Chapter 5: He Misunderstood Her
1130 Words
Chapter 5: He Misunderstood Her
(Damien Blackwood's POV)
I walked into the lodge, my gaze sweeping over the living room. It wasn't large, but it was immaculately clean and tidy.
The decor was simple and elegant - a bouquet of wildflowers sat on the table, a wind chime hung in the window, and plush animal toys were scattered on the sofa. Everything exuded a sense of life.
Though it wasn't spacious, it somehow felt warmer and more inviting than my own sprawling den, which occupied a prime location in the territory. My silver eyes flickered slightly.
"Um... I didn't know you were coming tonight," she said, wringing her hands,I guess she feel a little uneasy because of the sudden presence of a male in her home. Her voice carried that same gentle tone from earlier, but now there was an underlying tension.
"I only just finished tidying up your room this afternoon and haven't had time to buy furniture or bedding yet." She looked genuinely apologetic, her hazel eyes wide with concern.
I could see her trying so hard to please me. The effort was almost... endearing.
"No need," I said, turning my head to look at her, my gaze distant and cold. "I'm just staying for two nights. You don't need to bother."
"Also, I can give you a much better den as compensation," I added, my tone businesslike.
Seraphina was taken aback for a moment. Her eyes widened in surprise before she quickly waved her hands in refusal.
"No, no, I'm already used to living here," she said quickly, shaking her head. "And your situation can't be easy, you don't need to spend resources on such things."
She took a step closer, her expression earnest. "Besides, we are a mated pair now. There's no need to keep such clear accounts for everything."
A mated pair? I looked into Seraphina's earnest eyes.
Something twisted in my chest - an unfamiliar warmth that I immediately pushed away. This was supposed to be a business arrangement, nothing more.
I turned my head away with a slight cough. "Even if we are a pair, what needs to be clear should be kept clear. But if you insist, then suit yourself."
Seraphina's ears began to burn, and her palms grew sweaty. The atmosphere in the living room suddenly shifted, becoming thick with unspoken tension.
She bit her lower lip, looking like she wanted to say something but didn't dare. The silence stretched between us like a taut wire.
"Do you have a healing kit here?" I asked, breaking the silence before it could become even more awkward.
"Yes. Please, have a seat. I'll go find it," Seraphina nodded eagerly, practically rushing to the TV cabinet to search.
She was so eager to help, so willing to care for me. It was unsettling.
I grunted in acknowledgment and sat on the sofa, immediately feeling the exhaustion hit me again. The soft cushions were a welcome relief after the day's events.
My body was screaming for rest, but I couldn't let my guard down. Not yet.
Soon, Seraphina brought the healing kit, which contained various herbs and bandages, and placed it on the table. The moonlight herbs caught my attention - high quality ones that would actually help with the silver poisoning.
"These are expensive," I noted, picking up one of the herb packets. "Where did you get them?"
"I... I've been collecting them for a while," she said softly. "I like to be prepared."
"Do you need my help?" she offered, her voice gentle but hesitant.
"No need," I replied coolly, rolling up the hem of my shirt to reveal the bandage on my abdomen.
The white cloth was faintly stained red with blood. Fresh blood from where the wound had reopened during my walk here.
Seraphina gasped softly, her hand flying to her mouth. "Oh my god, that looks terrible."
Her face went completely pale, and I could hear her sharp intake of breath. She looked genuinely horrified.
"Why don't you go to the Pack Healer to get that treated?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine worry. "No one is chasing you now, it should be safe to go..."
She took a step closer, her hands reaching out as if to help before she caught herself. "You're losing blood. This isn't something you should handle alone."
Her words sounded so naive that I almost found myself wanting to laugh. If only she knew how many enemies were circling, waiting for any sign of weakness.
"You think it's that simple?" I asked.
But that flicker of amusement vanished the moment I noticed something unusual. A red dot was blinking from a corner of the living room.
My blood turned to ice. A surveillance device. Here. Now.
I abruptly stood up, my movement so sudden that Seraphina jumped back. I walked over to the TV cabinet with predatory grace, every instinct screaming danger.
"What's wrong?" Seraphina asked, watching me with confusion and growing alarm. "Damien, what is it?"
I picked up the small plush bear placed there. My fingers found the tiny mechanism hidden behind its button eye.
The next second, I twisted the bear's head off with a violent motion. The fabric tore with a sickening rip, stuffing spilling onto the floor.
I pulled a miniature camera from behind its eye. The device was still warm, still recording. Still transmitting.
"A camera?!" Seraphina gasped, her face turning pale as snow.
She stumbled backward, her hand gripping the back of a chair for support. "How could there be something like this inside the toy?"
Her voice shook with what seemed like genuine shock. But I'd been fooled before by innocent acts.
"Who gave you this toy?" I demanded, my voice cutting through the air like a blade.
"I... I don't remember," she stammered, her eyes wide with fear. "I've had it for months. Maybe my mother bought it, or..."
The toy had been aimed directly at the living room sofa, meaning her every move had been monitored by someone. But more importantly, it meant my presence here tonight had been recorded.
My blood ran cold. If this footage reached the wrong hands, my injury would be exposed. My enemies would know exactly where to find me.
"This is your den, why are you acting so surprised?" I asked, my long fingers crushing the camera with deliberate force.
The plastic crunched under my grip, circuits sparking briefly before going dark. I turned to her, my gaze filled with cold ridicule.
"Hiding a camera in a toy's eye, I really underestimated your methods."
The cozy den, the gentle concern, the offer to help - it had all been perfectly orchestrated. I was so close to being fooled by the innocent act she had just put on.
- Writer
