Chapter 16
“Father has selected another good husband for her and she still refuses to come back. Such a heartless woman.”
Selene Rivers’s so-called father, who sat right beside Victor, ignored the hurtful words and instead looked at her with disdain. His chosen groom for her was eighteen years older and had been bound three times before-each mate having died mysteriously.
Selene clenched her fists tightly under the table, forcing herself to ignore their cruelty. She could not afford to react, not here, not now. But the stress and the morning sickness she had battlec all week were becoming unbearable.
Damien Blackthorn’s rich, dark voice grew faint as, midway through the council talks, a wave o nausea hit Selene hard. Her ears rang and her vision blurred. Without a word she stood abruptly and rushed out of the hall, her hand pressed to her mouth.
‘How rude! Why have you employed such a foolish girl who does not even know how to behave? Even though she is my daughter, I am ashamed-” Mr. Rivers began.
‘Mr. Rivers, you have a bad habit of speaking out of turn. You seem to forget your place quite frequently; if it happens one more time it will not bear well for you.” The entire chamber quieted afraid to incite the wrath of the Blackthorn heir known to hold grudges, as Selene’s father palec and froze in place.
Damien paused the presentation and rushed outside, followed stealthily by Victor and Leonard. He found Selene in the nearby washroom, tears staining her cheeks as she leaned over the basin and splashed cold water on her face.
‘Selene-” Damien said gently, making her turn to look at him; he caressed her back to soothe
ner nerves.
‘I-I am so sorry. I ruined everything… I am just so sorry,” Selene whispered, vulnerable from the cruel taunts and burning sickness, avoiding Damien’s gaze as tears streamed down her face.
‘Selene.” Damien’s voice was firm. “You are the woman I would fight the world for. Do you reall think this petty matter affects me?”
4 gasp escaped her as she looked at Damien in surprise; she could not find words. Her hands trembled with emotion.
‘Damien, I… I am too broken to love again,” she said.
‘Then don’t love me at all,” Damien replied. “But if not for your happiness, then for mine-don’t ever listen to those bastards. Remember you hold Damien Blackthorn’s heart captive and you have me wrapped around your fingers. Just live happily, Selene.” His tone left no room for argument. Butterflies stirred in her chest; she did not dare look directly at him as his pine scent made her senses hazy.
“Let’s take you home, hmm.”
“There is still a lot of work…” Before she could protest, Damien lifted her into his arms.
“Selene, let’s go.” Her heart pounded wildly, unaware that their moments together had been captured by a scrying stone.
Chapter 16
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The ride to her cottage was quiet and she fell asleep. She woke in the evening to the sound of her grandmother’s sweet laughter as the old woman talked animatedly with Damien. Tool embarrassed to show herself, Selene peeked from her room; Damien caught her watching.
“You need to eat something, Selene. We have to ensure the young ones are healthy,” he said, rolling up his sleeves. “Grandma and I were discussing your favorite dish-I’ll make supper.”
“No, Damien, you don’t have to-”
“Selene, sweetheart, your young lord made me a cake. Hurry up and try it!” Grandma interrupted, her eyes lighting up when she saw Selene at the doorway.
Soon the aroma of food filled the cottage. Damien brought out the dishes and set them down. Despite earlier nausea, Selene’s stomach growled. Damien filled her plate in small portions as he sat beside her. “Eat slowly,” he instructed. “And drink this tea. Grandma says it helps.”
The warmth of the meal brightened Selene’s mood. Throughout supper she did not have to serve anyone; Damien kept filling her plate and urged her to eat well-unlike Adrian Blackthorn, who had made sure she ate little to keep herself in shape.
After supper, when she went to see him off, Damien looked amused as Selene stuttered in embarrassment. “T-thank you,” she managed.
“It’s the least I can do, Selene,” he said with a small smile. “I was thinking-if you could do me a favor?” Eager to help, she nodded.
“Actually, I usually skip midday meals because I have no one to eat with. Could I come to your house for supper every day?” he asked.
Her heart skipped a beat and she nodded; he laughed. For the first time in a long while she felt cared for, wrapped in the warmth of wolves who looked after her.
While Selene’s life slowly improved, Adrian Blackthorn, after losing her, began drowning himself in drink. Sitting in their chamber surrounded by the rose scent that reminded him of her, he drank as his message crystal pulsed again and again.
Finally he answered. “Hello, my lord, I am the steward of Star Lodges. We would like to know why you sold off such a fine property after just acquiring it.”
“What the hell are you talking about? I never acquired a lodge from you-and even if I did, it makes no sense to sell one of the capital’s most luxurious manors.” Adrian moved to sever the link, then froze.
“Your mate, Selene Rivers, finalized the purchase last moon. She said it was a surprise gift for your name-day.”
“Selene Rivers?” Adrian echoed, stunned.
“Yes, my lord. She wanted everything perfect for you. She told us she would surprise you at the feast with your friends.”
Chapter 16
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy DaisyNovel. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.