CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN
DANIEL'S POV
The silence was killing me.
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Tanya knew everything.
I was sure of it.
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And yet—
She said nothing.
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No anger.
No confrontation.
No punishment.
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Just silence.
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And somehow…
That silence felt more dangerous than anything she had ever done to me.
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I couldn't take it anymore.
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That night, I left the Lion Pack quietly and made my way toward the Snake Pack.
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I needed to talk to someone.
Someone who would understand.
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Jerry.
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When I arrived, I found him outside, sitting near the fire, sharpening a blade.
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He looked up the moment he sensed my presence.
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"My prince," he said, standing up.
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I sighed.
"Don't call me that," I replied.
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He studied my face carefully.
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"You look troubled," he said.
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I let out a breath and sat down beside him.
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"She knows," I said quietly.
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Jerry frowned.
"Who?"
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"Tanya."
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His expression changed immediately.
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"How?" he asked.
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"I felt her presence," I replied. "In the palace. She was there… invisible."
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Jerry went silent.
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"And now?" he asked.
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"That's the problem," I said, running my hand through my hair.
"She hasn't said anything."
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Jerry frowned deeper.
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"She didn't confront you?"
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I shook my head.
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"She acts like nothing happened."
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Silence fell between us.
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"That's not good," Jerry muttered.
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"I know," I said.
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I looked into the fire, my thoughts heavy.
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"It's terrifying," I added.
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Jerry turned to me.
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"What are you really afraid of?" he asked.
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I hesitated.
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Then spoke.
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"That she might kill me… without warning."
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Jerry let out a small breath.
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"That's not what you're afraid of," he said calmly.
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I looked at him.
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"Then what is it?" I asked.
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He didn't hesitate.
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"You're afraid of losing her."
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His words hit me harder than I expected.
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I looked away.
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"That's not true," I said quickly.
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Jerry chuckled softly.
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"My prince…" he said, shaking his head.
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"You're a terrible liar."
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I stayed silent.
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"You love her," he added.
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"I don't," I replied immediately.
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Too fast.
Too defensive.
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Jerry laughed lightly.
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"You don't have to say it," he said. "I can see it."
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I clenched my fists.
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"This is not about love," I said.
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"It's about survival."
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Jerry looked at me with a knowing expression.
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"Keep telling yourself that," he replied.
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Silence settled again.
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Then he spoke more seriously.
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"Listen to me, Daniel."
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I turned to him.
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"Do not deceive your own heart," he said firmly.
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His words were heavy.
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"Because if you do…"
He paused.
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"Someone else will take advantage of that."
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My chest tightened.
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"Like who?" I asked.
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Jerry didn't hesitate.
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"Prince Raymond."
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My jaw clenched instantly.
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The thought alone—
Sent a sharp feeling through my chest.
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"She already agreed to marry him once," Jerry continued.
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"That means he still has a chance."
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I stood up suddenly.
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"That won't happen," I said.
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Jerry raised an eyebrow.
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"Oh?" he asked. "And why not?"
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I froze.
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Because I had no answer.
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Jerry stood up slowly and walked closer to me.
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"If you don't fight for her…"
He said quietly.
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"Someone else will."
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His words echoed in my mind.
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I turned away.
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"I don't have that right," I said.
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"I came here to destroy her."
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Jerry sighed.
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"But you didn't."
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I said nothing.
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"Instead," he continued, "you protected her."
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Still—
I remained silent.
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"Follow your heart, Daniel," Jerry said softly.
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"Before it's too late."
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I clenched my fists tightly.
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Then without another word—
I left.
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That night—
I didn't sleep.
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Jerry's words kept repeating in my mind.
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"If you don't fight for her…"
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"Someone else will."
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I stared into the darkness, my thoughts restless.
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Then a single thought crossed my mind—
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What if someone takes her away?
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What if Prince Raymond—
Wins?
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My chest tightened painfully.
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A cold shiver ran through my entire body.
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"No…" I whispered.
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The idea alone—
Was unbearable.
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And yet—
I refused to accept the truth.
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At dawn—
I gave up trying to sleep.
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I stepped outside, the early morning air cold against my skin.
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My mind was still spinning.
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I walked aimlessly through the covenant, trying to clear my thoughts.
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But nothing helped.
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Then—
I heard voices.
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Familiar voices.
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I stopped.
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It was Tanya's godmother.
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She was speaking with one of her trusted servants.
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I moved closer quietly, hiding behind a tree.
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"…the ancestors did not say much," her godmother was saying.
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My heart skipped.
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Ancestors?
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"I asked them about the boy," she continued.
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The boy.
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Me.
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"They warned me…" she said slowly.
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"…never to spill his blood."
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My breath caught.
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What?
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"Why?" the servant asked, confused.
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There was a pause.
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"Because his destiny…" she said,
"…is connected to the witches."
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My body went still.
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Connected?
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To the witches?
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I frowned, confusion filling my mind.
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Why would their ancestors protect me?
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I was just a human.
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An enemy.
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Or at least…
I was supposed to be.
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"What kind of destiny?" the servant asked.
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"I do not know," the godmother replied.
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Her voice carried uncertainty.
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"They did not reveal it."
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Silence.
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"Then what should we do?" the servant asked again.
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The godmother sighed softly.
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"They told me…"
She paused.
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"…that time will reveal everything on its own."
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A chill ran through my body.
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Time?
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What did that mean?
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What was I becoming part of?
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I stepped back slowly, my thoughts in chaos.
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First Tanya.
Now this.
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Nothing made sense anymore.
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But one thing was clear—
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My life…
Was no longer mine alone.
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END OF CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN