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
Castiel’s P.O.VI led Damien to his room, careful with each step as he leaned on me. He didn’t need help to get to the bed, but I insisted, wanting to make sure he was comfortable. It wasn’t just about physical care; it was about showing him that I was there for him in every way possible.Once we reached the bed, I gently helped him sit down; making sure his back was well supported by the soft pillows. He looked up at me with those piercing eyes, and for a moment, the world outside seemed to fade away.“What do you need, Damien?” I asked, my voice low, soft. I wasn’t sure what he was feeling, but I wanted to be there for whatever he needed, even if it was something as simple as a company.“What are you offering?” He asked, his voice hoarse.“Anything.”The word slipped out without thinking, and as soon as it did, I realized just how loaded it sounded. The hint of a
Damien’s P.O.V Andrea's words hung in the air like a carefully laid trap, waiting for me to step into it. I leaned back in the chair, folding my arms across my chest, my voice sharper than intended. "What's wrong with being happy? Isn’t that a good thing?"She smiled faintly, unfazed by my defensive tone. "It is, Damien. But I wasn’t suggesting there’s anything wrong. I just wanted to share what I found." She leaned against the counter, her pen tapping lightly on the clipboard in her hand. "For the past few years, your serotonin levels have been consistently low. That usually correlates with anxiety, stress, or even depression. But now..." Her gaze softened as she gestured to the report. "These elevated levels mean you're starting to step out of the shadows of your past. And, if I had to guess, I’d say a ‘certain blonde’ has something to do with it."I blinked, my thoughts grinding to a halt. "A certain
Damien’s P.O.VThe familiar scent of leather and aged wood greeted me as I stepped into my mansion. The quiet hum of the city outside was muted here, replaced by the soft ticking of the grandfather clock in the foyer. It felt good to be home, even if my body still ached with every step.Castiel and Stephan followed behind me, both noticeably tense. Castiel, in particular, hovered like a worried shadow, his eyes darting toward me every time I so much as shifted. It was endearing, if not a little annoying.“You two,” I said, turning to face them as we reached the base of the grand staircase. “Go unpack and settle in. I’ll meet you later.”Castiel frowned, his concern practically radiating off him. “Are you sure? Do you need help getting to—”“I’m not that fragile,” I interrupted with a small smile, hoping to ease his mind. “I promise, I’ll be fine. Ju
Castiel’s P.O.V The world around me faded, and all I could focus on was Damien. His lips were warm and soft, and his kiss was everything I didn’t know I needed—a quiet assurance, a tether to pull me out of my spiraling thoughts. For a brief, stolen moment, it felt like everything was right again, as though nothing else existed except him and the steady rhythm of his heartbeat under my palm. I didn’t even realize my hand had wandered, bracing myself on the edge of the bed. It wasn’t until I shifted slightly that my palm pressed against his injured side. Damien hissed sharply, his body tensing beneath me. The sound snapped me back to reality like a bucket of ice water. I jerked back immediately, my eyes wide with alarm. “Damien!” I exclaimed, horror twisting in my chest. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean—” Before I could even finish, Damien reached up and cupped the back of my neck, pulling me back down. His lips pressed against mine in a quick, silencing kiss, soft but firm enough to s
Castiel’s P.O.V The hallway leading to Damien’s room felt unusually long. The muffled sound of voices from other rooms faded as I approached his door. I hesitated, my hand hovering just above the doorknob. A part of me dreaded what I might find, given how things were earlier. But I steeled myself and pushed the door open.Damien was awake this time, his pale face illuminated by the soft, sterile light from the overhead lamp. Stephan sat beside him, perched on a chair, his posture rigid, like he was expecting me. As I stepped in, his eyes darted to me, and he gave a subtle shake of his head. It was quick, barely noticeable, but the message was clear: *Don’t bring it up.*I nodded slightly in response, my lips pressing into a thin line. Whatever had happened earlier—whatever made Stephan cautious—I wasn’t about to make it worse. I walked to Damien’s side, the sound of my boots against the tile floor break
Castiel's POVI finally found my voice, and I moved away from him immediately, "What are you doing?" My tone was firm, but I could feel a hint of unease beneath the surface.Elijah seemed to snap out of whatever trance he was in, and he took a step back, his eyes widening with surprise. The sudden movement broke the spell that had held me frozen, and I felt a surge of relief wash over me.However, Elijah's gaze never left mine, and he still had that intriguing look on his face as he asked, "You're an Alpha, aren’t you Castiel?”“Y-yes?” I looked at him in confusion, unable to comprehend where this was going.“But you have a unique scent... the scent of an omega." His words hung in the air, and I felt a sense of trepidation wash over me.I shrugged, trying to play it cool. "I get that a lot," I said, keeping my vo
Castiel's P.O.VI stood at the edge of the rooftop long after Stephan’s departure, my eyes fixed on the city lights twinkling in the distance. My mind was a jumble of emotions, a tangled web of thoughts and feelings that I couldn't seem to untangle. It felt like I was drowning in a sea of uncertainty, unsure of where to go from here.The revelation about Gabriel had left me reeling. I couldn't believe that Damien had been through such a betrayal, especially from someone who he had trusted to that extent. And yet, as I thought about it, I realized that it all made sense. Damien's reserve, his hesitation to open up to me - it was all because of Gabriel.I felt a pang of sadness, a sense of loss for the man who had been hurt so deeply. Damien had never really gotten over Gabriel, I realized that now. He had never really moved on. And I wondered, with a sense of trepidation, if he ever would.&n
Castiel's P.O.VWe stepped out onto the hospital's terrace, the cool evening air a welcome respite from the stifling tension that had been building inside me. The city skyline stretched out before us, a twinkling expanse of lights that seemed to pulse with a life of their own. Stephen leaned against the railing, his eyes fixed on some point in the distance. I stood beside him, my eyes fixed on his profile, waiting for him to begin."Damien and I…we go way back, before he even became the Don of the Dragon Syndicate," Stephen said finally, his voice low and hesitant. "We've known each other for a long time, Castiel. We've been through a lot together." He paused, his eyes clouding over with memories. "Damien's past is... complicated. He's been hurt, Castiel. Deeply hurt. And he's built walls around himself to protect himself from getting hurt again.""What happened to him?" I asked, my voice barely a
Castiel's P.O.VIt felt like I'd been punched in the gut. Did Damien just say... Gabriel? I must have misheard him…right? I leaned in closer, my voice shaking slightly as I tried to correct him. "Damien, my name is Castiel. Not Gabriel."But Damien just kept talking, his words slurred and nonsensical. "Gabriel, please don't leave me. Come back to me…please.” His voice cracked with emotion. “I miss you so much."I felt a pang of confusion and concern. Who was Gabriel, and why was Damien calling out to him so desperately?I tried to reason with Damien, to bring him back to reality. "Damien, I'm right here. It's me, Castiel. You're safe." But he just kept talking, his words pouring out in a feverish stream. "Gabriel, I'm sorry…Gabriel…”I felt like I was watching a train wreck in slow motion. Damien's words were like a p