***************CHAPTER 20~Arianna’s POV~The rest of the day passed in a blur. Damon didn’t return to the office, and for that, I was grateful. I buried myself in the tasks left on my desk, trying to ignore the lingering tension from our earlier encounter. But no matter how hard I tried, his words refused to leave my mind."The only man in your life is me."It was infuriating. Arrogant. Possessive. And yet... it stirred something I couldn’t quite put into words. I managed to focus on the tasks he left for me through email and got them done even though it was way harder than serving and waiting tables.By the time we returned to the penthouse, the sky was painted in streaks of orange and pink, the city glowing beneath us. I hadn’t seen Damon since we left the car, and honestly, I preferred it that way.I made my way to the kitchen, my stomach growling as I opened the fridge. There were all sorts of drinks there but I didn’t want wine or yoghurt. I wanted…My eyes lit up when I saw
***************CHAPTER 21~Arianna’s POV~Little fire!Tsk. I did as he asked. Usually, one would have expected him to place an order for me when the waiter came over but he barely threw me a glance until now. Regardless, I was glad to be free from that boring discussion.As I slipped away from the booth, Damon’s gaze lingered on my back, sending a shiver up my spine.The nickname—little fire—still echoed in my ears, a mix of mockery and something far too intimate for my liking. I shook it off and made my way toward the bar, grateful for even a brief reprieve from his suffocating presence.The bar was crowded, the air filled with chatter and laughter, contrasting the tension in Damon’s private booth. I ordered a simple cocktail—something light and sweet to take the edge off.As I waited for the drink, I couldn’t help but glance back toward the booth. Damon was still there, listening to the men around him. One of them leaned forward, gesturing animatedly, but Damon’s attention never
***************CHAPTER 22~Arianna’s POV~The cool night air hit me as we stepped outside, the heavy bass from the club muffled by the closed door behind us.I wrenched my arm free, glaring up at him. “What the hell was that?”“That?” he echoed, his voice dangerously calm as he turned to face me fully. “That was me keeping you from making an even bigger mistake.”“I was just dancing!” I shot back and my voice rose. “You can’t just—just storm in and punch people because you’re angry!”His lips twisted into a humorless smirk. “Oh, I wasn’t angry. Yet.”My heart skipped a beat at the dark edge in his tone. “Where are we going now?”He stepped closer, his towering presence swallowing the space between us. “To let out the anger you seem so determined to provoke.”I stared at him, my breath catching in my throat. The fire in his eyes was unnerving, but it was the restraint beneath it that sent a shiver down my spine.He turned sharply, striding toward his car parked a short distance away.
****************CHAPTER 23~Arianna’s POV~My mind barely registered the words, save for warned and fumed.Each brutal hit reminded me of dark times, of the rage-filled nights when my uncle would lash out, the alcohol fueling his violence. My stomach churned, and my vision blurred with unwanted memories.I couldn’t watch anymore. I turned and ran, passing through the crowd until I burst through the warehouse doors and into the cool night air.My heart raced as I leaned against Damon’s car, trying to steady my breathing.Minutes passed before I heard his footsteps.“Arianna,” he called, his voice calm yet commanding.I didn’t answer, crossing my arms and staring at the ground.He approached, stopping a few feet away. “Look at me.”I didn’t move.Damon growled low, stepping closer and gripping my chin, tilting my face up to meet his gaze.“Don’t touch me,” I snapped, smacking his hand away.His eyes flickered with something unreadable, but he said nothing.“I hate this,” I spat, my voi
****************CHAPTER 24~Arianna’s POV~I rasped on the door and stepped, my eyes glancing around the porch as I stood, arms wrapped tightly around myself against the biting cold. The chill seeped through the thin fabric of my dress, and I shifted uncomfortably, silently praying Martha was home.Footsteps shuffled inside, and her voice called out, “Alright, alright, I’m coming!”The door opened, and Martha stood there, her eyes widening in shock as they landed on me. “Arianna?” she asked, her voice laced with disbelief. Her gaze travelled down my dishevelled appearance, lingering on my deep red dress that clung uncomfortably to my body.I looked down at myself. The dress wasn’t one I would have chosen—not in a million years. Its neckline dipped just low enough to make me self-conscious, and the slit running up the side made me feel like I was barely dressed at all. A gust of wind sent a shiver through me, emphasizing my predicament.“Goodness me, Arianna,” Martha said, her voi
***************CHAPTER 25~Arianna’s POV~Martha’s apartment felt warm and cozy as I sat on the couch holding a mug of hot cocoa. Martha was sprawled across her armchair, legs tucked beneath her as she listened to my vague complaints about my “new job.”“I don’t even know where to begin,” I sighed, leaning back against the cushions. “He’s arrogant, controlling, and honestly… insufferable.”Martha raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “Sounds like your boss is a piece of work. What kind of job is this again?”“Let’s just say it’s temporary,” I muttered, taking a sip of cocoa to avoid answering directly.“Temporary or not, Ari, no one has the right to treat you like that.” Martha’s voice took on a protective edge, and I felt a twinge of guilt. She didn’t know the half of it.Before I could respond, a loud crash shattered the calm. The front door burst open, slamming against the wall.“What the—” Martha started, but her voice faltered as she stared at the figure standing in the doorway.
***************CHAPTER 26~Arianna’s POV~The car tore through the darkened streets, its engine growling like a restless predator. Damon’s hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles pale under the dim glow of the dashboard.I crossed my arms, my frustration boiling over. “You can’t just drag me around like I’m some kind of possession, Damon. I’m a person, not—”“You’re mine, Arianna,” he interrupted firmly. “And I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe.”I scoffed, turning my head to glare at him. “Safe? You left me on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere. What part of that screams 'safe’ to you?”His jaw clenched, his gaze fixed ahead. “You needed a reminder that actions have consequences. Wandering off wasn’t an option.”“You’re unbelievable,” I muttered, slumping back into the seat. My hands itched to grab the door handle, to throw myself out of the car if only to prove a point. But with the speed he was driving, that wasn’t an option unless I had a death wi
***************CHAPTER 27~Damon’s POV~The drive back to the estate was anything but smooth, even though the road stretched out like a ribbon under the early morning sun. My hands tightened around the steering wheel, frustration bubbling in me as Mars prowled in the back of my mind.“Two of Luca’s men,” he snarled, his anger intertwining with mine.“They won’t dare step foot on my territory again,” I muttered aloud, though no one could hear me. The report from last night still replayed in my head. My men had spotted them skulking near the estate's perimeter, and their intentions were clear—Arianna.The idea of anyone coming near her made my blood boil. Mars growled, his presence pushing against my control.“She’s ours. She doesn’t even know what she’s risking.”I didn’t need him to remind me. Arianna had been a thorn in my side since the moment we met. Her stubbornness, her defiance—it made her infuriating and irresistible all at once. Every time she pushed back, it only made me
***************~Damon’s POV~Damon didn’t move, didn’t flinch, as I closed the distance between us. My heart pounded, each beat a whisper of hesitation, of something I didn’t fully understand.“C-Can I?” I asked softly, barely above a whisper. My hand hovered in the space between us, close but not touching.He didn’t respond right away. His dark eyes locked onto mine, searching—maybe for my intent, maybe for something else. Then, after what felt like forever, he gave a small nod.I exhaled shakily and reached out. My fingertips grazed his skin, featherlight as they brushed over the bruise on his ribs. Damon tensed under my touch but didn’t pull away.Gently, I traced the edges of each mark, my fingers gliding over the discolored patches of skin on his abdomen, the faint scars on his chest. My touch was careful, reverent, as if I could erase the pain they carried by simply being soft with him."Do they still hurt?" I murmured.Damon shook his head. “Physically, no,” he admitted. His v
*****************CHAPTER 68~Damon’s POV~I swallowed past the lump in my throat, my fingers twitching at my sides. My anger had burned out like a candle in the wind, leaving only this—raw, aching silence between us.Slowly, almost hesitantly, I took a step forward. Then another.Damon didn’t move, didn’t flinch, as I closed the distance between us. My heart pounded, each beat a whisper of hesitation, of something I didn’t fully understand.“C-Can I?” I asked softly, barely above a whisper. My hand hovered in the space between us, close but not touching.He didn’t respond right away. His dark eyes locked onto mine, searching—maybe for my intent, maybe for something else. Then, after what felt like forever, he gave a small nod.I exhaled shakily and reached out. My fingertips grazed his skin, featherlight as they brushed over the bruise on his ribs. Damon tensed under my touch but didn’t pull away.Gently, I traced the edges of each mark, my fingers gliding over the discolored patches
*****************CHAPTER 67~Arianna’s POV~I followed Damon through the dense trees, my legs aching with every step. My body was still weak from the brutal training, but curiosity kept me moving.“Where’s this place?” I asked, scanning the area as we emerged into a clearing.The air here was heavier, filled with something unspoken. The ground was packed dirt, uneven and scarred, as if countless battles had taken place here. Wooden dummies, worn and splintered, stood in a jagged row. Rusted chains dangled from a thick iron post, the metal stained a dark crimson. Against the farthest wall, an array of weapons hung—knives, whips, staffs, and even crude spiked bats.“This was where I used to train when I was young…” Damon’s voice was quiet, almost distant. “With my father.”I froze. Damon barely talked about his father. Hearing him mention the man so casually made my stomach twist. I turned to look at him, but he wasn’t looking at me. His gaze was fixed on something only he could see—s
*****************CHAPTER 67~Arianna’s POV~I followed Damon through the dense trees, my legs aching with every step. My body was still weak from the brutal training, but curiosity kept me moving.“Where’s this place?” I asked, scanning the area as we emerged into a clearing.The air here was heavier, filled with something unspoken. The ground was packed dirt, uneven and scarred, as if countless battles had taken place here. Wooden dummies, worn and splintered, stood in a jagged row. Rusted chains dangled from a thick iron post, the metal stained a dark crimson. Against the farthest wall, an array of weapons hung—knives, whips, staffs, and even crude spiked bats.“This was where I used to train when I was young…” Damon’s voice was quiet, almost distant. “With my father.”I froze. Damon barely talked about his father. Hearing him mention the man so casually made my stomach twist. I turned to look at him, but he wasn’t looking at me. His gaze was fixed on something only he could see—s
*****************CHAPTER 66~Sterling’s POV~The dimly lit room reeked of aged wood and power—a private lounge reserved only for the elites of the werewolf world. I leaned back in the leather armchair, swirling a glass of blood-red wine in my hand, my lips curving into a slow smile.“Your little stunt worked perfectly,” I said, glancing at the woman across from me.Trisha Don Mars.She sat on the edge of the couch, her legs crossed, looking every bit the picture of confidence and poise. Her lips curled into that signature smirk of hers, one that dripped with malice and self-satisfaction.She was beautiful in her own selfish way, and I loved her for it. Most ladies hid under his naive look while masking their true colours but Trisha showed them. She was not afraid to be seen as selfish, wicked, and all that. I mean, it was all in us and the greed of men was insatiable. At least with this kind of ally, you know what drives them and makes them who they are, and if you can work with t
*****************The dimly lit room reeked of aged wood and power—a private lounge reserved only for the elites of the werewolf world. I leaned back in the leather armchair, swirling a glass of blood-red wine in my hand, my lips curving into a slow smile.“Your little stunt worked perfectly,” I said, glancing at the woman across from me.Trisha Don Mars.She sat on the edge of the couch, her legs crossed, looking every bit the picture of confidence and poise. Her lips curled into that signature smirk of hers, one that dripped with malice and self-satisfaction.“Of course it worked,” she replied, taking a sip of her own drink. “Arianna’s cracking, isn’t she?”I chuckled. “She’s human—what did you expect? Damon’s pushing her to the edge, and even he knows she won’t survive the Luna Trials. It’s just a matter of time before she breaks.”“And when she does,” Trisha said, her voice soft but venomous, “Damon will finally realize what a mistake it was to choose her.”Her fingers traced the
**************CHAPTER 73~Kaia’s POV~The house was quiet, eerily so. Blaze had left for work early in the morning, telling me to stay behind since his grandmother was still here. I had spent most of the morning in the living room, flipping through magazines and trying to keep my thoughts from drifting to the events of the past few days, especially this morning in the bathroom with him. Just that already brought thoughts of our intense fucking. Umm, well, lovemaking and even though Blaze could act like it was nothing or it didn’t happen. It did for me and might I say, it was the best I ever had.I sighed, my shoulders slouching. No matter how hard I tried, my curiosity kept tugging at me, leading me to one place: the room, Blaze’s secret room.I stood up and walked away. First to the kitchen and then to the swimming pool and then… I was so deep in my thoughts that I didn’t even realise where I was walking to.It wasn’t intentional, or so I told myself. My feet moved on their own,
*****************CHAPTER 63~Arianna’s POV~I did not bother arguing when Damon said we should train. All I wanted was a way to survive two weeks from now. If whatever he had planned for me could do it. Then, so be it. Damon led me down a long hallway, past some offices and through a heavy steel door at the back of the penthouse.The moment we stepped inside, my breath hitched.The room was massive—a full-blown training facility. Dim overhead lights cast long shadows over the walls, filled with rows of weapons. Silver daggers. Guns with silver bullets. Chains, cuffs, throwing stars, and even an entire wall of swords.I swallowed hard. This wasn’t just a training room.This felt like a war zone.Damon strode toward the center without a second glance at the weapons. “Your gear,” he said, tossing something at me.I caught it clumsily, looking down to find a pair of black leather trousers, a bralette, a tank top, and a simple hair tie.I arched a brow. “Seriously?”Damon smirked. “You’l
*****************CHAPTER 63~Arianna’s POV~I did not bother arguing when Damon said we should train. All I wanted was a way to survive two weeks from now. If whatever he had planned for me could do it. Then, so be it. Damon led me down a long hallway, past some offices and through a heavy steel door at the back of the penthouse.The moment we stepped inside, my breath hitched.The room was massive—a full-blown training facility. Dim overhead lights cast long shadows over the walls, filled with rows of weapons. Silver daggers. Guns with silver bullets. Chains, cuffs, throwing stars, and even an entire wall of swords.I swallowed hard. This wasn’t just a training room.This felt like a war zone.Damon strode toward the center without a second glance at the weapons. “Your gear,” he said, tossing something at me.I caught it clumsily, looking down to find a pair of black leather trousers, a bralette, a tank top, and a simple hair tie.I arched a brow. “Seriously?”Damon smirked. “You’l