BENEATH HER DARKNESS: The Alpha's Little Demon by Cassandra M

064-Maybe One Day

LUCY.

The place felt damp and warm, with no wind blowing at all. I used to be okay in these surroundings, but now I miss the cold wind biting against my skin while I was still in the north. This palace looked dead, but why would I expect more?

I trod my way on the usual path that would lead me to Patrea’s stone cottage. She might be a prisoner in this realm, but she was given an option as to what home she would

like to have. She told me she had them

construct a home that was nearly identical

to the one she had in the human realm. She

thought she was being clever so it would still feel like home, but it only made her long for her real world.

The smell of a freshly cooked home meal whiffed through the air, and I heard my stomach rumbling. My thoughts went to

1/15

Adan – we both hadn’t eaten dinner, and I was sure he was already hungry by now. It was already almost dawn in the human

world, while in this realm, we didn’t have any concept of time.

Darkness was everywhere, and the demons and the lost souls around never slept. And I was sure my father and Lucius didn’t need to, but they just did it so they could rest.

But Patrea kept her sense of time and would always have her meals according to how she programmed her hours. I wondered how she never lost her fire and spirits in this dead realm where there were barely any living souls here.

I stopped by her front door, but before I could knock, the door opened, and standing before me was a beautiful female that

seemed to never age despite the fact that she was already a grandmother now. When I first met Patrea, I thought she was just the same age as my mother, but knowing her story from Althea, she must be around fifty

or sixty years old, and yet she looked like she was just in her late twenties.

It was probably her age when she was brought here by my father.

I wondered if there was more to Patrea and Lucien than meets the eye. She was clearly the only living soul from another realm who had gotten this far.

“Lucija? Is that you?” Her eyes rounded as her hand clamped over her mouth.

I flashed her a wide smile, my teeth showing, as I nodded my head.

She looked around before her hand reached for my arm and pulled me inside her home, closing the door behind us as soon as I stepped in.

“Why did you come back? How did he find you?” Her eyes were flitting with worry before they became sad. “Or did you decide to embrace your demon side?”

I wet my lips before I smiled warmly at her. ” First, let me hug you.”

“Oh, sweetheart!” She smiled warmly back at me and opened her arms, enveloping me in a warm hug. She smelled of cinnamon mixed with herb spices. “I didn’t want to see you here, but I did miss you.”

“I’m glad you’re okay, Patrea. I have so much to tell you.”

“You can tell me everything, but have you eaten? I just finished making dinner. It’s not much, but it’s enough for the two of us unless you now eat like the wolf that you are.

I giggled softly and followed her lead as we walked to her small dining area. My eyes roamed around her cottage. Nothing had changed there was still a place for all her potions and books in one corner, and the house was still as tidy as ever.

“Sit,” she said as she patted the chair before

L

on the table. “Now, tell me first what brought

found my

hips, a wide

like this is how

Mom knew

Adan.

couldn’t help but smile back before biting my bottom

are you doing here, young lady? ” she asked with a raised

brought him here. So I have no choice but to follow

never faltered in bringing living souls here! Did he

a meeting with a royal princess!” Her face morphed into a scowl. She hated

so no, I can’t go to Hades and tell

that? Was he stupid? Oh, Spirits! I forgot I’m one of the stupid ones

back here and

choice but to tell him I was coming here. Then Adan…

out of his sight… Understandable. Is he locked up

prisoners from the

the worst dungeon. He’ll survive.. unless Lucien orders something terrible for him.” She sat down and reached for my hand resting on the top of the table and rubbed it gently.

be left with a hollow body tortured in constant heat. But these

accept

you know what Lucien plans to do

said he still wants to drain me

The only way he can do it

first. And then rituals, magics, spells…”

going to ask you to do

going to do it!” She shook her head, her eyes flitting with defiance. “I can do all the others, but I will not let me

to you if

doesn’t matter. At the end of the day, no

he

option is to release a very strong demon power to convert you. And Hades and Selene will feel that, and if you’re not willing to be

to make me use my

and change you.”

going to kill you.” I shook

blood. I’m sure if he had a way out, he would also not let his spawns kill me, but he can’t. And ironically, despite having hundreds of sons,

do you mean?”

when he made our contract, he added that without my knowledge. Maybe he specifically stated that none of his sons could approach me without his presence. He

as Patrea, just ‘the witch’ because he had never met

you see, you’re

way to freedom.

me will tarnish your soul, but

the lesser dark magic Lucien can come up with.”

can’t do that. Especially without telling you about

her…. What do you mean?”

began talking. I found your granddaughter… You have one.”

open as shock registered on her face.

dead. I’m sorry.’

Her lips quivered as tears streamed down

beautiful dark plum

murmured her

her hands on her chest while