Chapter 42

DAMON

On my way to the meeting, all I could think about was Clara. These days, she was on my mind constantly, and I didn’t hate it as much as I used to.

“You’re smiling,” Luca suddenly pointed out, and I frowned.

“No, I’m not,” I muttered, and he scoffed.

“I’m just marrying her to get the Alpha King title, but here you are fantasizing about her. You rejected the Alpha King’s title for her, didn’t you?” he questioned, and I scoffed.

“I wasn’t ready, and that’s why…”

“Sure. You can tell that to your father, but not me. I know you, Axel. You would jump at any opportunity to be Alpha King, but you don’t want to get rid of Clara yet. Isn’t that right?” he said, and I pursed my lips before glancing out the window.

“Shut your mouth and drive. Besides, she hasn’t given me a child yet, so I can’t get rid of her just yet,” I muttered, and he snorted.

“Sure, keep telling yourself that, and you might believe it,” he muttered, and I glared at him but didn’t say anything else.

We arrived at the meeting, and I couldn’t even focus on the discussion. I kept glancing at my phone, expecting a text from Clara, but nothing appeared. We barely texted, but still.

“Are you listening, Alpha?” I raised my head at the sound of Luca’s voice, and his smirk made me glare at him.

“What were you saying? I zoned out,” I muttered, and they stared at me in shock. I was shocked as well. I wasn’t one to zone out, especially over a girl.

I tried to block Clara from my mind until the meeting ended and the document was signed.

“It’s an honor to work with you, Alpha Damon,” the Alpha of the Eclipse Moon Pack, Daniel, said with a smile as he shook my hand.

He was someone I’d never cared about—mainly because he was my age and had no notable achievements—but he was eager to curry favor, and I felt I could use him.

I shook his hand, then turned to Luca, and we immediately left.

On the ride home, I called Clara without thinking twice and frowned when she didn’t answer.

“That’s weird,” I muttered to myself.

“What is it, Alpha?” Luca asked, glancing at me through the rearview mirror, and I growled at him.

“Shut up and mind your own damn business,” I muttered, and he frowned.

“Wow, what crawled up your pants?” he muttered to himself, but I clearly heard him.

We arrived home, and I got out, handing my bag to Luca before walking inside. I ignored everyone because all I wanted to see was Clara.

I expected her to greet me, but she was nowhere to be found. I walked further into the house and paused when I saw her walking up the stairs. Had she not heard me arrive?

“Clara,” I called, and she stopped before turning. The disinterest in her eyes made me frown.

“Welcome,” she said, then turned and walked away.

I stared after her in shock and only snapped out of it when Luca placed his hand on my shoulder.

“Alpha,” he said, and I turned to him.

“Did she just say ‘welcome’?” I asked, and he nodded slowly.

“She did, Alpha.”

“Then she walked away?” I asked, and he nodded.

“She did that too, Alpha.” I scoffed and loosened my tie. She’d just pretended I didn’t exist.

“I’m going to teach her a lesson,” I muttered before going to her room. I didn’t bother knocking before barging in, and she didn’t even flinch.

“What’s wrong this time?” I asked, and she looked at me with confusion.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” she muttered, then turned away and returned to her book.

I scoffed, walked up to her, took the book, and threw it out the window.

“Damon, what’s your problem?! I liked that book!” she screamed, staring at me angrily.

“Fucking tell me why you’re behaving this way,” I muttered, and she scoffed.

“Behaving what way? Oh, because I didn’t throw myself at you this time or cling to you like a leech? Nothing is wrong; this is how it’s supposed to be,” she said, and I frowned.

“What are you talking about?” I asked, and she sighed.

“I’m tired of trying to force myself to like you just to make my stay here bearable, but I can’t stand you. So let’s go back to how things were supposed to be: You mind your business, and I’ll mind mine,” she said, and I stared at her in shock.

“What did you just say?” I asked softly, and she tilted her head.

“What? You’re not used to a girl telling you she hasn’t fallen for your charm? I can’t stand you anymore, Damon, so leave me alone,” she said. She stood from her bed and was about to walk away when I grabbed her hand, pulling her toward me so we were staring into each other’s eyes. I was shocked that I couldn’t read her. She just stared back blankly.

“Stare into my eyes and tell me every emotion you’ve shown toward me is a lie. Say those words you just said to my face,” I muttered, and she clenched her jaw.

“I don’t like you, and I can’t stand your presence any longer. Let go of me,” she muttered, trying to pull away, but I held her tightly.

“I don’t know what kind of sick game you’re playing, or whatever mood swings you’re going through, but it’s starting to piss me off,” I muttered, and she tilted her head.

Chapter 42 (continued)

“If I’m pissing you off, then leave. Go be with those sluts who won’t piss you off. I won’t care, I promise,” she muttered, staring into my eyes. I was starting to feel something, and I hated it. I hated it more than anything.

“No,” I said, and she frowned.

“No? What do you mean, no?” she asked, and I moved closer, almost touching noses.

“I don’t know what’s gotten into you, but I’m going to fuck the truth out of you tonight, and you better be ready to beg me…”