Ruby
I woke up to a room bathed in soft moonlight, casting a gentle glow over everything. Blinking away the remnants of sleep, I sat up and surveyed the room. My heart skipped a beat when I noticed Damian looking at me with a tender expression. It took me a moment to realise that I was sleeping on the bedside with him.
Had he brought me up to lay by his side? How long had he been watching me? It was an awkward situation; I couldn’t recall the last time I shared a bed with someone who wasn’t my son.
“You look so peaceful when you sleep,” he remarked, breaking the silence between us. For a moment, we simply stared at each other, the weight of reality hanging heavy in the air.
I cleared my throat in awkwardness, unsure of how to respond. Without a word, Damian reached out and brushed stray hair from my face, his touch sending shivers down my spine. As his hand lingered on my cheek, I felt a rush of warmth spread through me.
Despite everything that had happened, there was a sense of peace in that moment, as if we were exactly where we were meant to be-it must be the mate bond at work.
Damian leaned closer, a small smile playing on his lips as his eyes searched mine with an intensity that took my breath away.
But amidst the captivating moment, questions and doubts swirled in my mind. Why was he so handsome and so manly, despite nearly succumbing to death? For a fleeting moment, I wished we were a normal mate-first chance mate, to be precise-with no complicated past and only united by a bond that could withstand even the darkest of times. Yet, reality quickly intruded, reminding me of the intricate web of our lives and that my life wasn’t a fairytale story.
“Why do you want me here if you’re planning to bring back your dead mate?” I blurted out, unable to contain my confusion any longer. Damian’s eyes widened in shock, his expression revealing a mix of surprise and guilt. He looked at me as if I had uncovered a deep, dark secret.
“How did you find out?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
“Does it matter?” I countered, frustration creeping into my tone as I glared at him. He could only close and open his mouth like a fish out of water. I sighed, taking a deep breath to calm myself.
“It was the last word you muttered to me before passing out in my arms,” I continued, my voice tinged with irritation and confusion. “But why, Damian? Why would you want to bring someone back from the dead?” I pressed, my brows furrowing in concern.
He hesitated, his troubled expression revealing the inner turmoil he was experiencing. He took a deep breath, like he was searching for the right words to use, before he finally spoke, his voice laced with uncertainty.
“It’s complicated,” he began, his tone heavy with emotion. “Ava’s death… it’s something I’ve never been able to come to terms with. And I feel guilty because my carelessness deprived Anna of having a mother. When I heard about the Flower of Life, I couldn’t help but think that maybe-just maybe-there was a chance to set things right.”
His words hung in the air between us, heavy with unspoken emotions. I could see the pain etched on his face and the turmoil of conflicting desires warring within him. And in that moment, I realised just how much he was struggling with his decision and tried to put myself in his shoes.
“But what about us?” I asked quietly, my voice barely a whisper in the stillness of the room.
“Why would you consider bringing her back to life when you have me as your second chance mate?” I shook my head, the frustration evident in my expression. “You know what? In fact, don’t answer that. It seems like you’re just using me for your own benefit.”
Memories of being manipulated and forced to leave with him flooded my mind. Damian’s gaze softened as he reached out to take my hand in his. “Of course I am not. I need you by my side because I care about you,” he replied earnestly, but his words rang hollow in my ears, and I couldn’t shake off the feeling of distrust.
Similar promises in the past had turned out to be lies, especially with Liam’s betrayal still fresh in my memory. I won’t be a fool twice.
“Damian, I’d be falling for your manipulation all over again if I let myself believe you, especially with your plans to bring back your dead mate,” I stated firmly, refusing to be swayed by his words. “I’ve learned not to trust men like you, and you can do whatever you want.”
“You can ask James. I’ve told you nothing but the truth, Ruby,” Damian insisted, sincerity evident in his voice.
“I don’t care what you do with your life, Damian,” I retorted, my tone unwavering. “If you wish to bring back your dead mate or grandmother, that’s your business, and I don’t care anymore. I won’t let myself be used again, not by you or anyone else.”
He looked at me; his expression hurt, as if my words had struck a chord within him, but I didn’t care.
“What can I say to make you believe me?” he asked, desperation evident in his voice. I shook my head, refusing to be swayed by his attempts at manipulation.
“You need me as much as I need you, Damian, and that’s why I saved your life,” I replied, pulling my hand away from his grasp.
“You saved my life? Why?” Damian asked, his eyes wide with surprise. I couldn’t help but scoff at his apparent forgetfulness. Didn’t he remember how close he had come to death?
“Yes, I did, and I didn’t do it for free. I have begun my revenge on Lilith, and that’s why I needed you to live. What is Lilith’s ultimate weakness?” I asked, getting straight to the point as my curiosity was piqued.
Damian paused, seemingly considering his words carefully. “You know it’s a lie. We both know you didn’t save my life just to get revenge on Lilith. But anyway, I had planned on helping you because I also want to get revenge too,” he admitted.
“Really?” I asked, surprised by his confession. I had assumed they had something going on-sexually.
“Yes, and her greatest weakness lies in her ambition,” Damian explained. “She craves power and recognition above all else. Since she could never be an alpha, she clung to other alphas to bask in their power by becoming their Luna. Unfortunately, your ex-mate fell for it, which is why he kicked you out.”
“I didn’t ask you to rub more salt in my wounds,” I replied, feeling a pang of hurt at the reminder of my past betrayal.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt you. But like you, I am also a victim of Lilith’s manipulation. Her ultimate dream is to become the Council President after her uncle,” Damian added.
To become the council president? I never expected Lilith to have such big dreams. But since she stole my dream, it’s only right to pay her back in her own way, right? A plan began to form in my mind as I processed this information.
“So, if we were to undermine her ambitions and thwart her plans for power, we could weaken her significantly,” I concluded. Damian nodded in agreement, a grim expression crossing his face.
“Exactly. We need to find a way to sabotage her aspirations and expose her for the power-hungry tyrant she truly is, although it would be really hard because Lilth and her uncle are super close and she has his support.”
I eyed Damian suspiciously, a knot forming in my stomach at his revelation. “How do you know about Lilith’s weaknesses?” I asked, my tone laced with suspicion.
Damian hesitated for a moment before sighing heavily. “It’s because Lilith is in love with me,” he confessed, his gaze dropping to the floor. I felt a surge of disbelief and anger rising within me.
“And you never thought to mention this before?” I demanded, my voice tinged with accusation. He looked up at me, his expression filled with remorse. “I didn’t want to cause unnecessary complications and misunderstandings; after all, you barely trust me.” He explained, his tone pleading for understanding. I let out a sigh, trying to process his explanation.
I suppose that makes sense,” I conceded, though a hint of scepticism lingered in my tone. It was a lot to take in, knowing Lilith’s feelings for Damian, but I couldn’t deny the potential leverage it provided.
I could use Lilth’s love for Damian to my advantage, and I just had to make sure Damian fell in love with me. Of course, I won’t fall in love with him either.
“It’s all right. I don’t know what Lilith did to hurt you, but all I know is that I want to taste her blood. I want to destroy her happiness just like she has done to me,” I declared, clenching my fists in frustration.
“So, what do we do now?” Damian asked, his voice betraying his uncertainty.
“Simple. I will become the council president,” I announced with a devilish grin, rubbing my palms together in anticipation.
“I can’t wait to see the look on her face when she sees me living her dream just like she did to mine,” I muttered to myself, but Damian seemed to catch my words and smirk in response.
“You have my support,” he said, and I nodded in acknowledgment, gazing out the window with a determined glint in my eyes. With the blood oath at my side, I knew I could manipulate him just as easily by making him my puppet.
“What’s funny?” Damian’s voice broke through my thoughts, and I realised I was grinning foolishly.
“Nothing,” I replied casually, trying to mask my true intentions.
If only he knew.