Chapter 32
Chapter 32
Chapter 32
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“Uncle Damien!” Arthur called happily, his voice lighting up the room. Cassia’s head lifted at once, her heartbeat quickening against her will.
“Oh, my big boy,” Damien muttered warmly, ruffling Arthur’s hair until the boy laughed.
“Wait…I got you something,” Damien said, handing Arthur one of the bags in his arms.
Arthur’s eyes widened with curiosity. “What’s in here, Uncle Damien?” he asked as he peeked inside. A wide smile spread across his face when he saw the pile of toys.
“Thank you, Uncle Damien!” he said shyly, clutching the bag with delight.
Damien nodded with a soft smile, but his eyes shifted to Cassia. She was staring at him and her son, her expression carefully
blank.
He knew she was still upset.
“Hi, Cassia,” he murmured, hesitant.
Cassia, who had no intention of answering, glanced sharply at her son before forcing a smile for his sake.
Arthur, noticing the thick tension between the two adults, looked between them and then back at his mother.
“I’ll go to Grandma’s room,” he announced, slipping out quickly.
Cassia bit her lip. She hadn’t wanted Arthur to leave at all. She didn’t want to talk to Damien, she didn’t even want to look at him, not after he had kissed her without her permission.
“Cassia p>
“I don’t want to talk to you, Damien.” Her voice was clipped, her eyes fixed on the pile of clothes she was folding.
“Cassia, please. I’m sorry.” His voice was low, almost pleading.
She froze for a second, her hands stilling on the fabric. Her chest was tangled in chaos. She liked Damien, but only as a friend. He had been a good friend, a steady presence since the day she arrived in Velaris. She hated being angry with him.
Slowly, she turned to meet his gaze. His eyes were pained, filled with regret. He truly was sorry. She could see it.
“Please. I know I crossed the line, I’m sorry,” Damien whispered, his voice raw.
Cassia waved him off, her jaw tight. “It’s fine. I’m not angry. Just… don’t do that again p>
Relief softened his face and a faint smile appeared.
“Is that why you got Arthur a gift?” she asked suddenly, dropping the shirt in her hands onto the bed. Arthur was the easiest way to get into Cassia’s heart and Damien knew.
“What? No,” Damien said quickly, shaking his head. “You know I’ve always loved giving Arthur something. He’s like a son to me. I’d do anything for him…anything to make him smile p>
Cassia’s lips curved in the smallest of smiles. “Thank you,” she murmured, before turning back to the clothes.
But then Damien stepped closer.
1/3
4:21 pm DDD.
Chapter 32
“Cassia p>
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She turned again and blinked when he pulled a bouquet of flowers from one of his bags and extended it toward her.
Cassia stared at the flowers, her throat tightening. She hadn’t expected this.
“I got them at the mall,” Damien said softly.
Cassia hesitated, then accepted them with trembling fingers. “They’re beautiful. Thank you p>
She waited for him to leave, but he didn’t move. His eyes locked onto hers with a weight that made her pulse unsteady.
“I’ve been holding this in for too long,” Damien said, his voice rough with nerves. “Cassia… I like you. I like Arthur. I love you. I want us to be a family…the three of us. I swear, I’d never hurt you.” His words faltered, and he swallowed hard, his expression vulnerable.
Cassia’s chest tightened. She wasn’t sure if she could ever feel the same. Her heart had been broken once already, shattered into pieces she wasn’t sure could ever be put back together. She wasn’t ready to love again.
“Damien, I p>
“You don’t have to answer now,” he said quickly. “I’m not asking you to say yes right away. I’ll wait, Cassia. For as long as it takes p>
Her throat thickened with emotion, and she nodded, forcing a sigh. “Thank you… for the flowers p>
Damien exhaled the breath he’d been holding. He had said it at last. And from the look on her face, there was still hope.
His gaze drifted to the bed, where clothes were folded neatly, and to the half-open luggage beside the wardrobe.
“You’re leaving? Is Arthur traveling p>
Cassia didn’t flinch. “Yes. We’re both leaving Velaris. I’m packing his things before mine p>
Damien only nodded. He wasn’t surprised; Alpha Seraphina had already told him when he arrived.
“Do you really need to go?” he asked gently. “I could go in your place. Or we could send one of our doctors. We could even send the cure p>
“Damien.” Her voice was firm. “We’re not even sure if it’s lupenthera. I have to see the sickness myself before I prescribe any treatment. And…” she hesitated, her eyes dimming, “it’s been years. My mother still thinks I’m dead. It’s time she knew the truth p>
Damien’s chest tightened. He knew he couldn’t convince her otherwise. All he wanted was her safety…Hers and Arthur’s. She was his mate, his everything. And there was only one way to make sure they were safe.
“I can see your mind is made up,” he said finally. “But then let me come with you. Please, Cassia. They tried to kill you once, what if they try again? Let me protect you. Protect Arthur. I wouldn’t forgive myself if anything happened to you p>
She said nothing, her eyes clouded with doubt and contemplation.
“I swear,” Damien added quickly, “I’ll respect your boundaries. I won’t cross the line again. Just… let me be there p>
Cassia sighed, her chest heavy. She could protect herself and her son but still, the thought of having Damien beside them didn’t feel wrong. Maybe, just maybe, it could help.
2/3
4:21 pm DDD
Chapter 32
“Fine. You can come with us p>
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Damien’s face broke into a wide smile. Relief and anticipation burned in his chest. Finally, a chance to stand by her side and to face the man who had once shattered her.
He couldn’t wait to see Aiden Miller.
And he couldn’t wait to punch him in the face for hurting his mate.
tBC