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

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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

table. “Now, tell me first what

my mate.”

placed her hands on her hips, a wide smile playing on her lips. She looked excited and happy.

heart warm and ache at the same time. It felt like this is how my mother would react if I told

I wondered if Mom

Adan.

but smile

you doing here, young lady? ” she

have no choice but to follow them!”

in bringing living souls here! Did

Go directly to King Hades and tell him! I’m sure he won’t turn down a meeting with a royal princess!” Her face morphed into a scowl. She hated my father

I can’t

ones as well!” She slapped her palm on her forehead before looking

me back here and

was left with no choice but to tell him I was coming here. Then Adan… Adan was

of his sight… Understandable. Is he locked up somewhere?

prisoners from the other

something terrible for him.” She sat down and reached for my

one, where souls were sucked at the moment they entered it, and they would be left with a hollow body tortured in constant heat. But these were reserved for the bodies and souls of all creatures that their own

would not accept

what Lucien plans to do with

still wants to drain me of my werewolf blood.

he can

first. And then rituals,

you to do it,

head, her eyes flitting with defiance. “I can do

to you if you disobey

the day, no matter what he does to me,

before he breaks

next 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 kill me if he decides to make me use my magic and spells to kill

and change you.”

going to kill you.” I shook my

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

do you

he added that without my knowledge. Maybe he specifically stated that none of his sons could approach me without his presence. He had no daughters

sense. Lucius had never referred to her as Patrea, just ‘the witch’ because

see, you’re

only way to freedom.

soul, but you’re doing it for the

The sooner I’m dead, the lesser dark magic Lucien can come up with.”

Especially without telling you

What do you

talking. I found your granddaughter… You

gasped. Her mouth remained open as shock registered

dead. I’m sorry.’

lips quivered as tears streamed down

with beautiful dark plum

She murmured her name as

hands on her chest