Contractually Yours Alpha (Riley)

Chapter Two Hundred and Thirty Four

I couldn't believe I'd never taken a moment to consider what might happen to

Daemon if the venom had side effects-even on demons,

"I'll do anything for you, you know that."

"This is risky... and Sebastian isn't even sure you won't get hurt.”

"Sebastian." Daemon repeated the name. It struck me that he might know the

man.

"What do I have to do?" he asked.

"I have a friend who was bitten by a flesh-eater. The venom from the bite is slowly killing him. He's running out of time he needs help."

"Do I know this person?"

This had been one of my worries, that Daemon won't help when he discovers who Ash was.

"Yes," I answered. Ash and Daemon did meet-Daemon had spared his life, but that was when Ash had been in his wolf form. "No," I corrected myself. They hadn't met in person. “He's in this because of me. He was trying to protect me. Please, you have to help him."

Daemon only nodded before wrapping his arms around me, and in the next moment, we were right in front of Sebastian's house.

"How did you know this is the place?"

"You mentioned the name Sebastian. I figured you were referring to Sebastian Bruce, the warlock."

There were thousands of people with that name, but the fact that he had guessed that it was the warlock was impressive.

I led him into the house, where Kate and Sebastian were already waiting.

"Long time no see, friend," Sebastian said, drawing Daemon into an embrace. Kate, however, wasn't as welcoming.

Since I arrived, she had been nothing but kind; even when I had mistakenly snapped at her out of frustration, she was a woman slow to anger. But the deep frown on her face was something I never thought I'd see.

"Kate. Nice to meet you," Daemon said, but the woman simply walked away.

Daemon didn't seem to take it to heart. I realized it had something to do with a past feud. Of course, his relationship with her daughter Riley must not have been well received, and it seemed Kate wasn't willing to let go. of her irritation.

Sebastian led Daemon to the room where Ash had been kept. He was covered in sweat, shaking; the venom seemed to be spreading, almost covering every inch of his arm.

"I have to warn you- 12

"I know what is at risk." Daemon said, cutting him off.

"Take the blood from the vein." Sebastian instructed, and Daemon took Ash's arm. Inspecting it.

I watched him, my chest tight with worry. Was I selfish for asking this of him?

There was no time to think about it; Daemon's fang pierced Ash's skin, and his dark blue eyes turned completely

Chapter Two Hundred and Thirls Four

black as he drank.

Ash's cries followed, more violent than they had ever been, but Daemon didn't let go. When he finally did, the green veins that had spread across Ash's arm had disappeared, but he remained unmoving.

Daemon rose to his feet, I noticed the slight stagger in his step.

"Are you alright?" I asked him.

"It will take a while for the infected blood to leave your system." Sebastian said, and then he placed the back of his hand over Ash's forehead. "He is just unconscious. He would be fine in a few hours."

Daemon walked away, and I followed after him.

"Daemon, wait!" I called, but he kept walking, not stopping until he was out of the house. The rain had started to drizzle, and thunder lit up the night sky. "Wait!” I called louder, and he finally paused. When he turned to me, blue eyes were sad. "Who is he?" he asked finally.

"He's a friend..."

"He's more than that. There is something you're not telling me, Aliyah."

"He is just a friend." I repeated.

"Liar."

"Now you call me the liar? You have no right to demand or ask anything from me. If it hadn't been for Ash, I would have still been locked up in the castle or worse. I

waited for you, Daemon..." I couldn't stop the tears from spilling down my eyes. "I waited for you to come save me, but you never came."

"I'm sorry." He says finally.

"Did you ever love me?"

"Aliyah-"

"Answer the damned question. Did you ever love me? Has everything you've done been all part of your plan to manipulate me? Did it feel good watching me fall for your tricks for the second time?"

"I wasn't manipulating you; everything that happened between us was real. It has always been."

"I don't believe you. I don't believe anything you say.'

"I know-"

"You don't know! You don't know anything. You told me you would never let her take me again; you promised, and you failed." I hated the look of defeat in his

eyes, and yet I feared, I feared that I would let him in again and he would destroy me completely. "You really want to know who Ash is? He is my soulmate."

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