Chapter 19
1171 Words
Roe's P.O.V.
Another morning waking up in Damien's bed. It was becoming a habit and one I rather liked. I definitely slept better with him. I still had no idea what got into me yesterday, but I'm glad it worked. Every time I read through that book I kept getting stuck at the mention of packs and how the Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta needed to be united front to keep the pack together and safe. Admittedly, I kept getting stuck on the Mating chapter as I still wasn't sure what to think about that. Again, he wasn't in bed with me, but a quick glance at his clock told me why. He'd have been up for hours by now.
Once in the kitchen, I headed straight for the coffee pot only to have it snatched away just as I reached it.
"Hey!" I growled as I turned to see who had taken it, just to have a donut shoved in my mouth. Damien's lopsided grin and the delicious taste in my mouth quickly changed my mood. Especially as he held up a coffee too. "Thank you." I mumbled around a bite. Feeling a bit shy now. How did he know me so well already?
"Princess, sit down and let me get you a coffee." He spoke as he steered me towards the breakfast bar. I didn't even have a chance to respond before he lifted me onto a stool. I wanted to protest but he had his finger against my lips before I could. "Just let me take care of you." His voice was gentle as green eyes held me hypnotized. Lightly his finger moved from my lips to caress my cheek. The breath caught in my lungs at the sensation.
Damien's P.O.V.
Finally Roe had persuaded Rob to let her back into the club. A bit of normality was definitely needed and she desperately needed to feel useful again. Alec was back to himself, I'd laughed as Roe chased him away from the bar several times for trying to steal her sweets. Everything seemed back to normal as I watched from my position opposite. She was just wiping down the bar when I saw a hand grab hers and yank her into the bar top. Her whimper pierced right threw me.
"Come on pretty girl, let me show you a g..." Before he could finish, I had him by the throat. The stranger immediately let go of her hand and I watched as he tried to pry my hand away from his neck.
"ALEC! Take him before I kill him." My voice was full of power. No one harmed my Mate, but humans were here and I needed to check on her. As soon as I'd handed off the offender, I marched around the bar and held her face in my hands. "Are you okay?". She didn't answer, she just stared ahead. Her breathing was rapid. She was remembering something again. "I'm right here, Roe. You're safe." Suddenly she lent her head against my chest and took several deep, shaky breathes. Using my scent to help calm herself. Gently, I rubbed her back as I pulled her closer to me. I felt her begin to relax into me, her breathing and heart calming.
"Mark her!" Demon growled. "Then no one would touch her!".
"I can't. She's not ready for that." Sure she let me kiss her, but there was no way she was ready for more. I can't force that on her.
"Dipshit!" He growled before retreating. The ache in my wrist told me her pain was worsening. Quickly, I lifted her into my arms and headed towards the exit.
"Dad, I'm taking Roe home." I mind-linked him, knowing he'd see on the cameras anway.
"Fine, it's almost close anyway. Make sure she's okay." He replied.
"Damien, I'm fine. Put me down." It didn't hold her usual bite though and she wasn't trying to escape my hold. She seemed lost in her thoughts. What was going through that mind of hers.
Roe's P.O.V.
Golden light peaked above the trees, breaking through a pink sky. Birds sang sweetly and a gentle breeze spread the fresh scent of the forest. It was a perfect morning. Perfect if my mind wasn't going a mile a minute. I couldn't do this. I couldn't be Damien's Mate. His Luna at that. I was nothing. Nothing but a liability. I almost broke down again the other night. How can he possibly want me by his side? My mind kept going over the rejection part of the Mate bond. Maybe it was for the best. I only seemed to bring trouble.
The scent of coffee hit me a moment before a coffee cup from Sybelle's invaded my view. I took it gratefully.
"Not beating up cookie dough this time?" Jace teased as he stood next to me. I couldn't answer him.
"Thank you." I mumbled before taking a big gulp.
"You know, I'm starting to feel like we've done something wrong." This wasn't the usual jokey Jace that I was used to. I looked up from my cup to find sad eyes watching me. "What's going on?"
"I...I'm sorry." How was I supposed to tell him that I was terrified? This was my family and I felt like I was about to loose them. To have everything pulled out from under me again. So I ran. I ran towards the kitchen. Just as I turned to go through the door, I caught sight of Rebecca on Damien's lap at the breakfast bar. It felt like my heart stopped as I watched her hands stroke his face. Here was the truth behind all my worst fears. I couldn't stop the gasp that escaped before I could turn and run out of the house.
"Roe, wait!" I heard him shout after me, but I couldn't stop. "Roe, stop running from me!"
"Stop following me!" I screamed just before he grabbed me and turned me to face him. "Damien, let go!" I tried in vain, to get my arm free. He looked as tired as I felt. Had he not slept either.
"NO! Not until you tell me what's wrong." Confusion was clear in his expression. How could he not know.
"Nothing!" I seethed as my hurt turned to anger.
"Nothing? Nothing is the reason you've been hiding from me for 2 days? Tell me the truth!"
"Just get it over with and reject me now!" f**k, that hurt to say out loud.
"What the f**k makes you think I'm rejecting you?"
"You don't need me!"
"Like f**k I don't!..."
"You don't want me!..."
"I only f*****g want you..."
"All I do is bring bad luck. f**k sake, I can't even handle being touched."
"Roe, you're the most important..."
"I'm not Mate material, Damien. How do..." Just as I poked his chest he threw me over his shoulder. "Put me dow...Ow!" He smacked my arse. I was too stunned to react.
"You're done!" He shouted as he stormed off.
- Writer
