Chapter 24 Lila The tension in the hall hadn't dissipated when Damon dismissed everyone . The girls hurried off , whispering amongst themselves , and Vanessa stomped away with her jaw clenched , her shoulders stiff with barely restrained fury . But before I could follow , Damon's voice cut through the air . " Elena . Stay behind . " I halted mid - step , pulse quickening . Beside me , Helen turned as well , her usual haughty demeanor cracking just enough to reveal the surprise beneath . Damon's gaze flicked to her . " Helen , due to your indiscriminate punishments , I've decided to remove you from your position . A new housekeeper will replace you by dinnertime . " Helen stiffened as though she had been slapped . " M - my Lord , " she stammered , her voice faltering for the first time . " Please , reconsider ! I have served the palace faithfully - " Damon didn't even spare her a second glance . " Your replacement has already been chosen . " Helen's I watched as ' s face drained of color . Her lips pressed into a thin line , but she wisely held her tongue . I could almost feel the waves of anger radiating off her as she dipped into a stiff curtsey and turned sharply on her heel , disappearing down the hall . Good riddance . She had hated me for no reason from the r moment I arrived Still , I couldn't shake my curiosity . The Lycan King didn't usually involve himself in things like this . If a servant stepped out of line , Ronan or another Beta handled it . Yet , he had personally seen to Helen's removal . Was it because of what he'd said last night ? I frowned , pushing down the flicker of warmth at the thought . I refused to be foolish enough to read too much into his actions . Damon turned his attention to me now , his eyes unreadable . " You didn't show up today . " I blinked " Excuse me ? " Damon's expression remained impassive . " The combat selection hasn't changed . You still have to fight me . " A slow realization dawned on me . " Were you waiting for me at the training ground ? " A beat of silence Then , almost imperceptibly , Damon hesitated . His jaw tensed , and for the first time , he seemed … caught off guard . Awkward . But the moment passed in a blink , and he scoffed . " Of course not , " he said smoothly . " I simply noticed your absence . " The way he avoided my gaze for half a second , the stiffness in his stance..it wasn't much , but it was enough to tell me I had +15 Bonus struck a nerve . Hells , he really did wait for me , and I was confined to solitary punishment . Despite myself , my lips curled slightly . " You shouldn't go easy on me , " I said . His eyes darkened . " I don't intend to . " Then , with nothing more than a curt nod , he turned and strode away . As soon as he disappeared , Ruby practically bounced beside me , her tail twitching excitedly . He cares about us ! she gushed . His words are still cold , but he definitely cares . I sighed , rubbing my temples . Don't overthink it … Do you think we can win against him ? My voice softened as my mind drifted elsewhere . Right now , I only care about mom's health . Why did Henry change his original plans ? Ruby's enthusiasm dimmed slightly , but she remained quiet , letting my thoughts s settle . It was dark by the time I returned to the training grounds later that evening , but Damon wasn't there . Of course , he wasn't . He had more important things to do than wait around for me . I huffed at Ruby . See ? I told you ; you're overthinking things . Ruby pointedly ignored me . So I surveyed the arena . Other candidates were already training , pairing up to spar before the next round of selection . It was a good idea , I needed practice if I was going to have any hope of standing a chance . Maybe you should find a training partner , Ruby suggested . " Well , well . If it isn't my lucky charm . " I turned to find Asher strolling toward me , his usual smirk in place . His tousled dark hair was damp with sweat , and his sleeves were rolled up , revealing forearms lined with faint scars ; a warrior's markings . He stopped just close enough to invade my space , tilting his head as he studied me . " Come to train ? " I crossed my arms " Yes Alone " " Shame . " He clicked his tongue , feigning disappointment . " I was about to offer my assistance . " I hesitated Training with him wouldn't be the worst idea , he was skilled , after all . But the last thing I needed was to get too close to someone like him . Asher was charming , unpredictable , and far too willing to push boundaries . " I should keep my distance , " I said firmly . " I'm here for the selection , not to make friends . " Asher raised a brow . " Who said anything about friendship ? " I shot him a pointed look . He chuckled , holding up his hands in mock surrender . " Alright , alright . But I won't give up that easily . " He stayed close anyway , watching me as I moved into a fighting stance . After a few minutes of testing my reflexes , he whistled . " I have to admit , your fighting skills are better than I expected . " +15 Bonus I frowned at him . " What's that supposed to mean ? " He grinned . " Just that you're full of surprises , Elena . " Before I could respond , he leaned in slightly , lowering his voice . " You know … I could put in a good word for you . Get the judges to give you high marks . " I froze . That … was tempting Unfair , but tempting . I narrowed my eyes . " Why would you do that ? " Asher shrugged . " I like interesting people . And you , Lucky , are very interesting . " I studied him carefully . He was hard to read - playful one moment , serious the next . And in this palace , trust was a dangerous thing . As if sensing my hesitation , he smiled and took a step closer . Slowly , deliberately , he reached out and adjusted the thin strap of my tank top that had slipped down my shoulder , his fingers grazing my skin . A shiver ran through me , though whether from unease or something else , I wasn't sure . " Think about it , " he murmured . I exhaled slowly . Trust was a rare thing here . And I wasn't sure if Asher had earned it . Damon The view from my office overlooked the training grounds , its open windows letting in the crisp night air . I leaned against the wooden frame , arms crossed over my chest , my thoughts tangled in a web of frustration . Why did she ask if I was waiting for her ? The question had irritated me more than it should have . Was it truly not that obvious ? I had only gone to the training grounds out of obligation . That was all . I'm becoming too concerned about her . I shoved the thought aside , grounding myself in the truth I had clung to . Elena looked like Natalie , that was the only reason she unsettled me . 1 was merely using her to remember her A growl rumbled from within me " Elena is nothing like Natalie , " Zane interjected , his voice a deep rumble in my mind . I exhaled slowly, fingers clenching " She never smiled at us like Natalie did . Natalie loved us without reservation . Zane's tone softened . But Elena is different . Cautious . Guarded . It makes me want to know what happened to make her this way ? I silenced him before he could continue . Elena doesn't matter . I've always only wanted Natalie . She's our mate . Always will be . " No I want Lila . Zane's reply was immediate , unwavering His certainty sent a pulse of irritation through me . I pushed off the window frame , heading toward the door . +15 Bonus I stopped abruptly , my attention narrowing in on the training grounds . Through the dim torchlight outside , I spotted Elena . Training . And Asher's hand on her bare shoulder .