Chapter 73

"Perhaps you forgot that I am the bigger player, sweetheart"

Emmaline

The moment I opened my eyes, I came face to face with Damien who was sleeping beside me like a baby. His arms were wrapped around me tightly and his face looked peaceful. How can someone look so handsome yet cute while sleeping?

Last night was fabulous. I thought that I would start my morning with tears and my chest constricting in regret feeling embarrassed of my actions but instead, it was just the opposite. I felt energetic and complete. As if a boulder has been lifted off my shoulder.

I’ve realized that in order to accomplish my goal, the first and most important thing I have to do is accept who I am. I am a Lycan and to make it easier, I am not a human. So, I have to abandon those feelings and forget about my past life. I ain’t Emmaline Dawson anymore but Emmaline Knight, Luna of Shadowed Banes who in reality is a Lycan’s Princess. Whose purpose of life is to destroy the Shadowed Banes and restore the supremacy of Lycans once again on Earth.

Nothing can come in the path of my vengeance. I’ve sworn to myself that I wouldn’t back down even if it requires me to gain Damien’s trust. I need him at my side so that I can establish my position in his pack. To kill Isabella and Xander before conquering the Northern and Silver Valley. Damien is my only key to worm my way into the pack, gain his peers’ support, and slowly steal his powers and position. My plan is prepared but I can’t reveal my intentions to him so I need to put up this fake love drama so that I can snatch his territory right under his nose. Damien loves me a lot and his weakness will become my ultimate strength.

Smirking, I scooted closer to him and circled my hands around his nape before massaging his thick locks. He really has silky hair, like cotton. I wonder which shampoo he uses. Nevertheless, I dropped my gaze to his lips which had lastly sucked every inch of my skin in a very nasty way. The man is head over heels with me.

I bit back the scoff. Stella did tell me once that if you want to wrap your man around your fingers, just fulfill his lust. Though I didn’t pay heed that time, it definitely proved useful to me. The man is an animal on a bed. I can’t even feel my legs because of this sex addict. But at least I finally regained my senses. Zion had warned me that I needed to be careful because of this mating bond. And indeed, it was pure torture since the day I transformed. My hormones were raging and I couldn’t resist Damien. I am sure I would have died last night if we hadn’t fucked.

Damien groaned. Guess he was about to wake up.

I slowly scooted closer to him and pecked his lips. And that’s when he opened his eyes.

“What are you doing Princess?” He rumbled, his voice thick and groggy. I flashed him a smile.

“Waking you up, hubby.” I rasped near his lips while batting my eyelashes and tracing my fingers over his toned chest.

Damien chuckled before he grabbed my hands and peeled them away from his chest. His actions surprised me but before I could understand, he pushed me on the mattress and hovered over me. A gasp flew out of my mouth watching his stern expression.

‘Did I mess up?’

“Damien-”

“What are you trying to do huh?”

All of a sudden, he growled in my face. My heart sank.

‘Did I overdo it? Shit.’

I opened my mouth to refute but my throat had dried due to fear. Busy in thoughts, I kept staring at him when he suddenly slammed my hand on the mattress a bit harshly taking me off guard. I literally started counting my breath when he grabbed my jaw and glared at me with his two fireballs that were boring holes in my face.

“We both know how much you hate me so cut the love crap. You are up to something. So do us a favor and fucking spill the beans right now or else-”

“Or else what?”

I shot back making him halt.

“Or what are you gonna do? Is this all what our lives have come to? Yesterday meant nothing to you. You cherished me, made me feel so special, and turned the night so pleasurable that I couldn’t stop appreciating it. You even made sure not to hurt me only to murder my feelings the very next day.” I snapped at him, my throat clogging up.

Damien was confounded. He didn’t expect that I would turn everything on him. Tears circled my eyes and soon started dripping down my cheeks, wetting his fingers in the process.

“You decide yourself, Damien. Do you love me or am I just a toy to you? Do you even consider me your mate or am I a burden to you? Your parents killed my family and you abducted me. You tormented me, your parents abused me yet I let you take my innocence. I have no one Damien, I only have you. I trust you the most even though I hate you. You are well aware that I would have never let you touch me but I did. What it makes you think? That I am playing with you? How could you?”

“You blame me for it?” Damien fought back as he sneered in my face.

“You also aren’t that innocent sweetheart. I am sure you wouldn’t mind using me for your pleasure because I love you but you don’t share the same feeling. It’s the damn truth so don’t you fucking lie to me.”

This bastard.

Rage surged through me as my jaw clenched in frustration.

Calm down Em. Don’t let anger wash away all the hard work. Convince him. Convince him hard.

I bit back the bitterness and looked straight into his eyes.

“What if I say that I want to give our marriage a chance?” I spoke and thanked God as my voice came out steady and determined. Even Damien was staggered by my sincerity but he wouldn’t give in that easily.

Huffing, he released me and moved back.

“Stop this drama.” He said and looked away from me. “Let’s forget whatever happened between us. I don’t want any further complications.”

His face was turned to the side the whole time. He was avoiding me because my tears would turn him weak. But I also wouldn’t step back this fast.

Sniffing, I sat up and clung to his right arm.

“I know you wouldn’t believe me but I have no one except you, Damien. Please don’t turn your back on me. Don’t be this heartless.” I sobbed and buried my face in his arm. I felt him turning rigid.

It’s working. It’s working.

Moving closer, I wrapped my arms around his waist, “Please let me in. Everyone has abandoned me at least you don’t do the same. I know I realized it a bit too late but don’t make fun of my feelings. I let you claim me, Damien. You own my heart, body, and soul.”

End of Emmaline’s P.O.V.

Emmaline cried her eyes out as she eagerly waited for Damien to prove her wrong and take her in his arms. For some reason, his denial hurt her. She had witnessed true love in his eyes for her. Though this was all supposed to be a part of the damn plan, Damien’s indifference was tearing her. She had witnessed the genuine love and concern in his eyes when he made love to her. How much she tried to deny it, she did relish every moment. Damien was extremely gentle with her but the night turned hot and passionate when Emmaline reciprocated with the same desire. He did take her consent before fucking the life out of her.

Today she had expected to see a new beginning but Damien’s words ravaged her whole world. She felt used, violated, degraded.

Emmaline wanted to scream out loud but she needed to act smart. She cried on his shoulder unaware of the fact her tears weren’t fake.

“I know you don’t believe me. You’re hurt because I never respected your feelings. Never tried to understand your love but please give me another chance. I have been through so much. Don’t be too harsh. At least not now. I know you’re not like those guys who kick a girl away after using her for their needs.” Emmaline sniveled and rested her head on his chest. Her body shook with every sob as she croaked out every word with sheer difficulty.

“And what if I tell you that I am exactly like those guys? In fact, I am that guy.”

Emmaline froze, and her blood ran cold. The world stilled around her as his words rang in her ears on a loop.

“W-What?”

Shaking her head in disbelief, Emmaline moved back to look at Damien with wide eyes only to find him already smirking at her.

A bone-chilling shiver ran down her spine when she found the streaks of malice in his eyes. His gaze turned so dark and sinister that her breath turned shallow.

“Ohh my poor Emma.” Damien chuckled as he threw his head back before bursting into a fit of laughter.

“You’re literally so naive.” He said and stood up. Emmaline immediately averted her gaze, not wanting to stare at his nudity. She was still reeling from the shock while Damien slipped into his pants and looked at her terrified state with a contended smile.

“I mean how could you even think that you can fool me? Yes, I love you but that love disappeared when I came to know about your identity. I have already made it clear that no one is more important to me than my family but looks like you have forgotten about it. My father wants you dead but I saved your life not because I love you but because you’re mine.” He rasped making Emmaline snap her head at him. She internally flinched watching the crazed look in his eyes as he eyed her dangerously.

Her heartbeat accelerated as he walked closer to her. Cupping her chin, he jerked her face towards him.

“Even though you are our enemies’ daughter that doesn’t erase the fact that you belong to me. The moment you became my mate, your fate was sealed to me. You’re bound to be with me whether you like it or not. Moreover, other than love, you’re my possession. My property. My Luna. There’s no way I would let you go.” He sputtered, his eyes turning red in obsession.

Her blood boiled at his audacity. Slapping his hands away, she wrapped the sheets around her to cover her dignity before standing on her shaky legs.

“So, you never loved me? You were doing a drama.”

“Yeah, just like you. And I can tell you it was much bigger and better than yours.” Damien retorted as he eyed her from head to toe.

Her eyes watered as his words sliced her heart into pieces. She felt like a fool.

“Oh, come on. You are just a teen while I am the Alpha of Shadow Banes, Princess. How can you even think that you can fight me? Do you know why my pack is called the cruelest and most barbaric? Because their Alpha doesn’t possess a heart.” He confessed right on her face.

“But you said you love me?” Emmaline argued; she was still having a hard time believing him.

“Because I wanted to break your resolve. I am a Casanova. Didn’t I tell you in our first meeting how much you intrigue me? I remember it clearly but my charms compelled you to forget that. I agree that you changed my perspective about girls but the curiosity to test you snatched my sleep. I wanted to see how long you can stick to this “ideal woman”*he air quoted*image. I tried so hard but you just wouldn’t submit. That’s when I decided to come up with a plan. My motto was clear and you being my mate only made my work easier. I wanted you in bed so I did a love drama. And see it did work.” He enthused as if he had achieved something big while Emmaline watched him with disgust.

Damien inched closer as he snickered at her fuming face before drawling out.

“I got to fuck you.”

*Slap*

*****

Some people can never change. A harsh reality.