Chosen By The Cursed Alpha King Chapter 216

ROSE'S POV

"Rose. We meet again."

The words sent a shiver down my spine. I turned fully, clutching my phone tighter.

He still had that easy smile on his face. But something about it felt off now. Too confident. Too practiced.

"I didn't get to introduce myself properly," he said, voice smooth. "My name's Leon."

He stretched out his hand, palm up, waiting.

I stared at it for a second, my instincts screaming to walk away. But I didn't want to seem rude—or scared. So I forced a small smile and reached out.

The second our hands touched, he squeezed. Hard. Not a friendly handshake. More like a test.

I pulled back fast, flexing my fingers.

He didn't even flinch. Just stepped a little closer, like personal space was optional.

"I haven't seen you around here before," he said, tilting his head. "What high school did you go to?"

My heart skipped.

That question was too specific. Too pointed. Most people just asked what year you were or what major. Not where you went to high school—like he was fishing for something.

I calmed my breathing, keeping my face neutral. "Do you ask that to everyone?"

He laughed softly, scratching the back of his head like he was embarrassed. "Oh no, please don't get me wrong. I was just trying to be nice."

Sure.

His eyes dropped to my hair. "You have really nice curls. I'm not gonna lie."

He reached out—like it was the most natural thing—to touch one of the strands hanging near my shoulder.

I jerked back fast. "Don't."

He dropped his hand, smile never fading. "My bad. They're just...pretty."

I shifted my weight, ready to make an excuse and leave.

He kept going. "So, uh... about the freshers'party this weekend. I was hoping you'd come with me. If you don't mind."

I stared at him. Was he serious? After I'd already shut down his brother?

"I can't," I said firmly. "My fiancé wouldn't like that."

His eyebrows shot up, real surprise flashing across his face. "You're engaged?"

Right then, the low growl of an engine pulled up beside us.

Damien's black car stopped at the curb. The door opened, and he stepped out—tall, powerful, suit jacket open, eyes narrowing the second they landed on Leon.

Relief flooded me so hard my knees almost buckled.

I smiled—big and genuine—and pointed. "That's the fiancé I was just telling you about."

Damien's eyes lit up when they met mine, warm and possessive. But the second they shifted to Leon, they went cold. Hard. Dangerous.

Leon recovered fast, turning with that same easy smile. "Oh."He stuck his hand out. "I'm Leon Black. Rose's coursemate."

Damien walked forward slowly, every step controlled. He took Leon's hand—and squeezed.

I saw Leon's smile falter for a split second, his jaw tightening.

Damien held it just a beat too long before letting go.

I shot him a quick look—behave.

He released, but his eyes tracked Leon like a predator watching prey.

Leon rubbed his hand subtly, then looked back at me. His gaze lingered a little too long.

"See you around, Rose."

He walked away, hands in his pockets again, whistling like nothing had happened.

Damien's eyes kept following Leon until he was gone.

I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.

"Hey," I said, with a smile.

Damien smiled back before he opened the passenger door for me, hand on the small of my back as I slid in. The touch was gentle, but I felt the tension in his fingers.

He got in on his side, started the engine, and pulled away from the curb without a word.

The silence stretched for a block.

"What was that?" he finally asked,

I sighed, leaning into him. "He was asking me to the freshers'party."

"Hell no." He said without missing a beat.

I laughed softly. "Chill. I already told him I have a very wolfy, very possessive fiancé who would go crazy if I went with anyone else. So I said no."

A low growl rumbled in his chest—approval, not anger. "Good girl."

But the tension didn't leave his shoulders.

"That human boy should know his place." Damien said, voice low with warning.

I reached over, resting my hand on his thigh. "He does now."

He covered my hand with his, squeezing once. But his eyes stayed on the road, dark and stormy.

Then he spoke again, voice quieter.

"Rose... I have to go back to the palace tonight. I'll be gone two days."

My stomach dropped. "What? Why?"

He ran his free hand through his hair, frustrated. "Humans have set their eyes on one of our properties. Sacred land. I need to talk to Maximus. We have to figure out how to scare them off—permanently."

He stopped at a red light, finally looking at me.

"If we let them get that close..."His voice dropped, rough with worry. "We risk exposing everything. The entire kingdom."

The light turned green, but the weight in the car stayed heavy.

I stared at him, heart pounding for a whole new reason.

Humans wanting our land.

Humans getting too close.

And Damien leaving me here...alone...in the middle of it all.