Chapter 16 Lila I could feel every gaze in the ballroom pressing down on me as Damon extended his hand . Every woman in the room was watching , some with barely concealed envy , others with outright hostility . It was a silent chorus of judgment , expectation , and resentment . Swallowing hard , I slid my hand into his . Damon's grip was firm , his skin warm against mine . The contact sent a pulse of electricity up my arm . I resisted the urge to pull away , to sever the connection before it could deepen , but the pull was already there , deep and insistent , weaving its way into my senses like a slow - acting poison . Damon walked us to the center of the dance floor , his other hand settling against my waist . The heat of his touch burned through the thin fabric of my gown , and I could feel the tension coiled in his body . Even when standing still , he radiated power , his very presence an unspoken challenge to anyone who dared to defy him . With effortless grace , he guided my hand onto his shoulder . My breath hitched at the sudden closeness , my hands instinctively gripping his broad frame to steady myself . My wolf stirred , as if responding to the nearness of her mate , but I quickly shoved the feeling down . This was nothing more than a dance . A moment in time that I refused to let mean anything more . And yet … the way his fingers pressed against my waist sent an unwelcome shiver down my spine . No. I wouldn't fall for this . As the music swelled , I forced myself to meet Damon's gaze . His eyes gleamed under the chandelier's light , drinking me in . " Why did you choose me ? " I asked , keeping my voice low and even despite the rapid beat of my heart . " There are plenty of women here who are far more charming . " His expression remained impassive . " More charming ? " His lips curved into something that wasn't quite a smile . " You mean the ones who flaunt themselves like peacocks ? " I glanced at the woman nearby , at their elegant gowns and carefully practiced flirtations on full display . I'd seen the way they laughed , the way they angled their bodies toward him , each move designed to seduce . I looked nothing like them, and the real me certainly didn't belong in their world . " They'd know how to please you . " Once again , I spoke without thinking . Damon's fingers flexed slightly against my waist , the only sign of reaction . " I prefer women who give me their true hearts . " A sharp laugh almost escaped me , but I bit it back . I found it ironic , The Lycan King , surrounded by women desperate to please him , claiming he wanted something genuine ? How absurd . Lesson two : the Lycan King craved power and control above all else . +15 Bonus He likely had a harem with nothing more than a collection of beautiful playthings , carefully curated for his pleasure . Did he truly expect me to believe he cared about authenticity ? I didn't bother to hide the skepticism in my voice . " Is that so ? " Damon's gaze darkened . " You don't believe me . " " You treat them like objects , " I said bluntly . " Are you saying I'm different ? " He studied me for a long moment before speaking . " I can tell your smile is fake . " I stiffened . " Your eyes , " he continued , his voice low , " they're guarded . Just like when you pretended to be sick tonight . " A chill ran down my spine . " You're a woman with secrets , " he murmured , his tone on edge . " Maybe I should see your true side . " My breath caught in my throat . He was too perceptive . Too close . I willed my expression to remain neutral , but the intensity of his stare made it impossible to mask my unease . " No one would dare have secrets in front of the Lycan King , " I said , forcing a lightness into my tone that I didn't feel . Damon's grip on me was steady , but I could feel the unspoken challenge lingering between us . I hated how my body reacted to him ; how I struggled between wanting to pull away and wanting to lean closer . The song ended and I let my hands slip from him immediately , stepping back and rubbing at my flushed face , hoping he wouldn't notice . " I'm not feeling well , " I said , my voice softer than I intended . " I'd like to leave . " His hands flexed against his sides , but he made no move to stop me . " Rest , then . " Hi voice almost sounded concerned . Relief flooded through me , but it was short - lived . As I turned to leave , the jealous stares of the other women bore into me like daggers . I could feel their resentment , their silent accusations . If I had stayed in Damon's arms for even a second longer , they'd likely have torn me apart 1 was halfway through the door when a sudden , dramatic gasp cut through the air . " Your Highness , I don't feel well . ' I stopped in my tracks , my body going rigid . Slowly , I turned my head to see Vanessa crumpling to the floor , clutching her chest as if she were moments from death . I couldn't stop the scoff from escaping my lips . Talk about crying wolf . How convenient . If only she had been this frail when she was tormenting me as a child . It would have saved me a lot of trouble . Damon didn't even blink . With a flick of his hand , he gestured to one of the guards who stepped forward , gripping Vanessa's arm +15 Bonus roughly . To my utter lack of surprise , she ' miraculously ' regained consciousness , yanking her arm free . " Are you well ? " Damon's voice was laced with impatience . Vanessa fluttered her eyes , placing a delicate hand against her collarbone . " Thank you , my King . I don't want the guards touching me , " she said , her voice sweetly venomous . " I'm not the kind of slut who lets men other than the Lycan King touch me . " A wave of simmering irritation rose in me . Just what kind of slut are you then , Vanessa ? My jaw clenched at the thought . She wasn't even trying to be subtle in her mockery towards me . Damon's gaze flickered briefly to me before turning back to Vanessa . " Any weak female wolf is unfit to be Luna , " he said coldly . " Since you're all so fragile , I'll be increasing the importance of the training segment . " A murmur of unease swept through the room . Damon continued , his voice gaining volume . " And the combat phase will be moved forward . " My stomach dropped . Beta Ronan hesitated before stepping forward, " Your Majesty , the battle segment requires two - on - two confrontations . With an odd number of candidates , there will be one extra . " Damon's gaze swept across the room , landing squarely on me . " The remaining candidate will fight against me . " A shiver ran down my spine . The room fell into stunned silence , but I barely heard the collective intake of breath around me . I was clearly the odd one out . And I would have to fight the Lycan King ? My mind whirled , panic clawing at my insides . I had been hoping to get eliminated , hoping to slip through the cracks and disappear before anyone took real notice of me . And now , instead , I was being forced into the one thing guaranteed make me the stand - out candidate . Assuming I survived Damon's lips curved into something almost predatory . " Try not to disappoint me , " he said . I swallowed hard , but my throat was dry as a desert . I was so screwed .