Chapter 17
Chapter 17
85%
Damien’s POV
The door creaked open, and Nana stepped inside. The head maid was old but sharp, her eyes scanning the room as she took in the sight before her. She saw Bethany unconscious on my bed, my brothers standing around her like sentinels.
Herexpression flickered with surprise, but she quickly masked it with a polite bow. “Alpha Damien,” she greeted, then inclined her head toward my brothers. “Alpha Damon, Alpha Daniel, Alpha-”
“Cut it out with the greetings and examine her,” Declan growled looking irritated.
I watched her carefully, reading the shift in her body language. She was curious. The four of us together in the same room was rare. Seeing us gathered around an outsider, especially a woman, was unheard of.
“She was outside for too long.” I said, nodding toward Bethany. “Check on her.”
Nana didn’t question me. She moved to the bedside and began her examination, pressing a palm over Bethany’s forehead.
Daniel. I mind–linked him.
He tensed beside me. What?
Read her thoughts, I ordered.
He turned his head slightly, his golden eyes narrowing. Why?
I want to know what she thinks about us. About Bethany.
Daniel scoffed through the link. You hate using our abilities on our own people.
I know, I admitted. But I want to be sure she won’t gossip about this. Our reputation is already… Well you know.
Daniel hesitated, then closed his eyes. A brief silence passed before he spoke. She doesn’t think much of it. She’s surprised, yes. But she assumes we’re simply being careful with a guest. She’s loyal, Damien. She won’t betray us.
I exhaled. I had half a mind to tell Daniel to erase this moment from her memory, but I shook the thought away.
Nana has served us all our lives, I mind–linked back. It would be unfair.
Daniel nodded once, and I let the matter drop.
Nana straightened and wiped her hands on her apron. “She’s cold to the bone, but nothing serious. She needs warmth. Dry clothes.” She looked at me. “I will have the guards take her back to the maids‘ quarters.”
“No,” I said immediately. “The quarters are too cold, given the storm.”
Nana blinked. Now she’s surprised for real.
Before she can say anything, Daniel stepped before her smoothly. “We made her this way,” he said, his voice calm but firm. “It’s only right that we make sure she recovers properly.”
The head maid hesitated, then nodded. “As you wish, Alphas,” She turned toward the door but stopped suddenly.
“Alpha,” she said. “Miss Katrina will return next week. Should we still prepare her old apartment?”
My fingers twitched at the mention of her name. Katrina, our childhood friend. Orion’s cousin. The only woman besides Nana who had ever been allowed in our personal spaces.
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Chapter 17
“Yes,” I said. “Leave it as it is.”
She nodded and left.
Silence filled the room once again.
I turned to my brothers. “Leave.”
None of them moved.
“We’re staying,” Declan said simply.
I frowned. “Why?”
Damon smirked. “You really don’t feel it?”
I clenched my jaw. I feel it. Of course I felt it. I smelled it.
Her scent.
It had been subtle at first, masked by the rain and cold. But now that she was in my bed, warmth slowly returning to her body, it was undeniable. A mix of something sweet and something dark. Forbidden.
Damon inhaled deeply, rubbing his jaw. “Earlier, when I used my ability on her… she responded.” His gaze darkened. “Her arousal scent is the most intoxicating I’ve ever smelled.”
My stomach clenched.
“You’re losing control,” I warned.
Damon chuckled. “We all are, Damien.”
Declan stepped forward, his eyes locked onto Bethany. He groaned softly, curling his fingers as of truing to fight the urge to touch her. “Her scent is calling to us.”
Daniel exhaled sharply. “We should just take her. Once. We don’t have to accept the bond. We all know it’s dangerous, but…” He licked his lips. “Just once. I need to know what she tastes like.”
I felt something dark stir inside me.
Damon’s smirk turned wicked. “I can use my ability to make her aroused for us.”
“And afterward,” Daniel added, his voice smooth, “I can erase her memory. She won’t even know it happened. And we can keep her safe this way.”
I stared at my brothers, my grip tightening into fists.
They were serious.
And the worst part?
Some twisted part of me was considering it.
Third POV
A woman lay sprawled on minister Orion’s bed, her chest rising and falling and her body trembling from exhaustion. Orion barely spared her a glance as he fastened the belt of his trousers, rolling his shoulders with a satisfied sigh.
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Chapter 17
The Best Prabad apen, and sawyer appen met heed W DN
“Sorry. Master Sawyer said quirky
ction barely looked at him. De gem have a message, or do you simply enjoy interrogning, may
Yes, Master, Sawyer said
Before he could continue, Orion turned toward the bed and scowled. “What are you still doing here?” he barked at the womart
She Binched, her body wracked with pain as she struggled to sit up. Her arms shook as she reached for the thin sheet, wrapping it around herself is it could shield her from his cruelty.
“Get out.” Onion snapped.
The woman’s legs wobbled as she tried to stand. She took one step, then another, her breaths coming in ragged gasps. And then, without warning, she crumpled to the ground.
Orion sneered. “Tch. Another one?” He clicked his tongue in irritation, striding over to where she lay. He nudged her body with his boot. “What is it with these women?” he muttered. “Can’t handle a little pleasure before they drop dead?”
Sawyer didn’t so much as blink at the callous remark. This wasn’t the first time. And it wouldn’t be the last.
“Have someone clean up this mess,” Orion ordered, waving a hand dismissively. He turned back to his second–in–command, his sharp eyes gleaming with something dangerous. “Now, what did you have to say?”
Sawyer straightened. “I saw the head maid heading toward the North Wing,” he said. “At midnight.”
Orion’s expression darkened. He exhaled sharply through his nose, his fingers flexing as if resisting the urge to crush something in his grip.
“So,” he murmured, more to himself than to Sawyer. “Something must be wrong with the Alphas.” A slow, wicked grin spread across his lips. “Who knows? Maybe they’re having an episode of their curse… because the dark energy woman is around.”
He tasted the words as he said them, and his grin widened.
Sawyer hesitated before speaking again. “I’ve caught a trace of it once, Master. But it wasn’t strong enough to pinpoint its source.”
Orion’s gaze snapped to him. “Then find it,” he said, voice low and deadly. “Find her, Immediately.”
Sawyer inclined his head. “Yes, Master.”
Orion leaned back against the heavy wooden table, fingers tapping idly against the surface. “And while you’re at it, I want to know exactly what’s happening in the North Wing.” His eyes gleamed with cruel amusement. “It seems our dear Alphas are up to something they don’t want anyone to know.”
“One more thing,” he added smoothly. “I need you to get Bethany.”
Sawyer’s brows lifted slightly. “Bethany?”
Orio
turn
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