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“You felt it all, didn’t you? Every single time I was hurt, you felt it through our... bond.”

A long silence follows my words.

I was right. Damian is avoiding my gaze, but that is way too late. I... I feel like crying again. How did he feel, all those years? I remember each hit I took, every slap I got unfairly. Feeling my pain through his wolf and being unable to do anything about it, how could he endure it? That’s the worst feeling!

“I’m so sorry...”

“Don’t.”

He stops me, putting his hands on mine and holding them tight. He looks down at me, and even if he is still angry, I can tell he is trying hard to hold it in.

“I don’t want to hear you apologize, Nora. What I want is to make sure those bastards never approach you again. I’ll never forgive what they did to you. That night... My wolf was going crazy. Someone was trying to take my mate by force, Nora! Do you have any idea how I felt back then? Why won’t you tell me anything!”

I’m crying for good now, reminiscing what happened. Marcus’ grin, his dirty hands on me. My screams, my wolf begging for help. I never imagined my mate could have been... hearing me, feeling my despair. I understand his anger. Heis not just mad for no reason. It’s not like he wanted any of this. I get it. Damian had to endure it for years. Not being able to do anything, feeling my wolf’s suffering day after day. And now, this... He must have been mad, so mad... But not mad at me. At them. Once I realize that, I shake my head. He is boiling with anger, but all I can feel is sadness. I’m feeling guilty that he had to endure all my hardships with me. How can he not hate my Clan? All of this, everything that happened is so wrong! And with what happened... I shiver, overthrown by disgust. Alec tried to sell me to Marcus. I fought all I could, and I escaped somehow. What if I didn’t make it? If I didn’t protect myself, what if Marcus had...? I would have been destroyed entirely inside, and Damian would have felt it, too.

I’m the one being unfair to him. He’s been powerless, in the dark for years, and all I’ve done is push him away every time he wanted answers. Protecting my pack from Damian’s wrath seemed right until now, but they deserve his anger and payback as much as mine. I look up to him and try to stop my frenetic sobbing.

“...Marcus Sickels.”

“Who?” Asks Damian with a frown, putting his hands on my shoulders again, more gently this time.

“The guy who assaulted me. His name is Marcus Sickels, from my Jade Moon pack, but... Damian, I think he might be dead.”

The fog is clearing up. The blood on my dress, on my hands... Oh, my goddess. I think I... Suddenly, I feel nauseous, like I’m about to collapse. Black and white dots cover my vision. I stagger, but Damian notices it right away, and his hands catch me before I fall.

“Nora? Nora, what’s wrong? You... Nora! Nora! Shit, Tonia!”

All my strength has left me at once. I hear rushing steps and panicked voices around me. They grab my wrist, and I lean against someone’s chest. Damian’s reassuring smell gets to me, and I wish I could get even closer to my mate, where my wolf could feel safe.

“Her blood pressure is low, Boss; she needs to lie down.”

I feel him carrying me, and a loud growl. Then, I feel something soft beneath me as he lays me cautiously on my bed.

“Bobo, go grab some of yesterday’s leftovers, she needs to eat something. And some water.”

“I’ll call the hospital.”

“No need, Boss, Nora just fainted from fatigue. That’s too many emotions for her today, and Bobo said she barely ate anything this morning. She just needs some rest. If anything, you could ask Nathaniel to have something nutritious delivered.”

“Okay.”

I feel cold hands on my arms, palpating me, and I feel a bit better from lying down. I somehow manage to open my eyes, and Tonia smiles at me. She is putting some blood pressure monitor on my wrist.

“Hey, baby girl. Stay with us, okay? Let’s see your tension.”

The device makes some weird beeping sounds, and Tonia doesn’t look too satisfied with the result while she takes it off.

“Yeah, not in top shape today. You are staying in bed for the rest of the day, baby girl.”

I don’t feel too good, either. My head is not spinning anymore, but it’s like all strength has left my body. I want to close my eyes again, but I’m worried about Damian. I don’t know where he is, I can only hear him, somewhere not far,speaking French. I feel something large and fluffy, hopping on the bed next to my legs.

“It’s just Bobo, baby girl, he’s going to keep you warm.”

I manage to nod, feeling a bit better. At least, I can stay awake without too much effort or feeling numb all over. I feel Tonia’s hand patting my head, and Damian comes back into my vision field.

“How’s she?”

“She is okay, Boss, just tired a bit. Nora, you think you can eat something?”