Chapter 26
Chapter 26
Daniel’s POV
I was only teasing Damien when I asked to have Bethany. He should’ve known better than to take me seriously.
There was no way I would risk my brothers‘ lives over a selfish desire. Even if I wanted her and I did the price was too steep.
With a sigh, I made my way to the flower garden. It was the only place that gave me a bit of peace. I was away from the curse. Away from the weight of our fate. Away from the doom that hung above me and my brothers.
The moment I stepped into the garden, though, I froze.
Bethany stood there, her back to me, watering the flowers. The late afternoon light bathed her in a golden glow, making her look so… Enchanting.
For a moment, I simply watched.
Her back… Goddess, even her back is charming. I remembered seeing her wash Damien in his memories and felt my body tighten with the desire to let her wash me too. Those beautiful, slender fingers wrapped around my cock, driving me insane.
Goddess.
I had seen many beautiful women, but Bethany was something else. She had a presence that commanded attention- mine and my brother’s–even without trying. If it weren’t for the dark energy around her, my brothers would have already made her our mate, ignoring her Omega status.
Why would the Moon Goddess give such beauty to that kind of darkness?
Just then, Bethany turned, her gaze meeting mine.
“Alpha,” she said softly.
I cursed inwardly. I had been enjoying the sight of her, and now it was over. If I had the power to tamper with memories, I would have made her stay like that a little longer.
Just a little longer.
I stepped closer, watching as she set down the watering can.
“Where is Selena?” I asked.
Bethany shook her head. “She’s not here at the moment.”
I glanced at the flowers she had been tending to, wracking my head for what to say, “It seems you love flowers.”
A small, genuine smile crossed her lips. It was a smile I had never seen on her before–soft, genuine. It made her even more beautiful.
“I do,” she admitted. “I used to plant and nurture flowers before my parents died.”
I frowned. “When did they die?”
Her smile faded slightly. “Years ago.”
Pain filled my chest and I knew it was hers. “Did you stop after that?”
“Yes. I went to live with my aunt, and… well, there was no time for flowers.”
Silence settled between us for a moment, Then, before I could stop myself, I said, “Has anyone told you that you look beautiful?”
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Chapter 26
Bethany blinked, then smiled again.
She turned slightly as if to leave, but I stepped forward, reaching for her hand. A sharp jolt ran down my spine.
“Are you avoiding me because Damien threatened you?”
Bethany hesitated before answering. “So you know… I guess you all agreed to, uhm, do that.”
I smiled to myself. I had found out because I read Damien’s memory, but I wasn’t going to tell her that.
Instead, I said, “You don’t have to hide from Damien. We can still talk. Whenever I need someone to talk to, I’ll call you.”
Before she could respond, a voice cut through the moment.
“You don’t need her when your woman is around,” Katrina said, her tone laced with amusement.
I turned to see Katrina standing there, a smirk on her face. She walked up to me, slipping her arm around mine. Then she looked at Bethany. “What are you still doing here? Don’t you have a job to attend to?”
Bethany’s jaw tightened, but she lowered her gaze and nodded. “Yes, Luna.”
I frowned. Katrina isn’t Luna.
As she turned to leave, I called after her. “Don’t forget.”
Bethany didn’t respond, only walked away and the hole in my chest simply widened.
Once she was gone, Katrina looked up at me. “Who is that?”
I shrugged. “A maid. Is there something you need?”
Katrina narrowed her eyes slightly but then smiled. “Nothing.”
I gently removed her arm from mine. “Excuse me.“.
She made a move to follow, but I stopped her with a look.
“I’d like to be alone.”
Katrina scoffed. “But you were just gisting with that maid earlier
That’s your punishment for ruining my beautiful time, I thought angrily.
And with that, I left her standing there, the scent of flowers and Bethany lingering around me.
Third-Person POV
Orion sat in his dimly lit study, his fingers tapping against the armrest of his chair.
The door burst open, and Sawyer rushed in, his face tense. Orion arched an eyebrow but didn’t rise from his seat.
“What is it?” Orion asked, his tone sharp.
Sawyer bowed his head slightly before speaking. “Damien sent Damon and Declan to Crimson Crescent Pack. They’re retrieving the engineers.”
Orion’s fingers stilled. His expression darkened.
The engineers. The very man he had prevented from following Minister Cassius. If Damien got to him now….
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Chapter 26
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Orion exhaled slowly, his mind already calculating. He had deliberately kept the engineer away so that the people did not rally behind the cursed Alphas. If those men returned with proof that Orion had stopped them from coming, then his chances of ruling would be zero.
He could not allow that.
“We need to act fast,” Orion said, rising from his chair. “If they discover what I’ve done, Damien will retaliate.”
Sawyer nodded, awaiting orders.
“Send word to our men stationed in Crimson Crescent,” Orion commanded. “They must find Damon and Declan before they return.” His gaze darkened. “Make sure they don’t come back alive.”
Sawyer hesitated. “Should we-”
“Do not question me,” Orion snapped. “Use poison. Make it untraceable. I don’t care how it’s done, but the engineers and they cannot leave that pack alive. If they do, my secret will be exposed.”
Sawyer swallowed hard and nodded. “I’ll send the message immediately.”
“Good,” Orion said, his lips curling into a cruel smile. “Let’s see how they handle a war they didn’t see coming.”
As Sawyer hurried away, Orion leaned back, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
If Damon and Declan died in Crimson Crescent, Damien would have no choice but to react with force. And if Damien’s hands were tied in war, who would guide the pack away from the bloodthirsty monsters?
Him.
A wicked chuckle escaped his lips.
The game had begun.
