The corridor was shrouded in darkness, with only the pale glow of the moon casting eerie shadows along the walls through the towering windows. Lillith remained rooted to the spot, her heartbeat pounding against her ribs. Damien’s crisp voice sliced through the silence once more, sending a chill racing down her spine.
“Who’s there?”
Summoning every last shred of courage, Lillith stepped forward, allowing the dim lighting to reveal her face. Damien’s keen eyes locked onto hers, and for the briefest moment, she caught a flicker of surprise before he masked it behind his usual indifferent expression.
“Lillith,” he murmured, his voice carrying a slight softness, though the wariness in his tone remained. “What are you doing down here at this hour?”
She swallowed against the dryness in her throat, determined to keep her voice steady. “I couldn’t sleep. I came down for some water.” Her gaze flickered toward Selene, who stood just behind him. The she-wolf’s eyes gleamed with something sinister, her lips curling into a barely concealed, victorious smirk.
Damien’s brow knitted together. “Did you hear anything?”
Her pulse faltered for a split second, but she forced herself to shake her head. “No. I just arrived.”
Selene released a dramatic sigh, her voice laced with artificial sweetness. “Oh, we didn’t mean to disturb you, Lillith. Damien and I were just finishing up.”
“Finishing up what?” Lillith asked, her tone sharper than she intended.
Selene’s smug expression faltered ever so slightly before Damien smoothly interjected, his voice deceptively casual. “We had a late meeting with Selene’s pack. It ran longer than expected, and she wanted to stop by for some tea before heading home.”
Lillith’s gaze flickered to the table near them. It was completely bare—no teacups, no teapot, not even the lingering warmth of a recently shared drink. Her stomach twisted at the blatant falsehood, but she willed her features to remain composed.
“Tea at three in the morning?” she murmured, her voice carrying an undercurrent of doubt.
Selene stiffened, but before she could retort, Damien placed a firm hand on her arm, silencing her. He turned back to Lillith, his expression shifting into something almost tender. “You’ve been looking exhausted lately. You should take a break. Why don’t you step outside tomorrow? Get some fresh air, clear your mind.”
Her instincts screamed that something wasn’t right. Despite the warning bells in her head, she forced herself to nod. “Maybe I will.”
Damien’s stance relaxed, as though her response had granted him some kind of victory. A faint smile ghosted across his lips. “Good. You’ll feel better.”
Selene shot Lillith one last smug glance before brushing past her, their shoulders nearly touching. Damien followed closely, only pausing to say, “You should go back to bed.”
As they disappeared into the dimly lit hallway, Lillith released a trembling breath, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. She turned toward the empty table once more, the uneasy suspicion curling tightly in her gut solidifying into certainty. Whatever Damien and Selene were truly up to, it had nothing to do with a simple late-night discussion.
By the time the first rays of dawn spilled through her curtains, Lillith sat by her window, unable to close her eyes for even a moment. The cool metal of the crescent pendant pressed against her skin, its warmth no longer as comforting as it once was. Her thoughts churned with unanswered questions, her mind restless as she replayed the confrontation.
The house gradually began to stir, signaling the start of a new day. Dressed and prepared, Lillith waited in the kitchen for Mira, her only confidante. When her Omega friend finally arrived, carrying a tray laden with bread and fruit, her face brightened upon seeing Lillith.
“You’re up early,” Mira remarked, setting the tray down.
“Couldn’t sleep,” Lillith admitted, taking a seat. “Mira, do you know if anything important is happening tomorrow?”
The simple question made Mira freeze, her hands hesitating over the tray. Her expression tightened, and she avoided meeting Lillith’s gaze.
“Why are you asking?” Mira’s voice was cautious, her words measured.
A heavy weight settled in Lillith’s chest, the unease she’d felt since last night growing sharper. “Damien suggested I go outside tomorrow, told me I needed fresh air. It felt… off.”
Mira hesitated, biting her lip before exhaling a quiet sigh. “You’re not going to like this, Belle.”
“Tell me,” Lillith pressed, her voice firmer than she intended.
Mira cast a quick glance around the kitchen, ensuring they were alone, before leaning in closer. Her voice dropped to a hushed whisper.
“It’s an engagement party. For Damien and Selene.”
