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

fix food and plates on the table. “Now,

found my

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

time. It felt like this is how my mother would react if I told

wondered if Mom

Adan.

did!” I couldn’t help but smile

lady?

here. So I have no choice but to follow them!”

spirits! Your father had never faltered in bringing living

meeting with a royal princess!” Her face morphed

can’t go to Hades and tell him

ones as well!”

me back

here. Then Adan… Adan was being

you out of his sight… Understandable. Is he

the

down and reached for my hand resting on the top of the table and rubbed it

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 in their afterlives.

Lucien plans

still wants to drain me of my werewolf blood. Do you think

The only way he can do it

And then rituals, magics,

to ask you to do it, right?”

it!” She shook her head, her eyes flitting with defiance. “I can do all the others, but I will

you if you

the day, no matter what he does

he

a very strong demon power to convert you. And Hades and Selene will feel that, and if you’re

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

and change you.”

to kill you.”

not let his spawns kill me, but he can’t. And ironically, despite having hundreds of sons, none

you

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

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

see,

only way to

will tarnish your soul, but you’re doing it for the greater

dead, the lesser dark magic Lucien can come up

Especially without

What do

began talking. I found your granddaughter… You have

remained open as shock registered on her

is dead. I’m sorry.’

as tears streamed down

she has a lovely daughter. She’s eighteen now. She is a little shorter than me, with beautiful dark plum hair. She has your

murmured her name as she

on her chest while she