Hidden Secrets

Chapter 17: Building the Trust

Stella's POV

I came to the conclusion that Damon isn't going to let me go anywhere unless I tell him. I take a deep breath and I sit down defeated while he only joins me. I search his eyes for answers that I can trust him and all I see is worry and sadness.

Pulling my legs into my chest I lay on my knees facing damon.

"I don't remember much when I was a child, I blocked those memories out when I was little, cause I had no one to comfort me when I would wake up screaming and crying," I take a shaky breath and continue with my story, "Before I lived with the Blood Howlers I lived with just my mother, I don't know where or who my father was all my mother used to tell me was that he passed before I was born, My mother was wonderful she would always smile even if times got rough," I smile at the memory and look back at Damon and I have his full attention

"It was after my 8th birthday when everything started to change, every day my mother was jumpy or she would be scared of the tiniest thing, she would always tell me that if anyone found us that I just needed to run and never look back, this is where my memories become choppy cause the only thing I remember is a fire, a man, my mothers blood, and I'm running in the forest," I feel a hand touch my face and see Damon wiping away the tears that have fallen from my eyes.

"Even though I don't remember that night very well I fear it the most, every dream is the same; a fire, a faceless man chasing me, and blood, I promised my mother I would protect myself and never trust anyone," It was silent for a while before Damon broke it.

"What about when the Blood Howlers found you? Didn't they take care of you?"

"Ha, if what they did to me is considered 'care' I don’t think they have the same definition as you, They treated me like a ‘human’ should be treated. Most of them weren’t bad only the higher ups, but I just went with the flow because it was a pack house and whoever was after my mother that night" I said thinking back, “I wanted to believe that the pack would kill whoever was after her and me, but after taking the bullying and no signs of the black figure I just left,”

Taking in Damon’s facial expression but they are just quiet. I can’t read them, and I just continue, “Again the memories are really fuzzy, but I know that I have scars all over my body, some with stories and some of them… I don’t know,”

I look into my mates eyes and I again see the swirl of gray and gold. I reach out to his hand. “I might have taken what they had given me but know that I’m who I am today, I’m stronger because of my confidence, but I’m scared that confidence is going to kill someone I love,” I rub my thumb back and forth on his hand staring at our linked hands, “You ask why I build walls is because I saw the last person I trusted die in front of my eyes, and I don’t want to lose anyone else.”

Peeling my eyes back up I see the concern in his eyes, and I know that it's true, "Enough of the sob story, can you tell me about the deathmatch I'll have to fight with you," I strech out my body laying on the grassy meadow. Damon is quiet for a second, but he just gives in like I did.

"We would have to fight the vampires, witches, elves, and other werewolves... my brothers along with their mates, my family has been taking care of the magical council for years and I just want to keep the peace that my father has tried so hard to keep,"

"I'll help you," I said without hesitation and he was shocked for a second but was overtaken by happiness. He pulled me into his arms and I felt my whole body melt into his. "When is this whole thing suppose to happen?"

"Um... this winter," I stiffened in his body and I looked up at his face

"Are you kidding me?" I said but he just shook his head no, and I sat there looking like a fish out of water

"Hey it's fine we can train every day and the fact that you already know how to fight is even better, so we can work on that and work on other things as well,"

"What are those other things?"

"Well, we need to act more like mates even if the moon goddess has already marked us I want to be normal mates and make a real connection with you,"

I was amazed at how honest he was with me and I could feel my heart fly away." I think we are a lot closer than you think Damon," I said leaning into his embrace.

We spent a couple for more minutes just talking and getting to know each other and getting a plan together. I felt closer to Damon and I was scared but at the same time excited to see where it would take me. I was still scared of my past that it would come back to haunt me but I didn't want to be alone if that happened. After a while, Damon got a mindlink from one of his brothers, he asked me to join him but I refused

"I'll stay here for a little bit longer, it's peaceful here,"

"Ok, I'll be back in a little bit to come get you," Damon said lightly kissing my lips and running off in the forest.

*You see what happens when you trust *

Ugh, who are you again and why am I hearing your voice!? Where is River?

*I want to talk to you alone, and my name is Starclaw, but just call me what you want*

Ok... Star… what are you?

*I'm an ancient creature and I once battled alongside your father*

What?

*Your father made me promise to keep my identity till you were ready*

What do you mean ready?

*I don't know for sure but I'll feel it*

Wait, why didn’t you come out sooner? I believe I’ve been ready for the last couple of f*****g months? I even found my mate?

*You didn't recognize him as your mate so until you did I didn't come out*

SHE MET HIM THREE WEEKS AGO

Great, Now I have two voices in my head?

haha what now I don't have to be so bored when you cut me out

*The mutt does have a point you do shut her out a lot*

Hey my name is River and I'm not a mutt I'm a WOLF

Both of you stop! Please if both of you are going to be in my head I need you all to talk one at a time correct

*Very well*

UGHHHHHH fine

Thank you, now star you said that you fought with my father. What was he like?

* You two are very similar it is actually quite terrifying *

Is he alive? Or dead

*I do not know*

I guess I always knew it but it would have been nice to see if I had family left or anything at all. I'm sitting there in the fresh breeze and I feel warm arms wrap around my waist and fireworks explode at the slight touch of skin and I know it's Damon.

"That didn't take long," I said turning in his embrace

"Are you kidding I kept calling you but you were in your own little world, come on let's go home and get you warm before you catch a cold," He said, scooping me up to carry me

“EEP! I can walk you know!” I try to squirm out of his embrace but stop when the fight is pointless. I place my hand on the side of his face stopping him midstep. I lightly turn his face toward me, and I bring my lips to his. Lately the kisses between us have been light, but this one I wanted him to know that I see him. Our lips dance with each other, and I nip at his bottom lip asking for entrance. Granting access I slip my tongue inside and tangle with his. After a minute later I pull away and look at the swirl of colors in his eyes.

"What was that for," his breathing heavy

"Thank you for listening and accepting me even if I'm broken," I said and he just kissed me back with the same amount of passion and leaned his forehead on mine

"Thank you for accepting me,"

We walked back to the house in a pleasant silence. I might not know who I am but with Damon here it doesn't matter. I'm happy with him and I trust him with my life.