Chapter 47: Chapter 19

DAMON

“Damon?” Natalie’s voice pulls me from my dreams. “Damon, wake up!”

I open my eyes and she lets out a deep breath. Finn, Bianca, and my parents are all in my room staring at me.

“Everything all right?” I ask as I look around to all of them.

“You’ve been asleep for a really long time. We were really worried. Natalie had to do her voodoo stuff,” B tells me.

Natalie chuckles a laugh, but her eyes are sincere when she looks at me—without an ounce of recognition. Damn, I was hoping the red glow would allow her to know.

“It’s not voodoo. Besides, I didn’t do anything; he wasn’t hurt and the energy was good, it just really overwhelmed him,” she explains.

I look out the window to see it’s light outside. “What time is it?”

“It’s 9:45, but you’ve been out for two days. My dad and I ran training without you,” Finn fills me in. “Come on, sleeping beauty, get your lazy ass up. The alpha meeting is tomorrow. Dec said to bring Nat to no-man’s land. She can ride back with Kya.”

I rub a hand over my face. “Two days? All right, everyone out. I need a shower.” My stomach rumbles as I pull my covers away. “And food.” I notice Natalie staring at my bare chest, but so does B. She shoves her to get her attention, making her cheeks blush a cute shade of pink before she rushes to the door.

I smile then get out of bed. I guess talking to a Goddess takes its toll. ~“Finn. What have I missed?”~ I ask while in the shower.

~“State trooper came by to check out Stewart’s place. They found his body; he’s in the morgue. I guess he didn’t do well outside of a pack,”~ he responds.

I guess the Goddess found him. ~“The danger to our pack is gone. Stewart messed with a Starlight Sister.”~

I throw on my dark gray thermal then head downstairs where I find breakfast is waiting for me on the counter. It’s not my mom’s cooking. ~“Finn, did you make…breakfast?”~

~“Psh, no. I’m busy handling…pack business and Bianca is with me so don’t ask.”~

~“Pack business, huh?”~ He laughs through the link. ~“Ugh, I don’t want to know.”~

My plate is loaded with fried eggs, steak with mushroom and onion sauce, and fried potatoes. It’s actually really good.

~“Natalie. I thought you said you can’t cook.”~

~“How did you know it was me? And I never said I can’t, I’m just not that great at it.”~

~“Lucky guess. Where are you?”~

~“Upstairs. I’ll be down in a minute, I’m just drying my hair.”~

I finish eating and clean up my plate. “Was it all right?” Natalie’s voice is full of doubt as she steps into the kitchen.

“It was delicious. Thank you.” Her face beams her satisfaction. She begins fidgeting with her shirt. “Do you want to talk about your mother?”

Her eyes look so innocent and she has a soft smile. “She’s always loved me. I have a bond with her now, just like you and my family. She released my power; I have complete control of it now.”

“I knew you were special. The daughter of starlight.” Natalie blushes. “I haven’t told anyone but Finn about your power. My dad did see the fire, but otherwise…not even Dec. I didn’t think I should say anything.”

Natalie bites her lip and nods. “Thank you, Damon. I’m going to the diner. Spencer, Cameron, and Melissa wanted to hang out before I go back, then Kenna wants me to come over after. I’ll see you later?”

I nod and she pulls her jacket on before walking out the door.

I spend most of the day in my office pouring through paperwork, but my mind is on Natalie. She goes back tomorrow and I’m in my office. I’m an idiot. I close out of my computer and rush out the door.

NATALIE

Kenna and I laugh as we joke back and forth. “I think Spencer is pretty hot, but he’s too silly for my tastes. He goofs around too much during training that he actually gets on my nerves.”

I scrunch my nose. “He’s not my type, but Damon… He’s hot. Do you remember Jason and Virgil?”

“From the Redd pack?” I give her a nod. “Jason is really hot. Virgil is really nice; he’s in my math class.”

“Those two are my best friends. All of the strays are pretty close, but those two look out for me.”

“What are the strays?”

“All of us that were brought in during the rogue attacks.” She makes an oh face. “Do you like this pack?”

Kenna nods. “It was hard at first because people were getting used to the new alpha. He made the transition easy for our family since he made training the same as the Redd pack and Finn had status as the beta. People learned quickly why he was chosen when he took down the previous beta in thirty seconds flat.”

“Is that customary? I mean for the beta to be challenged?”

She shakes her head. “No, not at all. As far as I know, the beta is the next male born after the alpha, but since Alpha Ramirez challenged for the pack, he was able to choose. Once Finn was initiated, the title was put into place. The previous beta was starting crap with Finn and Alpha Ramirez. Finn stopped Alpha and said ‘I got this.’ Alpha Ramirez just sat down and watched. It was awesome! After that, my parents were put in charge of training and no one questioned it.”

“I really like Finn. He was punished to the pack house when I got there and he made all the strays feel comfortable.”

“I can’t believe he’s going to have a pup. I’m so excited to become an auntie.”

I get a chill run down my back. I look around to find Spencer and Owen hanging out at the back of the pack house. Owen looks up at me and gives me a half smile. Spencer follows his line of sight and waves at us. I wave back then lock elbows with Kenna, steering her away.

“Who is that guy?”

“That’s Owen. He’s the alpha that Damon took the pack from.”

Her mouth drops open and she looks back over her shoulder. “Finn said he was here and to stay away from him. He told me he was alpha commanded not to be alone with any females. I wonder why?”

That’s news to me, but I get why. “Because he tried to rape my sister. He was planning on force mating her after his dad kidnapped her.”

“Oh, my Goddess! Is she okay? Wait, you have a sister?”

“My sister is Kya; the Masons adopted me. She’s fine now.”

Damon’s jeep pulls up to the pack house and I can’t help but smile. I was really worried that he wasn’t waking up, but my mother told me it’s normal when mortals converse with a deity.

Damon spots me and gives me his gorgeous, full dimpled smile. He leans against his jeep looking like a model and we make our way over. “Natalie, Kenna. What are you ladies up to?”

“Just chatting. Owen and Spencer are on the back porch so we came to the front to avoid him.” He gives me a relieved smile. “What are you up to?”

He shrugs his shoulders. “Nothing really. I came to see if my mom needs anything from no-man’s land.” The reminder that today is my last day here cuts like a knife. “I was planning on having everyone over to hang out tonight, kind of a little going away party for you.” He looks at Kenna. “You’re welcome over, of course.”

“That sounds like fun.” She’s quiet for a second. “My mom says it’s fine.”

“Great. I’m going to talk to B about getting some snacks. I’ll see you both later.”

I tell Kenna about how empty Damon’s place is so she borrows her dad’s truck and we get folding tables and her Bluetooth speaker to set up at his house. We’re scrolling through her playlist when Damon, Finn, and Bianca arrive with trays of appetizers.

Cameron, Melissa, and Spencer show up along with a few more wolves I’ve met during my stay including June, Geoff, Felix, Muriel, and Yuri. Marlena drops by to give me a hug along with a few of the nurses, but they leave to get back to the hospital.

The music changes to a slow song and Felix grabs Kenna for a dance. Damon clears his throat beside me. “Would you like to dance?” He holds his hand out.

I look into his gorgeous eyes and take his hand. He spins me around then steps closer. He holds my back with one hand and my hand with the other as we sway to the music. “I’m going to miss having you around.”

“I’m going to miss being here, but with my mother’s power out of the woods, you don’t need me here anymore.”

His eyes get somber. “Yeah… Natalie, you’re always welcome here. No invitation necessary.”

I look over at Kenna. “Maybe I can have a sleepover with Kenna sometime.” Damon’s mouth slightly curves up. The music ends and another more rowdy song comes on.

After munching and dancing all night, people begin to leave. Finn and Bianca help clean up, then it’s just me and Damon. He scrolls through his phone, then takes my hand. “One last dance.” I smile up at him, then take his shoulder and hand.

“Thank you for doing this for me. I’ve had so much fun. Not just tonight, but this entire stay has been wonderful.”

Damon looks into my eyes, and his warm hand touches my cheek. “I don’t know how I’m going to let you go.”

My breath catches, and I don’t know what to say. “Damon,” I whisper.

He leans closer and places a gentle kiss on my forehead. A tear falls from my eye as he pulls back, and I don’t want to leave. He licks his bottom lip as he mulls a thought over.

I close my eyes and remind myself that his mate is waiting for him. I reach up on my toes and kiss his cheek. “Good night, Damon.”

I break from his grasp and leave him standing in the middle of his living room. Once I reach my door, I look over the banister to see him in the same spot with his head down, wiping his eyes. I force myself into my room as more tears fall down my face.