Damien's POV

　　With her heavenly scent committed to memory, It didn't take long to track them down to some dive in the centre of town, from where I stood, spying on them. One of the perks of having demon blood run through my veins was that I was gifted with powers and abilities most could only hope to have. Matter manipulation, teleportation, telepathy and my favourite that I was incredibly grateful for now as I stood watching Red: Invisibility. 

　　I didn't know enough about my ruby gem and her abilities. Would she be able to sense me? See through my cloak of invisibility? Not wanting to take the risk and alarm her, I kept a safe distance and watched from the other side of the street, cursing each car that whizzed by, blocking my vision momentarily. I didn't want to miss a thing. I needed to know what this mongerals' intentions towards Red were! 

　　I didn't trust him after his outburst yesterday. His wolf had undoubtedly tried to claim she was 'his mate' If that was true, then this little triangle was going to get a hell of a lot more complicated! 

　　"And bloody,"

　　My beast whispered, watching them interact silently from the depths of the pit I kept him locked up in. I wasn't opposed to violence or feeding this mutt his own spleen, but if he were right, as she was his mate like he had suggested, all the pup's death would achieve was heartbreak and pain for my angel; I didn't want that! I had to be patient and use my brain, not the beast! 

　　"He could be trying to fuck with you like he used to. Or she could be his mate," My beast added, his tone totally emotionless. "He saw you both together; he saw her melt into you; he saw your connection! What better way to take her from you than claim she is his mate." My beast coaxed into my ear, getting bolder the more he saw our ruby gemstone… "Or by claiming what is actually HIS."

　　"She would sense she was his mate; it would be mutual. And she seemed more scared of him than wanting to run into his arms, wouldn't you say?" I corrected angrily, rolling my eyes at his mistake; my eyes narrowed in on Red, who seemed to be undressing the child Alpha with her eyes making my temper flare further. Less than 24 hours ago, she was giving ME that look.

　　"Not yet, she wouldn't; she's not 18!" My wolf corrected, making my blood run cold. He was right, she wouldn't be able to sense him, not yet, but her birthday was only two days away, which would explain the pull they had over each other. Sighing, I nodded slowly, understanding my beast's point. 

　　"Fuck", I hissed, watching them together, acting like some sort of happy family; the way they both cooed over the child was sickening. 

　　"Natural", My beast chipped in, I could sense the conceit coming off him. "They look natural together."

　　"Easy, I have let you have some freedom today. Don't push your luck." I reminded him, my temper flaring; he was meant to be my other half, my beast and protector, yet he felt more like the annoying sibling I never asked for! That taunted and provoked me endlessly.

　　Turning my attention back to Red and the pup, I watched them leaving the restaurant; the way he ogled her had my muscles tensing. The audacity of this cur! Clenching my teeth, I followed them down the path on the opposite side of the street. Desperate to know what was passing between them, I pushed through the boundaries of his mind, invading his thoughts. I could feel Red; she was here too. 

　　"Clever little minx!" I mused, sliding into the back of his mind effortlessly. "There is more to you than meets the eye" I grinned, observing her as she tried so hard to hide amongst the secrets of his mind. I listened to the meat puppet and his wolf bicker about Red; they seemed to have cottoned on to the fact she was listening in to them. 

　　"Funny how you can feel her goodness hiding in your mind, yet you can't sense my darkness lurking behind the veil of your consciousness… You and I are not so different after all, wolf boy!" I chuckled silently. "I just own who and what I am." 

　　Listening to his wolf, who was apparently named Archer, offer to 'test' the theory that they had a hitchhiker listening to their conversions. Frowning, I made a mental note to ask my beast if he had a name! I assumed he was part of me, but from what I understood, hiding in the back of wolf boy's mind, they were separate entities... Bound together as one!

　　"Interesting, you learn something every day!" I evaluated quietly.

　　My thoughts were quickly interrupted by erotic images of my ruby gem playing through the vile curs head! He lowered her in front of him, my Red looking up at him seductively, those eyes shining with wanton lust. He was enjoying seeing her look so vulnerable in front of him! He wanted her on her knees, submitting to him! Fury blinded me, seeing images of her delicate fingers wrapped around him, toying with his cock, watching her open her mouth, wanting to pleasure him.

　　Unable to take any more, I pulled from his mind, anger coursing through my veins; never had I wanted to kill somebody as badly as I did right now! Looking at them with gritted teeth, I waited for Red's reaction; she was a good girl! There was no way she would allow him to get away with that. She would chastise him, even if it meant blowing her cover; I knew she wouldn't let him get away with those crude images! They had just met, for fuck sake!

　　"And you haven't?" My beast cackled. "So it's ok for you to conjure up lewd and smutty images, but not him?" 

　　Narrowing my eyes on the scene, my heart dropped seeing her do… Nothing!

　　"Who's side are you on!" I growled inwardly, not understanding why he seemed to be working against me. If he was connected to me, he wanted the same things I did; surely, he wanted me to get the girl! 

　　"My own", He snapped. I could sense the rage that thundered through him. Obviously, I had hit a nerve. Deciding to push him back down, not wanting to deal with his bullshit right now! Anger crashed through my body, my beast resisting the cage I tried to push him back into. He was enjoying the freedom too much, getting too cocky… he would submit to me! Everyone did, eventually! 

　　"Wait, I can help!" His anger turned to fear the closer he got to the restraints that usually kept him calm.

　　"How?" My curiosity piqued just a little.

　　"It's her birthday in two days... I have an idea that will solve all of this." He announced confidently. "But you'll have to trust me."

　　"Trust is earned," I stated firmly before pausing and considering something. "Do you have a name other than beast?"

　　"Ares," He answered quickly. I could hear the pride in his voice; he liked being helpful, and not just because it gave him a little freedom but because it gave him hope. 

　　"Like... Ares, The God of war?" I asked, curiosity biting at me. I could feel the satisfaction wash over him as I relented and closed the door on his cage, allowing him his freedom- for now! 

　　"Exactly!" He smirked, filling me in on his plan as I walked away from the sickening scene behind me; the confidence and power Ares oozed out of him had me grinning devilishly. How had I not noticed this before? My beast was strong, wise, and damn powerful!

　　Power was good! Power I liked! Power I could use to my advantage!