Elaine's POV
He didn't budge.
"I'm sorry, I lied to you, but we just got here. You can relax a bit and at least know the reason why I did what I did," he said quietly, making me even angrier.
"You are going to take me back to Raven Hollow now or let me go there myself!"
"Can we take a step back and talk about how Luca captured you? It was on your way to Raven Hollow, okay? So please don't make this more difficult than it already is. Everyone cares for your safety, except that you refuse to see it. Raven Hollow isn't anywhere close to safe for you," he explained, but I didn't listen.
"If there's anyone here with cruel intentions, it's you, Damien! You lied just to get me here, and as if that wasn't enough, you went as far as pretending to be a victim over something you're not. What do you think that makes you, huh?!"
"Don't you think you're moving too fast with all of this, Elaine?" he sighed, dropping his bag on the couch. "If you want the truth, here it is: none of this was my idea. It was all Kai's, and that's simply because the full moon is around the corner, and he doesn't want you hurt."
"Do you seriously expect me to believe something from a lying mouth like yours?! I want to see Kai and hear him say all of this instead. Call him or something. And don't even think I'll be here for another two seconds after hearing what he has to say."
He didn't reply. He just pulled out his phone and dialed what I assumed was Kai's number. He waited a few seconds before trying again, each attempt unsuccessful, until a strange thought entered my mind.
"Was he really under attack?" I asked, trying to figure out why he wasn't answering.
"It's complicated, Elaine. At the time, he suspected it was the full moon triggering his curse. However, considering how much longer we have to wait until the day finally arrives, I suspect something was wrong with you instead," he explained, his voice so different from mine.
"Why in the world didn't you tell me then?! Why do you always have to be so selfish when it comes to decisions that could hurt other people? Why, Damien?! What?!" I yelled at him, still furious.
"Listen, we can process everything and come up with a more realistic explanation for his attack if only you would just calm down. You just said that Kai broke the mating bond—"
"It's none of your business, Damien! The bond isn't your business, and don't try to cook up lies about it," I warned him.
He fell silent at my words, making me wonder if I had overstepped my boundaries. He chuckled darkly, and his eyes began to darken. I subconsciously started taking a few steps backward when he walked toward me. Fuck, I should have just taken his advice and calmed down a bit.
"So, what is your conclusion, Elaine? What do you think this is about for you to point fingers at me, when if anyone has been playing dirty, it's you?" He pointed an accusing finger at me. "Why do you always make yourself look like the saint? And tell me, why the hell do I have to suffer this much just because I'm trying so hard for you?!"
His words took me aback—partly because I didn't know exactly where he was going with this, but even if I did, now wasn't the time for that kind of conversation.
"This is about Kai, Damien. Don't change the—"
"Isn't it always about Kai? Everything you do revolves around him. Your breath, your steps, your tiny little movements—everything, Elaine! But have you ever sat down to think about who else cares so much about you?" he questioned, a painful smile crossing his face.
"Stop, Damien," I lowered my voice, not mentally ready to handle this conversation.
"No, you don't get it. I was wrong about my first approach to you, even though we were all acting on our initial lust. I still granted you your tiny little favors, including letting you see Kai, even though it broke me to know what state the two of you would end up in! I have cared for you in every way I can, and I still care, Elaine, but you choose not to see it and call me the devil whenever it suits you so you can paint Kai as the hero! You, Elaine!" he screamed, his eyes almost bulging out, his hands roughly scratching his head as if trying to contain his anger.
Even though I knew that what he felt wasn't just anger. He was broken beyond words, and I couldn't help but wonder how long he had bottled everything up until now. His words took me back to the times he showed up without making any demands. The times Kai wasn't there. The times he simply wanted to be there.
When I knew nothing, he was the one to put me through the basics at first. Maybe part of his reason was so that I wouldn't be left in the dark. Or maybe it was because he didn't know how to make me love him instead of Kai, so he let me know about Kai beforehand. But maybe that wasn't the whole truth—because all the times he stayed silent, he could have turned to Luca. And maybe I wouldn't blame him so much if I knew just how much I was contributing to the weight he carried.
"I love Kai," I whispered, tears freely falling from my eyes. I didn't know why but it suddenly felt as If I've made a huge mistake. It felt that way despite me trying not to feel that way and for the most parts, I was more hurt than I thought I'd be angry at him.
"It's so easy for you to say because the only thing you've ever done is be with him. Don't you see, Elaine?!" He clapped his hands together in frustration. "There is no true way to know if you really love him if you've never given anyone else a chance. You've never looked at another person the way you looked at Kai from the start. How can you be so sure when you've been pushing others aside, maybe because you don't trust yourself enough? Maybe because you're scared you'll realize that you don't love Kai as much as you thought," he said, his voice softer now.
"I can't do anything with you, and you know it, Damien."
"Lies. The bond was broken twice, and this could be your last chance to make the right decision. Honestly, I'll try not to be mad at whatever happens if you just look at me—even the tiniest bit—the way you look at Kai. You've driven me utterly insane, Elaine, and I might choke to death if I don't let out what I feel for you," he reached for my hand, but I brushed it off. "You don't know what it does to me, waking up every day with the image of you in Kai's arms. You don't know what it's like for me to always pretend I'm not hurt, to try to find something better to live for when the only thing I want is a little chance, Elaine. Just a litt—"
"I can't, Damien. I'm sorry, but I can't," I said, hurting myself just as much as I was hurting him. The guilt and weight of his words pressed down on me.
Cordelia was fucking right. If only I had listened. If only I wasn't so scared of falling for someone else who wasn't Kai. And I knew—even thinking that way meant I might never have truly loved Kai in the first place. But they all drove me insane, and Kai was the only one I could comfortably lean on.
"At least consider it fair—for stirring up my emotions this much and leaving me hanging," he pleaded. "And I promise, I'll respect whatever decision you make afterward."
I should have stood my ground and been firm in my belief that I loved Kai. But something else was happening to me—something deep, something burning inside me. And I feared that if I didn't let it out, it would consume me completely.
Damien, on the other hand, didn't stop. He kept taking small steps toward me, and I had already reached the wall. I didn't bother running.
"Please, Elaine," he whispered, his hot breath grazing my skin. His fingers traced their way up to my chin, caressing it tenderly.
I shut my eyes, even though I knew it was wrong.
My heart pounded as if it would burst out of my chest. I tried to stop, but he placed his finger softly against my lips, making me look up at him. My pleading eyes were consumed by fire.
And it didn't consume just me—it consumed both of us the moment our lips touched.