Chapter 6

Rae

I couldn’t believe who I was staring at. My heart stopped as I took a step forward. The event of the past flooded my mind—The banishment, Damien’s words everything kept spiraling in my mind.

“What are you doing here?” My voice was surprisingly cold and Damien seemed to not mind.

“I came here to speak to you.” He replied.

“You have just five minutes to do so.” A voice said behind me, and I turned to see Von. “Say whatever you have to say quickly.”

After that was said he walked away. When Von was gone, Damien took a step closer.

“Did you come to ask me if I am doing my maid duties right so you can tell your father?” I spat.

“That’s not why I’m here. I came to tell you that I have always known that you were innocent.”

My eyes grew as I took in his words.

“What do you mean you have always known?” I asked, my lips were trembling.

“You have such a pure heart, Rae, that’s what made me attracted to you, and when I found out about what you did. It was hard for me to believe, but I knew the only way I could unravel the truth was by playing along. After you were banished, I started my investigation. I checked in with the guards and everyone present that night. I spent last month looking for evidence just to prove that you were innocent, and then I discovered that Kayla was behind it.”

“So all this time…when you said I should be punished. You were pretending.” I said in shock. I couldn’t believe his words. It felt like a dream.

Damien’s gaze softened, his hands trembling slightly as they cupped my face.

“I’m sorry, but I had to pretend. It broke my heart to see you in that state, Rae,” he said, his thumb gently tracing my cheek. “I should have told you, but I feared it would ruin everything.”

The raw pain in his words made my chest tighten. I held his gaze, unable to look away.

“I have missed you,” he continued. “I’ve had sleepless nights, haunted by thoughts of how you were surviving in this place. There were moments I wanted to come for you, but I had to control myself, to wait for the right time.”

I felt my throat tighten as emotions overwhelmed me. “Damien…” I murmured, my voice shaky. “What about Kayla? After everything… I hope she was banished.”

“She wasn’t banished. Her father’s the head of the council, so my father couldn’t banish her, but she’s serving her punishment.” He exhaled heavily. “I made sure she did.”

Relief flooded my heart, and I gave him a tentative smile. “Thank you.”

His gaze lingered on me, and just that look made my heart flutter. “My father has lifted your banishment,” he said softly.

My breath caught, my heart soaring with joy. “So…I can come back?”

Damien smiled, a look of pure happiness lighting up his face. “Yes, Rae. You can come back. And not just as any member of the pack—I want you to return as my Luna.”

Tears welled in my eyes as I stared at him. “Damien…”

He reached for my hand. “I love you, Rae. I’ve always loved you. And now, after everything, we can finally be together. I can’t imagine my life without you.”

He leaned in, his lips inches from mine, but before he could move closer, the door swung open with a loud thud.

Von entered the room. His sharp eyes immediately landed on us. “Your time is up,” he said curtly. “Guards, take her away.”

I pulled back from Damien as he spoke.

“Von, wait,” he said firmly. “I haven’t been completely honest about why I’m here.”

Von’s expression hardened his brow furrowing. “What do you mean ?”

Damien took a step forward. “That I lied. I wasn’t here to deliver any news about her family. I’m actually here to take Rae with me. Her banishment has been lifted. She doesn’t belong here anymore.”

Von’s burst out in laughter. “Never in a million years,” he spat.

Damien’s eyes narrowed. “I knew you’d say that.”

He gestured to the doorway, and moments later, his guards entered, carrying several heavy boxes. They opened them to reveal glittering jewelry and stacks of gold coins.

“This is for the queen,” Damien said. “And this,” he gestured to the coins, “is for you. Compensation for Rae.”

Von’s expression twisted in disgust as he strode forward and kicked one of the boxes over, its contents spilling onto the floor.

“Tell your king that has he forgotten that once debts are settled, they are final. There’s no renegotiating.” His voice was bitter.

Damien’s jaw clenched. “The king didn’t send me. I came on my own.”

Von scoffed, stepping closer to Damien until they were face to face. “You’re a fool. How are you not aware of the gravity of renegotiating?”

“I wonder how you’ll ever lead your pack when your father is gone,” Von added.

“I’m not here to trade insults, Von,” Damien snapped. “I’m here to take Rae back.”

Von’s smirk was cruel as he stepped forward. “That’s not happening. Guards, escort him out.”

As the guards moved toward him, Damien drew his sword in one swift motion. “I’m not leaving without her.”

He charged for Von who had turned backwards. His sword was close to his neck, but Von turned swiftly, gripping Damien’s hands.

Von’s eyes darkened, a cold smile spreading across his face. “You want to fight, then? Fine. I challenge you to a duel. If you win, you can take her. But if you lose, I’ll spill your blood for daring to strike me.”

“Damien, don’t,” I said, panic rising in my chest. “There has to be another way.”

But Damien didn’t even glance at me. His focus was solely on Von. “I accept your challenge.”

Von’s laugh was low as it echoed off the walls. “Very well. We’ll meet at dusk tonight. Prepare yourself.” He gestured toward the door. “Now leave my palace.”

Damien turned to me. “I’ll get you out of here. I promise you,”

With that he walked away, leaving me with a sad feeling twirling in my heart.