Mated To Sins

Chapter 20

Chapter 20

The d’s

Damon’s POV

I sat on my chair, spinning it lazily while sipping my drink. I hadn’t planned on thinking about her, but her name kept circling in my mind…Zima.

She isn’t exactly the prize, but somehow my father wants to make her his Luna. I know that old man too well; he’s only after someone he can control, someone he can twist into a pawn.

And then there’s Darius, fighting like hell to keep her. He already lost the first one, so now he’s gripping this one like his life depends on it.

For a second, just one damn second, I heard her voice in my head…a soft whimper, the same sound she made when I was going down on her. The memory pulled a low chuckle out of me.

The door suddenly slammed open, snapping me out of it. I turned fast, the laughter dying on my lips.

Darius.

He walked into the room and stopped at the door, both hands buried in his pockets. His face was blank, like a man just back from work and too tired to care.

“I just came to let you know that Zima is not some sort of game,” he said quietly. “We’re not in competition for her.”

I let out a dry laugh.

“I’m serious.”

His voice stayed flat. Tired.

“Whatever you have in mind for her, drop it. She’s off limits. Whatever game you’re playing, end it. I’m done doing this with you, Damon. I’m not interested anymore.”

I raised my hands and shrugged. “I got a little something for you though.”

He frowned. “What are you talking about?”

I turned to my table, rattled open the drawer, and smiled when curiosity flickered across his face.

“You’ll like this one,” I said, and pulled out a small piece of lace. Her panties. I tossed them at him.

He caught them, his face twisting. “What the hell is this?”

“You dared me,” I said. “Besides, that s**t smells…” I trailed off, inhaling deeply, letting the scent dance in the air between us.

He stepped forward, his voice low and shaking. “Damon, what the f**k did you do?”

“Nothing, man,” I said with a lazy grin. “I only ate her.”

His eyes flashed red as his fist slammed into my nose. Blood gushed fast, warm, but I only laughed, tilting my head back.

“She loved it,” I said. “I swear she did. She was whimpering, moaning, clutching my hair. I know she forgot you in that moment.”

He grabbed me by the collar, his grip iron. His fangs were out, trembling with fury. The panties were still crumpled in his other hand.

“The smell’s faded now,” I said, voice low. “But I could still describe it if you want.”

Blood dripped from my nose to the floor. Hitting him back wasn’t worth it. Not tonight.

“You’re doing it again, aren’t you?” he said through clenched teeth.

“Doing what, brother?”

“Don’t call me that.”

“Brother,” I whispered, then chuckled.

“Don’t call me that!” he roared, slamming my head against the table.

“You’re doing it again,” he hissed. “You always do this. You take everything I ever love. When do I get my fair share, Damon? When?”

His voice broke, and for a moment, I saw it…the pain under all that rage. But pity isn’t my thing.

“Stop playing the victim,” I said quietly. “You dared me, remember?”

“Leave her alone,” he said, voice cracking. “Just leave her alone.”

I shoved his hand off my shirt and brushed myself clean. “You might have to keep fighting me, because I’m not backing down from that dare.”

He nodded slowly, licking the blood from his knuckles. Then he stepped back, breathing hard.

I wiped the last of the blood from my nose and smiled faintly.

“Father invited us to dinner,” I said, my tone casual but cutting. “He said he’ll be introducing his beautiful young Luna.”

He froze, his back still turned.

“I hope you know who that is, fighter.”

The words hung heavy in the air, mean and intentional. He didn’t reply. He just stood there for a moment before walking out, leaving the door wide open and the tension thick enough to choke on.

I stood up and closed the door. That was when it hit me how long I’ve been fighting my brother. We’ve been at it since our teenage years, always on opposite sides. It started after our mother died, and it only got worse after the death of our first mate.

I killed her. By mistake.

The thought burned through my mind, and I shook my head hard, refusing to let it stay.

I wouldn’t say I hate Darius, not really. Even though he keeps fighting me, even though he can’t stand the fact that I always come out on top, there’s still a tiny piece of love buried somewhere deep in my heart. Small, quiet, but real.

I could let everything go. I could let him have all he’s ever wanted. But no… I can’t be the weak one. I just can’t.

There was a locked drawer in the cabinet. I took the key from where I’d hidden it and unlocked it. Inside was an old photograph, covered in dust. I blew it off gently, and our faces came into view…mine and Darius’s.

We were younger then. Happier.

He’d burned every picture of us, but this one survived.

A quiet chuckle slipped from my lips as I placed it back inside the drawer and locked it again.

Then, all of a sudden, the door flew open. My eyes flashed, curious to see who it was. A student stood there, panic written all over his face.

“What is it?” I asked, rising to my feet.

No one ever barged into my room like that. Not even Darius.

“Alpha…” he stammered, his breath coming fast and uneven.

I frowned. “Spit it out.”

He tried to speak again, but the words tumbled into silence. Outside, I could already hear the chaos screams, footsteps, and the heavy sound of people running.

“Alpha, the academy is burning.”