THE ALPHA'S BLIND MATE

ghts stayed tangled around Ariana. After all this time, she was still the one I wanted. The night I had with Lina still hunted me down, the worst night of my life. I had put up w

irst." I didn't need him to say the name aloud; I knew where he was going with this. "Lina," I breathed, horror clawing at my chest. "She's... she's blind. She wouldn't even..." "That's exactly why it works," he cut in coldly. "She's capable, isn't she? Or is the only reason she's your mate that she's easy to discard?" I bit back a retort, his words burning through me. Lina was blind, yes, but she was skilled and strong in her own way. She didn't deserve this. But I didn't see another way out, and the threat in his eyes made it clear he wouldn't hesitate to ruin everything I cared about if I defied him. "Fine. But if I do this, you have to find her Ari...Ariana," I added quietly, hoping he would explode and just end me instead. He nodded, his expression coldly triumphant. "Do as I say, and you'll have your little lost girl and the Alpha's stand." "Fine" I breathe out, tearing a piece off mom's dress and removing the dagger he pierced her with. "Make it clear as a crystal or you'd be the one crawling in pain not me" I clenched my fist, he would do just as he said and it infuriated me that those threat alone weakened me. "Noted" I muttered stepping out of the room and headed for Lina's room. Lina's quarters were quiet as I slipped in, my heart pounding like a trapped animal. She was sitting by the window, blind eyes turned toward the faint warmth of the afternoon light filtering in. When she heard my footsteps, her lips curved into a small, trusting smile. "Damien?" she called, her voice soft but with a warmth that made my resolve waver for just a moment. "Is that you?" I took a slow, deep breath, steadying my voice. "Yeah... it's me." I forced the words out, keeping my tone even, devoid of the turmoil churning inside me. Every instinct screamed at me to stop, to tell her the truth, but I knew what was at stake. My father's threat, the blood on his hands-it all led back to this moment. "Lina, I need you to do something for me," I said, forcing calmness into my words. I took the bloodstained cloth and the dagger from my pocket, placing them in her open palm, her fingers brushing against mine as she took them. "Keep these hidden. Just for tonight." Her fingers trailed over the fabric, pausing as if sensing the weight it held. "Damien... what's this? Why do