Chapter 10 – Into the Lion’s Den
515 Words
Elena stood in front of the massive walk-in closet, staring at the endless rows of designer dresses. Each one was more luxurious than anything she had ever owned, yet none of them felt like her.
She didn’t want to dress up for Damon’s world. She didn’t want to be paraded around as his possession.
But she had no choice.
Her fingers hesitated before settling on a sleek black gown. It was elegant yet simple—something that didn’t scream I belong to him.
When she stepped out, Damon was waiting in the living room, already dressed in a sharp black suit. His dark eyes swept over her in slow assessment, lingering just long enough to make her skin prickle.
“You clean up nicely,” he remarked.
Elena crossed her arms. “If I said I didn’t want to go, would it make a difference?”
His smirk was infuriating. “No.”
She clenched her teeth. Of course, it wouldn’t.
A driver was already waiting downstairs. The ride was silent, tension thick between them. Every minute that passed made Elena’s stomach twist tighter.
She didn’t belong in Damon’s world.
But tonight, she will have to play the part.
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The event was held in an extravagant ballroom, filled with high society’s elite. The kind of person who didn’t even glance her way—except to assess her like an accessory on Damon’s arm.
A waiter passed by, offering champagne. Elena reached for a glass, but before she could take it, Damon’s hand closed around her wrist.
“No.” His voice was low, firm.
She frowned up at him. “Excuse me?”
He leaned in, his breath warm against her ear. “You don’t drink at events like these unless you know who’s offering.”
Something about the way he said it sent a chill down her spine.
Before she could respond, a voice interrupted.
“Damon Blackwell.”
A tall man with sharp features and an equally sharp suit approached them. His expression was friendly, but his eyes told a different story.
Damon’s grip on Elena’s wrist loosened, but his entire body tensed.
“Daniel.” His tone was neutral, unreadable.
Elena glanced between them, sensing an underlying current of something unspoken.
Daniel’s gaze flickered at her. “And who is this?”
Damon’s arm slid around her waist, pulling her closer. The possessiveness in the gesture made her stiffen.
“Elena.” His voice was smooth, but there was something dangerous beneath it.
Daniel studied her for a moment, then smiled. “Interesting.”
Elena wasn’t sure why, but something about the way he said it made her uneasy.
The conversation moved on, but her mind remained stuck on that single word.
Interesting.
Like she was a piece of a puzzle he was trying to figure out.
Or worse—like she was a pawn in a game she didn’t even understand.
As the night continued, Elena realized something.
Damon’s world wasn’t just about power and control.
It was full of secrets.
And somehow, she was now tangled in them.
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- Writer
