Chapter 44
Damon
Call me the most confused guy in the world and I’ll accept.
Ever since Aurora collapsed, my buried feelings resurfaced.
I thought I was good at masking my feelings. I thought being cold and ignoring her would kill the goddamed feelings. I thought I was good at playing ruthless, but Aurora’s presence messed me up.
I didn’t even know who I was anymore.
Each passing day didn’t go without me stopping to check on her.
And each passing day didn’t go without filling me with the urge to pull her close.
I missed the feeling of her head on my chest, enjoying my racing heartbeat. I missed the feeling of her silky hair on me and her warmth.
And Goddess…her sweet scent drove me crazy.
Everything about her reminded me of Ivy.
Despite drawing closer to her, I tried to keep my distance at the same time.
I didn’t want to be overwhelmed by this strange feeling buried in my chest.
Gently opened the door not to startle her, I peeked to see what she was doing.
Relief washed over me as she lay motionless on the bed.
Probably sleeping. Perfect timing.
I opened the door wider, walking into the room before closing it as quietly as I could with one hand while the other hand held a bouquet of French marigolds.
After eavesdropping on her and Alex’s conversation, I found out she loved marigolds.
I took a short stride to the bed she laid, lowering my hand to the table beside her bed to place the flower on it.
My weight dropped on the bed slowly while I watched her soft snores from her partly opened mouth.
Thanks to my sharp hearing, I almost didn’t hear her snores.
Her chest rose and fell and the gentle beating of her heart filled my ears.
My hands parted her long wavy caramel hair from covering her face, allowing me to have an unrestricted view.
Her long lashes rested above her cheeks and her red lips slightly parted open to take in air.
I didn’t mind giving up my work for the whole day just to stare at her silently.
Despite being marred with marks on her body, she was a beauty to behold.
Guilt sprang up within me when I caught sight of the scars and marks on her body.
She was healing slowly. Not like she didn’t have a wolf, but from what I could figure out, her wolf was on timeout.
Just like mine.
I missed my wolf, my companion.
His harsh remarks were second to none. Apart from Jasper, he also told me the truth, no matter how harsh and bitter it sounded.
He doesn’t sugarcoat words.
I felt my heart clench in pain as memories of how he deserted me filled my head.
If only I had listened to him to keep Ivy safe.
He never liked Rosa, he warned me severely about how he didn’t trust her. But I was a fool to ignore.
Rosa was my mate’s best friend, how was I supposed to ruin their friendship?
The day before Ivy died, he instructed me to keep Ivy safe without telling Rosa where she was, but I fucked up.
Heartbroken and furious, he deserted me, vanishing into the thin air.Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.
Tired of blaming myself and pleading for his return, I accepted my fate. If deserting me was my punishment for letting Ivy die, I was ready for the consequences.
Though it meant I would never have a second chance mate.
It was a secret Jasper and I will take to the grave.
No one knew I didn’t have a wolf anymore.
Aurora’s mumblings caught my attention as I darted my eyes to her face.
Straining my ears, I couldn’t make sense of her words.
I shifted close to her, lowering my head to make out her words.
A gasp rolled off my mouth when I heard her mention my name softly.
I was tempted to wake her and assure her that I would always be by her side, but on second thought, I dismissed the idea.
I didn’t want to appear desperate.
Overwhelmed by the urge to touch her, I gently placed my palm on her, running down the length of her side till I got to her waist.
I squeezed it tightly, extending my hands before letting it go almost immediately.
I couldn’t understand the surge of electrifying sparks that rushed through me.
It burned me as it created a connection between us.
A frown sat on my face as I stared at her in confusion.
I only felt sparks with Ivy and that was years ago. Why were the sparks suddenly coming back when I touched her?
Maybe it was because I missed Ivy. That had to be it.
My heart dropped to the pit of my stomach when her eyes stirred open.
Fuck! Did I wake her?
“What are you doing here?” Dizziness erased from her eyes as she stared at me like she had seen a ghost.
I knew she hated me. But I was ready to make up for that.
I was ready to be a man and stand up for her even if it would spike suspicion.
For the first time in months, I didn’t place the baby before her.
I couldn’t explain why I was doing that, but I couldn’t stop myself either.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, covering her bare body.
I could smell her anger build up.
“I.. came to give you your…drugs,” I stammered, pointing at the table. Thankfully, her afternoon dosage was on the table.
“And I brought you flowers.”
That was so close.
“Since when did you care?” she shot me an angry look, looking away from me.
Guilt pricked me as memories of how I deserted her and treated her as if she were invisible filled my head.
“You could just start with a thank you,” I frowned, getting pissed at her lack of appreciation.
“Can we talk, Aurora?” I asked, staring deep into her alluring eyes.
My heart raced at a great speed when she locked her gaze on mine.
At that moment, I wanted her.
I think I have fallen for Aurora…or was it just pity?