Chapter 20
No sooner the class ended than Emmaline threw her bag on her back and exited the class. Weaving her way through the throng of students that were laughing and gossiping with each other, she made it to the exit of her department and left for the cafeteria.
As soon as she reached there, the delicious aroma of the eateries wafting through the air hit her nostrils. Her stomach grumbled loudly. Emmaline wrapped her arms around her stomach as the poor girl was starving. She hadn’t eaten anything for the last two days but there was nothing she could do to feed her empty stomach.
Emmaline darted her eyes around. She gulped down her drool watching her colleagues enjoying the hamburger, fries, lasagna, and varieties of meals decorated on their tables.
For the first time in her life, she felt the pain of loneliness. Though she had always pushed everyone away willingly, her heart always longed to get a single glance of concern. A person who truly cares for her but sadly, she had none.
Feeling her eyes burn, she immediately brushed those thoughts away.
What’s the point in desiring something which you can never afford?
With a heavy heart and glossy eyes, Emmaline forwarded her legs to leave the place when suddenly her head spun. She tried to grab something for support but all she could grasp was the air. Her eyes turned wide when her knees bent. She couldn’t maintain her balance anymore and went flying to the ground when someone grabbed her waist midway.
“Are you alright?”
A husky voice rang in her ears. Blinking her eyes to clear her vision, Emmaline looked up only to come face to face with a pair of bluish-green eyes staring at her meticulously. But what made her heart flutter was the owner of that pair of hypnotizing eyes.
A tall man with an aquiline nose, dark brown mullet with some rogue strands falling over his forehead, knife sharp jaw with slight stubble dusted on his cheeks was staring at her. His gaze was soft and filled with concern. The man had a blend of rugged and soft features. A perfect combo.
Emmaline looked down at his veiny hands that encircled her tiny waist. His hands were firm and warm. But his touch made her heart skip a beat. Poor Emmaline couldn’t stop the butterflies prancing in her stomach.
But as if struck by lightning, Emmaline quickly steadied herself and moved back startling the burly man. He tried to approach her again but she foiled his plans as without wasting a second, Emmaline turned her heels and scurried away.
The reason was the burning stares on her body. Emmaline could feel the envious gazes of her classmates. Though she doesn’t give a damn about it, she chose to escape ’cause she didn’t want to become the talk of the town again.
Not when one of them was the major reason behind her agony.
Meanwhile
Knight Corporation
Damien’s P.O.V.
“I am trying my best Dad.”
I replied to Dad in a boring tone who was continuously shouting at me from the other side of the phone.
After putting an end to the meeting with the clients, I returned to my cabin to get a nap. I was relaxing on my office chair with my legs on the table when suddenly I got a call from Dad. Without thinking twice, I pressed the cancel button because I knew that I would be getting an earful.
“IT DOESN’T LOOK THAT WAY TO ME DAMIEN!! IT’S BEEN MORE THAN TWO WEEKS AND THERE’S STILL NO NEWS OF THAT GIRL!! You are enjoying your life, rejecting your responsibility.” He continued giving me heaps.
I rolled my eyes in annoyance.
“I told you that I am trying, right? Moreover, you had shouldered that responsibility to me so let me do it my way. When I will get her, I will tell you.” My tone turned harsh. He was now pissing me off.
Dad couldn’t stifle the gasp that escaped his mouth. Of course, it was the first time I showed him attitude.
“YOU DARE GIVE ME GUFF? WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?? I PASSED ON THE BATON OF MY PACK THINKING THAT YOU WILL BE DEDICATED AND DEVOTED TO US. DO YOU WANT ME TO REGRET MY DECISION??” He shouted. I had to put away the receiver to protect his ears from his vociferous voice.
Having no choice, I patiently waited for my priggish father to complete.
I was already prepared for it so I had my answers ready beforehand.
He wanted me to kill Emmaline which I won’t do it. Never in a million years.
If it had been the past, after finding her real identity I wouldn’t have wasted a second and murdered her but now things have changed. I am in love with her. She might not be but she can’t run away. She has to accept me.
After all, I am her mate.
I knew it was her when I kept feeling the sparks. She felt it too and that confirmed my doubts. But that’s my least concern. Because if we weren’t mates, still I would have made her mine.
A chuckle escaped my mouth. It’s good that she’s my mate so I wouldn’t have to force her. I wouldn’t mind doing that but I don’t want to hurt my Princess more.
I haven’t still gained her forgiveness. Now any stupidity from my side would only exacerbate the situation more.
“YOU’RE LAUGHING?? AM I TELLING YOU A JOKE, YOU BRAT!! WHAT THE HELL YOU-“
“Chill Dad.”
I stifled my chuckle and spoke softly, trying to cool my father who was after my life.
“You know I had never abrogated my responsibility. You have always trusted me Dad, don’t let it sway. I promise you that I will expedite my search and bring good results soon.” I spoke gravely.
I tried to sound sincere which definitely thawed him. The silence on the other side was the proof.
I smirked internally.
Taking a deep breath he spoke, “Damien, I am worried. She is the only wolf of that clan who survived the catastrophe. Xander’s daughter will definitely come after us one day. You have to annihilate her before she becomes a great threat to us.” He spoke.
I smiled, “Of course Dad. Don’t worry. After all, she is my raison d’ etre.”
“What??” Dad spoke in confusion, cutting my words. I bit my tongue.
Shit, I need to control my emotions.
“I-I mean she is the reason for which I am here, leaving my pack behind. Dad, trust me, I won’t bring you down.” I tried to change the topic.
“I know son. You haven’t ever brought disgrace to me. I-I also apologize.” He spoke, his voice cracked.
My eyes turned soft.
“Don’t say like this Dad. You are my father; you have every right to get angry with me.”
Though Dad peeves me sometimes and can be condescending, I can’t get mad at him. Neither I can’t tolerate anyone disrespecting him or flouting him.
Dad laughed after hearing my heavy voice, “And you’re still the same boy who always used to cry in my arms after getting scolded. Anyways, stay focused, and don’t halt your training. I heard from Zico that you are slacking a bit. Why so huh? Don’t you remember you’re the Alpha now? That’s the example you’re going to set in front of your pack?” He grated.
I sighed. Here we go again.
I kept quiet and waited for him to finish his rant. But my silence irked him.
“Are you even listening to what I am saying??”
“Yes, Dad. I got what you’re trying to say.” I quickly replied, not to anger him further.
“All right then. I need to leave now. Make sure to give me the good news soon. Remember, you have to bring that girl to the pack at any cost, alive.” His voice turned hard by the end.
My lips curved up, “Don’t worry Dad. She is my prey. I will find her even if I have to search the whole Earth. I give you, my word.”
End of Damien’s P.O.V.
Xander sighed in relief. Damien’s words brought his chaotic mind to peace. Bidding him goodbye, Xander hung up the call.
Damien too ended the call and tossed the phone aside. His frivolous expression suddenly turned grim. The shine in his eyes got replaced with sheer darkness and rage.
Tugging his tie, he leaned his head on the headrest of the chair and closed his eyes.
“Dad is right. I shouldn’t forget why I came here. For wiping the heir of the Shadow Hunters. For killing Edward’s daughter. I need to fulfill my Dad’s dreams which he had envisaged for years. But things have turned complicated now.” Damien spoke ruefully, he felt guilty for betraying Xander.
“But your son is in love, Dad. Love in with your enemy’s daughter. Never in my life, I had imagined seeing this day but it happened. I know I committed a sin Dad but you know the best part of it.” He paused and slowly opened his eyes.
A scoff left his mouth.
“I don’t have any regrets.”
With that, Damien threw his head back and burst into laughter.
“Feelings can’t be controlled Dad, they can only be accepted. Princess hates me for what I did to her and it’s all because of your stupid revenge. Your enmity with the Silver Moon pack has nothing to do with my love. If it had been the past, I would have given it a second thought but now it’s impossible. I can’t even dream of hurting her so killing her is out of the picture.”
Damien said while smiling to himself. He then stood up and walked towards the large glass window.
Dipping his hands in the pocket of his trousers, Damien eyed his reflection in the glass pane before speaking in a serious tone.
“I know I am betraying you but I can’t let her go now. You want her, you’ll get her. I will definitely bring Emmaline with me to the pack but-”
“Not as an enemy but as my Luna.”
*****
