Transmigrated: The Lycan King's Pet-Chapter 117 The Space Between Us

I stood frozen to the floor, as my face pressed against Damon’s chest, feeling his warmth seep through me. But the warmth didn’t ease the ache in my chest. It didn’t erase the words he’d just said.

’A pet.’

That’s all I was to him.

And now... this embrace? What was I supposed to do with it?

My hands remained stiff at my sides. Slowly, I pulled away, separating myself from his embrace even though it felt like peeling off a second skin. I couldn’t look at him right away, afraid that if I did, I’d crumble. I didn’t want to be weak in front of him.

I cleared my throat, trying to focus on something... anything else. "What about Caroline and Lydia?"

He blinked, slightly caught off guard by the change in topic. "What about them?"

"They’re still locked up, aren’t they?" My voice was calm, but inside, I was trembling. "You said I’ll be the bait to lure the rogues out to find out what they were after... Now that’s over... am I still the bait?"

He stared at me for a moment before answering. "No," he said simply. "You’re not needed for that anymore."

Relief washed through me, but it didn’t last.

"And Caroline and Lydia?"

"I’ll think about it," he said curtly.

I folded my arms across my chest, a bitter taste lingering on my tongue. That was always his answer. Cold, detached, and always in control. He made me feel like I was asking for too much when all I wanted was to protect the only two people who ever treated me like more than... this.

We stood in silence. The fire crackled, casting flickering shadows across his face. His expression was blank and his eyes were cold. I just wished Caroline and Lydia were out, so I could talk with them. I missed them so much.

I walked to the chair by the fireplace and sat down, folding my fingers together in my lap. The warmth from the flames kissed my skin, but it didn’t reach the cold in my chest.

"I don’t understand you," I said after a moment, my voice barely above a whisper.

"I’m not meant to be understood, Ember. So don’t try to."

I looked at him. "That’s convenient."

He didn’t respond. He just stood there, his arms folded behind his back, he stared at the floor like he was trying to keep himself from saying something.

"I don’t want to be your weakness," I said. "But I won’t be your leftover either."

’I know that as an Alpha, it was only right for him to look for a strong mate who would help him feel complete and stronger. And that was something an Omega like me could not offer... Now I couldn’t help but wonder what had gotten into me. I knew Omega and Alpha are like worlds apart in social status... what made me think that I would be treated differently by him?’

His eyes met mine. "You think that’s what this is?"

I held his gaze. "I think you don’t know what this is. You can tear apart a rogue in seconds, but when it comes to simple feelings, you run."

He stepped forward, slow and deliberate, like he was stalking prey. "You think I’m running?"

"Yes," I inhaled deeply. ’I knew it was all because of the owner of the locket he valued more than his life.’

He stopped in front of me, his presence pulling all the air from the room. "Then there is nothing more for me to say."

I stared at him. "Sure, I can see... master."

His lips parted, but no words came. We stared at each other with a lot of unspoken yearning words.

"Forget about everything I had said... master," I said, softer now. "And I won’t beg for something you’re not ready to give."

His brows furrowed, I was even surprised that he hadn’t lashed out at me yet.

"Are you going to release them?" I asked again, my voice calm but firm.

"I said I’ll think about it."

I nodded and rose to my feet. The space between us stretched like a string pulled tight. He didn’t move, but I could tell he wanted to.

I couldn’t keep playing this game where he pushed me away and pulled me back just to push me away again.

I turned toward the window, I needed the space and the air. I could feel his gaze on my back.

And, then his footsteps moved toward the door.

"Where are you going?" I asked without turning.

"To meet the elders," he said, his voice was calm. "They’re waiting."

The door closed behind him with a quiet click, but the sound echoed in my chest like a final note in a song I didn’t ask to sing.

I stood still in the middle of the room, my arms folded tightly across my chest. The scent of his cologne still clung to my skin, and I hated how much comfort it brought... and how quickly that comfort soured.

I turned to the door where he had disappeared from. What was I even thinking? At least I know not to hope that something would happen between us.

.....

(Damon POV)

I walked down the hallway, each step quiet but heavy. The air felt thick, almost too still. Servants stepped aside quickly, heads lowered, not daring to meet my eyes.

Ember’s voice kept echoing in my head.

"I won’t be your leftover."

She had pulled away like my touch burned her. Maybe it did. I shouldn’t have reached for her. I shouldn’t have cared.

My hands curled into fists.

She’s just a pet. That’s what I told her. That’s what I’ve always told myself.

So why did it feel like something inside me had splintered when she looked at me that way?

Ever since that night, I’ve been feeling things I shouldn’t feel. But why now? Is it because of the mark on her? But why did Alpha Caelen warn me to keep my heart guarded against her? Is she really Emelia or just another plan cooked by my enemies?

I reached the elder hall. The guards shifted but said nothing as I pushed the door open.

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