y

vement, every choice was deliberate. Today, I would

le

ight outfit or whisper advice about love. But now I knew better. Her charm had always been a we

this

battlefield. Choosing a pair of high-waisted skinny jeans and a form-fitting t

a soft, bold makeup look, letting the glow of my skin and the icy blue of my eyes speak for thems

made my way

ay at her phone. Probably texting Damon, her co-conspirat

st stupidity bitter on my tongue. How

gaze instantly narro

" She blurted, frowning as her eyes s

smiled sweetly. "Wh

"of course you do but... you know Damon doesn't like

script. I've been

meant respect. But now I saw it clearly; Selene had been marking territory. Hiding me. Ma

"I like how I look. And if Damon loves me

enough for me to catch the venom before she

he said. "You

and a steaming cup of coffee. She didn't even glance at

n anything, but today? Yo

er breakfast too. Despite her feelings toward Selene, my mother had always been gracious. That's w

e house. The morning air was crisp as

ack like I had advised?" She

eyebrow. "

night. Damon hates that

mir

t me, he will accept it. After all, it's not the

ps twitch before she masked

Damon really

i

d give him. Power. F

rriors training hard, sweat glistening on skin, the clash of fists

. No tug. No hear

lf wa

of my first death.

said behind me, gesturing tow

e he

mo

d, unpolished way that once made my heart flutter. Now, it

lit up with a grin, manufactured,

e," he said, s

thing to tell me," I repl

laying the bashful act he had perfec

his in a special way, b

rap was set. The audience was

ormance about to unfold. Just like last time. Damon knew how

lvet box from his pocket

icta

the morning light. My heart didn't race.

not perfect, but my love for you is real. I want to spend

n cheers. Whistles.

see the flicker of fury she tried to smother. Her smile

them the show

tting my hands fly to my cheeks

as ever, and slipped the ring o

ive," he said, and for a brief second

o

ck, basking i

ruck. It was

trembling. "The ring is lovely. And your

rowd quieted, s

st enough to look shaken. "I

h the group like a w

my arm, eyes wi

ing?" She hissed

rned to face Damon,

and clear. "But we can't b

ked away while throw

ookin

this