Damon's POV
My mother waited until Aria and Elona disappeared through the gates before she spoke. That alone told me something was wrong.
Lady Duran was not a woman who hesitated. She could face down a room full of hostile wolves without blinking.
But now, she looked uncertain.
"Damon."
I turned toward her. "Yes?"
Her eyes moved in the direction Aria had left. "Is Elona your daughter?"
The question landed harder than I expected. For a moment, I simply stared at her. Then I shook my head. "No, she isn't."
My answer was immediate.
"Damon, you didn't even think about it."
"Because I already know the answer."
She studied my expression. "Do you?"
My jaw tightened. "I ran a DNA test."
There was silence. Her brows lifted slightly. "You did? When?"
I looked away. The memory came back
