Damien’s P.O.V
I’ve seen Castiel put on a brave face for as long as I’ve known him. Always composed, always in control, like he carried the world on his shoulders but never let it crush him. But tonight, as I stood there holding him, I realized just how much weight he’d been carrying.
“Hey,” I whispered, tightening my arms around him. His body was warm but trembling against mine. “What’s wrong? Castiel, talk to me.”
At first, he didn’t say anything. His head was pressed against my chest, and I could feel the uneven rhythm of his breathing. His fingers curled into the fabric of my shirt like he was anchoring himself, like if he let go, he might drift away.
“It’s nothing,” he muttered, his voice barely audible. “I’m fine.”
I didn’t buy that for a second. “You’re not fine.” I pulled back just enough to tilt his chin
Damien’s P.O.V The warmth of Castiel’s body left mine as he stepped away, and I immediately felt its absence like a cold draft seeping into the room. My arms hung awkwardly at my sides, and disappointment flickered through me. Castiel avoided my eyes, his posture tense.I forced myself to focus on Stephan, who stood frozen in the doorway, a nervous energy radiating off him like heat from a flame. His gaze darted to Castiel and back to me, clearly realizing he’d walked in at the worst possible time.“There better be a good reason for this interruption,” I said, my voice cold and steady, though irritation laced every word.Stephan shifted uncomfortably, his usual confidence noticeably absent. “I… uh… it’s important,” he stammered, glancing at Castiel again like he was debating whether to speak in front of him.I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Castiel,&rdqu
Damien’s P.O.VFor a moment, the world around me felt muted. The invitation in my hand seemed heavier than it had any right to be, the weight pressing into my palm as if it carried all the ghosts I’d tried to bury. Elijah. Gabriel. Their names might as well have been written in blood.I stared at the card, my vision tunneling on the elegant, mocking script. *The Black Mirage. Grand Opening.* The words were etched in gold, but all I could see was red.“Damien?” Stephan’s voice cut through the fog, tentative, cautious.The sound jolted me, and I threw the card onto my desk as though it had burned me. The motion was sharp, almost violent, and the card fluttered for a moment before landing flat against the polished wood. I turned my back to Stephan, needing to hide the storm I knew was written all over my face.I felt his hesitation behind me before he spoke. “Should I decline the invitation?”
Castiel’s P.O.V The sun beat down relentlessly as I made my way to the pool with Stephan by my side. My muscles were aching from the morning’s brutal training session. Damien had been particularly relentless, barking orders like he had something to prove. Not that it was unusual for him, but today it felt like he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.I didn’t know what kind of conversation Damien had had with Stephan last night, but it had definitely put him in a bad mood.I glanced at Stephan, who looked just as worn out, though he carried it with his usual nonchalance. He stretched his arms over his head, his tank top damp with sweat. “Pool’s gonna feel amazing right about now,” he muttered, tugging at the strap of his bag.“Yeah,” I agreed, wiping the back of my neck. My mind, however, was elsewhere. Specifically, it was stuck on the conversation I’d walked out of
Castiel’s P.O.V I could feel the tension in the air before Dominic even moved, but when he slid into the pool with that damn smirk still plastered on his face and still fully clothed, I knew things were about to get complicated. He was the kind of person who thrived on making everything a game. And right now? I wasn’t in the mood to play.I exchanged a glance with Stephan, his face tightening as he noticed the same thing I did.“We should get out of here now,” I muttered, my voice low but urgent. I began to push myself up out of the water, my muscles stiff from the training earlier.But as I moved to pull my leg out of the pool, something strange happened. It felt like the water was… resisting me. Not in a natural way, like the usual drag of the water, but like something was *holding* me down. I froze, trying again, but no matter how hard I pulled, my leg wouldn’t budge.“Stephan,”
Castiel’s P.O.V As we made our way back to my room, the adrenaline from the confrontation with Dominic started to wear off, leaving me feeling like I had just run a marathon. My legs were still a little shaky, but the worst part was the nagging feeling of unease that wouldn't leave me.Stephan walked beside me, his usual calm demeanor in place, but there was a small smirk tugging at his lips. I could tell he was impressed by how I’d handled Dominic, even though I knew deep down that I wasn’t as confident as I’d let on.“That was impressive,” Stephan said, breaking the silence as we reached the door. “I didn’t think you had it in you to stand up to him like that.”I gave a small chuckle, shaking my head as I opened the door to my room. “Don’t be fooled, Stephan. I was scared as hell. Dominic’s a damn Special Alpha, and he can control water. The guy’s dangerous,
Damien’s P.O.V I sat on the examination table, the sterile smell of the clinic mixing with the faint scent of Andrea’s lavender hand sanitizer. The room was painfully quiet except for the rhythmic tap of her pen against her clipboard. She’d been running her tests for the last hour and a half, and while I had no doubts about my physical recovery, I knew Andrea well enough to realize she wasn’t only concerned with my body.“How am I doing, doc?” I asked, forcing a smirk. “Can I go save the world, or should I start drafting my will?”Andrea glanced up from her clipboard, her sharp eyes narrowing slightly. “Physically? You’re fine. The bullet wound has healed beautifully. Your reflexes and strength are back to where they should be. But—” She paused, and I could already feel the weight of what was coming. “I’m not so sure about you mentally.”I exhaled slowly, leaning back against the chair. “You think I can’t handle seeing Gabriel again.”Andrea’s brow furrowed, and she crossed her arms.
Castiel’s P.O.V The water rippled softly around my toes as I let my feet dangle in the pool. The evening air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of jasmine from the garden behind me. Overhead, the stars were beginning to dot the sky, their quiet brilliance a stark contrast to the unease swirling in my mind. Stephan had told me earlier that we were heading to a casino opening this weekend—a party hosted by someone dangerous. The word “dangerous” hung over me like a storm cloud, especially after how the auction involving Reed had went down. I’d asked him why Damien would even consider going to an event hosted by an enemy, but Stephan, true to form, had only offered a vague, “I’ll explain later.”So now, I was here, waiting for him by the pool, trying to enjoy the view and push down the uneasy questions clawing at my thoughts. The mansion looked breathtaking at night, its grand arches illuminated by soft golden lights. The gardens behind me were alive with the gentle hum of crickets an
Castiel’s P.O.VI stared at the stars, their shimmering light blurred by the restless thoughts racing through my mind. Two weeks ago, the memory of Damien calling out Gabriel’s name while unconscious at the hospital had seared itself into my heart like a brand. His grip on my hand had been tight, almost desperate, and though he hadn’t been fully awake, the way his voice had cracked when he said that name… haunted me.And now Stephan stood beside me, telling me that Damien had moved on? It felt like a cruel joke.I let out a bitter laugh, shaking my head as I stared at the rippling water. “Moved on, huh? Is that what we’re calling it?”Stephan’s gaze settled on me, filled with a pity I didn’t want to see. “Castiel, I know what you’re thinking—”“No, you don’t,” I cut him off, my voice sharp. “You weren&rsquo
Castiel’s P.O.VI can feel the tension crackling in the air between us, the heat of the moment sinking into my bones. Aaron's gaze shifts from the barrel of the gun to me, the sneer still curling his lips. He thinks he has the upper hand, still.“You think this will work?” Aaron growls, his eyes flicking down to the gun. “You think a simple bullet is going to stop me?”But I’ve had enough of this. Enough of his threats. Enough of this game of power.His hands are already moving, preparing to summon the ice again, but I don’t wait. I tighten my grip on his arm, pulling his hand closer, forcing him to feel the weight of my strength. His ice starts to form, the cold creeping in, but this time, I don’t give him the chance to get the upper hand.“Try it,” I mutter through clenched teeth. “Try to block me.”The confidence in his expression falters as I push ha
Castiel’s P.O.VThe air was crackling like the fuse of a bomb just waiting to explode. I can feel it deep in my bones—the roar of power swirling around me, the weight of it pressing down on everything. I keep my hand firmly on Damien’s shoulder, grounding myself, grounding him.He’s burning with power, his sleeves aflame, his hands crackling with fire as he counters Elijah’s electricity. I can see the sparks flying everywhere, and despite the chaos, I’m more focused on him than anything else. My heart pounds in my chest, my energy draining slowly, but I can’t let Damien see how much I’m struggling. Not yet.I’ve always known this moment was coming, the one where everything breaks down, where we’re pushed to the edge. But nothing prepares you for the full weight of a battle like this, not when everything you hold dear is at stake.The sound of the fighting is deafening. Our men are clashing with Elijah’s guards, their shouts and grunts filling the air, and the violence is everywhere in
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