Chapter 43
Apr 17, 2025
The next morning, Damien arrived at the Silverstone Pack as promised, his green eyes scanning the area as he walked toward the packhouse. His instincts had been on high alert since yesterday.
Something felt off.
He knocked once on the door before pushing it open, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. Felicia was already waiting in the dining hall, her face drawn and tired.
Damien took one look at her and knew something was wrong.
“What’s going on?” he asked, his voice low.
Felicia inhaled deeply, crossing her arms over her chest. “There’s something you need to know.”
She didn’t waste time.
She told him everything.
That Danielle wasn’t really Danielle—that Lucien had a sister named Daphne, who had supposedly died years ago in a vampire attack. That Lucien had buried her with his own hands.
And yet, here she was. Alive. Or at least, something pretending to be her.
Damien listened without interrupting, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. His face grew darker with each word.
When Felicia finished, a heavy silence filled the room.
Damien’s jaw tightened. “And you still feel comfortable staying here?”
Felicia’s eyes widened slightly. “What?”
Damien’s voice was sharp, his green eyes burning with frustration. “Felicia, this is insane. You and the boys are living in the home of a man whose sister—whether dead or alive—is the very person responsible for all of this. Do you really think that’s safe?”
Felicia’s stomach twisted. She knew Damien wouldn’t take this well, but she hadn’t expected him to react so strongly.
“Lucien isn’t responsible for what his sister has done,” she argued.
Damien shook his head, exhaling harshly. “You don’t know that.”
Felicia frowned, but before she could speak, Damien stepped closer, his voice lowering.
“Felicia, think about it. It’s his youngest sister. Don’t you think, when it comes down to it, he’ll side with her?”
Felicia opened her mouth to protest, but at that moment, a third voice cut through the room.
“I would watch what you say, Damien.”
They both whipped around, their eyes landing on Lucien standing in the doorway, his arms crossed over his chest, his dark eyes flashing with annoyance.
He had heard everything.
Lucien stepped forward, his gaze locked onto Damien’s, his tone sharp and cold.
“Daphne is dead.” His voice was deadly calm, but Felicia could see the tension in his shoulders. “Whoever this woman is—whoever is cosplaying as my sister—is nothing but an evil spirit wearing her face.”
Damien’s lips curled in skepticism. “You’re so sure of that?”
Lucien’s eyes darkened. “I buried her with my own hands. I know she’s dead.”
Damien let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. “Well, that’s comforting. Except for the fact that we’ve all seen her walking around, murdering people, leading rogue attacks.”
Lucien stiffened, his jaw clenching. “Don’t drag Daphne’s name through the mud. She would never do this.”
Damien snorted. “Then why does she look exactly like your sister?
Lucien didn’t answer immediately. His hands curled into fists, his wolf bristling beneath the surface.
“I don’t know.” His voice was low, almost dangerous. “But I do know that the woman I called my sister was kind, loyal, and never would have done the things this imposter has. So whatever is walking around in her skin… it’s not Daphne.”
Damien’s wolf rumbled with unease, but he kept his voice controlled. “And you expect me to believe that?”
Lucien exhaled slowly, his eyes flickering toward Felicia for just a moment before returning to Damien.
“I don’t care what you believe.” His voice was icy, his expression unreadable. “But I know this—Felicia and the boys are safe here.”
Damien let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. “Safe? With you? The brother of the woman who has been trying to kill us?”
Lucien’s eyes flashed with irritation, but before he could respond, Felicia finally snapped.
“Enough!”
Both men immediately turned to her, surprised by the sharpness of her tone.
Felicia rubbed her temples, her exhaustion catching up to her. “I can’t do this right now. I am tired. I am overwhelmed. And I am sick of the two of you turning every conversation into a damn war.”
Lucien and Damien stiffened but remained silent.
Felicia sighed, her voice quieter now. “I need space. I need time to think.”
She turned to Damien, her voice firm but not unkind. “I know you’re worried, but you need to trust me. The boys are safe. I’m safe.”
Then she looked at Lucien. “And you—I don’t know what to think about all of this. I don’t know if you’re lying, or if you’re just as clueless as you claim. But right now, I need to be alone.”
She stepped back, her hands tightening at her sides.
“I’m going to my room.”
Neither of them stopped her.
Felicia didn’t look back as she walked away, leaving them standing in the thick tension they had created.
Her mind was spinning.
Her heart was torn.
