Chapter 0066
Dane
She glares at me, frustration flickering in her eyes. "Is that… is that even possible?"
"Right now, anything seems possible."
"Because I'm a monster?"
"You need to stop calling yourself that."
She sighs, rolling onto her back, her gaze fixed on the ceiling. Her hands rest on her flat stomach as if trying to ground herself.
"They're all going to react the same way," she mutters, puffing out her cheeks. "Except you… you're the only one who doesn’t seem…"
"I'm not concerned with what you are," I interrupt. "All that matters to me is that you're mine. And why are you still insisting on wearing clothes to bed?"
I pull her against me, my fingers slipping beneath the oversized T-shirt she insists on keeping on. My hand barely grazes the small of her back when she suddenly pushes me away.
"I can't," she whispers, tugging the shirt down over her hips.
She’s hiding something. Trying to keep her thoughts clear, so I won’t pick up on whatever is bothering her.
Pinning her to the bed, I shift my weight over her. "What's wrong?"
"You're… crushing my… lungs," she breathes out.
I ease up, just enough to give her some air—but not enough to let her escape.
"Are you still feeling sore?"
She closes her eyes, not answering.
"And you're embarrassed?" I press, moving my leg between hers, forcing her thighs apart.
Her head shakes slightly. "Uncomfortable," she whispers.
Brushing a kiss over the mark on her neck, I let out a low sigh. "Fine. Just for tonight."
Only then does she relax, her body curling into mine. She falls asleep before I do, her breathing soft and steady.
A Brewing Storm
'We need to stop Trey and Cassandra,' Aero mutters. 'They nearly ignited a war in neutral territory.'
'I know.'
'And we both know there are others just waiting for a chance to take us down.'
'I know,' I say again, my fingers threading through Neah’s dark hair.
Anger simmers beneath my skin, a slow-burning fire I can’t extinguish. 'I’ve been furious, Aero. I wish we had been there. Or that she had never gone in the first place. But I can’t change what’s already happened. The only thing I can do is make sure it never happens again.'
I glance down at Neah, her long lashes casting delicate shadows over her cheeks as she sleeps. Peaceful. Oblivious to the rage growing inside me.
'I need to run,' I murmur to Aero, carefully untangling myself from Neah’s grasp.
'We should talk to Devon again,' he suggests.
'He didn’t know Neah was going into the city.'
'No, but he might have a better idea of what they’re planning next. Or at the very least, he could help us predict their next move.'
A Midnight Visit
Pulling on a pair of shorts, I step outside into the night. Snow blankets the ground, the cold biting at my bare feet, offering a welcome contrast to the constant heat of my body.
The dungeon looms ahead, a silent structure beneath the moon’s dim glow. A guard stands by the entrance, slouched against the door, looking bored out of his mind.
"Any issues?" I ask.
"No, he keeps to himself," the guard mutters, stepping aside to let me through.
The heavy door swings shut behind me, and I flick on the lights.
"Seriously? In the middle of the night?" Devon grumbles, rubbing his eyes. But when he realizes it’s me, his posture straightens. "Apologies, Alpha Dane. I’m not the best without sleep. What can I do for you?" He stretches, suppressing a yawn.
"Neah," I say simply.
He blinks. "You're going to have to be more specific."
"You keep saying she’s an Alpha."
"Because she is."
"Right," I say, folding my arms. "Then what exactly is she capable of?"
Devon exhales, running a hand through his hair. "No one knows for certain. I’ve done some research, but the most I’ve found suggests that someone in her position holds immense power. They just need to learn how to unlock it."
"Are we talking magic? Like a witch?"
Devon shakes his head. "Honestly, Alpha Dane, I don’t know. But what I do know is that she has the potential to restore our rightful place in this world."
"And that’s why they fear her?"
His expression turns grim. "Exactly."