Castiel’s P.O.V I followed Stephan down the narrow staircase into the basement for training the next day. The air smelled like sweat and sawdust, and faint sounds of grunts and shouts echoed through the walls. My heart thudded in my chest. I knew today was the first real step toward proving I belonged, but part of me wondered if I was ready for it.We entered a massive training room, and I immediately felt a dozen pairs of eyes zero in on me. Conversations stopped mid-sentence. The weight of their stares pressed on me like a boulder, making it hard to breathe.Stephan gave me a sideways glance. "Just keep moving, Castiel. Don’t show any signs of unease."Easier said than done. Their expressions ranged from cold glares to barely concealed scowls. Some looked confused, others outright pissed off. I could practically feel the hostility hanging in the air like a storm cloud ready to burst. I clenched my fists, h
Castiel’s P.O.V The cold water hit my face like a slap, shocking my system as Damien’s hand pressed me hard against the bathroom counter. I gasped, sputtering as droplets ran down my cheeks and into my collar. His grip on the back of my neck was unrelenting, fingers digging in just enough to remind me how much control he had.He leaned close, his voice low and sharp. “You think it’s fun trying to disobey me, Castiel?”I jerked my head away from the stream of water, blinking furiously to clear my eyes. “I wasn’t disobeying you,” I muttered, shivering from both the water and his presence. “I was just trying to state my opinion.”He scoffed, the sound cold and mocking. “Your opinion?” Damien’s fingers tightened, dragging me upright so I had to meet his gaze. His eyes were dark and unwavering, full of the kind of danger that left no room for argument. “You&rs
Damien’s P.O.V “Go ahead,” I said, my voice low but firm.He obeyed without hesitation, dropping to his knees in front of me. Since his hands were bound, I deftly worked to unbutton my shirt, sliding it off my shoulders with reverence. My pants followed, and I leaned back, spreading my legs slightly to invite him closer. Castiel’s touch was soft, deliberate—he knew what I liked, knew how to make me unravel with subtle ease.I exhaled sharply, gripping the counter at the side as his lips brushed over my skin. He worked slow, deliberately, dragging every second out as if savoring it, making me feel every breath, every flicker of heat. Castiel wasn’t just following orders—he took pleasure in this, and I could tell. It wasn’t just my control over him that fueled this moment; he desired to please me, to become lost in that act.But then something changed. I saw it in the tension that ran through
Castiel’s P.O.V The hum of Damien's private jet was oddly soothing, a steady vibration beneath my boots as I sat opposite him. He was sipping his usual scotch, cool and composed, as always. For someone about to negotiate with a rival gang, Damien carried himself with the ease of a man walking into a friendly poker game.I, on the other hand, was anything but relaxed. My shoulders were tense, and I kept my eyes on the window, scanning the clouds as though danger could leap from them. This was my first time playing bodyguard, but with Damien involved, things were always unpredictable.A week had passed since that incident on the training arena, but after a couple days of recovery, when I had headed back to the training room, there had been an odd hush in the area as soon as I had entered, and for some reason, Felix, the guy who had nearly pounded me to the dirt, had taken a sudden sick leave.I didn’t need to know the specifics
Damien’s P.O.V I stared at Castiel, my eyes narrowing, something inside me twisting with an unfamiliar, seething rage.It wasn’t like the anger I felt when one of my men made a mistake—no, this was different. This was something deeper, something raw and volatile that seemed to come from a place I didn’t recognize. It was almost like a burning pressure in my chest, too intense to ignore, and I could feel it rising with every second that Castiel’s earlier words kept reverberating in my mind.‘Does that make it okay... for me to fuck someone else?’I clenched my fists, trying to push the fury back down. I had no idea why I was feeling like this. Why was I so angry? It wasn’t like I’d never been upset with someone before. I had fired men, disciplined them, and crossed lines that I knew shouldn’t be crossed—but I had never felt this before. This wasn’t just frustration; this was something else entirely.“Don’t test my patience, Castiel,” I growled, my voice low but thick with the weight o
Castiel’s P.O.V I stepped out of the room, my heart thundering in my chest from having just escaped Damien’s clutches, but now…I had no idea where I was going.The corridors stretched out in front of me like a labyrinth, and I couldn’t see any sign of the familiar landmarks I had passed earlier. I cursed under my breath, wishing I hadn’t left my cell phone in my bag. It would’ve made things so much easier to just call Stephan and get me.But looking back at Damien’s shut door, I shook my head, backing away quietly. There was no way in hell I was going back into the lion’s den, no matter how desperate I was.I tried retracing my steps, but the marble floors and high, vaulted ceilings made everything look the same. The palace—no, mansion—was far bigger than I had imagined when we first arrived. My footsteps echoed loudly in the stillness, and it was almost unnerving like I was walking in such an eerie silence, with not a single soul in sight.I peered down a side hallway, hoping to spo
Castiel’s P.O.V Stephan was halfway through unpacking when I walked in. His long fingers expertly arranged his things on the table, and despite the calm exterior, I could see the tension in his posture. He looked up as I stepped inside, raising an eyebrow.“You’re done already?” he asked, his voice light, but there was that underlying curiosity in his eyes. “With the boss, I mean. How’d you do it so quickly?”I ran a hand through my hair, the movement almost automatic. The ‘meeting’ with Damien had left a bitter taste in my mouth. I had initially thought the same as Stephan, that he was calling me in for a quick release, or perhaps something to talk about. However, things had gone horribly wrong thanks to me and my stupid mouth.I could still feel it. His fingers wrapped around my neck, thick and choking. He had wanted me to submit, like I already hadn't sacrificed all of my dignity a
Castiel’s P.O.V The soft flicker of chandelier lights cast long shadows down the grand staircase, making the mansion's intricate woodwork look almost ghostly. I stood by Damien, keeping my eyes pried open at all times. Stephan’s earlier words were a reminder that we had enemies everywhere.I could feel the tension in my shoulders as I adjusted my grip on the railing, eyes scanning the room below us. We had been warned—tonight wasn’t just a welcome party. It was a trap, a game of deception and power.Stephan was a few steps ahead, his usually relaxed posture rigid tonight, like the weight of the world had settled on him. Damien was in front of us, leading the way with his usual calm, cold confidence. But I could sense something off about him tonight, a flicker of concern that I hadn't seen before.“Keep your eyes peeled, Cas,” Damien said, his voice low, meant only for me. “You remember what I ask
Damien’s P.O.V The fluorescent lights illuminated every corner of the lab, and the scent of antiseptic was sharp in the air, a smell I’d come to associate with Dr. Andrea’s domain. She was hunched over a glowing screen, her short blonde hair catching the light as her fingers moved rapidly across the keyboard. Despite the late hour, her energy was unwavering, a testament to her dedication—or maybe obsession—with her work.I cleared my throat to announce my presence. "Andrea. I hope the results are back?"She jumped slightly but didn’t bother looking up. "Damien. Right on time," she said, her voice clipped. "I was just about to call you.""Figured I’d save you the trouble." I leaned against the counter, crossing my arms. "You said you discovered something important?"She finally turned to face me, her eyes sharp behind her thin-rimmed glasses. "I have. And it’s... complicated.""Complicated how?" I asked, my patience already thinning.Andrea took a deep breath and motioned for me to co
Castiel’s P.O.V The soft hum of Celia’s breathing filled the small room as I sat beside her bed, watching her sleep. She looked so peaceful, her tiny hands clutching the edge of her blanket. For a moment, I felt a pang of guilt—was I doing the right thing by sending her away? She deserved safety, stability, and a chance to grow without the constant shadow of danger looming over her.The clock on the wall ticked softly, the only other sound in the room. I glanced at the time. It was well past midnight, but I couldn’t bring myself to lie down. Instead, I ran my hand over her packed bags, neatly arranged by the door. Everything was ready for her departure tomorrow. Everything except me.A deep sigh escaped my lips as I stood, my gaze lingering on Celia for a moment longer. “Sleep tight, kiddo,” I whispered, brushing a strand of hair from her face. She murmured something incoherent but didn’t wa
Castiel’s P.O.V I stood outside Celia's door, my hand hovering over the doorknob, unsure if I was ready for what was about to happen. The conversation with Damian replayed in my mind, but it felt so distant, like a sound from another life.Sending Celia away was supposed to be the right thing to do. But no part of me felt that way. My stomach churned with guilt, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was about to break something precious, something that could never be fixed.I took a deep breath and turned the knob, pushing the door open.Celia was sitting on her bed, her shoulders slumped, her eyes fixed on the floor. She looked so small, so fragile in that moment, like a lost child in a world she didn’t understand. Her silence hit me harder than any words could. I wanted to walk over to her, to tell her everything was going to be okay, but I didn’t know if it would be.The moment she sa
Castiel’s P.O.V I stormed down the corridor, my mind a swirling storm of anger and fear, and by the time I reached Damien’s room, my blood was boiling. I didn’t bother knocking—I shoved the door open with enough force to make it slam against the wall.Damien was standing near the large glass window; phone pressed to his ear, his tone calm as he spoke to whoever was on the other end of the line. That infuriating composure of his only fueled my rage.“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” I demanded my voice a shout that filled the room.He held up a finger, silently signaling me to be quiet as if I were a child throwing a tantrum. “Yes, I’ll handle this,” he said into the phone, his tone clipped. “We’ll discuss the details later.”I didn’t care who he was talking to or how important the call was. My vision tunneled on him, and
Castiel’s P.O.V The Synclair mansion felt quieter than usual as I walked down the long corridors toward the infirmary. The soft hum of distant voices and the faint echo of footsteps were the only sounds accompanying me.As per Damien’s strict instructions, Stephan had gone ahead for his blood test, and now it was my turn. Dr. Andrea had insisted on testing everyone who’d attended the meeting in Chicago—just in case something sinister had been slipped into the food or drinks. I didn’t think it was necessary, because if there was indeed something in the food then we’d have felt it by now, but Damien’s orders were non-negotiable.But the earlier incident had left a scar that wasn’t visible to the eye, and I was still reeling from the aftermath. The sight of watching the car blowing to splinters before my eyes, the crash of the other car, the loss of four lives…it all felt almost surreal.
Damien’s P.O.V The oppressive heat inside the car pressed down on me like a suffocating blanket, but I forced myself to focus. I couldn’t afford to lose control now. My palm pressed flat against the cold metal of the car door, and I concentrated on summoning my power. The familiar sensation of heat started to build in my chest, a flicker of red flames curling behind my closed eyes. It wasn’t enough yet. I needed more, and I needed it fast.Reed’s power was all over the car, threading through every electrical circuit like a silent predator. I could feel it, sharp and invasive, a cold blue light that clashed violently with the warmth of my energy. Every time I pushed, he pushed back harder, the sparks of his power zapping across my connection like static shocks. My jaw tightened, my teeth grinding together as I summoned everything I had."Damien, what are you doing?" Castiel’
Castiel’s P.O.V The car swerved violently, throwing me against the door as it careened down the winding road. My heart leaped to my throat when we narrowly missed a speeding SUV coming from the opposite direction, the headlights blinding for a split second before we were past. The screech of tires echoed in my ears, my pulse hammering so loudly I could barely hear my ragged breathing.“Dammit!” Stephan cursed from the front seat as he gripped the steering to steady himself, but the car was no longer under manual control. “This thing’s out of control!”The vehicle didn’t slow, weaving dangerously between lanes as if it had a mind of its own. My hands clawed at the door handle, uselessly trying to pry it open, but it was locked tight. Trapped. We were completely trapped in this mechanical death trap, and there wasn’t a damn thing we could do about it.
Castiel’s P.O.V The car’s engine hummed steadily as we cruised down the road, the scent of leather and faint cologne hanging thick in the air. I leaned back in my seat, turning my head to Damien, who sat beside me. He hadn’t said much since we’d left the estate, but that wasn’t unusual for him. Damien only spoke when he had something worth saying.“Did you manage to do it?” His voice broke the silence, smooth but firm, cutting through the dull sound of tires against asphalt. He didn’t look at me when he asked, but I could feel the tension in the car.I nodded slowly. “Yeah, I did.”“And?” His brow twitched, his tone shifting to something more curious. “What did you sense?”I hesitated. How could I even begin to explain what I felt back there? It wasn’t something you could j
Castiel’s P.O.V The morning light poured through the thin curtains, nudging me awake. I blinked at the unfamiliar ceiling, taking a moment to remember where I was. It didn’t take long for last night’s events to rush back into my mind.Groaning, I sat up, ruffling my hair as if that would wipe away the memory. Negotiations. Reed and Damien. As long as that wasn’t done, we’d be stuck here for god knows how long.I swung my legs off the bed and stretched, my muscles stiff from tossing and turning all night.A soft knock interrupted my thoughts.“Come in,” I called out, already knowing it would be Stephan. He had a knack for timing.He stepped in, his face bright and eager. “Good news. The deal’s done. We’re heading out this afternoon.”I blinked at him. “Wait, what? When did that happen? I thought we were supposed to stay another day.”