CHAPTER 133: 133 - A TITLE

~Damon’s POV

I pushed Rowan and Kael out of my room, my patience running thinner with every step they took. My chest was heavy, but I forced my tone to stay calm.

"I already agreed," I told them flatly. "Belinda will be crowned. That’s all you want to hear, right?"

Rowan stopped by the door, studying me like he didn’t believe me. Kael frowned, as if expecting me to spit out some condition.

"Yes," I repeated, sharper this time. "She will be crowned. Now leave my room. I need sleep."

They exchanged a glance before stepping out. I shut the door harder than I meant to. My fists trembled at my sides, not out of fear but out of frustration. I hated the way they looked at me, like I was the enemy.

When I finally lay down, my mind ran wild. Their words echoed, "You’ve changed. You’re failing at loyalty." It stung more than I’d admit, but exhaustion won in the end, and I drifted off into a restless sleep.

The next morning, the moment my eyes opened, rage burned through me.

"They did what?" I shouted, slamming my hand against the side of the bed.

The guard stammered, "T-The meeting, Alpha... Rowan and Kael called the elders at dawn. Without you."

My whole body froze. My jaw clenched so tight I thought my teeth would crack. I wasn’t even there. They had gone behind my back.

I wanted to storm out, tear down the hall, and demand answers. But as I sat there, chest heaving, a cold truth pressed on me. I didn’t have the strength, not today. My brothers were pushing me out slowly, carefully. If I attacked too soon, I’d lose everything.

So I swallowed my fury and dressed quietly. Each layer of clothing felt like armor against betrayal. My mind was boiling.

By mid-morning, I walked through the corridors, ignoring the bows and greetings. I knew she would be in the kitchen. And then, I stopped.

There she was.

Lisa.

Her back was turned to me as she washed vegetables. Her hands were quick, her movements light, but there was something in the curve of her shoulders, a sadness, a quiet weight.

One of the younger maids whispered something to her, and Lisa managed a small smile. It wasn’t real. I could see it.

Before I knew it, my voice cut through the kitchen.

"Lisa."

Every head turned at once. The room fell into silence so sharp it could slice the air. Lisa froze before slowly turning around. Her eyes widened.

"Damon," she murmured, dipping her head.

Matilda, the head maid, rushed forward, clearly panicked. "Alpha Damon, is something wrong? She’s been working well...."

I raised my hand, silencing her. My gaze didn’t leave Lisa’s face.

"She will no longer work in the kitchen."

The maids gasped. Lisa blinked in shock. "W-What?"

"You heard me," I said, my tone like stone. "From this moment on, Lisa is my personal maid."

The silence deepened. You could hear hearts pounding.

Matilda’s eyes widened. "Alpha... your personal maid?"

"Yes," I said firmly. "She will serve only me. No more kitchen work. No more scrubbing floors."

Lisa’s lips parted, her face pale. "But... Damon, I..."

"No," I interrupted. "This is not up for discussion."

I stepped forward, my hand brushing her wrist. The maids looked like they were about to faint at the sight. Without another word, I led her out of the kitchen.

When we reached my room, I finally let go of her wrist and turned.

"Good morning, Lisa," I said softly.

She looked up at me, confused, nervous, and still a little teary-eyed. "Good morning... Damon."

Her voice was quiet, but it carried something that made my chest ache.

I softened my tone. "Thank you... for today. I mean it."

She shook her head quickly. "You don’t need to thank me. I’m just doing what I’m supposed to."

At that moment, breakfast was brought in, silver trays, steaming plates, the usual. I waved the maids closer.

"Set two places," I ordered.

They hesitated, glancing at Lisa.

"You heard me," I snapped. "Two."

They scrambled to obey. Soon enough, two plates were laid before us. I gestured to Lisa.

"Sit."

She looked at me like I had spoken another language. "Damon, I can’t..."

"Sit, Lisa," I repeated, this time softer.

After a long pause, she obeyed, lowering herself nervously onto the chair across from me.

I picked up my fork, nodded at her plate. "Eat."

She bit her lip, then slowly picked up hers. The first few bites were hesitant, like she was afraid someone might drag her away. I couldn’t help the small smile tugging at my lips.

"Better?" I asked.

She glanced up, and for the first time, her smile was genuine. "Yes. Thank you."

We ate quietly for a while. Then I set my fork down and leaned back.

"I need to tell you something."

Her fork froze mid-air. "What is it?"

"My brothers," I said slowly, each word tasting bitter. "They’ve decided. Belinda will be crowned as Luna."

Lisa blinked, then lowered her fork. "Oh."

That was it. Just "oh."

I frowned. "That’s all you have to say?"

She looked at me with those calm, steady eyes, and her voice was soft but firm. "What else should I say? It doesn’t matter to me. I was never interested in the Luna’s position."

For a second, I thought I misheard her. My jaw almost dropped. "You...what?" I asked, my voice a mixture of shock and disbelief.

She didn’t flinch. She just gave a small shrug, her shoulders lifting as though the weight of the whole matter meant nothing to her. "I don’t care about being Luna. It was never my dream. I don’t want power or titles. I just... want peace. A simple life."

Her words struck me harder than a sword to the chest. I sat there, staring at her like I was seeing her for the first time. Everyone I’d ever known fought, lied, clawed, and schemed for the Luna’s position. It was a seat of influence, respect, power, something people bled for. And here she was, sitting across from me, dismissing it like it was nothing more than a piece of clothing she didn’t like.

"Lisa," I whispered, shaking my head slowly. "Do you even realize what you’re saying? Do you know how many would kill for that position? How many would betray their own families just to have that crown placed on their head?"

She smiled faintly, sadly. "I’m not them."

I leaned forward, my voice low. "You just... let it go? Like it’s nothing?"

Her eyes softened. "Yes. Because to me, it is nothing. A title doesn’t change who I am."