The atmosphere in Lucian Ferron's study was oppressive, the air thick with tension as Damian glared at the older man. Lucian's cold, calculating smile didn't waver as he delivered his ultimatum.
"You want the cure, Damian? Then take Grace as your second wife and give me a grandchild," Lucian said smoothly, his crimson eyes glinting with malicious satisfaction.
The words echoed in Damian's mind like a thunderclap. His golden eyes flared with fury, his claws extending slightly as he growled low in his throat. "Absolutely not."
Lucian shrugged, unfazed by Damian's outburst. "Then there's nothing more to discuss. Ahicia's life will slip away, and there will be no one to blame but yourself."
Damian's fists clenched, the urge to lash out barely restrained. His mind raced, the image of Ahicia's frail body and pale complexion flashing before him. He couldn't let her die.
"What kind of father uses his daughter's life as a bargaining chip?" Damian spat, his voice laced with contempt.
Lucian leaned back in his chair, his smirk unrelenting. "The kind of father who sees opportunity in every situation. This is my offer, Damian. Take it or leave it. In the meantime, you're welcome to stay here while you consider my terms."
Damian stormed out of the study without another word, his jaw tight as he fought to suppress his rage.
A Week Later
Damian stood in front of Lucian once more, his expression a mask of controlled anger. "Fine," he said through gritted teeth. "But know this—if Grace so much as tries to cross any lines, she's out of my house."
Lucian's smirk widened as he opened a drawer and retrieved a small, ornate box. Inside was a bottle of pills, each one gleaming faintly under the dim light.
"This is what you need," Lucian said, holding the bottle up. "Ahicia's sickness is no ordinary ailment. It's a reaction to one of the compounds I injected into her body during her development. Every autumn, her body weakens unless she takes this medicine. I've been feeding it to her in her sleep for years, but now that she's been away from me, she's gone without it for far too long. Without it, she'll die slowly."
Damian's breath hitched, though his face betrayed no emotion. "And the side effects?"
Lucian chuckled. "She'll sleep more than usual, but that's all. You'll have your precious omega alive, Damian."
Damian took the bottle, his fingers tightening around it as if to crush it. He loathed the man before him but had no choice. He signaled Arian, who was standing by the door.
"Tell Grace to get ready," Damian commanded.
Arian hesitated, his silver eyes flashing with worry, but he nodded and left to inform Grace.
The Return to the Estate
The journey back to the estate was silent, Damian lost in thought as he turned the bottle of pills over in his hand. His golden eyes reflected the dim light of the car, his mind racing with the implications of what he had agreed to.
When they arrived, Damian stepped out of the vehicle, Grace trailing behind him with a smug expression. He was prepared to face Lysandra's disdain and the inevitable questions, but what he wasn't prepared for was the sight of Ahicia waiting for him at the entrance.
She was pale, her crimson eyes wide and glistening as they darted between him and Grace. Her frail body seemed to sway slightly, and before Damian could say a word, she staggered.
"Ahicia!" he called out, rushing forward, but it was too late.
She collapsed into his arms, her breathing shallow as her gaze remained fixed on Grace. A faint, broken whisper escaped her lips as she gasped for air. Damian's heart sank, the weight of everything he had done crashing down on him.
He held her close, his golden eyes blazing with determination. No matter what it took, he would protect her—even if it meant dealing with the devil himself.