Chapter 7 Damon +15 Bonus The moment I stepped into the room , she shot up from her seat , too fast , too sudden . Her body swayed , and for a fleeting second , I thought she might collapse again . She caught herself against the wall , fingers gripping the surface as if it was the only thing keeping her standing . I exhaled sharply . " Sit down . " My voice was clipped , firm - an order . Her legs bent without hesitation , dropping her onto the nearest chair . A spark of irritation flickered in my chest . Did she obey so easily because she recognized my authority , or because she was weak ? Zane stirred in my mind . She's exhausted . Let her rest . I ignored him . Her posture was rigid , hands curled into the fabric of her dress . I studied her , searching for something , anything that would break the illusion of familiarity . But every glance only deepened the unease coiling inside me . - The curve of her jaw , the way her hair fell over her shoulders, even the way she held herself it was all too similar to Natalie . Natalie was my first mate . But Natalle died ten years ago , and this woman was not her . I forced my focus elsewhere . " How old are you ? " " Eighteen , " she answered immediately . Zane let out a low rumble of approval , but I wasn't interested in whatever foolish ideas my wolf had . I leaned against the edge of the desk across from her , arms folded against my chest . " Did your father tell you anything before you came here ? Are you here with ulterior motives to seize a seat in the Royal Council ? " She blinked , startled by the accusation . Then , quickly , she shook her head . " No. I'm only here for the bride selection , " I let the silence stretch between us , watching her expression carefully . Her face remained composed , but her fingers twitched against the fabric of her dress , betraying her nerves . My gut told me there was more to this woman than she let on . strands . of blue nestled in her hair and drew my attention . The sapphire caught the dim candlelight , shimmering against the dark My breath hitched . It was impossible . I stepped forward before I even realized what I was doing , " What is this ? " My voice came out sharp , cutting through the still air like a blade . She raised a hand to the pin , fingers grazing the gemstone . " What's wrong with it ? " 1/4 Chopdurt She didn't know . She didn't know , Zane echoed , but I wasn't listening . My vision tunneled . My fingers closed around the pin before she could react , yanking it from her hair . She flinched , eyes wide . " What the +15 Bonus : " Do you have any idea what you're wearing ! How dare you ? " My voice was rough with anger , my grip tightening around the delicate piece of jewelry . She looked shocked , genuinely confused . " It's just a hairpin . " But it wasn't . The memory slammed into me like a storm - Natalie standing in front of me , her soft smile framed by midnight curls , this very pin tucked in her hair . I had placed it there myself on the night of her Luna ceremony- And now , it sat in my palm , tainted by someone else's touch . I turned my gaze back to Lila . The resemblance was haunting , a cruel trick played by fate . I stepped closer , towering over her . " I thought you were innocent , but now it seems you're just another scheming opportunist , She paled . " What ? No , this was given to me - " " I don't care . " My fingers clenched around the pin until the edges bit into my palm . Blood pricked my skin , but I barely felt it . " Do not mistake my tolerance for favor . " Her mouth opened as if to argue , but she hesitated , as if realizing nothing she said would matter . Zane snarled in frustration . You're being irrational . The pin was in the storage room , so how did it get on Elena's head ? Someone must have set her up . I ground my teeth and snapped at him . I control everything that happens in this palace and she had no right . I needed to get away from Elena before I did something I'd regret " Get out . " My words came cold , final She hesitated for a fraction of a second , then stood quickly , dipping into a stiff curtsey before rushing toward the door . As it closed behind her , I let out a slow breath , willing my pulse to steady . Her retreating footsteps echoed in my ears long after she was gone . Zane was restless . I wanted her to stay . I clenched my fists . I don't care what you want . But that was a lie and Zane knew it . Because the moment she was gone , felt unbearably empty . the room I wasn't sure how long I stood there , staring at the damn hairpin like it would give me answers . When the knock came , I knew I who it was before she even entered . +15 Bonus : Isabella glided into the room , draped in a gown that clung to her curves , her lips painted the same shade of red she wore when she wanted something . She swayed her hips as she floated closer , pressing herself against me like she always did . " Damon , " she purred , fingers trailing up my chest . " You're tense . Let me help . " There was a time when I would've indulged in her advances ; having Isabella around dulled Zane's feral lust and emptiness inside me without our Mate . I knew what people said about me , but Isabella was the only thing that kept me from truly being a Tyrant . I grasped her wrists , pulling her hands away . The scent of her perfume was overpowering , sickly sweet . " Not tonight . " Shock flickered across her face . Isabella had never been denied before . Her gaze narrowed . " Is it because of that girl , Elena ? " Elena's name stirred a warmth in my core and my patience for Isabella snapped . " Don't jump to conclusions . " " If my sister Natalie were here - " I cut her off with a sharp glare . " Don't . " She swallowed , her confidence wavering for the first time . Normally , I let Isabella use Natalie's memory as leverage but she must have realized she pushed too far this time . Isabella stepped back , forcing a tight smile . " Forgive me . I only meant to remind you … no one can replace her . " " Get out . " I had kicked a woman out of this room for the second time tonight . She lingered a moment longer , as if waiting for me to change my mind . When I didn't , she turned on her heel and left . I exhaled slowly , rubbing a hand down my face when a mind - link from Ronan broke the silence . My King , when will the first elimination be held ? I forced my mind to focus . Right . The damn selection . I had agreed to it to keep Jackson from hounding me about responsibilities , but I hadn't given it much thought since it began . Now , I saw Elena's face in my mind . It wasn't just her resemblance to Natalie . It was the way she had met my my gaze without flinching , the way she had spoken despite her obvious fear . She had looked at me like I was something to be wary of ; not as a King , or a tyrant , but a man . The selection must continue , I told Ronan . But … I want to meet the girls myself . Ronan was silent for a moment . Understood . I'll arrange it . I closed the link and leaned against the desk , staring down at the hairpin still in my palm .