CHAPTER 4

Elara's POV

The mansion was eerily quiet, save for the occasional distant footsteps of guards patrolling the halls. I sat on the massive bed, staring at the ornate ceiling. Despite its grandeur, the place felt suffocating, like a beautifully crafted cage. My hand instinctively wrapped around my stomach, a small comfort against the storm brewing inside me.

But when I remembered the doctor's words, my heart sank. My health is failing. I could feel it in the constant headache throbbing my head. And soon, Damain would soon find out that I was pregnant. I don't know how he was going to accept the news yet, but I'm determined to protect my baby from that bastard.

The reality of my situation hit me harder than ever —I was alone. My mother's tear-streaked face haunted my thoughts, and I wondered if my father was even awake yet. Was he in pain? Was he fighting for his life? Did he even know that my life had gotten harder, just because I loved and married the wrong man.

I squeezed my eyes shut, willing away the tears. Crying wouldn't change anything. I had to be strong. For myself. For my baby. For my family.

A knock at the door shattered the silence. Before I could respond, the door swung open, revealing Damian. He was impeccably dressed, as always, his presence exuding cold authority.

"You're awake. Good." His voice held no warmth. I didn't reply him. He strode inside, his eyes falling briefly down to my cleavage. Those eyes were filled with something —something that would have made my heart skipped a beat in the past, but now they were disgusting. No. In Fact they filled me with pure rage.

And yet....my body reacted to it. My nipples hardened and I could feel heat simmering beneath me. I snatched the duvet and wrapped it around myself, scolding myself mentally."You shouldn't respond to a man who ruined your life."

His smirk was slight, almost amused. ““Get dressed. The press conference is in an hour.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat. "What if I refuse?"

He stepped closer, his sharp eyes locking onto mine. "Then your father's treatment stops immediately."

A shiver ran down my spine. He wasn't bluffing. Damain never bluffed.

With a silent glare, I pushed off the bed, and walked past him, heading to the closet. I could feel his eyes on me, roaming my body like a predator accessing his prey before devouring it. 

Then he stood behind me and whispered. "You shouldn't try to seduce me," he murmured, his voice mocking. "It's useless. I'm not the same Damian you used to know."

I blinked, startled. Me? Seduce this bastard? I turned towards him, glaring. "Why would I try to seduce you? I'd rather die than do that."

Damain smirked. "Is that so? But why aren't you wearing any panties under that lingerie? I could actually see everything."

My eyes darkened with embarrassment as I looked down on myself and noticed he was right. I have the habit of not wearing underwear when I sleep and it must have slipped my mind due to exhaustion. 

I didn't say anything. I couldn't say anything.

Damain straightened like he was trying to hold himself back. "I'll be waiting for you outside," he said, squeezing my ass and then walked out of the room.

"Asshole," I spat under my breath, but he didn't look back.

Worse than the humiliation was the way my body betrayed me. Why does he still have this effect on me?

Damian was everything to me. He was my first love and the only man I had always loved, so it was easy for him to make me wet even without doing much.

I turned to the full length mirror, and took off my lingerie. My nipples were hardened and turned deep pink. I should be thinking of survival. Of escape. Of revenge.

But instead…

My hand moved on its own.

I cupped my breasts with one hand, squeezing my hardened nipple while my other hand slid lower, rubbing my clit for a while before slipping two fingers inside my wet, tight sheath.

"Hmmmmmm," a desperate moan escaped from my lips. I thrust my fingers deeper and then out. I kept fucking myself, moaning and squeezing my nipples. I came hard, gasping, trembling.

And only then did I feel the full weight of my shame.

*****

The grand hall was packed with reporters, high ranking pack members and curious onlookers. The camera flashed as Damain and I walked in, hand in hand. I forced a smile.

Damian, the ever charismatic leader, took the podium first. "Thank you all for coming. As you know, leadership requires strength, unity and sacrifice. Today I stand before you, not only as your new Alpha but as a man dedicated to our Pack's future."

A wave of applause rippled through the room. I gritted my teeth.

His grip on my hand tightened as he turned towards me. "I would not be here without my Luna, Elara. She stood by my side, and together we'll continue from where her father, the former Alpha, stopped and ensure that our pack thrives."

The crowd erupted into cheers. I forced myself to nod, placing my hand on his arm as I agreed with every word. But deep inside, I burned with silent rage.

After the conference, Damain led me away from the crowd, his grip still firm. As soon as we were out of sight, his voice dropped to a cold whisper. "You did well. Keep it up."

I yanked my hand away. "Don't touch me unless it's absolutely necessary."

He smirked, stepping closer until I could feel his breath against my skin, his wolf scent wrapping around me.

Then he wrapped a hand around my waist. Possessive. Claiming.

"You're mine for the next year, Elara." 

I stiffened, trying to pull away, but I couldn’t—not here. Not where we had to play the perfect couple and rulers.

His fingers trailed along my spine, sending an unwanted shiver through me.

Then his voice dropped down. "Don't forget— we haven't broken the mate bond yet. So you still belonged to me. In my home. In my bed. On your feet.”