Chapter 223
Fiercely Loyal
Damon
“ We need to get your stuff. Depending on how Thane’s interrogation goes, he could shut down the border. I want you to have all your things. 1 buckle Amani into my new truck and climb in the other side.
“You are ready for me to fill a closet p>
“You can fill your side of the closet. Maybe not mine yet.” I start the truck and smile at my mate, staring at her, thinking about how
beautiful she is.
Damn, I got it bad.
I’m fine with it.
I’m only doing this one time.
“The girls put my stuff in a storage unit. I know where they taped the key, but if I pick up my things, I am done with the neutral territory. You will not be able to give me back, Damon p>
“I wouldn’t dream of it, precious.” I pull out of Larry’s lot. No Rhonda in sight, thankfully.
We spend the four–hour–ish drive interrogating each other on likes and dislikes, more in–depth questions about our houses and homelife. Sadly, it turned into a competition of who had it worse.
I appreciate her competitive spirit, but my anxiety prevents me from arguing about whose bathroom was dirtier.
It makes me shudder thinking about either of our upbringings.
“I think we’re here. It is number nine.” Amani looks out the window as we pull into the slushy parking lot, looking for her storage unit. “I like how your friends rallied around you and took care of you and the loose ends when I couldn’t. With everything that has happened, they handled things well.” Amani informed me that all of the girls bonded with each other, so they can always mind–link with each other
if they are in range.
They formed a little pack.
I’m proud of her survival instinct.
It makes me sad that she had to live in survival mode for so long.
“Yeah, we take care of each other. We have to. Nobody else will. We have each other’s backs. No questions asked.” I appreciate the loyalty and understand that it is a personality trait she will need from me.
1/5
21:43 Tue, Jan 13
Fiercely Loyal
I aim to please.
I’ll do anything for Amani.
I have to conquer a few fears in the process.
Amani lifts the rolling door, and there are a few totes, several garment bags, and a file box sitting on the floor. Not much despite being
on her own for most of her life.
Not anymore.
“I’m going to take the totes out to the truck first.” I walk in as Amani nods and bend down to pick up the first tote labeled ‘clothes ‘ and stack it on top of the tote labeled ‘lingerie‘, damn p>
“Holy shit,” I whisper to myself–a whole tote of underwear.
“What’s wrong?” Amani asks, walking toward me.
“Nothing’s wrong. Felt a pull in my back, that’s all. Just sore from all the driving over the last few days.” I stumble over my words, my throat suddenly dry, and the bond reminding me it is there.
Keep it together, Damon.
You’re a grown ass Alpha.
I want to open that tote.
Nope.
No.
Now, I am imagining Amani in all sorts of lingerie as I watch her try them on, one by one.
Damn.
I clear my throat and try to shake the thoughts from my head so I can get this done as quickly as possible. I place the totes in the bed of my truck and take the garment bags from Amani, setting them on the back seat until it is full of dresses and sparkly jackets that weigh
more than she does.
“You got the box?” I ask as she holds it to her stomach in a vice grip.
“Yeah, it’s my box of memories and photos that I grabbed when I ran away.” Amani gets into the truck while I pull the storage unit closed.
The drive home consisted of Amani showing me the things in her box and commenting on them, sharing a horrific memory, or asking the
2/5
21:43 Tue, Jan 13
Fiercely Loyal
fates a question she won’t get an answer to.
I know the feeling.
“This picture here, my dad had on top of the fridge. I know it is my mom. She’s younger here. Same long hair. I have her cheekbones, I
think. Very prominent.” She holds the photo out for me to see, and I choke on my spit.
Are you okay?” She smacks my back as my eyes go wide in horror.
“This can’t be happening.” I grip the steering wheel, my head shaking side to side wildly, “THIS CAN’T BE HAPPENING, AMANI.” I can’t
believe I missed it.
The same cheekbones and smile.
She has a damn dimple.
“WHAT WHAT? WHAT CAN’T BE HAPPENING, DAMON?” Amani yells back, her face a picture of beautiful confusion.
“THAT….” I sigh loudly, leaning back into my seat and rolling my eyes. Get it together, Damon.
“That…is Cyrus‘ mom. I’ve seen her in his photos from when he was younger…it’s in the weapons stash under his bed. That is his mom….I
swear it p>
8
“I..I–I have a brother? Cyrus is my brother? You’re sure of it? Older…he would be older? ” Amani rambles as I feel the migraine already
starting.
“I’m so fucking dead,” I grumble. I have no desire to tell Cyrus this information, but Amani deserves answers.
“I can’t believe that in twenty–four hours I learned that the legends about wolves with powers are true and that I have a brother. Is she
still alive? My mother p>
Damn it.
2
“I think we should verify it first. I could be wrong. You should be sure p>
“ Is she, Damon p>
“Please, don’t ask my questions about this, Amani. I don’t think I can see you hurt.” I realize that my answer is selfish. I should be able to be there for her emotionally, but I do not think I can handle seeing her in pain, and I have no idea how to handle this situation.
“Look, there is no rule book for something like this, but I support you 100% and I will be there for you. I don’t want to tell you something that Cyrus may want to tell you. Or that you wished you had heard from him instead of me. ” I explain.
“I understand what you’re saying…..How about we spend the drive with you telling me about my new potential brother? ” Amani asks
3/5
21:43 Tue, Jan 13
Flercely Loyal
excitedly,
“I do not think that is such a good idea either.” The little she knows about him now should give her an idea of the type of shifter he is. It I tell her any stories about his eye socket, skull screwing, or the boundary markers he roped off with nipples, she may be too traumatized
to ask him any questions.
“How bad can he be? ”
“He’s morally black, unhinged, perverted, and obsessed with explosives. The same goes for Raven. If you were looking for good influences,
you won’t find them in those two p>
“ Well…yeah, they sound interesting. They sound loyal….and…full of energy. I find them humorous.” Amani smiles, staring at the photo of
her mother.
“They are, and that is one way to put it.” Cyrus will have my back no matter what, but he will bitch about it too.
They are funny, though.
Annoyingly so.
“I think we would get a long fine then.” Amani’s warm smile makes my worries melt away. Except for the lingering worry in the back of my mind….Cyrus. The fucker was right. He has a sister.
Damn it.
2
“I should warn you that when I tell Cyrus…or you tell Cyrus this information, he will either kick my ass first or answer your questions and then kick my ass, but I am 100% sure we will be fighting before the day is over p>
“Why?” She turns, asking me as she puts the lid back on her file box.
Such a small box of memories.
I wonder if I would have been happier if I had taken any momentos with me when I left.
“He’s fiercely loyal. You will be marked as his family. He will kill anybody who touches you, and I plan on doing that.” I squeeze her thigh as she smiles and scoots over, resting her head on my shoulders for the duration of the ride home.
Damn it.
Here goes everything.
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.