“But you did beat him,” I said.
“Not easily, trust me. People were shocked by how adamant I was about finishing him off. Most of them had no idea about what he had done to us all those years. If anyone tried to intervene, Nate, Neal, or Seamus killed them on the spot.”
“...Seamus?”
“My father’s Beta, Seamus Graves. I told you, he had our back. He couldn’t attack our father directly, but he did kill anyone from the Black Moon pack who opposed us. Lots of people were shocked, but Seamus had made up his mind years ago. When I finally won, I wasn’t in good shape, but he killed two wolves who tried to attack me. He was a traitor, the one who helped us the most to take over the Black Moon Clan.”
“What happened to him?”
Damian shakes his head. “He left the territory, saying he should have died with his Alpha, but he still had his sons, and he didn’t want to do that to them. So, he asked me to banish him. We don’t know about his whereabouts. Maybe he joined another pack or is still alone.”
I feel a bit sorry about the man. If we look at the bigger picture, he helped the Black Brothers in so many ways, for thesake of protecting his own. Yet it cost him so much: betraying his Alpha and leaving his family. Now that I think about it, Bobo did say one of his sons was now Nathaniel’s Beta. Isaac Graves, was it? I suppose the Beta genes run in their family...
“Anyway, after the fight, many other packs that were fed up with the Black Moon tried to attack us. It was chaotic for a few days.”
I remember that. The word that the “Black King” had fallen spread quickly, and many packs got crazy, hungry for power. The Black Moon’s Alpha had overshadowed so many people for years. As soon as he was gone, many seized the opportunity.
However, the Black Brothers quickly made it known that the Blood Moon Clan could take on anyone and was not to be underestimated. The former pack had become even more significant, and all of that had been done secretly, to boot. Clans that tried to fight were wiped out, and opposing werewolves were submitted in no time. Just like that, the previous territory established by their father got even larger in only a few weeks.
“I can’t believe this all happened when you guys were still teens...” I whisper.
“Our mother’s death accelerated things. Things got way with our father, and if we didn’t act, I was afraid he was going to kill us first.”
I nod. If Judah Black had no problem hitting his children when they were young, who knows what it would have been like once they reach adulthood... It’s a miracle they survived that far.
Once again, I find myself thinking about their mother. I can’t even imagine what she went through, being unable to help her children. Her sons, enduring her husband’s insanity. I imagine young Damian, Nathaniel, and Liam living each dayin fear while their powerless mother was on a hospital bed. And yet all they did was protect each other and love her.
I silently make the promise to myself to never be as helpless as she was. Not only do I want to stand by Damian’s side even more, but I also feel like I should do what their mother couldn’t. I want to be that Luna, the one that can protect her pack and her children. I feel my wolf growling fiercely inside, and she’s more than up for that challenge.
While I’m thinking, so is Damian. He is frowning, and his silver eyes are fixated on his meat, though it’s evident that he doesn’t see it. I can almost feel his thoughts echoing mine. I can guess what’s on his mind right away.
“You are not going to be like your father, Damian,” I say softly to him.
He raises his head, surprised, and this time I’m the one putting my hand on his and doing the talking.
“I know you are afraid of being like he was, because you are both strong Alphas, and I understand. But you two are different. You can control yourself. All you wanted was to protect Nathaniel and Liam. Even now, you are always trying to protect me. And you listen to your brothers, to your Beta. Your father didn’t care about anyone but himself. You are a fighter, but that doesn’t make you an evil person. Just a strong Alpha.”
He stays silent for a while, making me wonder if my words had any effect on him. But after a while, he finally smiles. Then, he brings my hand to his lips, kissing it while looking me into the eyes with a resolute look. “I will protect you, Nora, I swear to the Moon Goddess Mother. I’m not letting what happened to my mother happen to you; I won’t lose you. You have no idea how much I need you. I need you to keep me sane, to remind me what’s right and what isn’t. I’ve never been afraid to fight, but I’m afraid of losing you.”
I smile, but why do I feel like his words have a deeper meaning than what I hear...?
Before I can get any further into my interrogations, the waiter comes back. I blush a little, as Damian is still holding my hand and keeps kissing it shamelessly. He sends me playful looks, amused by my reactions. I feel embarrassed, but the waiter doesn’t say a word and takes away our empty plates.
Once he is gone, I click my tongue and try to have my hand back. Of course, he won’t let go so easily.
“Stop it...” I mumble shyly.
But Damian ignores me, and instead gets up, leading me to do the same. He puts a hand on my waist and puts my hand he was holding onto his chest. I smile and wrap my fingers around his neck, brushing the baseline of his hair. He slowly starts dancing, small steps that I can easily follow.
For a while, we don’t say a word. I let him lead our little dance and rest my head on his chest while listening to the music. It’s like we are alone in the world, and for now, I love it. Surrounded by the sea, fairy lights, and Damian’s arms. I feel his fingers gently brushing my skin, and the shivers I get have nothing to do with the cold. Can’t we pause this moment forever? My eighteenth birthday is a dream I couldn’t have dreamt of myself.
Two songs pass, and we can’t separate from each other. I feel safe in those arms. Far from all the worries, the mysteries, the secrets...
And I find myself thinking about Elena’s words. What did she mean? Why shouldn’t I trust Damian? Moon Goddess wants us together, so why is it that I can’t trust my fated mate completely? It’s not just Elena’s words. Something tells me I’ve only scratched the surface. Getting him to talk about his past was already a big step, yet I still want more. Much more.He is always keeping me away from the real world. It’s like being trapped in a golden prison. I can’t go out as I wish, and I have no idea what’s going on outside. Why do I need to be so protected? It can’t just be related to our bond...
Just for tonight, I close my eyes, and I forget all about my questions. That can wait until tomorrow, can’t it? I don’t want to ruin this, my first date with Damian. He is gentle, loving, and just for tonight, he is all for me.
I feel him leaning slowly towards the side, and his lips gently land on my neck. Soft kisses, running with a small fire on my skin. Anything he touches burns, and it’s addicting. I blush again and close my eyes. Suddenly, I feel his hands leaving me, and I frown. What is he doing? Then, I see him put something around my neck, and I gasp. A necklace! He puts the thin platinum chain around my neck and helps me put my hair back around it. Oh, Moon Goddess...
