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.V “Pathetic. Just plain stupid. You terrible, terrible fool— and No- I do not want to hear an explanation!" Oliver, the manager of the restaurant and also my boss, screamed at me at the top of his lungs as I rose from the floor slowly, where I had been picking up shards of the broken plate.The young lady standing beside him smirked wider, her expression and posture showing someone that had achieved a certain type of victory. And maybe she had.“Sir…I swear I didn't do anything. I've been picking up the shards of this plate—” I started but was immediately cut short again. He was visibly angry, but then again, he was always angry. With me, anyways.“And who exactly threw the plate on the floor, Castiel? You're acting like the shards suddenly appeared there on their own!” He barked, approaching me stealthily as I backed up against the wall.I tried to think back to how I had landed in this position in the first place, and realized it all started with the woman and her fri
Castiel’s P.O.V The gunshot still echoed in my head, louder than I thought a single pull of the trigger could be. But what haunted me most wasn’t the sound. It was the blood splattered on the walls, the blood pooling on the floor. I stared at the gang leader, my hands trembling as the gun fell to the floor. I didn’t even know his name, only that he was the boss. And now he was lying in a pool of his own blood, lifeless.For a moment, the room seemed eerily quiet, the silence broken only by the noise of my own ragged breathing. But then, suddenly, Celia’s cry shattered the tranquility and the reality of it all came crashing down on me."You're dead," someone snarled, stepping forward, fists clenched. Another man grabbed a bottle and smashed it against the wall, shards flying everywhere. I took a step back, instinct kicking in. They were coming for me. All of them. "Get him!" someone else shouted, and before I could think, my sister, Celia, pulled herself out of the dead man’s grip a
Castiel’s P.O.V Damien’s breath was hot against my neck, and I couldn’t suppress the shiver that ran down my spine. I grit my teeth, trying to focus on anything else—anything but the weight of him pressing into me, the feeling of his hands moving over my body like he has some kind of right to it.The room is dark, but the feeling of his hands on my body kept me grounded to the here and now, making sure I knew exactly what was happening.I knew what he wanted, after all, Damien’s interest in men was no secret. But I never imagined myself as his next victim…how the hell had I ended up in this scenario? Why was I so powerless to stop this?“Stop.” I grit out, yet another futile attempt to break free from the binds. “No!”But the metallic snap of his knife jolts me back to reality. I felt the cold tip of his blade glide against my chest, slipping under the fabric of my shirt. Then, the sound of fabric tearing fills the silence. My shirt falls away in jagged pieces, baring me to his eyes.
Castiel’s P.O.VThe chains that bound my wrists had left angry bruises, a painful reminder of the ordeal I had just endured. As Damien finally released me, I slumped to the floor, my muscles weak and trembling from the strain."Am... am I done?" I managed to choke out, my voice barely above a whisper, but my mind was still reeling from the ordeal.How could an Alpha do this to another? But then I wanted to scoff at my own stupidity. I wasn’t a true Alpha, was I? I had no real powers to fight him off. But that didn’t mean I was going to sit back and take it. The only reason why he was able to take advantage of me was because I was bound and helpless.Damien's cold gaze met mine, and he shook his head, a cruel smile playing at the corners of his lips."Not yet," he said, his voice sending a shiver down my spine. "I'm not satisfied yet."Dread coiled in the pit of my stomach as Damien's words washed over me. I had hoped that the nightmare was finally over, that I could escape the clutche
Castiel’s P.O.VI closed my eyes, trying to block out the sensations that threatened to overwhelm me. I knew my orgasm was close too, my dick twitched with want, but I refused to give in to this insane desire.What the hell had gotten into me? Why was I getting turned on by this humiliation? Why…was I starting to like this?No! It couldn’t be possible!But before I could fully process what was happening, his lips claimed mine once again, and I felt a wave of exhaustion wash over me. I was spent, physically and emotionally drained from the ordeal I had endured."Please," I begged, my voice barely a whisper. "Enough."But Damien's touch was relentless, his desire burning like a fire that refused to be extinguished.And then, with a brutality that stole the breath from my lungs, Damien took what he wanted from me once again. I gritted my teeth, trying to push back the rising tide of pain and humiliation.But Damien paid no heed to my pleas, his hunger driving him onward. And so I endured
Castiel’s P.O.VDamien leans against the doorframe, buckling his belt with that smug grin I hate. The click of the metal prongs into place feels louder than it should, like the final snap of a trap I just walked into. I stay still, my chest rising and falling too fast, my fists balled at my sides, my wrists finally free from the shackles.The air feels too thick, and I’m sweating under his gaze even though the room is cold."You've proven yourself useful, Castiel," Damien said, his voice dripping with menace. "But now, you owe me a debt that must be repaid."“What do you mean?” I ask him sharply.“That means you owe me.” Damien says, his voice smooth and deliberate. He steps closer, his eyes glinting with satisfaction. “You killed one of my men. Now, you’ll be his replacement."I swallow hard, forcing down the bile rising in my throat. I know exactly what he means. Damien isn&r
Castiel’s P.O.V I follow Damien down the long, polished hallway, the air thick with the scent of power—sharp, heavy, impossible to ignore. I keep my gaze low, watching the way the guards stationed along the walls shift when Damien passes. Each one lowers his head in submission, the kind of respect reserved only for someone at the very top of the chain.The place is a masterpiece of luxury. Marble floors gleam under the soft light of chandeliers, and the walls are lined with ornate gold-framed mirrors and abstract art that probably costs more than I’ve ever make in my entire life. The air smells faintly of cedarwood and leather, a scent so rich it feels like it’s meant to remind you that you don’t belong here.But what catches my attention is the presence of the men around me—Alphas and Betas, all of them strong, radiating authority and command. Their scents are unmistakable, and I can feel the intensity hummi
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
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 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,
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 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
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?”
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.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
Castiel’s P.O.V The emerald on the ring caught the faint light of the room as I turned my hand again, watching how the gem gleamed like it was alive. I couldn’t stop staring. My finger felt strange, heavy with the weight of something so valuable. My throat tightened every time I remembered the price the auctioneer had mentioned to me. Two million dollars.Two. Million.“You’re going to bore a hole through that thing with how hard you’re staring at it.” Damien’s voice was calm and teasing as he stepped out of the closet, already dressed in a casual attire. “It’s just a ring, Cas.”“Just a ring?” I blurted, finally tearing my gaze away to glare at him. “This is two million dollars sitting on my finger, Damien. Do you have any idea how ridiculous that is? Who spends that kind of money on a ring?”“You’re acting like I handed you a Faberg&e