slammed into the window with a loud crack.
I gasped and stumbled back.
It was a black crow.
Its body hit the glass so hard that it left a red smear before falling onto the window ledge. Its wings twitched once—and then it went still.
My eyes widened in horror.
Blood... There was blood on my window.
The sight made my stomach twist and I covered my mouth, stepping back until I hit the table. My hands were shaking.
“What in the world…” I whispered.
Before I could move, before I could even think—I turned toward the door to run out—
And bumped right into someone.
I gasped.
Strong hands caught me before I fell.
It was him.
It was Damon.
The air in the room seemed to shift as soon as I saw him. His presence filled every corner, dark and magnetic. He looked down at me with a calm smile—one that almost reached his eyes.
“Careful, sweetheart,” he muttered softly. “You almost ran straight through me.”
My heart skipped a beat.
“I—I didn’t see you...” I stammered, stepping back slightly.
It was the second time I’d bumped into him, and I swear it felt just as startling as the first.
He was just so… annoyingly attractive.
There was something about him—the way his voice was smooth, the way his silver eyes glowed faintly under the candlelight. He looked dangerous but calm, cold but somehow warm at the same time.
He noticed me staring and tilted his head, amused. “What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“A crow just—” I pointed toward the window, but when I looked back, the body was gone.
My mouth fell open. “It—it was there! I swear it was just there!”
He raised an eyebrow. “You mean a crow?”
I blinked. “You saw it?”
He shrugged. “I didn't see any crow, Anna.”
He said it so casually it made me frown.
“What are you doing here?” I asked.
He smiled faintly. “Visiting.”
“Visiting a maid’s room?”
“Visiting you, Anna.” he corrected smoothly.
I crossed my arms, pretending not to be affected by his attractive charm. “Well, your brother thinks you’re dangerous and I should stay away from you.”
Damon chuckled softly. “Of course he did. Of course, Elijah would tell you to stay away from me. I just don't know why he hates me so much. He's always been so jealous of me.”
I frowned. “Jealous?”
He took a step closer, slowly and confidently. “He can’t stand that you talk to me. He’s afraid you might start to like me.”
I rolled my eyes. “I would never like you...”
But even as I said that, I knew I was lying through my teeth. Damon was insanely hot and attractive. He had all the girls in the Pack falling for him ever since he returned days ago.
He moved closer to me again, standing just a few steps away now. I could smell something faint on him—something like smoke and cedar.
For a moment, his gaze lingered on me, almost like he could see through me. Then he changed the subject. “You’ve never met someone like me before, have you?”
“A hybrid?” I asked, sitting slowly on the bed.
He nodded.
I shook my head. “I’ve never really seen a vampire either.”
He chuckled softly. “Would you like to?”
I looked up, unsure if he was joking. “See what?”
He smiled, but his voice dropped lower. “Would you like to see that part of me.”
I hesitated, my curiosity battling my fear. Something inside me whispered to say no, but I didn’t.
“Alright,” I said quietly.
His grin deepened, and he stepped into the faint light. His eyes turned darker—from silver to black—and before I could blink, his teeth lengthened into sharp, perfect fangs.
I froze, breath caught in my throat.
It should have scared me, but instead… it fascinated me. He looked less human now—wild, dangerous, yet beautiful in a way that didn’t make sense.
He tilted his head slightly, watching me. “Still not afraid of me?”
I shook my head, even though my heart was racing. “No, I'm not.”
He took a slow step closer.
Then another.
Before I could move, he reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. His touch was light, almost careful.
“You should be...” he whispered.
My breath stopped.
He moved closer still, until the space between us disappeared. I could feel the warmth of his breath against my skin, the soft brush of his fingertips at my waist. Every nerve in my body came alive.
He suddenly leaned in—his voice a low murmur against my ear. “Do you want me to show you what it feels like…”
He paused—his breath lingering—a smile in his voice. “…when a vampire bites?”
"I don't understand—"
A smirk came on his face as he asked the question that sent shivers down my spine. "Do you want me to bite you, Anna?"
My heart skipped a beat.