...why would he?
This question begged an answer but he drove it to the back of his mind.
And yet the images persisted in his mind's eye - her gaunt pallor, the dark shadows of sleeplessness haunting her eyes even for an immortal like herself.
The distressing frailty of her frame despite the exaggerated swell of her belly which by the way was seemingly getting bigger by the day. Clearly whatever circumstances had driven her back to the ancestral Shelly domain were taking a grievous toll, stripping away her carefully-cultivated veneer of smug superiority.
'She is being punished, persecuted by her vile broodmother,' a small voice supplied from the recesses of Damien's psyche. The notion was not an entirely foreign one to the prince. He knew all too well the lengths to which the withered old crone named Gladys would go to enforce her twisted vision of virtue and honor upon those unfortunate enough to be bound by blood.
Normally, Damien would scarcely lift a finger to counter the Shelly matriarch's actions, content to allow her to gnash and snarl over her perceived injustices committed against the sanctity of her clan. But this...this was his mate being put in jeopardy.
That thought alone was enough to kindle the first flickerings of a protective instinct within Damien's breast. A need to ensure the wellbeing of both progenitors, to safeguard his legacy from any threats or menaces that might seek to extinguish its spark before it could fully blossom into the next generation.
As Damien neared the outer courtyard leading beyond the Shelly estate's walls, his steps gradually slowed until he came to a halt altogether. The sounds and smells of the bustling nighttime capital drifted in through the archway - raucous laughter and drunken cavorting, the sour tang of sweat and effluvia intermingled with the metallic aroma of freshly-spilled blood.
He took a deep inhalation, parsing the individual odors and allowing his predatory instincts to roam freely for a fleeting moment. The beast within him stirred from its slumber, nostrils flaring as it scented the countless hapless mortals carousing so blissfully ignorant just beyond those walls that their death lurked.
The beast's silent snarl seemed to echo through the marrow of Damien's bones.
*********
*Author's note*
Attention all members of the Vampire Community!!
I am thrilled to announce that a mass release event is scheduled for tomorrow! Get ready to immerse yourself in an exciting new chapter of our ongoing saga.
Join me as we unveil the latest developments in our ever-evolving world. From thrilling plot twists to heart-stopping action, this release promises to keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
But that's not all! I want YOU to have a say in the fate of our beloved protagonist, Blake. Head over to our Discord server to participate in a special poll where you can vote on what powers Blake will acquire. Your voice matters, and I can't wait to see which abilities you choose for our hero.
And before I forget, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you for your incredible support. Thanks to your dedication and enthusiasm, I'm proud to say that we've climbed to the number one spot in the popular, collection, and trending rankings for this week. None of this would have been possible without your unwavering support and passion for our story.
Please keep your support coming and let's grow higher!! And I promise to deliver always from my own end.
So mark your calendars and set your alarms because tomorrow's release is not to be missed! Stay tuned for further updates and prepare for an adventure like no other.
See you all there!
#VampireCity #MassRelease #ChooseYourPowe