Her Alpha Soulmate

Chapter 19: Clara POV

Chapter 19: Clara POV

Damon is some kind of sexy werewolf God. He must be! We haven't mated and yet he keeps finding ways to relieve the pain of the heat. A part of me is relieved he found his self control while another part of me wishes we would get that first mating over with so it isn't so awkward. I mean, I live in his bedroom...why can't I bring myself to mate him? I don't count the times I seduced him while under the influence of the heat. I want to be sober and in control when it happens. I want his first time to be amazing.

"Mate? How do you feel?" I opened my eyes to find Damon's beautiful emerald eyes staring down at me. I looked around. I had fallen asleep in the bathtub again. I stretched and yawned. "Better," I said. I didn't feel as hot and the pain had gone to a dull ache. It was the last day of my first heat. Maybe like a period it tapers off and can end early?

Damon helped me out of the bath and dried my body. "Baby, you have to be careful about falling asleep in the bath. What if you slipped under and drowned?" He said. I chuckled. "Babe, that is very unlikely." He frowned, "Anything is possible. Please be more careful." He was being so serious. I nodded. He was being so mature about all this. It was very surprising.

"Can we go out today? Please? I think the worst is over," I said, pulling on his arm. I personally was acting like a spoiled child because he was letting me. I'd never been spoiled before and honestly I was enjoying it. My parents always treated me like a miniature adult while Brent considered me his property and punching bag. Damon was the first to tend to me and let me depend on him. Surprisingly he said he loved it. He said he loved taking care of me and even more so that I was letting him.

Damon said "no" but eventually I nagged him enough times he gave in. "Fine, but if anything happens or you don't feel well you have to tell me immediately so I can bring you back to our bedroom." I blushed. Our bedroom. I loved the sound of it. "Okay," I said, excited. We got dressed and started small with the kitchen. Aside from people being excited to see me after a week straight all was well. He let me go outside into the garden. I felt fine. "Damon, can we please go to the mall? I really want to stretch my legs." He stared at me a moment and contemplated my request. "I guess that would be okay." He led me to the car. I wish I could have attended church this morning but it was too late. Damon had called and told them I was sick, though I'm pretty sure everyone knew about why I was basically locked in our bedroom for a week. Luna said it was for my own good, something about my scent and not wanting to attract unwanted attention. Honestly I was out of it and only understood half of what she said.

I've never been one of those girls that liked shopping but the mall seemed like the perfect place. It was big and open and I could buy something pretty if I wanted to. As we walked through the mall I felt a slight chill like someone was following me. I brushed it off as anxiety. I have basically been on quarantine for a week. I haven't been in contact with the outside world. It's just nerves!

We were in a clothing store that sold bright colored dresses and played loud pop music when I saw a familiar face I didn't expect.  A little girl with bright blonde hair and blue eyes lunged at me. "Clara bear!!" I almost fell over as the tiny girl threw her whole weight at me. "Marie?" I felt my eyes bulge. She clung to me, snuggling my chest. "I missed you! Where have you been?!" Then her mother appeared. She too had beautiful blonde hair and sapphire eyes. I was frozen on the spot. Damon flew to my side and pulled the girl off of me. "Who are you, Pup?" He asked with scrutiny. "Let go! Let go! Momma!" I just stared at the sight before me. Jezebel Harrison approached with her usual fake smile. "My goodness, Marie! Where are your manners?" She snatched the girl back and said, "Clara, it's been too long. How are you?" I felt my lips twitch. How could I fake a smile right now? Damon squeezed my hand. "Who are they?" He asked me via mindlink. "Brent's mother and sister," I linked back. He growled. "Stop. We are in public. Marie is an innocent child." He calmed down.

Jezebel eyed us, our intertwined fingers. Her eyes widened when they landed on my mark. "Clara, did you break up with my son?" I froze at her question. "Yes. She is with me now," Damon said. "Please excuse us. We have some shopping to do," he said, determined to get away. She narrowed her eyes at me and said, "Very well." When we walked by I heard her sniff the air and whisper the word "Hussy." I felt tears threatening my eyes. This was too much. I heard Damon growl again. If I heard it he definitely did. "Let's just leave," I said, my voice strained.

"We need to stop by one place and we can go. Is that okay?" He asked. I nodded. He led me to a video game store. "Jay ordered this first person shooter game awhile ago. I'm just picking it up." I waited at the entrance. I saw a lot of boys inside and thought it best to wait away from the crowd. I didn't want to ruin the mood but honestly seeing Brent's family was very upsetting. Why did I keep running into people from his circle? My old life? It didn't make sense. I thought I was finally free of him.

I closed my eyes and leaned up against the glass. There was a display of a videogame character holding a bazooka. How my cousins or anyone played those violent games I don't know. Then again I'd experienced real life violence and I didn't need more. I wanted peace and quiet.

"Hey there." I opened my eyes. A stranger was standing in front me. He was young, maybe 16, with brown hair and brown eyes. "You smell good," he said. I felt my fever return. What? Why? He sniffed closer to me. His face flushed as he leaned in closer. "You're in heat, aren't you? That's hot." I stiffened. I felt weak. "Where is your mate? Is he not able to satisfy you?" He laughed. I felt paralyzed. My body would not respond to my commands to move. I wanted to push him away.

I felt his fingers touch my thigh. "Are you hot down here? Want me to help you out?" I thought I would pass out. I was panting. The pain returned to my stomach. Help!

"What the f**k?!" Damon's voice boomed. Thank God! I slid to the floor as Damon tackled the boy to the ground. "Whose mate are you touching?!" He growled. I screamed when I saw him punch the boy. They both growled at one another but my mate was stronger, more powerful. "I'm an Alpha, don't mess with me, pup!" The boy trembled and ran away after that.

Damon scrambled to me. I was a sobbing mess. "It hurts, please make it stop," I begged. Damon lifted me up and carried me out the closest exit. I started squirming in his arms. My fever was spreading over my whole body. "I can't..."