Chapter 139

Clara

After what my uncle told me, I couldn't stop crying. My parents' tragic love story brought tears to my eyes every time I thought about it. My distress stemmed not only from their story but also from missing Damon intensely, my hormones adding to my emotional turmoil. I felt hopeless and desperate to escape.

My uncle checked on me hourly, bringing food and books. Being kept like a prisoner made me question whether the hunters had truly agreed to let me join them. Regardless, I had to stop crying and find a way to reach Damon, at least to let him know I was okay.

I bathed, dressed, and ate the breakfast my uncle had left before he arrived for his usual visit. An hour later, a knock came. I knew it was him. Cleaning my mouth, I stood and opened the door.

His eyes widened in surprise at seeing me up.

"I need to speak with Damon," I said before he could respond. He sighed.

"You can't, Clara. Everything will be over soon, I promise," he said. I hated that phrase; it meant he planned to harm Damon.

"You don't understand, Uncle. If you truly care about me, you'll let me talk to him. I promise I won't tell him anything—just let me talk," I pleaded. He stared at me, shook his head, and said, "That's not a good idea. Besides, I don't have his number or a way to reach him"

"I know Damon's number by heart. If you'll just let me"

"I said no, Clara. I've already been questioned enough for letting you stay here. If they hear I let you speak with the 'enemy,' I might as well resign my position," he muttered. I frowned. "But I am the enemy!"

"We've been over this, Clara! You're their leader, not an enemy. They just need time to adjust to the thought of you. Afterward, I'll introduce you," he explained. I scoffed.

"So, I'm to stay here until they accept me? What if it takes months, years?" I asked. He sighed.

"Clara"

"I'm pregnant with Damon's child; we're starting a family. Do you know how long I've longed for this? I can't stay here; I need to be with Damon, please, Uncle," I begged, desperate. I didn't even know where we were, having never left the room. I had no idea what lay beyond.

"Rest up, I'll visit later," he said. I glared.

"I'm trying not to hate you, but you're making it difficult. I don't care if you think you're doing this for my sake; I want to speak with my husband," I said. A frown and sadness appeared on his face.

He opened his mouth to speak, but I raised my hand, glancing at the door. "Someone's coming." A frantic knock followed.

My uncle glanced at me before opening the door to a short, bulky man with a missing tooth.

"There's a situation! That Alpha bastard has lost his mind!" the man exclaimed, fear underlying his anger.

"Which Alpha bastard?" my uncle asked. I knew it was Damon; only he could disrupt such an organization.

"You need to see it yourself, boss," the man said. My uncle nodded, turning to me. Before he could speak, I said, "This is about my husband, isn't it? If so, I'm coming to see what's happening." He sighed.

"Clara, they…"

"You said I was their leader, didn't you? Then they'll have to accept me sooner or later, and I choose sooner. Are we going or not?" I asked, noticing the scorn on the other man's face.

"We need to hurry," the man muttered, walking away. Before my uncle could respond, I ran after him, his footsteps following soon after.

It took several minutes, revealing the secluded location of my confinement—a place reminiscent of my parents' former home. I dismissed the thought as we reached a building. As we entered, I felt eyes on me, sensing bitterness, anger, hate, disgust, and other negative emotions. Ignoring them, I focused on finding out what was wrong with Damon.

An elderly man began to speak, but stopped, his eyes narrowing upon seeing me. "What is she doing here?" he asked. Without waiting for my uncle's response, I walked past him, my eyes fixed on the screen behind him.

Damon was on the screen, covered in blood, his eyes bearing a look I'd never seen before. He sat on the hood of his car, holding a head. I couldn't see clearly, but it felt like he was waiting—waiting for what?

As if on cue, he looked up, and I gasped as our eyes met. I knew he couldn't see me, but in that moment, it felt like he could.

"I don't know how he managed to find the cameras we placed around the city. He's damaged all but this one. He wants us to see him," the elderly man explained. Tears streamed down my face as I took in Damon's appearance. The warmth, light, and life were gone from his eyes. It felt like I was staring at a stranger, breaking my heart.

"Because he's trying to send a message. That bastard!" my uncle muttered angrily.

"You said you knew his number by heart, right? I need you to give it to me so I can talk to him," my uncle said, turning to me. I reluctantly tore my gaze from the screen.

Before I could agree, a phone was thrust into my hands. Eager to hear Damon's voice, I entered his number. My uncle snatched the phone, and I turned back to the screen. He dialed the number. As Damon pulled out his phone, with a smirk, he pressed it to his ear.

"Are you tired of playing hide-and-seek, Rogers?" My heart leaped at Damon's voice—even it sounded unfamiliar.

"If you had my number, why didn't you call instead of showing us what kind of monster you are? Those are innocent people, you bastard!" My uncle's anger was evident. A chill ran down my spine as Damon chuckled humorlessly.

"You of all people should know I don't give a damn about who's innocent or not. I want my wife back," Damon muttered, his voice faltering slightly—a detail I was sure only I noticed.

"Over my dead body. A monster like you doesn't deserve someone like her. I'll never let you take her," my uncle replied sternly, staring at the screen. Damon chuckled again. I saw Luca leading a woman toward Damon. I gasped as Damon plunged his hand into the woman's chest and ripped out her heart. "Another human dies. If I have to kill every bloody human here to get to my wife, then so be it. Time is ticking, and you know I don't fucking bluff."