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
Castiel’s P.O.V The moment Reed’s back turned, I felt Damien’s hand close around my arm, fingers digging into the flesh. I flinched, my muscles tensing under the pressure, and I can’t help but wince. His grip is painful, like iron, and it only tightens as he yanks me closer."How do you know Reed?" he growls, his voice a low whisper that doesn’t reach Reed, but I can hear the menace in it. He’s not just curious. He’s angry. I swallow hard, trying to steady my breath. His eyes lock onto mine with a dangerous intensity, like he’s searching for a lie."I—I met him today," I say, my voice sounding weaker than I want it to. "In the hallway. I came out of your room, and I... I got lost trying to find my way to mine."Damien's eyes narrow, and I can feel his fingers digging deeper into my arm. The pain stings, but I grit my teeth, refusing to show any more weakness. "He was outside our room,
Castiel’s P.O.V The unease had been simmering in my gut since the moment I sat in between Reed and Damien at the dinner table. But when I felt his leg on mine, I couldn’t help but shift uncomfortably, trying to put as much distance between us as the space would allow.Reed moved his foot away, but something about the way he looked at me, like he was sizing me up, made my skin crawl.I tried to focus on the meal, cutting small pieces of roast chicken and pushing them around my plate, but every time I looked up, Reed was staring, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.Tonight, I had thought that it would be just a casual dinner with the bosses discussing business with none of us ‘side-kicks’ having anything to do with them, but the idea of sharing a table with them was unfamiliar and oppressive. The atmosphere was thick with uncertainty, Reed’s presence throwing everything off balance."Not hungry, Castiel?"
Castiel’s P.O.V I don’t remember how I found my way to the gardens; one minute I was roaming the endless deserted hallways, and the next, I was here. The Panther Syndicate’s estate might have been a gilded cage, but the gardens were illuminated by a golden glow, making it look almost ethereal.The only sounds came from the gentle rustle of leaves in the wind and the soft trickle of water from the fountain at the center. I walked slowly along the stone path, hands buried in my pockets, as I tried to steady the storm inside me. Here, surrounded by neatly trimmed hedges and vibrant flowers, I could finally breathe.My chest ached, a tight, burning sensation that wouldn’t go away no matter how much air I dragged in. Damien’s words from earlier echoed in my head, cruel and cutting as usual. He didn’t even have to raise his voice to hurt me; his cold tone did all the work. And yet, the pain wasn’t just from t
Castiel’s P.O.V “What the hell are you talking about?”“I’m talking about you, developing something for Damien,” Stephan rolled his eyes. “Let’s not beat around the bush, kid. We both know what’s happening, and if you take my advice, it’s better to stop that right here and now.”My mind was tangled in knots, trying to piece together fragments of a puzzle that felt like it would never fit together.I tried to think about what Stephan was telling me, really listen to his words and try to keep my feelings aside.Damien. The enigma. The man who had imprisoned me, and yet managed to saved me at the same time, kept himself locked behind a wall of silence and steel.Stephan stood beside me, his gaze fixed on the horizon, with a posture that mirrored my own. He had been Damien's confidant long before I entered their world—a link to the past that seemed to h
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.”
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
Damien’s P.O.VI turned slowly, my eyes falling on the charred remains of Gabriel’s body. The sight of him, lifeless on the floor, was jarring. It wasn’t the first time I had seen death, but it was different when it was someone who hadn’t deserved it. Gabriel had been a friend turned foe and friend again, caught in the crossfire of a war none of us truly understood. But there he was, reduced to ash and smoke, a tragic reminder of how easily life could be snatched away.I felt a deep pang of sorrow for him. The suddenness of it all, the horror of how quickly he had been taken from this world, left me hollow for a moment. I hadn’t even been able to protect him. He had come to me with hopes of escaping this conflict, with hopes of survival, and I had promised him that…only for it to come up empty.But as I lifted my gaze back to Elijah, I knew that sorrow wouldn’t stop me. It wouldn’t stop me from confronting him, from calling out everything that had been eating at me for so long. He may
Castiel’s P.O.VI could feel Damien tense the moment Elijah took a step forward, his dark boots clicking on the tiled floor with an ominous sound, like he owned the very ground beneath him. It was strange, watching these two men—half-brothers, born of the same mother but molded into completely different creatures. One stood in front of me, shielding me as if I were fragile. The other smirked, his hands loose at his sides, his stance casual but deceptively dangerous. Damien had come to stand in front of me the moment Elijah had set foot into the venue, his intent clear. I knew he truly didn’t see me as fragile, but he also didn’t want Elijah to get any ideas. Damien was protective of me, but it was a trait that also worried me to no end.“You’ve breached the treaty, Elijah,” Damien said, his voice steady but edged with warning. “You scouted my territory without permission. You know what that means.” Elijah chuckled, shaking his head like Damien had just told him a ridiculous joke. “C
Castiel’s P.O.VDamien looks over at me as the car comes to a halt outside the venue, his dark eyes steady as always, but I can see the faint flicker of concern beneath the calm surface. He gives me a small, reassuring smile. "Are you ready?"I exhale slowly, my heart racing despite the calm façade I try to maintain. "As ready as I'll ever be," I say, the words coming out more shaky than I intended. My nerves are a mess, but I can't afford to show it. Not now. Not with everything on the line.Damien gives a nod of approval, his grip on my hand tightening just slightly. I feel the reassurance in that touch—strong, unwavering. He exits the car first, his movements deliberate and confident. As he holds out his hand for me, I hesitate for a fraction of a second before taking it. The cool air hits my face as I step out of the car, and I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself.We walk down the red carpet, the pathway lined with floral arrangements and shimmering lights that bounce off
Castiel’s P.O.VI stand in front of the mirror, smoothing out the fabric of my teal-green suit. It’s a bold choice, but today feels like a day for boldness. The color matches the excitement and the nervous energy stirring inside me. The white shirt underneath complements it, simple yet elegant. My fingers tremble slightly as I adjust my tie, but I try to steady myself, trying not to think about everything that’s hanging on the balance today.Behind me, Damien stands in front of the mirror as well. His indigo suit is a stark contrast to mine, but it suits him perfectly, just like everything else about him. His hair is perfectly styled, every strand in place, and the sharpness of his features is highlighted by the cut of his suit. He looks... well, he looks like someone ready for a battle—but not one that’s fought with weapons. He looks like someone who’s preparing to make a declaration.“Are you ready?” Damien asks, his voice smooth and reassuring, though I can tell there’s a hint of s
Castiel’s P.O.VThe morning air is crisp as Damien and I walk side by side, the world around us still waking up. The sun peeks through the trees, casting soft golden rays over the park. We’re heading to see Celia, and despite the calm surroundings, I can feel the tension in the air, a reminder that the clock is ticking down to the engagement next week. There's a sense of urgency, an unspoken weight pressing on both of us, but right now, it’s just about Celia.She’s the only thing that keeps us grounded in all of this chaos.We arrive at th e park and find Celia already waiting for us, her eyes bright with excitement. She waves frantically, her usual energy bubbling over. And, of course, Mia, her best friend, is with her, her fiery red hair practically glowing in the sunlight.The guard who had brought her here from the school now bows to Damien and leaves the park. But I’m sure he’s going to be around s
Castiel’s P.O.VThe days leading up to the party blur into a whirlwind of tasks, preparations, and late-night conversations. Damien and I choose to work side by side, fine-tuning every detail, especially when it comes to security. We need to ensure that only the most powerful Alphas and omegas are present. No one else. The safety of the event, the guests, and ourselves was the main priority. It’s a lot to manage, but we’re a team, and there’s a strange comfort in that, in how we operate together, moving like clockwork, making everything fall into place.Damien has always been focused and meticulous in a way that borders on perfectionism. I’ve always admired that about him. But today, as we sit with the catalog in front of us, picking out venues for the party, something feels different. It’s a quiet tug in the back of my mind, pulling me toward one specific place. The images in the catalog flash by, each one more glam
Castiel’s P.O.VI watched as Dominic stood still for a few long moments, before he turned and climbed out of the pool, water dripping down in ripples from his perfectly toned form.Dominic’s eyes flickered with irritation as he wrapped a towel around himself, the soft fabric rustling as he stood facing me. His expression was guarded, still tinged with that trademark arrogance, but there was something in the way his jaw clenched that made me wonder if he was finally starting to crack."Look, Castiel," Dominic began, his tone harder than it needed to be, but I could tell the words were meant to mask something deeper. "Me and Damien... our relationship, it's built on decades of misunderstandings, mistrusts, and resentments. Nothing can fix that. Not now, not ever."I could feel my patience thinning, the weight of his words pressing down on me like a heavy storm cloud. I opened my mouth to respond, to try and make him see reason, but before I could get a word out, Tanner spoke up, his voi
Castiel’s P.O.VI ran a hand through my hair, feeling the weight of what I was about to ask. I could already tell that this conversation was going to drain me, but I had no choice. What I needed from him was something no one else could offer. Not many people had control over water, and it was something that could be the difference between success and failure in what was coming next.But of course, Dominic knew how to toy with people. And I could already feel his power playing out in subtle ways, his every movement calculated, deliberate. He was probably enjoying the discomfort he knew he was causing me, and he wasn’t about to let me off easy.Seeing my hesitation, he tilted his head slightly, amusement flickering in his dark eyes. “Are you having second thoughts about changing lovers, Castiel? It’s a big decision. I’m sure you’re still caught up in Damien’s charms.”I didn’t even let him finish. “I didn’t come here for that.” My voice was colder than I intended, but it didn’t matter.
Castiel’s P.O.V“Then let’s do this.” I finally told him, my voice firm, even though I couldn’t let go of the concern. “Let’s catch Elijah in his own game, make sure he never comes after us again.”I watched as Damien’s eyes lit up, that familiar spark of excitement crossing his face. He gave me that smile—the kind that made me want to trust him completely, to believe that everything would go as planned."Thanks for understanding, Castiel," he said, his voice warm with gratitude. But even as the words left his lips, I couldn't shake the gnawing feeling in my chest.I leaned forward slightly, meeting his gaze, my own expression far less assured. "I understand, but I'm still worried," I said, trying to keep the edge of concern out of my voice. "You see, Elijah not knowing about my powers—that's an advantage, but I’m not invincible, Damien. If he separates us, if he isol