“About your parents’ death? You said it’s just your mom that went nuts. How could it be your fault? The police report Nate found was the same.”
I sigh. I really don’t understand either. I was there when our parents died, and that was the most horrifying thing I ever saw. Alec was there, too, we both saw the same thing. So why does it feel like I’m the one missing a piece of the puzzle?
Liam takes a bit of my cake, frowning. He looks a lot like Damian when he does that. The three brothers really look a lot like each other despite their different personalities. Nathaniel is the only one who is blonde with blue eyes, and he’s about the same size as Damian. Liam’s eyes are a mix of blue and grey, and since he is younger, he still has room to grow, but I bet he can get taller than them in the future.
He notices I’m observing him and frowns again.
“What? Is it because I took your cake?”
I laugh a bit and shake my head. Liam may be the same age as me, but he can be really childish sometimes.
“No, I was just thinking. You guys are close.”
He shrugs. “We had to. Our father was... He never gave a damn about us. He was obsessed with his Alpha stuff and never cared about his family. The only one he ever cared about was his mate, our mom, but he changed a lot after suddenly becoming the Alpha. He became more and more of an asshole... And our mom was sick for as long as I remember, but she loved us. She was the best.”
Looks like Liam was really fond of their mother... I wonder what she looked like. Did they take after her? As for me, I didn’t resemble my mother, nor did I ever feel close to her... She clearly always preferred Alec, but she wasn’t cold to me either. Until... Liam takes a new piece of the cake and keeps talking while eating.
“We took it hard when she died... But the worst was our father; he got even more violent. Her death really made him snap.”
I frown and get closer. I recognize that dark look in Liam’s eyes. I know it all too well. Could it be...?
“He beat you?” I ask softly
He nods, avoiding my eyes. “He beat anyone... any reason was good. Damian and Nate took most of the hits. They always protected me because I was younger. That just made our father even madder. Life with our father was hell. Damian stood up to him every day, despite still being a teen, and even his Beta couldn’t stand him. He fought with anyone like some mad dog. He always was crazy about gaining more territory, more power, killing vampires, fighting other clans...”
I didn’t know that. Back when I was young, the former Blood Moon Alpha was famous for being ruthless and extremely violent. Still, I never imagined he was even abusinghis own children. I remember how people respected him a lot for chasing the vampires out of Silver City, years ago. But I guess none of them knew what kind of man he really was... No wonder Damian got as strong and fierce as he is today if he had to face this kind of monster since they were young. Liam growls and turns his head to me with a frown.
“Honestly, Nora, if your brother is the same kind of bastard as my father was...” He sighs and shakes his head with a disgusted face.
I know. I think I finally understand Damian’s anger towards my brother. Moreover, he experienced all of my hardships through our bond, too... He can’t ignore it like that. Who would have thought our families had so many similarities?
I finish eating with Liam’s help. Apparently, he and Tonia will sleep here tonight. I wonder if Bobo is guarding my brother with Nathaniel. It’s a bit weird to not see that big brown wolf following me everywhere tonight. I guess I got used to his presence.
Despite my exhaustion, I have a troubled sleep that night. I have nightmares about drowning, Alec hitting me, and a young black-haired boy crying. Images of everything that happened today keep coming, more vivid and intense. When I wake up in a cold sweat, I am trembling and feeling more tired than I was before going to sleep. It is about five in the morning and still dark outside.
I know I won’t be able to go back to sleep. I used to have such nights back in the basement, it’s nothing new to me. Instead, I get up and head for my bathroom. I check my injuries while dressing up. Thank Moon Goddess, it does look a lot better than yesterday. I give up and leave my hair as it is after an attempt to brush it and put on a hoodie, as I’m stillfeeling chilly. Fully awake, I head to the kitchen as silently as possible. However, I didn’t expect to find Damian there.
His dark silhouette is standing still, facing the large window with a cup of what smells like dark coffee in hand. He changed clothes and even shaved. Seeing me enter, he frowns and walks up to me.
“Nora? Why are you up at this hour?”
“I could ask you the same thing. When did you come back?”
He sighs and puts his cup down to embrace me. Gosh, it’s only been a few hours, and I already missed being in his arms... It seems like his anger has dissipated. The question is, how...?
“Half an hour ago. I didn’t kill your brother. Neal called me on the way, convinced me not to. I went to the office to work instead.”
So, he just went to work? In the middle of the night? I hope nobody was around to receive his anger on the way to his office... I need to thank Tonia’s older brother later. I wonder what kind of Beta he is, but obviously, he knows how to handle Damian reasonably well.
“To work? You didn’t sleep?” I ask.
“I did, for about three hours. I have a private loft above my office.”
Of course, he does... I don’t even want to try thinking about how rich he must be. The less I know, the better. For now, at least.
He puts his hand on my cheek, examining me despite the darkness. I must look tired. It’s a bit embarrassing.
“How are you?”
