The Aftermath of the Confrontation

Writer Pov

With frantic gasps, Damon's chest rose and fell as he lay stretched across the stone sidewalk. As he strained to push himself up, blood oozed from the severe gash on his cheek and stained his lips. However, Kael had already placed his boot on his shoulder, forcing him back down with such force that he let out a new groan of pain.

 As the event played out, Rhea remained motionless, her heart thumping in her chest. The battle had been vicious—one-sided, quick, and merciless. She would concede that Damon had tried, but he had little hope against Kael. The Lycan King had battled with a cold, calculated rage that allowed no space for mistake; he was too strong and too accurate.

After spitting blood onto the floor with a cough, Damon looked up at Kael with a look that was equal parts angry and resigned. He uttered the words, "Kill me," in a hoarse but defiant voice. "Or are you too cowardly to complete what you began?"

Kael's lips curled into something that seemed almost delighted, and his silver-blue eyes glittered dangerously in the faint torchlight. He said, "Death would be mercy," in a cold voice. "And I do not show mercy to men such as yourself." His eyes darted to his guards as he stepped back and took his foot off Damon's shoulder. Remove him. Make sure he barely makes it out of my territory alive.

After advancing, two of Kael's fighters grabbed Damon by the arms and pulled him to his feet. His swollen lip tugged at his wound, yet he still managed to smirk at Rhea despite his wince. He shook his head sarcastically and asked, "You think he's your savior?" You're not correct, Rhea. It's worse than me, Kael. You'll learn in the long run.

Rhea felt a chill go through her body. The words sank like claws into her flesh, laced with malice and something uncannily like to regret. Was he faking it? Even now, trying to control her? Or was his caution tinged with some harsh truth? Her nails dug into her palms as she clenched her fists, forcing the thought from her mind. It made no difference. She had been turned down by Damon. He had made fun of her and acted as though she didn't exist. It was too late, regardless of the warning he believed he was giving her.

With each stride, Damon's struggle grew weaker as he was pulled away. The fight's tension was gone from the courtyard, and it was suddenly strangely quiet. The only sounds filling the emptiness were the distant howls of the wind, which carried the smell of dust and blood.

Then, with unfathomable eyes, Kael gazed at her. There was no triumph or satisfaction on his face. There was only a spooky silence that made Rhea queasy.

 He said simply, "Come," and turned to leave.

 Rhea paused. She ought to have been relieved. Kael had stood up for her, and Damon was gone. She was suspicious, though, because of the way he carried himself, the way his shoulders were stiff with suppressed emotion.

 But she did follow.

 The adrenaline that had held her standing eventually subsided by the time they arrived at the castle. With a low moan, the heavy doors closed behind them, enclosing her in the chilly stone stronghold that had become her new home.

Kael remained silent. His strong strides easily made up the distance as he moved ahead of her. His silence had become accustomed to her, but tonight it seemed different. tense. Uncomfortable.

 At last, she said, "Kael," in a softer tone than she had meant. "Are you—"

"Rhea, I don't need to be pampered." His remarks were cut short, like a blade slicing through the air between them.

She came to a halt. "I'm not what I—"

He turned to her and interrupted, saying, "You don't have to worry about me." His attitude was tightly guarded, and his stare was fierce. "You ought to be more concerned with yourself."

A coldness descended upon her. "What is the intended meaning of that?"

After letting out a loud breath and running a hand through his dark red hair, Kael turned his head away. She believed he wouldn't respond for a second. Then he whispered, "You're changing."

 Rhea's forehead wrinkled. "What?"

 He clenched his jaw. "You're going through something, but I'm not sure what it is yet." He moved in closer, his presence overwhelming her as his piercing eyes met hers. "But I'm going to find out."

Rhea retreated a step, her heart pounding. She was clueless about what he was discussing. She remained the same—weak, helpless, an omega with nothing but the shreds of existence. What might be altering?

Suddenly, a wave of tiredness, heavier than ever, washed over her. She could hardly see the flames of the torches that lined the hallway as they flickered. Her knees gave way, and blackness engulfed her before she could recover.

The sensation of warmth against her palm roused her. An odd, unnatural warmth that pulsed.

She forced herself to stand up, blinking, her body throbbing from exhaustion. She was in a chamber, but it was a different one. The bed beneath her was softer than anything she had ever experienced, and the walls were lined with dark stone. The figure at the foot of the bed was illuminated by the glow of a fire that blazed in the hearth.

An elderly woman with piercing green eyes, the palace healer, frowned as she examined her. However, she wasn't looking at Rhea's face.

 She had it in her hand.

 Rhea felt her breath catch as she followed her eyes.

 A faint silver mark flashed against her skin in the middle of her palm. The elaborate patterns twirled as if they were living things, throbbing subtly as if they had their own heartbeat.

 "What?" Her voice sounded raspy. "What is that?"

 The healer took a while to respond. Her look changed from bewilderment to something else as her gaze stayed fixed on the sign. Something like terror.

She eventually looked Rhea in the eye and murmured, "You shouldn't have this."

 Rhea felt a horrible coil in her stomach. "What do you mean?"

 The healer stepped back. "This mark is the Lunar Queen's property."

 Between them, there was a thick, oppressive silence.

 Rhea took a deep breath. She shook her head and remarked, "That's not possible." "I can't—I'm not—"

 She was interrupted by the healer. She turned and walked quickly toward the door. "I have to let the king know."

Rhea felt panic rise. She called after her and said, "Wait!" but the woman had already left.

Rhea was left alone with the mark that had just altered everything and the flickering shadows as the door slammed behind her.