Chapter 74
Chapter 74
I had been discharged from the hospital the following day , thanks to Kia and Rayhan’s Kitty .
I still remember the look in Kiara’s eyes … The moment she told me that I should have told her what I was going through .
The tears … The promises that we really won’t hide anything any longer .
Something I knew both of us would honour .
I hated seeing her feel like a disappointment when it was my own doing that I hid it all from them ,
when I had so many chances to tell them .
She had spent the night with Liam , I could smell his scent from her when she had come to see me in the morning .
I wasn’t able to ask her how he was , I didn’t know what to think .
She had spent the day with me , it frustrated me that because of me she was being torn like this , between me and him , but she had nothing but love and concern for me .
Her parting words still rang in my head , them , it still hurt .
and despite the fact that I knew she meant ‘ I will always be here for you , hun , no matter what you decide , do or want .
I will be by your side , ok ?
” Damon had brought me to his house , although I had no idea what we were , remembering exactly what we were going to do before Liam had arrived .
I was just glad things were still good between us and I knew that would always remain .
Damon didn’t leave my side ; only for short moments to shower , check up on his mother , or if he had to do something , but for the most part he stayed by my side .
Aunty Red and Uncle El had visited me .
I could see the pain in Aunty Red’s eyes as she had stared at my mark ; the guilt and anguish that she was trying to hide , the beating of her heart , the way she hugged me tightly .
Her whispered apology that she didn’t give me the chance to refute .
She had asked if I wanted to go to theirs , but … I refused .
I couldn’t go there . Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g
It hit me hard , knowing Liam had renounced his Alpha title , and that he was in the cells .
I could feel the pain Liam was going through , through the bond .
A bond that had become so strong that I felt restless .
I could feel his regret , his agony and his hopelessness .
It hurt … I was now on Damon’s sofa , a blanket over me and a mug of hot chocolate in my hands .
” Delsanra didn’t find anything .
” Damon said as he sat down on the edge of the sofa .
” She didn’t ? ” I said , sighing .
Delsanra and Kia had left last night , only after Delsanra had tried to see if she could find anything , with her final words ‘
It seems even witches don’t have the power t o probe into the works of gods .
‘ She felt guilty she wasn’t able to help but we assured her we were grateful for it .
I wish I could get to know her more , but we had exchanged numbers to keep in touch .
Kia had started a group chat with Raihana too , for the four of us called ‘ Queens ‘ , a title I don’t think really fitted me .
” No.
” He said frowning slightly .
” You’re angry at him .
” I said softly .
table .
He clenched his jaw , staring at the coffee ” What do you want , me to go give him a pat on the back ? ” He said , now turning those blue eyes to me .
” I saw him rip your throat out , Raven .
He was so fucking blinded by his anger .
” I know … I’m not blaming you , what Liam did wasn’t right … ” I said , tracing m y fingers over the mark on my neck , a mark that so suited the true Liam .
My heart clenched painfully at the memory , it hurt me too .
The look of hatred as he bit into me was so painfully … I know I could have died .
I had never thought he’d be able to hurt me …
” I know that this curse hasn’t made things easier .
Probably seeing us kiss triggered his anger and in turn , the darkness took over .
” a ” Will you forgive him ? ” Damon asked quietly , his eyes flashing in anger .
I looked up at him , before staring at my mug of hot chocolate .
I was hurt , upset , angry , confused and broken in a way .
But my inner mind was
clashing , a part of me wanted to scream and shout .
Why was it that all my life everyone took my decisions for me ? I was choosing Liam , but what should have been a sweet moment of me telling him that I choose him has been taken from me by force .
Then , a part of me wanted to comfort the broken man who until now remained in the cells , to tell him that it was ok .
But … was it ? I loved him , so so much .
Every time I think about him , I remember the young man he used to be ; the loving , caring , thoughtful Liam who always paid attention to me .
Probably the only person who ever came close to knowing the truth about my life … He used to ask me if everything was ok , if I’m happy and I always assured him I was fine .
The Liam without the darkness , I loved him too … The way he remembered stuff , the way he did things , the attention to detail , my favourite colour , the cake ….
Even when we became intimate , he always gave , still waiting .
He was always waiting … He never took advantage of us o r pushed me further … He was considerate
But I also couldn’t just pretend this didn’t happen .
I wasn’t something to be claimed , I had the right to make my own decision .
What I didn’t get was that Damon and I were willing to give up everything for him … but then … this … ” In time .
I think I will … ” I replied softly .
Time … He didn’t have much time … My heart squeezed painfully .
” He doesn’t deserve it .
” He said icily .
I reached out , taking his hand .
He had always put Liam first , I knew witnessing that must have been hard for him , and right now I knew both men needed me .
Why did I feel like we were just making the curse stronger ? Time was running out As for Damon , he had shown his love for me ;
the way his eyes filled with pain and love when I woke up in the hospital room , the way he whispered , ” Thank the goddess you’re ok , I love you … The way his heart thundered in his chest as he held me against it .
I wouldn’t forget .
” Have you talked to him ? Have you seen him ? He is probably regret- “
” Stop defending him , Raven ! For goddess’s sake , you need to stop letting everyone take advantage of you .
” He said frustrated , pulling his hand from my hold .
My chest tightened painfully ; I wasn’t doing that … I just … I wanted everything to be ok .
” I’m not letting anyone take advantage of me .
” I said quietly .
” I hope not .
” He said quietly , standing up , he walked over to the window staring out .
I looked down , no , this was an eye opener .
Now with everything that had happened , would I still choose Liam ?
This was enough to show me my true feelings , I knew the three of us would never work together and I had given up on that a long time ago .
The ringing of the doorbell pulled me out o f my reverie , and Damon gave me an apologetic smile .
” Sorry for getting irritated .
” ” It’s ok , you’re angry .
Now go get the door ! “
” Going .
” He replied with a small smile .
The look in Damon’s eyes when he had held me as I bled ….
I still remembered it ….
” Hey , beautiful girl .
” Taylor’s voice came , his scent filling my nose as he came over and pulled me tightly into his arms .
” Taylor … ” I whispered , hugging him back .
His scent had changed .
I looked up at him sharply , noticing him looking at my mark .
His eyes were filled with sadness and I wished they weren’t … I really … I didn’t need sympathy … I knew the rumours had crossed through the pack , but there wasn’t much I could do about it .
” Hey , Raven .
” Zack’s voice came just as h e entered , holding a large bouquet of flowers , a teddy bear and a hamper .
Totally from Taylor .
” These are from Tay .
” He added , as if he did not want to be seen holding such pretty things .
” Thanks , babe .
” Taylor said , flashing him a smile , making me gasp .
” Babe ?! You two are together !
” I squealed , jumping up onto the sofa and hugging him tightly .
Thanks to the sofa , our height was a lot more level .
Taylor chuckled .
” We are .
” He said softly ,
” Why didn’t you tell me when you mind linked me yesterday ! ” I shouted unhappily .
” I … You had just got out of the hospital … ” He said , I moved back wanting to see his mark .
” Show me it .
” The men exchanged looks and I rolled my eyes .
” Just because I was marked against my will , it does not mean I’m going to become a crying puddle every time I see a mark .
” I said annoyed .
” Besides … My mark isn’t dark or ugly , it’s beautiful … Like the real Liam that I know is in there .
” ” Silence fell in the room , I realised that no one in this room held any faith in Liam anymore …