Damian
“Daddy!” she exclaimed, dropping her bag and rushing over to me. I couldn’t help but smile wider as I stood up, opening my arms wide to welcome her embrace.
“Hey, sweetheart. I missed you so much,” I said, scooping her up into a tight hug.
“More than the air you breathe?” My daughter questioned me with a smirk on her lips, and I grin at her mischievousness.
“Yeah, more than the air I breathe,” I chuckled, and she squeezed me tightly, burying her face against my chest.
“Where did you go, Daddy? I was so worried,” she mumbled, her voice muffled against my shirt. I held her close, feeling a rush of love and gratitude for her presence.
“It’s okay, honey. I’m here now,” I reassured her, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.
“But you were gone, Daddy, and I was lonely,” she muttered sadly.
“I just had an unexpected adventure, that’s all,” I explained. She pulled back slightly, her eyes wide with curiosity.
“An adventure? Tell me all about it!” she exclaimed, her excitement contagious. I chuckled, affectionately ruffling her hair.
“Maybe later, sweetheart. Right now, I just want to enjoy being with you,” I said, holding her close as I cherished the precious moment with my daughter.
“But daddy. You were gone for three days. I mean three fucking days.” She cursed, her eyes widening in horror as she realised what she had said, quickly placing a hand over her mouth.
“Hey, no bad words, remember?” I gently scolded her, and she bowed her head.
“Sorry, daddy, I just want to know all about your adventures,” she said, and I nodded in understanding, walking back to my seat. I made sure she was comfortable, and her eyes widened innocently in curiosity, causing a sudden shift in the atmosphere.
“Tell me, Daddy, did you go to see Mama?” she asked, her eyes searching mine for answers. I froze, caught off guard by her question.
“What? No, sweetheart, why would you think that?” I replied, trying to hide the unease in my voice. She hesitated, biting her lip nervously.
“Um… Alex told me,” she admitted reluctantly, avoiding my gaze. My heart sank at her words. Alex had told my daughter this?
Here, I was thinking it was just a coincidence that I had seen the little man in the dark forest. But still, there’s no way. If he told her this, then it meant he was in the class while I was in the forest. How could he have magically transported himself there unless he was some kind of wizard or something?
Wizard?
I laughed internally at my silly imagination. Alex was just a scared little boy craving his father’s attention. I had seen how weak he was when I scared him for attacking my daughter; he was the opposite of the strange small man I saw in the forest. I was positive that all this was just a coincidence.
“Don’t mind, Alex, dear,” I chuckled gently, reaching out to cup her cheek and coaxing her to meet my eyes for reassurance, but she squirmed under my gaze, a guilty expression crossing her face. Did he say something else?
“I… I don’t know, Dad. He sounded serious, and he said something about you bringing back my mother so that we can finally leave his own mother for him while we focus on ours. It made me sad, Papa. I thought you went to see Mom without taking me along, just like you promised,” she mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper. I sighed, feeling a mix of frustration and resignation. Why would he say that?
“I want to reassure you that I would never visit your mother alone without bringing you along,” I said, offering her a reassuring smile. “I did promise to bring her, and I will, but at the appropriate time. Your mother is busy with her own life now, and we need to give her some space, but she will come to you soon. I promise.” She nodded, seeming to understand, and I pulled her into another hug, holding her close as I silently vowed to protect her from any further confusion or hurt.
I was stunned at the fact that Ruby Son knew about my bringing back my dead ex-mate. My mind raced as I tried connecting dots, which I might have missed earlier when I thought about the little boy in the forest of darkness. Alex’s look-alike sudden appearance in the Forest of Darkness and his cruel words to my daughter-it all seemed too convenient now.
A sense of suspicion crept over me as I considered the slight possibility that Alex might have been the same boy in the forest and his hidden motives for helping me-if he truly was, which I still found impossible.
An important question swirled in my head: how could a young boy, no more than seven, save me?
But, come to think of it, Ruby was his mother, and she had magically healed me and practically saved me from death. She could possibly be a powerful witch, so technically, he also has her blood flowing through him. However, if he was just an ordinary boy and I was mistaken, then what did he hope to gain by sowing seeds of doubt in my daughter’s mind?
I made a mental note to keep a closer eye on Alex, wary of his actions and intentions. It was clear that I couldn’t underestimate him as I once had until I resolved to confront him and get to the bottom of his involvement in this tangled web of deception.
Our conversation came to a natural pause, and I glanced down to notice my daughter had drifted off to sleep with her head resting on my shoulders. She must be exhausted, as the weight of the day has probably taken a toll on her. Carefully, I picked her up into my arms, cradling her. I stood up, mindful not to wake her, and made my way to her room. Gently laying her down in her bed, I tucked her in snugly, brushing a stray lock of hair from her forehead before planting a tender kiss on her forehead.
I just had to make sure I got back the flower of life so that I could reunite her with her mother, and to do so, I had to get in contact with my beta. I would send someone to look for him if I had to so that I could get to my sister as soon as possible and perform the necessary ritual. It was time to put an end to my promise.
With a soft sigh, I quietly exited her room, leaving the door slightly ajar, and made my way back to my office as my mind was still buzzing with thoughts of James’s possible betrayal. I needed to send men out there to look for him as soon as possible; time wasn’t on my side.
I stepped into my office to unexpectedly find my beta seated, waiting for me, his posture rigid and his eyes darting towards me anxiously. I maintained a stoic expression to conceal my surprise.
Maybe he didn’t steal the flower like I had thought, because if he did, then why would he come back knowing he would end up as a dead man?
“Look who finally decided to show up. Where have you been?” I asked, my tone betraying a hint of frustration. It was unlike him to disappear without explanation, especially during such a critical time. My beta shifted uncomfortably, avoiding my gaze for a moment before meeting my eyes with an apologetic look.
“I had to attend to some urgent pack matters,” he explained, though his response sounded rehearsed, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was hiding something. I narrowed my eyes, studying his demeanour for any signs of deception.
“You are lying to me, James. I can’t believe it; this is the first time you are doing it. We have known each other for almost thirty years, and you have never fucking lied to me, so why now?” I yelled as I watched him scratch his chin nervously, and a bead of sweat dropped from his forehead to the ground.
Something was definitely wrong, and I was determined to get to the bottom of it.
“Why won’t you talk? Tell me, where have you been, James? I am asking you not as an alpha to his beta but as best friends. I was almost at the point of death, but instead of you being by my side, you just disappeared into nowhere, and now you won’t talk? Goddess,” I snapped, and he stood up awkwardly, his gaze flickering away momentarily before meeting mine.
“I had to leave you in Ruby’s care, and then I went in search for the doctor,” he explained, his tone defensive. I frowned, feeling a surge of irritation at his explanation.
“But the doctor came back without you? Why did you have to leave just like that?” I pressed, my brows furrowing in disbelief, and I could see hesitation boldly written on his face, showing that he didn’t want to reveal the reason for his abrupt departure while I ran my hand through my hair in frustration.
“Fine, you don’t have to tell me, but where is my flower of life? I can’t find it,” I demanded.
“I had to deliver the Flower of Life to your sister,” he admitted solemnly.
“What?” My jaw dropped in shock, my eyes widening with disbelief. “You left me to die just to save my sister first?”I questioned, and I could feel my heart sink, conflicting emotions swirling inside me.
“She’s my mate,” he confessed, his voice heavy with emotion. His eyes were pleading for understanding, and I struggled to find the words to respond. Selene was his mate? But she was a hybrid, so how?
“My sister is your mate.” I repeated, incredulous, while he nodded his head with a sombre expression.
“I know it’s hard to understand, but I couldn’t stand by and watch her suffer,” he explained, and I sighed, feeling a mix of emotions swirling within me-anger, confusion, and a tinge of empathy for his plight.
Goddess, this is all too much, but after hearing this, I could understand why he disappeared by placing myself in his position. I would have done the same if I knew Ruby was in danger without a second thought.
“I understand,” I finally conceded, though the sting of his abandonment still lingered.
“Thank you, Damian; the rest of the flower is here,” he said, placing a bag on my desk. I settled into my chair, the weight of his confession still heavy on my mind. With a sigh, I picked up a document, attempting to focus, but I could feel my beta’s gaze lingering on me. Unable to concentrate, I dropped the paper and met his eyes.
“I need you to find out everything you can about Lilith’s uncle, the council president,” I instructed, my voice firm. My beta nodded, his expression serious as he absorbed my request.
“What do you need it for?” he inquired, curiosity evident in his tone. I hesitated, debating how much to reveal since he had also been reluctant to share his secrets with me.
“Just gather the information. I’ll explain later,” I replied vaguely, not wanting to reveal my true intentions. He eyed me suspiciously but nodded in agreement.
“Got it, Alpha. I’ll start right away,” he said, moving to carry out my orders.
“Wait,” I called out, and he paused, turning to face me.
“Just because my sister is your mate doesn’t mean you have my blessings yet. So, you better treat her right,” I warned, my expression serious.
“With my life,” he grinned confidently before leaving the room.
As he departed, a feeling of unease settled over me. I was determined to assist Ruby in her quest for revenge and help get rid of all her enemies, no matter the cost.