Chapter 74

I had been discharged from the hospital the following day , thanks to Kia and Rayhan’s Kitty .

I still remember the look in Kiara’s eyes … The moment she told me that I should have told her what I was going through .

The tears … The promises that we really won’t hide anything any longer .

Something I knew both of us would honour .

I hated seeing her feel like a disappointment when it was my own doing that I hid it all from them , when I had so many chances to tell them .

She had spent the night with Liam , I could smell his scent from her when she had come to see me in the morning .

I wasn’t able to ask her how he was , I didn’t know what to think .

She had spent the day with me , it frustrated me that because of me she was being torn like this , between me and him , but she had nothing but love and concern for me .

Her parting words still rang in my head , them , it still hurt .

and despite the fact that I knew she meant ‘ I will always be here for you , hun , no matter what you decide , do or want .

I will be by your side , ok ?

” Damon had brought me to his house , although I had no idea what we were , remembering exactly what we were going to do before Liam had arrived .

I was just glad things were still good between us and I knew that would always remain .

Damon didn’t leave my side ; only for short moments to shower , check up on his mother , or if he had to do something , but for the most part he stayed by my side .

Aunty Red and Uncle El had visited me .

I could see the pain in Aunty Red’s eyes as she had stared at my mark ; the guilt and anguish that she was trying to hide , the beating of her heart , the way she hugged me tightly .

Her whispered apology that she didn’t give me the chance to refute .

She had asked if I wanted to go to theirs , but … I refused .

I couldn’t go there .

It hit me hard , knowing Liam had renounced his Alpha title , and that he was in the cells .

I could feel the pain Liam was going through , through the bond .

A bond that had become so strong that I felt restless .

I could feel his regret , his agony and his hopelessness .

It hurt … I was now on Damon’s sofa , a blanket over me and a mug of hot chocolate in my hands .

” Delsanra didn’t find anything .

” Damon said as he sat down on the edge of the sofa .

” She didn’t ? ” I said , sighing .

Delsanra and Kia had left last night , only after Delsanra had tried to see if she could find anything , with her final words ‘

It seems even witches don’t have the power t o probe into the works of gods .

‘ She felt guilty she wasn’t able to help but we assured her we were grateful for it .

I wish I could get to know her more , but we had exchanged numbers to keep in touch .

Kia had started a group chat with Raihana too , for the four of us called ‘ Queens ‘ , a title I don’t think really fitted me .

” No.

” He said frowning slightly .

” You’re angry at him .

” I said softly .

table .

He clenched his jaw , staring at the coffee ” What do you want , me to go give him a pat on the back ? ”

He said , now turning those blue eyes to me .

” I saw him rip your throat out , Raven .

He was so fucking blinded by his anger .

” I know … I’m not blaming you , what Liam did wasn’t right … ” I said , tracing m y fingers over the mark on my neck , a mark that so suited the true Liam .

My heart clenched painfully at the memory , it hurt me too .

The look of hatred as he bit into me was so painfully … I know I could have died .

I had never thought he’d be able to hurt me …

” I know that this curse hasn’t made things easier .

Probably seeing us kiss triggered his anger and in turn , the darkness took over .

” a ” Will you forgive him ? ” Damon asked quietly , his eyes flashing in anger .

I looked up at him , before staring at my mug of hot chocolate .

I was hurt , upset , angry , confused and broken in a way .

But my inner mind was clashing , a part of me wanted to scream and shout .

Why was it that all my life everyone took my decisions for me ? I was choosing Liam , but what should have been a sweet moment of me telling him that I choose him has been taken from me by force .

Then , a part of me wanted to comfort the broken man who until now remained in the cells , to tell him that it was ok .

But … was it ? I loved him , so so much .

Every time I think about him , I remember the young man he used to be ; the loving , caring , thoughtful Liam who always paid attention to me .

Probably the only person who ever came close to knowing the truth about my life … He used to ask me if everything was ok , if I’m happy and I always assured him I was fine .

The Liam without the darkness , I loved him too … The way he remembered stuff , the way he did things , the attention to detail , my favourite colour , the cake ….

Even when we became intimate , he always gave , still waiting .

He was always waiting … He never took advantage of us o r pushed me further … He was considerate But I also couldn’t just pretend this didn’t happen .

I wasn’t something to be claimed , I had the right to make my own decision .

What I didn’t get was that Damon and I were willing to give up everything for him … but then … this … ”

In time .

I think I will … ” I replied softly .

Time … He didn’t have much time … My heart squeezed painfully .

” He doesn’t deserve it .

” He said icily .

I reached out , taking his hand .

He had always put Liam first , I knew witnessing that must have been hard for him , and right now I knew both men needed me .

Why did I feel like we were just making the curse stronger ? Time was running out As for Damon , he had shown his love for me ;

the way his eyes filled with pain and love when I woke up in the hospital room , the way he whispered , ”

Thank the goddess you’re ok , I love you … The way his heart thundered in his chest as he held me against it .

I wouldn’t forget .

” Have you talked to him ? Have you seen him ? He is probably regret- “

” Stop defending him , Raven ! For goddess’s sake , you need to stop letting everyone take advantage of you .

” He said frustrated , pulling his hand from my hold .

My chest tightened painfully ; I wasn’t doing that … I just … I wanted everything to be ok .

” I’m not letting anyone take advantage of me .

” I said quietly .

” I hope not .

” He said quietly , standing up , he walked over to the window staring out .

I looked down , no , this was an eye opener .

Now with everything that had happened , would I still choose Liam ?

This was enough to show me my true feelings , I knew the three of us would never work together and I had given up on that a long time ago .

The ringing of the doorbell pulled me out o f my reverie , and Damon gave me an apologetic smile .

” Sorry for getting irritated .

” ” It’s ok , you’re angry .

Now go get the door ! “

” Going .

” He replied with a small smile .

The look in Damon’s eyes when he had held me as I bled ….

I still remembered it ….

” Hey , beautiful girl .

” Taylor’s voice came , his scent filling my nose as he came over and pulled me tightly into his arms .

” Taylor … ” I whispered , hugging him back .

His scent had changed .

I looked up at him sharply , noticing him looking at my mark .

His eyes were filled with sadness and I wished they weren’t … I really … I didn’t need sympathy … I knew the rumours had crossed through the pack , but there wasn’t much I could do about it .

” Hey , Raven .

” Zack’s voice came just as h e entered , holding a large bouquet of flowers , a teddy bear and a hamper .

Totally from Taylor .

” These are from Tay .

” He added , as if he did not want to be seen holding such pretty things .

” Thanks , babe .

” Taylor said , flashing him a smile , making me gasp .

” Babe ?! You two are together !

” I squealed , jumping up onto the sofa and hugging him tightly .

Thanks to the sofa , our height was a lot more level .

Taylor chuckled .

” We are .

” He said softly , ” Why didn’t you tell me when you mind linked me yesterday ! ” I shouted unhappily .

” I … You had just got out of the hospital … ” He said , I moved back wanting to see his mark .

” Show me it .

” The men exchanged looks and I rolled my eyes .

” Just because I was marked against my will , it does not mean I’m going to become a crying puddle every time I see a mark .

” I said annoyed .

” Besides … My mark isn’t dark or ugly , it’s beautiful … Like the real Liam that I know is in there .

” ” Silence fell in the room , I realised that no one in this room held any faith in Liam anymore …