Thorns of her Reality

Why me?

I shuffled back in fear, pressing my back against the wall and curling my knees up to my chest tightly in a bid to surrender. Did he just call me his mate? I wouldn’t say we were friends, let alone use the term ‘mate’ to describe whatever relationship we have.

“Please, don’t hurt me.” I stuttered in fear. I was shaking like a leaf. Rhonda wouldn’t even give this much effect on me, even though I knew she was going to hurt me most of the time. I hid my head behind my knees, hoping he would leave me alone to deal with Rhonda's unconscious ass.

“Damien! What is the meaning of this?!” I heard Antonio’s angered voice approach the room. Wait, did he say Damien? My ears pricked up and I slowly raised my head to get a good look at him. My vision was still too blurred, fading in and out. I could just make out his muscular build, but I couldn’t focus properly.

“What do you mean she is your mate? Oh, dear God. Please let this not be true!” Emelia pined in horror. Disgust was also evident in her voice.

“I could smell her when I stepped foot out of the car. I traced it here. She is my mate!” His voice shook the room again, anger evident in his tone. He was asserting dominance and his mother backed down, lowering her head and leaving the room disgusted. Scoffing as she walked away. Did he just say he could smell me? From outside? Do I smell that bad? I had a shower, I thought. How insulting! He took a step towards me, pulling me from my intrusive thoughts. I shuffled my knees up to my chest as much as I possibly could in response. I feared him, or what he was going to do to me, rather.

“You had better reject her, and now. This pathetic girl is not fit to stand by your side. I won’t allow it. She is no good for the pack! Just look at her, she is weak.” Antonio growled a warning, yet Damien took no notice. I had no idea what they were talking about. I assumed that I had taken a harder hit to the head than I had thought. Aside from the insults, I didn’t understand a word of what he was saying. Reject me? Pack? I mean, what does any of that even mean?

“Enough, father!” Damien roared; I swear he was shaking the room every time he did that. It only made me fear him more. If his voice was capable of this, what was his strength capable of?

“You are making a grave mistake,” Antonio huffed. Shaking his head in disapproval as he walked out of my room, leaving just the two of us and an unconscious Rhonda. I glanced over at her as my vision came into focus.

“Is, is she going to be, okay?” I stuttered as I watched her lying there, lifeless.

“Does it matter? Why do you care? She could have killed you!” He spoke with anger as he looked over at Rhonda lying on the floor.

I gulped slightly, as he continued to walk over towards me. He was quite tall, and his strides were large. It only took him two more steps until his feet were adjacent to mine. I looked up slowly at him, taking in every small detail of his body. He towered over me, making me feel as small as a mouse whilst I froze still, huddled up on the floor. But then it hit me, that beautiful aroma. It was coming from him. It must be the cologne he was wearing, but I don’t know what cologne smelt like melted chocolate. Despite the fact he was standing right over me now, the fear was dissipating. I couldn’t explain why, but I no longer feared him, as if I knew I was safe in his company. The smell comforted me, even more so when he gently knelt down beside me. He looked a lot less intimidating now he had lowered himself to my level.

“Let me see that wound of yours.” He spoke softly, his voice was deep, almost seductive. He raised his hand to touch the side of my head, but I flinched away from him. He paused for a moment, and I blushed, a little embarrassed about how I had reacted. I wasn’t used to people touching me, let alone checking on my wounds. The only other person to help me in the past was Joseph and I knew everything about him and, more importantly, I trusted him.

“Sorry.” I mumbled under my breath, trying to reconcile the moment. He shook his head softly.

“You do not need to apologise. I get it.” He merely whispered as he tried once more to check the wound on my head. I didn’t flinch this time, instead, I let him gently push my hair out of the way to examine whatever mess Rhonda had made of me.

“ We're going to have to get you checked. That gash looks quite deep.” He muttered in a serious tone. I looked into his eyes, trying to get a grasp on what he was feeling. I could have sworn they began to change colour from the beautiful brown they were into a darker shade, almost black in colour.

“Your eyes.” I mumbled as I stared into them, fixated on them. He blinked quickly and, as if by magic, they were back to normal.

Probably my head wound affecting my vision, I thought. He gently wrapped his arms around me and began to help me stand. However, as I stood, it became evident that it was a bad idea. The room began to spin and almost immediately everything faded into darkness.

-

“Ahh!” I groaned, trying to open my eyes. I could hear a slow beeping noise. Where was I? What happened? Light flooded my eyesight, and it was almost too much to bear. Why was it so bright? I closed my eyes instantly, covering them with my hands. Pain radiated through my head and stomach. Little by little, my memory came back to me. s**t, Damien, I thought. I pulled my hands away from my eyes slowly, blinking rapidly, trying to help them adjust to the light. My vision finally came into focus, and I realised I was in the hospital.

“Good morning.” There it was again, that deep seductive voice. I turned my head to see Damien sitting in the chair by my bedside. God, he looked so gorgeous. I don’t know why, but he seemed to look so much more desirable to me by the minute.

“Morning.” I eventually groaned with such an awful, croaky voice. I almost didn’t recognise my own voice. With that in mind, I didn’t speak often in the morning. I just got up and got on with my chores.

“How are you feeling?” He asked, curiosity in his eyes. I c****d my brow slightly at him, thinking about how I should answer.

“Terrible.” I groaned.

“I figured. The doctors want to speak with you. They want to hear your story. You have dozens of injuries, Isabella.” He spoke with great concern, and I watched as his brow deeply furrowed into a frown. Why did he care? Shivers swirled down my spine when he said my name. Ugh! Isabella, pull it together. He may be nice to look at, but he has been with every other girl in town. I scolded myself in my own mind. He sat there with a brow now perfectly c****d and his head tilted to the side. Oh, yes. The doctors.

“I will speak with them, but I won’t tell them much. I need to go home.” I finally said, with a hint of stubbornness. His brow furrowed all over again, he was clearly displeased at my response. It was my turn to c**k a brow at him and in doing so he looked surprised.

“What do you want from me?” I finally asked, confusion in my tone. He sat there for a moment without saying a word. Frozen with a surprise look on his face. His expression eventually dropped as he seemed to be deep in thought and his body stiffened. I could only assume that he was arguing with himself in his mind. I tilted my head, growing impatient for an answer.

“I just want to get to know you, Isabella.” He finally said in his deep seductive voice. Ugh, there it was again. ‘Isabella’. It sent shivers all over my body. How was he doing that by just saying my damn name? Pull yourself together! I scolded myself once more. I pursed my lips in thought at his response. I didn’t speak, just nodded my head slightly in acknowledgement of his answer. Well, now this feels awkward. The curtain around my bed opens and the doctor walks in holding a clipboard. I sighed a little in relief that the awkwardness had just been cut from the doctor’s sudden appearance.

“Isabella Renette?” The doctor asks as he looks through the sheets on his clipboard, wanting me to confirm my name.

“Yes?” I responded in a nervous tone of voice. “Am I in trouble?” I abruptly asked, the thought had been on my mind. The doctor instantly made eye contact with me, placing the clipboard down at the foot of my bed. He looked quite concerned that I had asked such a question.

“Not at all, Isabella. We just want to know what has been happening. You have quite a list of injuries and we want to know that you are safe.” He said softly in a comforting voice.

“Well, sir, I live on a ranch, you see. I deal with a lot of large animals that can get quite out of control.” I paused hoping my web of lies was enough to end this conversation. The doctor gave a soft sigh and stood off the bed, clearly taking my lie at face value.

“Well, miss Isabella. We need to get your head stitched up, I will just go and get the nurse.” He said as he closed the curtain behind him. Damien evidently sighed in anger next to me, frustrated at what I told the doctor, shuffling in his seat. I stiffened slightly; I didn’t want to anger him, but if Rhonda finds out that I told people, she will have my head when I get home.

“Why did you lie?” He said in a very low growl.

“I, I can’t get into any more trouble with Rhonda.” I stuttered with fear at his tone towards me. He relaxed instantly, realising what his tone was doing to me. He gave me a sympathetic look before saying,

“She will never hurt you again. I can promise you that.” He spoke gently but I could hear the threat and seriousness of his statement. How could he be so sure? Was he going to be more bodyguard? I stiffened at the thought, shaking it from my mind.

The doctor interrupted us once more, bringing a nurse to aid in stitching the gaping wound in my head. We spent some time in the hospital after that. They checked me over a few times and eventually prescribed me some medication to ease the pain I was in. They stitched my back up pretty nicely too, and for that I was eternally grateful. At least I knew I had less chance of getting the wounds infected now that they were sealed. The entire time we were there I could feel Damien’s eyes on me, burning into the side of my head. It gave me a whole conflict of emotions, but more than anything it piqued my curiosity even more.

Eventually, I was discharged from the hospital and Damien offered to take me back to the ranch. The drive back was incredibly silent and the closer we got to the ranch. The more nervous I was about going home. How was Rhonda? Was she going to kill me for it? I mean it wasn’t me who threw her across the room, but I know she will blame me in some way. As we pulled up to the ranch house, the scene was eerily silent. I began to shake nervously, a little afraid to get out of the car. Damien gently placed his hand onto mine, calming me instantly. How was it possible that he could do that?

“I meant what I said. She will not hurt you again.” He said reassuringly and I sort of ignored his words as I knew just how conniving Rhonda could be. I brushed Damien’s hand off mine and got out of the car. Taking the deepest breath I could manage before I walked towards the ranch house. The front door swung open, and Owen stormed out of the ranch towards us. I froze on the spot in fear, surely he wasn’t about to take this out on me too.

“You have some explaining to do!” He yelled as he took the largest strides I ever saw him take before. Approaching us rather quickly. Before I knew it, Damien stood in front of me, shielding me from any impending attack. His incredibly large frame blocked my entire sight of Owen. I peered out from behind his shoulder to see whatever was about to take place. Owen stopped inches away from Damien. Squaring right up to his face. It wouldn’t be a fair fight, however, because Damien towered Owen and was at least double his size in width. It was incredibly apparent that Owen faltered slightly. Almost hesitating the thought of what he was going to do, he stood face to face with Damien. I have to admit I found this a little amusing although I knew I shouldn’t.

“Rhonda got what she deserves.” Damien growled. I gasped in shock at his response. Was he really that brave? Owen stammered for a second, stepping back a little and sighing in defeat. He knew he wouldn’t win this fight. I blushed at the scene playing out before me. I had never seen anyone stand up for me before. I certainly wasn’t used to it. I am not ashamed to admit that it was a little thrilling to watch.

“I don’t doubt that,” Owen eventually mumbled under his breath. “Just keep your hands off my wife!” He quickly added, trying to redeem any part of his masculinity.

“I will if she keeps her hands off Isabella.” Damien growled once more, sending a clear warning to Owen. Both Owen’s and my eyes widened in shock. I didn’t understand where this was all coming from, but I had to admit I was enjoying the protection. Owen nodded in agreement, stepping aside so that we could go into the ranch house.

“Collect your things, I am taking you away from here.” Damien murmured under his breath as we neared the porch.

“No.” I said suddenly, surprising myself at the defiance in my voice. Damien stopped walking and I almost bumped into him. We stood face to face, now in a disagreement of our own.

“No?” He said questioningly, raising a brow at me. I swallowed hard for a moment, trying to think of what to say.

“I, I barely know you. I’m not going anywhere with you.” I eventually managed to muster the confidence to say what I needed. Although I was embarrassed to admit that I was a stammering mess. Damien stiffened slightly at my words. Eyeing me from head to toe in disbelief. He seemed to be in great thought for a moment, not saying anything. The silence was awkward and what made it worse was that Owen was standing a few feet away. Watching our entire conversation. Damien eventually let out a deep sigh, cutting the silence like a knife.

“So, give me the chance,” he said suggestively. I shook my head a little with confusion.

“Give me the chance to get to know you,” he clarified. I looked around with my eyes, avoiding staring at him directly, lost in my own thoughts.

“How am I supposed to do that?” I eventually asked, dumfounded.

“Let me take you to dinner,” he said in that deep seductive voice that seemed to be growing on me. I gasped in shock at his words. Why on Earth would Damien want to take me to dinner? Me, of all the people in this town! Me! I don’t know if it was because I was curious to find out what this was all about, or if it was the growing attraction I had to him, but before I could register fully what he said, my mouth said “Yes.”