Chosen By The Cursed Alpha King Chapter 92

EMILIA'S POV

Damien's house was nothing like I imagined. It was big—beautiful, even—but not in the cold, polished way of the palace. This place felt alive. The walls were painted warm shades of cream and gold, the floors gleamed under the light, and soft curtains swayed with the evening breeze. Everything smelled faintly of cedarwood and something else... something that reminded me of him.

When we stepped inside, I couldn't help but whisper, "It's... beautiful."

Damien smiled faintly as he shut the door behind us. "It's just a house, Emilia."

"Just a house?" I repeated softly. "It's more than that."

He glanced at me, his lips twitching into a small smile. "Then I'm glad you like it."

I turned in a slow circle, taking everything in. The living room opened up into a wide space with tall windows and a crackling fireplace. Paintings hung on the walls—some of wolves, others of mountains and skies that looked too real to be paint. For a moment, I felt almost at peace.

"Thank you," I said quietly. "For letting me stay here."

Damien's gaze softened, and before I could say more, he took a slow step closer. "You shouldn't thank me," he said. "This is your home too."

My head snapped up. "What?"

He gave a small smile. "You're my mate, Emilia. That means this house... it's as much yours as it is mine."

My chest tightened. I didn't know what to say to that. His voice was so gentle, so sincere, it made my heart ache. I looked away, trying to hide the way my cheeks burned. "Still," I said softly. "It means a lot."

He chuckled lightly. "Come on," he said, taking my hand. "I'll show you your room."

His hand was warm—steady—and the moment his fingers wrapped around mine, something inside me stilled. He led me down a hallway lined with golden lights until we reached a door at the very end.

He paused there, glancing at me almost nervously. "I didn't know what you'd like," he admitted. "So I tried to keep it simple."

When he pushed the door open, I felt my breath catch.

The room was soft and glowing, filled with gentle light from the window. The bed was huge, covered in white sheets that looked softer than clouds. A few books were stacked neatly on a wooden nightstand, and a vase of red flowers sat beside them. The curtains danced faintly in the wind, carrying the scent of rain.

I stepped inside slowly, my fingers brushing the smooth frame of the bed. "It's perfect," I whispered.

"Really?" he asked, watching my face carefully.

I turned to him and smiled. "Yes. I love it."

His shoulders relaxed. "I'm glad," he murmured.

Something about that moment felt fragile and real. Before I could stop myself, I rose on my toes and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek. "Thank you, Damien."

He froze.

For a tall, tough looking man like him, the sight of him blushing was almost unbelievable. His ears turned pink, and he scratched the back of his head like he didn't know what to do with himself.

But then, just as quickly, his smile faded. His expression grew distant, sad. I frowned. "What's wrong?"

He exhaled slowly, his gaze dropping to the floor. "I have to leave," he said finally.

My stomach sank. "Leave? Where are you going?"

"My company in the human town," he said, his voice tight with reluctance. "There's an issue that needs my attention. Urgently."

"Oh." I nodded, trying not to sound disappointed. "That's fine, Damien. I understand."

His eyes lifted to mine again, searching. "Really? You're not mad?"

"Of course not," I said softly. "If it's important, you should go."

He stepped closer, his jaw clenching. "Nothing is more important than you, Emilia. If you tell me not to go, I won't."

My heart skipped. His words were heavy, honest, and full of a warmth that made me want to look away. "I can't do that," I said quietly. "Besides... I need time to adjust. This house is so big, it might take me all day just to find the kitchen."

He blinked, then pouted slightly. "Are you sending me away?"

I couldn't help it—I laughed. The sound felt strange, but good. "No, Damien. I'm not."

He smiled faintly, then before I could move, his hands slipped around my waist. My breath hitched as he leaned close, his face near my neck. I felt his breath against my skin, warm and trembling.

"You don't know how lucky I am that I found you," he murmured.

My heart pounded so hard I thought he could hear it. When he lifted his head, our eyes met—and everything else disappeared. His gaze was dark, full of things I couldn't name. Slowly, carefully, he leaned down until his lips brushed mine.

The kiss was soft at first, hesitant, like he was afraid I'd pull away. But then it deepened, his hand rising to cup my face. I didn't know when I started kissing him back, only that I couldn't seem to stop. My hands found his shoulders, then his neck. His touch burned and soothed all at once, and for a moment, I forgot everything else.

Then, suddenly, he broke away—breathing hard. His eyes were dark, stormy, full of restrained fire.

"I have to stop," he said, voice low and rough. "If I don't, I won't be able to control myself."

My lips parted, but before I could say anything, his phone rang sharply, cutting through the air. He cursed under his breath, pulling away to check the screen.

"I'll be back," he muttered, running a hand through his hair as he walked toward the door. But just as he reached it, he paused, turned, and came back in a rush—capturing my lips in one last, brief kiss. And dipping his head in neck to inhale my scent.

It was quick but full of meaning, and when he finally left, the room felt suddenly too quiet.

I stood there, my heart pounding wildly, my fingers brushing my lips. I should've been happy. I should've felt safe. But instead, guilt crept in like a slow, cold shadow.

Damien was my mate. He cared for me, protected me. So why did kissing him feel like... betrayal?

Why did it feel like I'd done something wrong?

I sat down on the edge of the bed, the soft sheets sinking beneath me. My hands trembled slightly as I tried to calm my thoughts. But they wouldn't stop. They just kept circling back—to Maximus. To the weight of what Raina had said.

The spirit.

The witch.

The danger I might bring.

A soft knock at the door pulled me back. My breath caught. "Damien?"

The door opened, but it wasn't him.

A young maid entered, carrying a tray of food. She had dark hair braided neatly down her back and kind eyes that sparkled when she smiled.

"Good evening," she said brightly. "My name is Rose. Master Damien said I should make sure you eat something."

I blinked, forcing a small smile. "Thank you, Rose. That's very kind of you."

She set the tray on the bedside table, bowing slightly. "He worries about you," she said, glancing around the room. "You're lucky to have him."

Her words stung a little. "Yes," I said softly. "I know."

She smiled again, not noticing the way my chest tightened. "I'll leave you to rest, then. Please eat. You need your strength."

When she left, the silence returned, thicker than before. I looked at the food, but my appetite was gone. The smell made my stomach twist.

Instead, I sat by the window, staring out at the moonlight spilling over the trees. The night looked calm—but it felt different. There was something heavy in the air, something that whispered to me in ways I couldn't explain.

The curiosity—the need—burned inside me. Raina's voice echoed again in my mind.

I couldn't ignore it anymore.

By the time the clock struck midnight, I'd made up my mind.

Quietly, I pulled on my coat and boots, tying the belt tight around my waist. The air was colder than I expected when I opened the door, biting against my skin. The hallway was dark, silent except for the faint ticking of a clock somewhere below.

I hesitated once, glancing toward Damien's room.

He wasn't there. He'd probably already left for town.

That made it easier—and harder at the same time.

"Forgive me," I whispered, then slipped out into the night.

The forest behind his house was thick and shadowed, the trees whispering secrets to each other as the wind passed through their leaves. My boots crunched softly on the dirt path as I followed the direction Raina had given me earlier.

Each step felt heavier than the last.

What if she'd lied?

What if this was a trap?

But I had to know. I had to understand what I was. What I might become. Because ignorance was worse than fear.

The deeper I went, the darker it became. The moon vanished behind clouds, and the air grew colder, sharper. Every sound seemed louder—the rustle of branches, the hoot of an owl, the beat of my own heart.

I pulled my coat tighter, trying to ignore the unease crawling up my spine.

Somewhere in the distance, I thought I saw movement. A flicker of light. My pulse jumped.

I quickened my pace, my breath coming faster now. The cold air burned my lungs, but I didn't stop. I needed answers. I needed—

A hand grabbed my wrist.

I gasped, spinning around, my heart leaping into my throat. The world tilted for a second as strong fingers tightened around my arm, pulling me back.

Before I could scream, a shadow loomed over me—tall, silent, close enough that I could feel their breath on my face.

"Going somewhere, Emilia?" a low voice murmured in the dark.

My blood ran cold.

And then everything went still.