***************CHAPTER 10~Trisha’s POV~I sat back in the plush leather chair, eyes closed as the stylist worked on my hair. The faint hum of the dryer and the scent of perfume mixed with hairspray filled the salon, a soothing routine I usually enjoyed. But my calm was short-lived as my phone buzzed on the counter beside me. I reached for it, answering without checking the caller ID, expecting it to be my P.A. with updates for the day.“Miss Trisha,” came a hesitant voice—a familiar one from Damon’s house staff. “I thought you’d want to know... Mr. Dark brought in a new guest.”My grip tightened around the phone. “A guest?” I repeated, feigning indifference. “What kind of guest?”“A woman,” the staff member replied, her voice lowering as if to keep the conversation discreet. “He brought her in from Arthdal Strike. She’s… an exclusive, apparently.”My jaw clenched, but I forced my tone to remain neutral. “Did he now?” I murmured, a slight tremor betraying my restraint. “This exclus
***************CHAPTER 11~Arianna’s POV~As much as I didn’t want to eavesdrop, I did. His tone changed with every sentence that left his lips, his irritation becoming more evident than before. Damon’s cold dismissal replayed in my mind as I lay in bed that night. After sending me to my room without so much as an explanation, he’d locked himself away, leaving me alone with nothing but my thoughts and the unsettling memories of the day. Until now, I had no phone, nothing connecting me to the world outside his estate. And it was becoming boring.I had a boyfriend and a close friend and I know by now they'd be wondering where I was and if I was okay. Just thinking about it made my heart ache. I am sure they'll have tried reaching me through my uncle but…I shook my head. All this was just because of Damon and my Uncle.There was no escaping the way his presence invaded every part of my mind. Everything about him demanded control, even in his silence.The next morning came with an ea
***************CHAPTER 12~Damon’s POV~The moment I heard the gasp, Mars stirred in my mind, his low growl vibrating with urgency. “Our mate is here,” he alerted me, his voice sharp and clear.I spun, my eyes catching sight of Arianna at the cracked door before she disappeared, her shadow slipping back up the stairs. I barely heard the guards behind me—Mars was seething, pushing forward with a fury that made my skin tingle. After a cold nod to my men, instructing them to continue, I left the room, taking slow, steady steps towards the entrance of the underground house.When I reached Arianna’s room, I saw Xander standing far too close to her, his hand tilted under her chin, his smirk too easy, too familiar. Mars growled in my mind, ready to devour our friend for daring to touch what was ours. A flash of possessiveness surged through me, and before I knew it, I’d crossed the space between us.“What the hell are you doing with my m—” I caught myself, clenching my jaw before the wo
***************CHAPTER 13~Arianna’s POV~I stood in front of the mirror, reluctantly smoothing down the shimmering navy-blue gown Damon had picked. The fabric hugged my curves, clinging to my skin with a snugness that felt both foreign and oddly electric. The gown stopped daringly above my mid-thigh, its sleeveless neckline dipping just low enough to leave me uneasy. With a final tug, I took a steadying breath, prepared to walk out and face him.But just as I reached for the door, my gaze landed on the open window, and an idea took root—a reckless, dangerous idea.During the earlier stroll with Damon, I’d noticed there were fewer guards than usual around the estate. Now, with him waiting in my room and assuming I’d obey his every whim, this could be my only chance to slip away. And after he’d claimed I belonged to him, the urge to break free pulsed through me, stronger than anything else.Suddenly I heard his displeased voice and froze when I got to the window. “Arianna, are you
***************CHAPTER 14~Trisha’s POV~The plane touched down with a gentle bump, and as it taxied to the gate, I checked my reflection in the small mirror inside my compact. Fresh, composed, and more than ready for what lay ahead. It had been two years since I last visited Thania, and as much as I hated the chaos of this city, today was different. Today, I was here with a purpose.Stepping out of the gate and into the arrivals lounge, I spotted my brother, Matteo, standing near the escalators, his tall frame cutting a formidable figure among the crowd. He met my gaze with a grin that held both amusement and a touch of exasperation. Even as he waved me over, I could tell he wasn’t thrilled to see me here—not under these circumstances.“Well, look who’s decided to grace us with her presence,” he said, his tone teasing as he pulled me into a quick hug.“Don’t start,” I replied, rolling my eyes. “This isn’t exactly a pleasure trip.”Matteo chuckled as he grabbed my bag, guiding me t
***************CHAPTER 15~Trisha’s POV~The streets of Thania sped by in a blur as we made our way across the city. Matteo sat next to me, his eyes fixed on the road, but I could feel his unease radiating in waves. Good. He knew this wasn’t a social call, and Luca Tadeo wasn’t exactly the type you visited without cause.As we pulled up to the lavish but dark façade of Luca’s mansion, two guards approached, eyeing us warily. Matteo rolled down his window and flashed them his ID, a quick display of who we were. They nodded, then stepped aside, allowing us to drive through the towering iron gates.Inside, Luca was waiting in his luxurious sitting room, lounging on a sofa. He glanced up as we entered and a smile spread across his face.“Trisha Don Mars. What a surprise,” he drawled, standing to greet me with a gaze that lingered just a little too long. “I didn’t think the esteemed family would show up at my door. To what do I owe the pleasure?”I smiled tightly, taking a seat across f
***************CHAPTER 16~Arianna’s POV~I spent the rest of the evening in a daze, replaying the events from the afternoon in my mind. My skin still prickled from Damon’s touch, his unsettling gaze, and the strange sensation of both fear and something else that had bloomed between us.I hated how the memory lingered, how his words replayed long after he’d left. I sighed, but before I could make of the footsteps nearing my room, the door suddenly shot open, pulling me out of my thoughts.Damon entered with his usual cold expression, his tone steely as his eyes bore into me. “Come with me. We are going out.”“Enh...” He cut me off before I could find the words. "Get... you’re already dressed. We’re leaving now.”“Where are we going?” I found my voice after what felt like an eternity. “You don’t need to know. All you are to do is follow me.”I crossed my arms in front of my chest. “I’m not going.” Anger flashed in his eyes as he crossed the distance to where I stood. “I don’t want t
***************CHAPTER 17~Damon’s POV~I should have known. The moment they insisted Arianna bring the briefcase, suspicion crept in, warning me that this was a set-up. I wanted Jet to bring the briefcase because I trusted his abilities, but they had already requested Arianna. Mars was on edge, his instincts sharp, but we’d been outmanoeuvred, and I knew the moment I flipped the lid of the briefcase.The artefact inside was a cheap plastic fake. My stomach twisted with irritation as I spun the briefcase around, barely biting back a growl. Just as I was about to speak, Arianna’s voice cut through, but her warning was too late.The man across from me had two guns trained at my head, his gaze cold. But my problem wasn’t him—it was sending Arianna straight into the hyenas’s den that bothered Mars and I. Just as I’d feared, one of them had a gun pressed against her temple, his other hand wrapped tightly around her neck, ready to end her in two quick moves.A calm settled over me as I
*****************~Damon’s POV~Of course, she moved again. Witches were paranoid by nature, and Iris was no exception. If anything, she was worse. Always running, always hiding.I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Send me the location.”“Already did,” Xander replied. “But I should warn you—she’s not exactly thrilled about visitors. The last guy who tried to force his way into her place is still missing.”I smirked. “Good thing I’m not just anyone.”Xander let out a dry chuckle. “Yeah, yeah. Just don’t get cursed or something. See you soon.”The line went dead.I tucked my phone back into my pocket and turned toward the stairs. Arianna had disappeared into her room the moment we got back. I hesitated for half a second before pulling out my own phone and dialling her number.It rang twice before she answered. “Hello?”“Get ready,” I said. “We’re leaving in ten minutes.”There was a pause, then a quiet, “Already?”“Yes. We found Iris.”The call went silent as though Arianna was contemplat
*****************~Arianna’s POV~“Give me your hand, Arianna,” Iris commanded softly, her tone laced with authority and mystery. I hesitated, a chill creeping over me, before slowly extending my hand. The cool air of the cabin seemed to pulse with energy as Iris’s touch met mine, and she closed her eyes as if to summon forces beyond mortal ken.I watched, wide-eyed, as she began chanting in a language I couldn’t comprehend. Her voice rose and fell, a rhythmic incantation that vibrated through my very soul. Before I could steady my racing thoughts, a strange sensation washed over me. Then—suddenly—her eyes snapped open, glowing white.A startled breath escaped me. Before I could react, my own vision blurred, my body stiffening as a rush of overwhelming energy coursed through me. My fingers tightened around hers involuntarily, and then—The world around us disappeared.I saw a vision of my earliest days, a memory that felt both foreign and achingly familiar. I saw myself as a tiny inf
*****************~Arianna’s POV~A crystal ball sat atop a blackened silver stand between us, swirling with faint tendrils of mist inside. The moment Iris tapped her finger against the glass, it pulsed with a bright, ethereal glow. My breath hitched.“Give me your hand, Arianna,” Iris commanded softly, her tone laced with authority and mystery. I hesitated, a chill creeping over me, before slowly extending my hand. The cool air of the cabin seemed to pulse with energy as Iris’s touch met mine, and she closed her eyes as if to summon forces beyond mortal ken.I watched, wide-eyed, as she began chanting in a language I couldn’t comprehend. Her voice rose and fell, a rhythmic incantation that vibrated through my very soul. Before I could steady my racing thoughts, a strange sensation washed over me. Then—suddenly—her eyes snapped open, glowing white.A startled breath escaped me. Before I could react, my own vision blurred, my body stiffening as a rush of overwhelming energy coursed th
*****************CHAPTER 70~Arianna’s POV~I sat down reluctantly at the round table, still skeptical of everything unfolding around me. Magic, witches, visions—it all felt like something out of a fantasy book. Yet, here I was, willingly placing my fate into the hands of a woman I barely knew.A crystal ball sat atop a blackened silver stand between us, swirling with faint tendrils of mist inside. The moment Iris tapped her finger against the glass, it pulsed with a bright, ethereal glow. My breath hitched.“Give me your hand, Arianna,” Iris commanded softly, her tone laced with authority and mystery. I hesitated, a chill creeping over me, before slowly extending my hand. The cool air of the cabin seemed to pulse with energy as Iris’s touch met mine, and she closed her eyes as if to summon forces beyond mortal ken.I watched, wide-eyed, as she began chanting in a language I couldn’t comprehend. Her voice rose and fell, a rhythmic incantation that vibrated through my very soul. Befor
*****************CHAPTER 69~Damon’s POV~The moment we got back home, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out, glancing at the screen.Xander.I exhaled sharply and answered. “Tell me you’ve got something.”“We found her,” Xander said without hesitation. “Iris moved again, but we tracked her down. Outskirts of Thania. You need to come immediately.”Of course, she moved again. Witches were paranoid by nature, and Iris was no exception. If anything, she was worse. Always running, always hiding.I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Send me the location.”“Already did,” Xander replied. “But I should warn you—she’s not exactly thrilled about visitors. The last guy who tried to force his way into her place is still missing.”I smirked. “Good thing I’m not just anyone.”Xander let out a dry chuckle. “Yeah, yeah. Just don’t get cursed or something. See you soon.”The line went dead.I tucked my phone back into my pocket and turned toward the stairs. Arianna had disappeared into her room
***************~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