Waking up in Damon’s arms wasn’t as surprising as it should have been. It was just before dawn and slipping out of his embrace was awkward. Thankfully he didn’t wake up and while my first instinct was to get away, I sat back down and watched him for a moment. The frown had lessened on his face, if anything I was positive there was signs of a possible smile threatening to turn up the corners of his mouth. His brow was smooth, not creased with worry or frustration and he finally looked his age.

Normally he looked much older than being in his late twenties. I guess stress and the constant war he was battling in his mind would do that to a person. His dark brown hair was almost black in the dim light, and the urge to touch him proved too strong. Carefully reaching out I cupped his face, my thumb barely brushing over the skin of his cheek and he instantly leaned into my touch.

 Closing my eyes I thought over the night he left me for dead. His conflict had been clear, yet he did it. He walked away and let them beat me, throwing me over the cliff like I was nothing.

The warmth I had let into my heart was pushed out, he chose his fate. Killing him didn’t seem as easy as it had earlier and I waited for the voice of my wolf to pop up in my head. She would tell me what was right and wrong, what she wanted us to do now. Only she never came, her presence lingered in the back of my mind amongst the doubts and curiosity.

Pulling my hand away I got up, leaving the bedroom I showered to try and get his scent off my skin. I needed a clear mind and having him follow me around wasn’t helping. Dawn had just broken on the horizon when I settled on the patio swing, looking out at the shed in the back corner.

What happened after I left yesterday?

Did he get the answers he wanted?

Would I get mine?

It was like an addiction. No wonder we had been lured into her trap so easily and looking around I instantly noticed the lack of patrolling wolves. That was new. Getting up I stood on the lower steps looking out over the yard and no one had even appeared to turn me around back inside. I didn’t see this as a chance to escape, it worried me. Something was wrong and walking onto the path, my wolf sensed it too.

I kept against the hedges, not walking on the open sections of lawn and the only movement was a bird flying towards one of the trees in the corner. I made it to the shed without any issues. There was no one in the yard at all and opening the door it was dark.

I went into the room where we had watched Esmeralda and to my surprise she was still just lying there on the table. Her restraints had been put back on and the light in her room was flickering slightly. Her pale and bruised skin was ghostly, and I jumped as her head rolled to look at me through the glass.

“I know you’re there.” She croaked, coughing the blood dribbled over her chin making my own run cold. “You want to know what is going to happen.”

Holding my breath I walked around into her room, careful not to get to close. “No, I don’t want to see the future.”

“You’re lying. I can feel your curiosity.”

“It’s not for the future.”

She coughed again and her breath came out in wheezing gasps.

“You want to know if you can save him. He wanted to know that too.”

“No.” I wasn’t going to fall into her trap again. “I want to know why. Why us, why him?”

“I already told you.”

I looked over her beaten state, clearly she couldn’t heal like us. Then I remembered how she had absorbed my energy and that was where she got her power from. Her hands were basically just skeleton like claws and as I inched closer they started to twitch like they were possessed, reaching out to try and grab at me.

“Tell me again.” I growled.

“What is in it for me?” Her head lifted slightly to reveal milky eyes and the skin was sunken in against her skull. She was decaying, weak and I knew what she wanted.

“Tell me, then I will give you what you want.”

“You think they will come and stop me, that he will save you if I try anything.” She laughed again, yellow teeth stained with red smiled up at me as I went even closer. Careful to keep out her reach. “I first saw him in a vision of his Grandfathers. I could see the potential there, in order to live I need the magic of others. My own is so draining, it’s more a curse than a gift.”

“You told me you met him as  a child, that you touched him and saw his future.”

“Did I? So I lied, what are you going to do about it?”

I had punched her before I could even blink. Her head snapped to the side with a crack and she only laughed again.

“You two are so alike, no wonder you were chosen as mates.” She swallowed, clicking her tongue as she did so.

“Just tell me why.” I warned, my patience running thin.

“Because. I. Can. He has the potential to do great things, he could take over the country with the setup he has in place. Imagine having one supreme Alpha? None of this pack rubbish you all follow.”

“How would that benefit you though?” It wasn't like it would even happen, no matter what she talked Damon into doing the other Alpha's would never stand for it. Not just here - but all over the world.

“He gives me my power by sending me useless shifters whose magic I can take completely. Hundreds of years of fighting for survival and thanks to his family, the last hundred or so have the been the easiest. He was meant to kill you that night and he was meant to kill you once he knew you were still alive! You’re ruining my plans.” She hissed.

Kill her.

“I’m sorry.” I offered, yet my regret was nowhere in sight.

“You’re not going to help me are you?" For a psychic, she really should have seen it coming and maybe she did. " I saw you kill me once, I didn’t see you being capable of doing it again after that day.”

 "What are you going to do about it?" I muttered, going over to the table where the items used in her torture sat used and dirty. Picking up the knife I knew there was only one way to stop all of this and it started with her.

“If you do this, you really as bad as him.” She warned, yet her fear was obvious and I expected her to tell me anything she could to stop her twist in fate.

She didn’t want to die.

I didn’t either.

With all my strength I rammed the blade through her neck. The blood was black and sickly as it began to bubble and ooze from her. Her strangled gasps turned to a gurgle as the door burst open behind me and I didn’t even flinch as Dean took me down.

“What did you do!” He screamed, and the other guards all ran in to contain me. I didn’t put up a fight and seeing the corpse they all hesitated. The evil in the air was obvious and I knew most were fighting the urge to run away.

“What I had to.” I didn’t recognize my own voice.  It was too calm, detached.

Leaving the shed, nearly every guard that was on the property was waiting. The fact the sun was now right above us caught my attention. It had only just been dawn when I went down there and that had only been maybe twenty minutes ago. The morning didn't make sense and I let Dean drag me inside.

He took me to the study and Damon was already sitting behind the desk, the peace that had taken over him as he slept gone. 

“The woman is dead.” Dean growled, throwing me at the chair in front of the desk.

“Obviously.” Damon waved his hand, dismissing him and I sat down stiffly. “How did you do it?”

“Do what?”

“Get out to her. No one saw you even leave the house.”

“There was no one out there.”

“I have security footage that tells me otherwise yet you didn’t appear once. Just how did you hide your wolf from me at the party?” I could tell he was fighting to keep calm, his interest was helping. He couldn’t hide the venom in his tone though, he wasn't impressed with the death of Esmeralda.

“I’m not telling. I did what I needed to do.”

“Then you understand why I did this.”

He pushed the laptop around to face me and the video on the screen and I recognized Caprices’ town instantly.

“What are you doing?” I couldn’t hide my panic now and my wolf was urging me to calm down.

“You just destroyed something important to me, let me return the favor.”

“NO! Leave them out of this! That bitch was using you, everything she did was for her own gain! You should be thanking me!” I didn’t care that I was screaming at him. He was going to die if so much as one scratch landed on any of them.

“Thank you? She told me this would happen and even then you still managed to get to her.”

If she went down, she was going to make sure we all went with her. Even now her plans were still in play.

“You’re an idiot. An absolute fucking idiot!” I spat at him, glancing down to the screen the dash cam had stopped moving and wolves ran out in front of the car. “Just, stop them. I’ll do anything!”

I had no way to warn them, help them or stop them. Begging wasn’t beneath me, I just hoped it wouldn't get to that point.

“Who are they to you? Who is he to you?”

Mine.

‘Everything.’ I thought, and yet I couldn’t stop myself from challenging him as he moved around to stand in front of me. Narrowing my eyes, I only glared at him.  

“What you should have been.”

Pain burned through the side of my face as he slapped me and falling off the chair, I braced myself for another hit. Nothing came and daring to look up at him, his face was pale – sickly even.

“You’ll do anything to stop the attack?” He finally growled.

Standing I squared up against him, daring him to hit me again. “Yes.”

He left the room and the second he turned the corner I dropped to sit back in front of the computer, watching as the wolves began to fight in the street. It was a bold move, but in a  town of few humans it wouldn’t be seen as unusual. I tried to work the laptop to get onto the internet yet I couldn’t leave the footage and seconds later, they retreated and the car was leaving town.

Did he really just stop it?

And just what was the price I’d have to pay for that act of kindness?

--

Damon disappeared for a week.

The guards didn’t budge from outside any door and the patrols around the house were tight. Dean wouldn’t even let me on the veranda and I no matter what I tried, someone was there to stop me. The only exercise I could manage was running up and down the stairs in human and wolf form. I needed to go outside, I needed some room to move. I needed to know Cody was really OK.

I was angry with myself for thinking the mate bond could mean something, that he could be redeemed. Maybe he could, but with the threat on Cody’s life lingering in my mind I knew it wouldn’t matter. I had a mate of my own choosing and I needed him back. My anger turned to rage which turned to desperation.  I was pining for Cody.

I needed him.

Waking up in the dining room, the smell of waffles pulled me into the kitchen and Hannah stood by the toaster, pouring in another round of batter.

“Happy Birthday Bianca!” She greeted, leaving the cooking liquid to come and hug me. The week without Damon had only made her open up to me a little more and the birthday talk confused me.

“What?”

“It’s your birthday! I thought you might like something special for breakfast.”

Birthday?

“It’s my birthday today?” I repeated, stunned as she went back to cooking. Three waffles were placed in front of me, covered in chocolate, cream and sprinkles making me drool.

“It’s the twentieth today Bianca. How did you forget?” Her cheery disposition was infectious and as she sat beside me to eat her own pile, I couldn’t touch a single one once I spied the tiny pink package at her side. Seeing me look at it, she smiled and pushed it over.

“Just between us.” She winked and with shaking hands I lifted the present. A birthday present?

I ripped it apart like a three year old, instantly choking back a sob as an old photo of Leanna and I smiled back at me.

“How did you get this?” I asked in disbelief, tracing the shape of her face as if I could actually feel it.

“There are others, upstairs in the attic. I stole it, so make sure no one see’s it.” She warned.

Hugging her breakfast was forgotten and she let me cry, rubbing my back gently until I had it all out.

“Come on, eat your breakfast before the cream melts.”

The rest of the day was spent staring at the picture and as the afternoon began to turn to night, lights on the driveway alerted me to the fact Damon was back. I didn’t move from where  I sat, fiddling with my diamond. He was carrying something when he got out and a few minutes later he appeared behind me.

“Get ready, we’re going out.” He ordered, and turning to glare at him he put down the large black box.

“I don’t want to.”

“No? Did you forget our arrangement?” Instantly his mood started to swing and sighing I shook my head.

Hannah appeared second later and whatever connection we made, disappeared as she was back to his servant.  After showing I sat in what was meant to be my room while she did my hair and I realize I had never asked her anything about who she was.

“Why are you here?”

“I work here.”

“Why? I can’t see people lining up to get in.”

She smirked, separating my hair into sections as she began to straighten and curl it.

“I don’t really have a choice. I’m his Aunty.”

“What?” I didn’t hide my shock. “He killed your mate, how do you live here?”

“Not that Aunty, I was on his mother’s side. I promised her when she died to look after him.” There was no missing the regret in her voice.

“He treats you like shit, why put up with it?”

“Damon wasn’t always like this. He was a good boy, but you know what happened.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

“That doesn’t make acting like tyrant OK!”

“But he’s family.”

We both went quiet and by the time she finished fussing over me it was nearly six o’clock. Opening the box I didn’t expect to find one of the most beautiful gowns I had ever seen. The green reminded me of the forest in spring and slipping it on, the designer brand meant nothing to me. Lace covered my chest, dotted with tiny green sequins while my arms were left bare in something reminiscent of the fifties. The back plunged low and the skirt fell gently to the fall, finding curves I didn’t know I had.

“Oh Bianca, you look beautiful.” Hannah clapped her hands together as I twirled slightly to admire myself in the mirror. “Come on, you’re going to be late.”

“Where am I going?” I asked, following her down the stairs trying to not trip on the material.

“It’s a surprise.” Damon answered from where he stood at the base of the stairs.

“I don’t like surprises.”

“Neither do I.” He held out his hand and reluctantly I took it. Dean appeared from around the corner and I looked at what he was holding. It was the same cuff Caprice had been wearing. Without saying a word he lifted the edge of my skirt and clamped it on around my ankle. “To make sure you don’t try to pull any more surprises of your own.”

I said nothing, turning my head slightly to avoid looking at him. He looked good in a tuxedo, as hard as it was to admit it and the car waited for us outside. Leaving the property I couldn’t help but feel excited, and stared out the window as we drove through the streets, taking in as much as I could.

We drove for a while, and the streets gave way to the cosmopolitan set up of a city. By the time we stopped I was nervous, willing to stay inside the car than do whatever he had planned. Opening my door he held out his hand, not impressed that I didn’t get out.

“Come on.”

“I’d rather stay in the car. Go, I promise I won’t try to escape.” It was true. There was no way in hell I would leave the car.

He went to say something, but stopped. Studying my face for a moment he looked around cautiously before squatting in front of me, leaning against the door.

“What’s wrong?”

I wanted to lie, to come up with something to annoy him, but instead I told the truth.

“I don’t like crowds.” The mix of humans and shifters was already weighing on my mind which increased my anxiety.

He took my hands in his and those dark eyes demanded my attention. “Look at me.”

I did as he asked.

“I am with you, you are safe.”

Safe?  With him? That was a contradiction all on its own and yet I got out of the car. There was no protest as he kept hold of my hand, linking my arm in his I think it surprised him I was letting him get so close. Taking deep breaths I cursed myself for being so weak, thinking back to the festival when Cody and Connor helped me get out of the car. Closing my eyes I only thought of Cody, that it was his arm I was clinging to and as we entered the theatre I was certain I caught his scent.

My wolf was pining for him as much as I was and with her distracted, she offered me no help in getting through this like she had at the party. Turns out, Damon was taking me out for my birthday. The ballet was one of the most amazing displays I had ever witnessed. I had always asked my parents to take me, but we never had the time to go and I wished  I had begged them more.

After the show we went to an exclusive restaurant for dinner and I could see how he was trying.

“Where did you go for all those years?” Half way through dinner, I wasn’t expecting that question.

“Away.”

“How did you even survive?” He was practically in awe, eager to hear my story.

“My wolf.”

“You’re not going to tell me are you?”

“No.”

My skin prickled and the sensation of being watched had me turning to look around us cautiously. Spying Dean near the door, I decided he must have been the reason for it . My lack of conversation skills was agitating Damon, it was all over his face. I just didn’t have it in me to try. The night had been a lovely gesture, but I knew he could the charm off as quick as he could turn it on.

“How long are you going to keep me here?” I asked as we left the restaurant.

“I don’t know. I want you to accept me as your mate.” He said it all so casually I found myself nodding along before his words sunk in.

“You had your chance, it’s not going to happen.”

He stopped walking, the darkness slowly finding him once more.

“Why keep fighting it Bianca? I know you feel it too, I can see it in your eyes. You don’t move away from my touch anymore, you are meant to be mine!” He growled and his grip tightened on my arm.

“I begged you not to leave me that night and it is, was - the only time I had ever wanted you.” I stopped, looking around as my wolf keenly scanned the crowd for something.  Dean was by the car and seeing what I was doing, did the same. “Let me go. We can walk away from this like nothing ever happened.”

He said nothing, going to the car I reluctantly followed thanks to the cuff on my ankle. Getting home he disappeared and Dean removed the device and I went to change. I had only just slipped my shirt on when he came storming into the room, throwing a wooden box on the bed a bunch of envelopes fell out and curiously going closer I realized it was packets of photos and albums. He grabbed a picture and held it up, realizing this must be where Hannah had taken that other one from.

“I know every single photo in this box. I got them from your house after the attack and spent years looking at them all. I made up stories for each one, tried to imagine what you would have been like. I regretted that decision ever single second since I walked away!” He was yelling every word, and grabbing a bunch more of the photos threw them at me.

“If you never walked away, you wouldn’t have had to.” I reminded him softly, not wanting to provoke him. I was so confused, inside my heart felt like it was breaking all over again and I wanted to rewind it all. Maybe I could have found him before the party, or asked Dad about what was going on that he would even need to use someone that had ‘expertise’. I didn’t even know what that could mean and looking at Damon, the urge to try and comfort him was too strong to ignore this time.

He tensed as my head rested on his chest and slipped my arms around his waist. My head moving up and down with each of his deep breaths while his heart was pounding frantically beneath my ear. It didn’t take long for him to return the gesture, clinging to me just as desperately as he had that night before he left me.

“Happy Birthday Bianca.” He muttered, getting himself back in control he let me go and walked out.

-

I spent the night going through the photos, each smile bringing me to tears and by morning I was a mess. The makeup Hannah had put so much effort into applying now left mascara marks down my cheeks and the faint tinting of the lipstick was still on my mouth. I carefully packed away each of the photos and went down stairs, only to find no one was around.

Hannah was in the kitchen doing dishes and she said nothing about my appearance as I entered.

“Have a good night?”

“It was OK. Where is everyone?” I asked, taking a banana from the fruit bowl.

“Busy. I have permission to take you out today if you’re interested?”

Now that was odd.

I hadn’t slept, but took the opportunity where I could take it and once I was ready, she regretfully put on the ankle cuff as we left. My wolf seemed to sense something was happening, giving me the confidence to walk around with Hannah yet every face was checked and whenever the wind blew past us she was dissecting each and every scent on it.   There was anticipation in the air and I knew it was something more than the change in season. Spring had already taken over from the winter and thinking about the seasons made me eager to see my wolves again too.

Did the pups make it through their first year?

Had the Alpha’s daughter taken over yet?

Would they even still be there or had the winter defeated them?

After lunch we went home and I finally went to sleep. It was dark by the time I woke and Hannah had left some dinner in the microwave for me. I had only just finished when movement outside the window had my attention and curiously I went outside.

“Back in.” The gun was raised and pointed at me the second I stepped onto the patio and holding up my hands, I went inside growling.

I left the door open, standing in the doorway, trying to look out over the yard.

“Back in!”

“I am in. Come closer and see for yourself.” I challenged. The man hesitated and stayed where he was.

Weak.

“You’re a disgrace, hiding behind the gun like that.” I mocked. I hadn’t had to fight for a while and felt the urge to practice.

“So? It keeps me alive.”

“Does it?” My wolf thought of killing as more of a sport these days, not a necessary requirement of survival. That alone worried me, but until we were free of this place – I let her.

Dropping down it didn’t take long for me to get possession of the gun, and aiming at him his fear was sickening to my senses.

“So this keeps you alive?" 

"Please, I'm only following orders." He cried and my wolf alerted me the prescence behind me seconds to late as the cold end of the gun pressed against the back of my head.

"Drop the gun." Dean growled and sighing, I passed it back to the guard who seemed to scared to take it. His hands trembled as he held it back in position. "Back inside."

"Fine." I mumbled. Just like he said, you choose your battles and this wasn't one I'd win.

--

Ok, I lied. One more chapter to go....