Chapter 36

Tapping the concrete vigorously with his shiny black shoes, Matteo checked his watch for the nth time still there was no sign of his date, Emmaline Dawson. The girl after exiting his dad’s company had given him the news of the day, she agreed to be his woman for the night which was something overwhelming yet shocking for him. It was so sudden but he managed to select the perfect dress for her, something which would match her taste. Matteo didn’t get time to send it to her personally so he send it via his men. He was dreading her reaction as Emmaline though has accepted his friendship, disliked taking favors. But since the stars were in his favor today, she consented to all his conditions with no objection.

Emmaline was currently on her way. She chose to come on her own. Neither she disclosed the reason nor Matteo forced her. He respected her decisions.

But he seemed to be now regretting it.

The last call Matteo received from her was around thirty minutes ago. The sky had now turned a darker shade and the air also had turned chilly. Mr. Stefanini called him twenty times asking him about his whereabouts as the party was soon reaching its full swing. People were asking for his son and he had no answer. Matteo was getting irritated watching the people throwing weird glances his way. They were baffled as to why such a handsome young man was freezing in the cold instead of bending his elbow at the bar and stealing a few hearts.

“Why the hell is Babe not answering her phone? Did she change her mind at the last moment?”

Matteo mumbled, thick lines of worry creasing his forehead. “No. Em can’t do that.” He kept convincing himself. His heart was compelling him to trust her. She would never betray him. His heart ached to even imagine her ditching him and embarrassing him when she was well aware of how important that event was for his family.

Keeping his possibilities aside, Matteo again dialed her number only to receive the continuous ringing of her phone. Still, she didn’t answer wasn’t answering.

Fear bubbled inside him, “Damn.” Cussing out loud, Matteo didn’t wait twice and jogged to his car.

“Is she okay? Fuck, I should have gone to see her before. What if is she in some trouble?” Danger bells started ringing in his ears. Why had that thought didn’t struck him before?

Swiftly punching the gas pedal, he took a sharp turn and disappeared in thin air leaving behind a thick cloud of smoke.

*****

“Ahh!!”

A painful groan resonated in the cold walls as the injured figure that was balled in one corner gained consciousness.

She was none other than Emmaline.

Fluttering her eyes open, she was met with complete darkness that put her in a dilemma that whether she was still unconscious. Blinking vigorously, this time she forced herself to sit only to feel some restriction. She couldn’t move freely.

Her eyes widened when the clanking of metals rang in her ear. She was chained.

Not only her limbs were in shackles but a thick metallic ring was around her waist too that was clung on to the long, rusty iron nails pierced on the wall. She was chained like an animal.

“WHAT THE HELL? WHERE THE FUCK AM I?” She shouted and checked her surroundings only to realize that she was in a dungeon. The place was cold enough to freeze her to death.

But how come she landed here?

“What really happened?” Mumbling she closed her eyes, forcing herself to remember the incident which left her in such a helpless state.

“I was going to Matt’s party. After locking the door, as soon as I turned around, I felt a blow on my head-”

“And then you were brought here.”

A deep baritone struck the cold, dingy, concrete walls before reaching the girl who was still on the ground. Emmaline immediately turned her head to the owner only to find a silhouette of a man standing near the iron door. His grey irises gazing her like a predator.

Her jaw clenched in realization. It didn’t take her a minute to understand that she was back in the devil’s claws.

“Damien.” She gritted while sending him a death glare.

Not to prolong the act, Damien stepped forward acknowledging her. A streak of moonlight coming through the small window at the top fell on him, enhancing his features, his gait as well as his Rage...

Emmaline felt a slight tremor as soon as her eyes connected with his intense grey ones that were filled with raw anger, a crazy determination, and a mad obsession. A few strands of his dampened tousled hair curtaining his eyes also couldn’t hide his wrath. He looked demonic.

But Emmaline also met his glare head-on, “Have you really lost your mind? Didn’t I tell you that you mean nothing to me? Didn’t I make myself clear that we are nothing, fucking idiot?“, she snarled and stood up on her knees to face him properly.

“If you think that this will make me scared of you and I would agree with you then you’re so wrong-”

“Ten minutes.”

Emmaline was taken aback at his sudden interruption. But Damien continued as he slowly covered the distance between them.

“Your friend is currently on your rescue mission. Within ten minutes, his car would pass through this area. Don’t you think my cubs should give him a grand welcome?” He spoke while folding the sleeves of his black shirt to his elbows displaying his thick, veiny arms.

“You wouldn’t mind if I say hello to him, Em.” He mused.

Emmaline narrowed her eyes at him, “How do you know Matteo?”

Damien chuckled and shook his head. Bending his right knee on the ground, he crouched in front of her while resting one hand on the knee and the other in his pocket, “There is something called spying, Babe.” He spoke the last part with clenched teeth making her gulp dry.

He knew.

He was always there.

Watching her from afar.

He never stopped keeping tabs on her.

A smirk crept on his lips after noticing her ashen face, “What have you thought that I will leave you? But I must say, even after spending so much time with me you still think your petty warnings can keep me away from you. Tsk, Tsk.”

Emmaline snickered in response, “Of course not. After all, you’re an asshole.”

Her blood was boiling like molten lava. She knew she won’t able to free herself so the only thing she could do was infuriate him and provoke him to lose his temper. But to her dismay, Damien only smiled in response as if enjoying her humor.

She continued staring at him when he suddenly gripped her chin startling her.

“An asshole who is crazily in love with you.” He said and leaned forward making her flinch back.

“I tried so hard to make you understand my feelings but my words aren’t registering in your stubborn mind. Now there’s only one option and I will gladly choose it.” He spoke in a plain tone.

Her insides flared at his audacity. Jerking her head to the side, she quickly scooted away from him before throwing him a disgusting look.

“You’re sick Damien. You disgust me. I can’t believe Moon Goddess chose such a vile man as my mate.” She spat.

Damien who was earlier smiling at her fondly like a love-sick teen, her vitriolic words wiped that smile off his face. He clenched his fists as he tried to not explode but Emmaline was completely blinded in anger.

“I am so sick of you. You’re pathetic but I know my words are meaningless to you. Just get one thing straight in your mind, I WILL NEVER ACCEPT YOU. Kill me, kill everyone but that would also not make me surrender to you. I am selfish Damien Knight, I don’t need anyone in my life. You’re threatening me with Matteo*scoffs* no one meets his destiny until the time comes. If his death is written by your hands then even if I accept you, he’ll die. I have learned it from my experiences, Knight. My continuous denials mean that you’re not the one for me otherwise, I would have accepted you a long time ago. Even if Moon Goddess comes today and forces me to accept you then also my decision wouldn’t change.” She spoke while maintaining eye contact.

Her confident posture and fearless stare didn’t go unnoticed by him. He was proud of her bravura and would have applauded her only if she hadn’t challenged him.

Emmaline on the other hand was baffled at his silence. She had no idea what was going on in his mind but she didn’t give a damn about it.

Suddenly an idea popped into her mind. Damien saw the flicker in her eyes. His gaze then dropped down to her pink, chapped lips which soon curved into a sinister smile.

Squaring her shoulders, she looked straight into his eyes before pulling her last card.

“You aren’t my owner, Mr. Knight. I am afraid for your future wife but I can assure you that my man would be someone whom I adore. If my Matt survives today, I would definitely accept him as my man as he do tempts in some way. And I am sure Moon Goddess would gladly approve him.” She spoke and waited for him to unleash his demons. A contented smile plastered on her face as she knew that no way in hell he would let this go.

Emmaline waited patiently but her smile dropped when Damien smiled shattering her hope. And that wasn’t a genuine but a diabolical smile that could make one run for the hills.

Placing his one palm beside her head, he leaned towards her face making her cower back in apprehension as well as confusion.

“I appreciate your efforts Em but I regret to tell you that I am not an ounce bit scared. Do you know why? Because even after your never-ending struggles, you won’t be able to escape. Reason? I still have an upper hand.” He spoke smugly and cupped her chin.

“You have nothing all right. Stop fooling me. Burn the entire world down but I won’t budge.” Emmaline shouted in frustration, completely done with his games.

Her eyes glowed goldenly but streaks of red were also visible in them giving them an iridescent look. She looked ethereal yet feral.

Emmaline was fed up with his continuous threats and wanted to end this battle once and for all. She had made up her mind. She will end him or sacrifice herself to end him. Either way, she will get rid of this trouble before walking out of this cubicle.

“KILL EVERYONE- MATTEO, MR. STEFANINI, STELLA, ALL THE PEOPLE WHOM YOU KNOW BUT STILL I WOULDN’T ACCEPT YOU!!” She screamed in his face.

“Blake Colt too?”

Her jaw dropped.

“W-What?”

Damien lifted her head with her chin before towering over her, “Should I kill his wife and his son, what’s his name, yeah Jasper too? Your childhood crush? Should I finish them all? Are you ready to sacrifice your foster parents, the ones who sheltered you for your stubbornness? They were your lifeline when your entire pack was massacred. Are you ready to give up on them? All right then, should I say my Beta to end them all? Come on, hurry up and confirm so I can get down to action.” He continued speaking ignoring her panic-stricken face.

Emmaline on the other hand was horrified. She couldn’t believe her ears.

“H-How come you know so much about me?” Her voice came out as a whisper.

The man knew much that was needed. He not only dug into her past but had scratched her deep scars, and opened the door where she had locked her biggest secret.

Damien clamped up after hearing her shaking voice. His gaze fell on her teary, fearful eyes staring at him with trepidation.

Her heart sank into the pit after noticing his cold, blank but grim expression. She felt a tightening knot in her chest that made her wheeze. The look in his eyes was so terrifying that she couldn’t help but feel intimidated. The man who had always tried to be her solace suddenly appeared monstrous to her.

“W-Who are you really?”

Emmaline tried to move back but Damien didn’t let her. All she wanted was to escape him. She couldn’t match his gaze and the eerie feeling that suddenly grasped her, it felt awfully familiar to her. As if she had lived that moment before.

As if she had faced this fear before.

Damien watched how her face kept changing expression. Colors were draining off her face. The tears that she had caged for so long automatically started dripping down her eyes. The way her pupils dilated, her lips quivered and her body shook, Damien knew that she was living her past once again.

Surprisingly not for once he tried to calm her down. According to him, she incited her to take this step. And he wouldn’t back down, not this time.

Swallowing his rage, he cupped her right cheek in his palm before staring deep into her soul.

“Your worst enemy.”

Emmaline furrowed her brows. Of course, he was her enemy, the man whom she despised.

His words made no sense to her. Mustering up some courage, she opened her mouth to retaliate but all the breath got knocked off her lungs as soon as Damien put an end to her suspicion and finally dropped the bomb on her.

“The Alpha of Shadowed Banes.”

*****