Damien's POV

“Stay here” I instructed firmly as I strode across the room to the door. Annoyance surged in me as my alone time with my mate was interrupted and I was in a hurry to get this done and return to her company.

I crossed the room and flung the door open. My eyes widened as I realized who came to see me. It was Veresstina.

Veresstina was….someone I had a thing with. It wasn't anything deep, at least to me but what we had mean't a lot to her. Now, staring at those raging crimson eyes of her. I knew why she was here. She must have heard about Freda.

Before I could open my mouth to confirm my guess, she shoved past me, nearly sending me stumbling back. I caught myself from falling to the ground and watched her as she stormed into the room. She scanned the room until her eyes landed on Freda.

“So you're the bitch!” Veresstina growled and in two swift strides, she was across the room with her hands raised as if to strike Freda.

I reacted instinctively and sped across the room, catching her hands just in time before they could do damage to Freda's startled face.

“Veresstina!” I roared furiously. “What is the meaning of this?”

Veresstina struggled to free her hand from my grasp but my vice like grip didn't budge. Her eyes locked on mine and the fury in them seemed to intensify even more, and there was something else. Jealously perhaps? I wasn't sure.

“You dare ask?” She growled furiously. “This defective hybrid…this trespasser…what is she doing in your chambers?”

“What she is doing in my chambers is none of your business.” I flung her hand away and she stumbled backwards.

“It is my business.” She screamed back. “You are mine and only I am all…”

“Says who?” I snapped at her, cutting her off mid sentence. “I don't belong to you, you never had me in the first place. I’ve found my mate so I have no use for you anymore.”

“Your mate?” Veresstina scoffed harshly as she pointed a finger nail at Freda. “It’s impossible. Don't be ridiculous, Damien. This is a mockery of everything the vampires stand for. An insult to your lineage.”

“Where you choose to believe me or not is irrelevant. She is my mate and there’s nothing you can do about it.” I asserted coldly. It was time I ditched her before she had anymore funny thoughts brewing in her mind.

“She isn't. I refuse to believe this, I refuse. You are mine and mine alone!” She clutched her hair like a deranged woman. I almost felt bad for her but the deed had to be done.

“She is my mate, I can feel the bond with her. It would be in your best interest to forget about everything we had in the past.” I said with chilling indifference.

Tears began to form in her eyes as her hands dropped down from her head. She sniffed, trying to hold them back but it was no use, they streamed down lien a broken down and before long, she was wailing hysterically.

“You can't just discard me, Damien.” She pleaded, trying to appeal to my me. “After everything, you can't just throw me to the side. I love you, Damien. I love you.”

“What did I tell you previously Veresstina?” I brought my hand to my mouth and yawned, this entire confrontation was getting rather tedious “I told you that I don't have feelings for you and I wasn't ready to be committed, do you remember?”

Veresstina had no answer as she continued to stare with tears filling her eyes.
“Especially with someone as treacherous as you. Do you really think I didn't know about your little affair with my brother Steve?” I let the cat out of the bag with a knowing smile playing on my lips.

The tears quickly dried up from Veresstina’s eyes as she stared at me, speechless.

“Oh, you think I didn't know?” I grinned from ear to ear. “Of course I knew, you weren't exactly subtle, Veresstina. Your thirst for power was as transparent as your affection for me.”

“I never had anything wi..with Steve.” Her face contoured in a mix of rage and humiliation as she tried to deny the accusations.

“Oh please. Your little infidelity with my brother isn't a secret. You didn't want to lose out on a potential king, did you, Veresstina?” I mocked her mercilessly. “Always the shrewd strategist, even in your love life. You hedged your bets and played your cards which I must say is pretty smart but sadly. Steve is dead, I killed him with my own hands and I have a mate now. Your plans are in ruin.”

Veresstina recoiled as if slapped by my words and her face drained of all color. She looked like a child caught stealing a bar of chocolate and awaiting the reprimand of her parents.

“It's over. Get out” I commanded coldly. She had overstayed her welcome and I would really like to get back to my mate. “You’re no longer welcome here. And for your sake, stay far away from my mate.”

Fury returned swifty as she straightened her spine and wiped the tears from her face.

“This isn't over, Damien.” she hissed and pointed a finger at Freda. “Hybrid, you'll regret the day came to Valthrun. Mark my words.”

And with that final threat, she spun on her heels and stormed out of the room, slamming my doors while she was at it.