Chapter 204
Are You Real?
Damon
I groan as I realize that everything attached to me and in me hurts. I try to piece the last parts of what I remember from the mission together while simultaneously trying to open my eyes. The effort is strong, but my eyelids are not responding.
There is a heavy weight on me, and I curse as my eyes open, but my vision is blurry. “Why can’t I move my arms?” Damn, my throat hurts.
“Because you would not stop flailing them around. The healers couldn’t take care of you.” The smooth honey of her voice hits me as the last moments of the mission start coming in bits and pieces.
“Mate. My wolf confirms within my mental barrier.
I’m glad we made it. I say to him, relief setting in. She made it. I didn’t kill her in the fray.
“You’re alive.” My vision clears, but all I see is the ceiling tiles. I try to reposition myself, but I can’t move any of my limbs.
“Where are you?” I need to verify she is all right and will deal with the rest when I feel better.
I am lying on top of you. The healers said I was to stick my skin to yours and hope that the touch of your mate was enough to bring you back from your haze.” Amani answers, and I shimmy my chest a little, feeling her on top of me.
“No wonder I am so hot.” I relive the memory of seeing her on the stage. How beautiful she was.
She is also very warm.
“I would sit up, but we are both naked. My wolf growls at the thought of his mate being unclaimed and unclothed. “Yeah, I didn’t think that would go over well p>
“I need to see you.” It confuses me how much desperation is in my voice. I want to see her, but I don’t think she will stay. It will hurt me more later if I allow myself to be close now, but I want to feel normal again.
“Then I’ll sit up …. carefully.” Amani tries to push herself off me. I withhold all the snarled sounds of pain that want to escape me. I turn my head as she comes into view.
Seeing her come into view leaves me speechless. Harsh white clinic lights shine behind her, making her eyes more radiant gold. Her long black eyelashes are such a stark contrast to the beauty of her eyes.
Amani is a brown skinned goddess who left the fates to be with me. She is too stunning to be just my fated mate. The title does not hold enough weight to describe who she is to me at this moment and the beauty she holds.
“There’s no way you are real.” I say as I swallow. I would give anything Cyrus owns for a drink of water.
“I could say the same for you.” Amani turns her head, not trying to hide her perusal of my body.
Damn that’s hot.
“I’m going to get dressed so we don’t have another…..incident.” Amani walks over to clothes on the chair. I don’t remember those. I wonder how long I have been out. The bond tugs in my chest as she walks to the bathroom. The view of her naked form walking into the bathroom reminds me that at least my dick still works.
“ I’m awake. ” I mind–link Thane because I want him to see me strapped down and snarl at Eric for strapping me to the bed.
“ About damn time. I will be right there. Hopefully Amani is dressed by then because she left the bathroom door open. Almost as if she wants me to have the view.
1/3
Are You Real?
“You are such a douchebag,” Cyrus cuts into the mind–link, Great, they are probably together.
“Kiss my ass. You would have done the same p>
“ I would have killed them all, stole all the toy and then burned that bitch to the ground p>
“You can’t kill on neutral territory.” I remind him.
“I can do whatever I want.” Cyrus thinks he can, but one day it may catch up to him.
“Leave me alone,. I’m staring at my mate p>
“You left out ass. You’re staring at your mate’s badonkadonk. Nice work. Now, recover so we can double date. Also, I need to invite her to the Hair Care Club p>
“What is the Hair Care Club?” I ask, confused and not sure I want my mate involved in any club he is a member of.
“You can’t join the club. Curly hair only. Sorry for your loss. Later.” He ends the mind–link leaving me thankful for that, but more confused than when I started the conversation.
Amani leaves the restroom and comes back to me, dragging a chair with her. “How bad do I look?” Her eyes track over my face and arms and watch her slowly evaluate the rest of my body.
“Not as bad as yesterday.” Huh.
“Yesterday….so how long have I been here?” I’m not sure I want to know the answer. The longer I hear, the more of a failure I will feel like after blowing the mission.
“This is day five. I have been staying here. This couch pulls out, but mainly I have been on you. There is probably a crusty drool patch on your chest.” I smile and she does as well. It eases the tension and gives me something to think about instead of the thoughts of rejection swirling in my mind.
“Is Theo okay?” I should have asked first thing when I came to. I blew it and if he isn’t alright, I don’t know if I can deal with that.
“He woke up two days ago. He is better and his room is down the hall form here. I know it has been full of family, and someone mentioned he liked the attention.” Yeah, that sounds like him.
“What are your plans….here I mean. Do you have pack?” I’m dancing around the proverbial elephant in the room that is the mating bond.
“No, I do not. I am obviously from one, but that is a story for a different day.” I see pain flash over her beautiful features, and it makes me want to rage, but I also understand the pain.
“Do you want me, as your mate? ” I scowl as a growl leaves me. The fact she even feels she has to ask upsets me.
“Why would you ask me that p>
“Because of where you found me. ”
“Stay with me for a while, and it will be me asking you that question. Your background means nothing to me. It has no bearing….but, I am…I have a lot of emotional shit that I deal with. You may not like what you see.” I warn her. The time for her to go is now. It will be easier on her if she does.
I’m not quite sure how to word ‘I grew up in a hoarder’s house and now I live crazy‘ to her. Or the little things I deal with and how I react to
Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.