*Selena*
I lost track of time as the night slipped away into dawn, the rising sun casting its gentle glow into the room. Exhaustion weighed heavily upon me, not just physically but mentally, leaving me unaware of its toll until the morning light began to filter through the curtains. My first waking thoughts drifted to Austin and Zander, wondering how they were doing without me.
Everything happened in a blink, and I couldn’t find the time to think or react… I couldn’t think or react on my own. What was happening to me, and why was it all so confusing? I didn’t want to be here but I couldn’t deny coming here. What the actual fuck was about it?
“I feel the same as you do, Selena,” Arena’s voice whispered in my mind.
“Why do I feel the mate bond with Damon while still marked by Zander?” I groaned. “Ah… this is so confusing.”
As per normal norms, the mate bond with a fated mate faded if your chosen mate marked you. Rarely did werewolves accept a fated mate after bonding with a chosen mate, just like in the case of Maddox and Blair, where Emile, Maddox’s mate, betrayed him. Consequently, the bond weakened, and Maddox could bond with Blair after rejecting Emile. However, in Zander and my scenario, neither of us wanted to reject each other, and yet the bond with Damon seemed stronger. Something strange was going on.
“And we need to find out,” Arena encouraged.
“Yes, I need to find out,” I murmured unconsciously. I missed Austin and Zander. It was strange that despite feeling connected with Damon, I couldn’t stop thinking about Zander and could feel the pain of our separation that he might be feeling. It seemed we were bound by our souls.
I surveyed the room, taking in its beige color scheme that extended to every corner, including the furniture and furnishings, all draped in various shades of off-white. A large queen-size bed dominated the center, accompanied by a dresser adorned with an array of cosmetic items.
Stepping towards the walk-in closet, I discovered a collection of luxurious clothing and dresses neatly arranged.
I exhaled softly as I approached the window, noting its considerable height above ground level. Below, vampire guards and soldiers patrolled diligently, their watchful eyes scanning the surroundings. The security measures appeared robust, extending as far as my vision could reach.
Closing the curtains, I turned towards the door. As it swung open, I found myself face to face with guards stationed just outside. It seemed Damon’s trust in his own mate was lacking and it was going to be interesting.
“My Queen!” they all bent on one knee and touched the left side of their chest with their fist. Their heads hung low.
I inwardly rolled my eyes, knowing I wasn’t their queen officially, yet Damon insisted on them addressing and respecting me as such. He was always rushing things, eager for me to adapt to my new life as a vampire queen.
I nodded to them with a soft smile before leaving my room, half expecting them to stop me or follow, but they did neither.
Lost in the labyrinthine corridors of the vast castle, I couldn’t decide where to go or how to find Damon.
“My Queen!” Harper’s sudden appearance startled me, and relief flooded through me as my problem was solved.
“Harper, right?” I asked, seeking confirmation.
“Yes, my Queen!” she replied with deference.
“Would you give me a tour of this castle?” I asked politely. She appeared conflicted.
“I am getting bored in my room,” I shrugged.
“Of course, my Queen,” she smiled softly before gathering the edges of her gown and slightly bowing in respect. “This way, please,” she gestured in a direction, and I walked happily alongside her.
“This is our kitchen, and you can order whatever you like and decide the menu for meals,” she informed me.
“I decide on the menu?!” I was surprised. “But I just arrived here and don’t know much about Vampire meals,” I protested.
“Vampires generally don’t eat. Only hybrids or the human slaves working here need to be fed,” she explained.
“Oh!” I exclaimed, looking around.
“Shall we proceed?” she asked politely.
I nodded as I strode behind her.
“This is the library,” she announced, gesturing towards the expansive room that resembled a grand hall, lined with towering bookshelves. It seemed like a labyrinth, where one could easily get lost amidst the volumes.
“You can come here and read to pass your time whenever you’re bored,” she advised.
“Hmm,” I agreed softly.
“Do you want to have a look?” she asked.
“No, I will come here sometime later. Right now, I want to see Damon,” I informed her.
“The King is busy and he left early in the morning for some urgent work,” she replied hesitantly.
“Oh,” I pretended to sound disappointed. “Where is his room?” I asked in a curiosity-laced voice.
“It’s one level down from your room,” she replied sincerely.
“Can I see his room?” I asked, hoping she would agree to give me a tour, secretly aiming to find some clues.
“Um, I’m sorry, my Queen, but King’s instructions…” she began to mumble, uncertainty evident in her voice.
“Oh, come on, Harper. I am your Queen, and I can surely visit your king’s room. After all, I am his mate,” I declared confidently.
“Yeah, right, my Queen,” she seemed to agree quickly.
“This way, please,” she led the way.
My heart raced as I entered Damon’s room. It was decorated in shades of grey and white, exuding a dark aura. I could feel the dark energies in the room. It was going to be difficult to spy on Damon.
Quietly, I began to roam around his room, trying to appear casual.
“Nice! This room is beautiful but very dull,” I muttered as if I were already envisioning myself living here.
“I need to change a lot before I move into his room,” I grunted, scrunching my nose in disgust.
“King will be pleased to know you’re ready to move in,” Harper said. Suddenly, my eyes landed on a large portrait covered by a silk cloth.
“What’s this?” I inquired, feeling drawn to the portrait as I moved towards it.
“My Queen, the King doesn’t like anyone to touch his personal stuff,” Harper warned, but I ignored his caution.
With determination, I gripped the edge of the silk cloth and pulled it away, revealing the picture beneath. I gasped at the sight of it. The lady in the portrait looked exactly like me, but it wasn’t me, that much was certain.
“Who is she?” I mumbled, but Harper remained silent, either unaware of her or unwilling to divulge.
Then something clicked in my mind as I recalled my past conversation with Damon.
“She is… Arabella!” I announced, turning around to find Damon standing at the door.