James's POV
"You can't be serious."
The words slipped out before I could stop them, and I immediately regretted my tone. Demi's expression didn't change, though—her piercing gaze held mine steadily, unfazed by my disbelief. It wasn't like she had ever been easy to rattle. After all, she wasn't just anyone. Demi was one of our oldest ancestors, a legend in her own right. And now, she was standing before me, asking me to make a choice that would change my life forever.
"I am serious, James," she said, her voice calm and unyielding. "This is the only way."
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. This whole situation was surreal. I had come to her for guidance, for a way out of the curse that had been looming over me like a dark cloud. But instead of the solution I was hoping for, Demi had presented me with an ultimatum—become her mate and live with her, or continue to be haunted by the curse.
