Claimed By An Alpha

Chapter 11: Ours,Always

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*Chapter 11: Ours, Always* ∼2000 words

The sun was barely up when Damon woke Lila with kisses.

Soft ones. On her forehead. Her cheek. The corner of her mouth.

His arm was still wrapped around her waist like he was afraid she’d disappear.

“Morning,” he murmured against her skin.

Lila smiled with her eyes still closed. “Morning, Damon.”

He pulled her closer. “Say it again.”

“Damon.”

Damon groaned and buried his face in her hair. “God, I like hearing my name from you.”

They stayed like that for a long time. Just holding each other. The bond between them warm and steady now. No more pulling. No more ache. Just _right_.

Finally Damon rolled out of bed. “Come on. I’m making you breakfast.”

Lila blinked. “You cook?”

Damon shot her a look over his shoulder, half smile. “Alpha of Blackthorn. I can also make eggs. Try to keep up.”

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*Kitchen, 20 minutes later*

Damon was shirtless, sweatpants low on his hips, cooking.

Lila was wrapped in one of his shirts. It swallowed her and smelled like him.

She sat at the counter watching him.

“You’re staring,” Damon said without turning.

“Can you blame me?” Lila said. “You’re domestic.”

Damon turned, plate in hand, and set it in front of her. Pancakes. Fruit. Coffee exactly how she liked it.

He kissed her before she could take a bite. Slow. Sweet.

“Taste it,” he whispered against her lips.

Lila did. And it was perfect.

All morning it was like that. Little touches. Hand on her back. Fingers laced together. Forehead kisses while he washed dishes.

Maya walked in, saw them, and immediately backed out with a huge grin.

Damon didn’t care. He pulled Lila into his lap on the couch after.

“You’re mine now,” he said quietly. His thumb brushed over her mark. “Publicly. Privately. Every way.”

Lila leaned into him. “I like being yours.”

Damon’s eyes darkened. He tipped her chin up and kissed her.

This kiss wasn’t rushed. It was deep, slow, claiming. The kind that said _I’m not letting go_.

His hands were gentle. Reverent. Holding her like she was precious.

Lila’s fingers tangled in his hair. She could feel the bond humming between them, warm and safe.

When they had to come up for air, both of them were breathless.

Damon rested his forehead against hers. “Stay with me today? No pack stuff. No Tyler. Just us.”

Lila nodded. “Just us.”

They spent the day like that.

Damon teaching her to shoot at the range, then pulling her into his arms after.

Movie night with her curled against his chest.

Dancing in the kitchen to no music.

And every hour, more kisses. More promises in the way he looked at her.

That night, when they went to his room, the air was different.

Soft. Anticipatory. Safe.

Damon shut the door and took her face in his hands.

“I love you,” he said. Simple. No hesitation. “I didn’t think I’d get to say that again.”

Lila’s eyes filled. “I love you too.”

That was all it took.

The rest of the night was theirs.

Kisses that turned deeper. Touch that was careful and worshipful. Whispers of each other’s names.

Damon treating her like she was the most important thing in the world.

Lila giving herself to him completely, knowing she was safe.

And when it was over, he held her. Tight.

His mark glowing faintly on her neck. Their bond complete.

“I’ve got you,” Damon whispered into her hair. “Always.”

Lila fell asleep in his arms, smiling.

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