Damon's POV
I stood in the shadowed corner of the grand hall, watching the nobles swarm under crystal chandeliers, their polished smiles and glinting jewelry reflecting the flickering candlelight. The scent of roasted venison and aged wine lingered in the air, mingling with the perfume of ambition. Laughter echoed across the marble floors—but none of it reached me.
Tonight wasn’t a celebration. It was a trap disguised as tradition.
I raised the glass to my lips, letting the wine burn a slow path down my throat. Across the room, eyes followed my every move. Hungry eyes. Curious ones. After all, tonight I was expected to choose a mate.
A future queen.
"Are you really going to take a mate?" Sailas appeared beside me, his tone light, but his gaze serious. He insisted I cancel the ball si
