Damon’s POV
Betrayal tastes bitter.
I never imagined I’d be standing here, listening to the man I trusted most plot against
The scent of roasted at and garlic filled the air, mixing with the faint burn of wood in the fireplace. Freshly brewed coffee and sothing fresh too.
But I noticed it slightly. I hadn’t asked for anything, but the kitchen was alive with preparation.
It was one of those small things I’d learned to overlook recently — people trying to watch for when I didn’t ask them to.
But this morning, it wasn’t the ss that caught my attention.
It was Daniel’s voice.
I leaned back in my chair, holding
my breath as I concentrated on the discussion passing just outside my office door. The words were hushed, but I knew that voice anywhere. My Beta. My brother-in-arms. The man who had fought beside through blood and war.
He didn’t know that I was in the office, he had co in and checked, and went through my things, my drawers, and docunts, not knowing I was watching from the adjacent secret library where I had gone in to get a book.
" We need to kill Damon. "
I froze. Who was he talking to?
His voice was sharp, and controlled. No hint of the usual warmth he used when he spoke to .
" Damon is getting too comfortable in his position. The pack needs soone stronger, soone who won’t be sick always. "
The world around went still.
A laugh. Low. Amused.
The other person — whoever they were — muttered sothing I couldn’t make out.
" He thinks confidence is enough to keep him on the throne, " Daniel continued, his voice thick with venom. " But we both know the pack needs more than that. It needs a leader who isn’t hysterical to do what’s necessary. He’s gotten weak, and sick. "
Weak?
Sick?
I tightened my fists, my fingers pressing into my palm.
Everything I had done — every battle, every help was for the good of this pack. I had bled for these people. I had killed for them. And now, the man I called my family was about to rip it all down?
A familiar burn started in my chest, but I forced my breathing to stay steady. This wasn’t the ti for emotion.
Stay calm. Listen.
Daniel’s voice turned quieter, his tone conspiratorial. " Don’t worry. He won’t see it coming. By the ti he realizes what’s happening, it’ll be too late. "
A long silence followed.
Then he laughed darkly and surprisingly my acute hearing returned and I could hear the person from the other end
" You’re certain he trusts you? "
Daniel laughed. " Of course he does. "
A slow, cold rage crawled up my spine.
He was right.
I did trust him.
I had trusted him with my life more tis than I could count. We had fought side by side, killed for each other, saved each other from death. However, I would have laughed in their face, If soone had told Friday that Daniel would betray .
But then I was standing in the dark, listening to my Beta plan my downfall
And the worst part?
He thought I was too blind to notice.
I coiled my fingers into a fist, my nails digging into my win. I needed to.
Before, he’d change his plans, find another way to strike, If Daniel knew I was listening —
Damn.
I needed to act first.
A floorboard creaked in the hallway.
I moved imdiately, stepping back into reading a book as I ca out of the library as if I had been there for a long ti.
Before the door opened. Daniel walked in alone, his expression the sa as always — calm, collected, unreadable.
" Greetings Alpha Damon, " he greeted calmly. " I was just coming to check on you. "
Lies.
I studied him, searching for any sign of guilt. There was none. His face was a mask of rehearsed ease, his eyes sharp and alert, as if he hadn’t just been outside my office planning to stab in the back.
I forced my lips into a smile, leaning back in my chair. " Checking on ? "
He nodded, stepping further outside. " Yeah. You’ve been locked in here all day. Figured you could use a break."
Lies.
I could still hear his voice in my head, everything he had said.
I exhaled slowly, letting my expression remain relaxed. But, he didn’t show it, If he suspected anything.
" I appreciate it, " I said coolly. " breakfast is being prepared? "
Daniel signed, glancing toward the kitchen. " Yeah. Trixie is preparing breakfast."
His partner in cri too.
I knew what he was planning. Both of them.
He was keeping up appearances, playing the part of the loyal Beta.
I nearly laughed at the insanity of it all.
For tis, I had thought of Daniel as my right hand, my closest confidante. We had trained together, fought together, and built this pack together. I had trusted him with everything
And yet, he’d been waiting for the perfect mont to strike.
It was almost emotional.
I forced a smile, stretching my arms as if I were at ease. " I should get sothing to eat and rest too. "
Daniel nodded, his smile easy. " Yeah. You need your strength. "
If only he knew.
I stood, taking my ti, watching him precisely. Was he staying for to say sothing? To give sothing away?
I wouldn’t.
Not yet.
" Walk with , " I said, heading toward the door.
Daniel followed, his way steady beside mine. However, he didn’t show it, If he was nervous. But I wasn’t stupid.
Every word of his treason still echoed in my mind.
" He won’t see it coming. "
He thought I was blind.
He thought I was weak.
That was his mistake.
Because I did see it coming.
And when the ti was right, I would remind him exactly why I was the Alpha.
But for now, I played my part.
I laughed at his jokes. I nodded when he spoke. I let him think he’d exactly where he wanted.
Because soon, very soon
I would strike first.
And when I did, there would be no rcy.
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