Chapter 24

Emelia's POV.

I had to make him understand that I was no longer the woman who sought his death. That he had changed me and my heart. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't even be standing here, David would have locked me in his basement forever. I would have spent the rest of my life in darkness with a swine disguised as a man. Yes, David was nothing but a swine in a human form. I know he wouldn't have thought about my feelings even for a second, I saw through his eyes and his desire to consume.

Damon was nothing like him, even though he kept his person suit on to hide his emotions and he wouldn't let me in but I was certain that there wasn't a moment where he lied to me. Every time I got hurt, I could see the pain in his eyes. His heart shattered into a million pieces when he found me in such awful condition at David's place. The anger and pain in his eyes were so evident that it didn't go unnoticed.

And I wasn't lying as well, the moment I stepped into the ballroom and saw Damon standing so tall and handsome that it hurt. Even though I thought of him as a ruthless monster at that time, I knew I wouldn't ever get the courage to poison him. Even if I hadn't fainted, even if I had gotten any chance, I still wouldn't have done it. My wolf, who kept herself quiet for so long would have never allowed me to commit such sin.

"Damon, please," I began, my voice trembling with emotion. "I was blinded by my need for revenge. I thought you were the source of all my pain. But I've come to realize the truth. You're my mate, Damon. You always were, and now I see it clearly."

He looked at me, his eyes searching mine for any hint of deception. "How can I believe you, Emelia? After everything that's happened, how can I trust you?"

I took a deep breath, willing myself to remain calm. I let him see through me, I wanted him to see that I was being sincere, that there was no hidden agenda now, " I know it's hard to believe but I never faked my emotions with you, I came to you because I wanted to. I wanted you to stay with me and genuinely wanted you to ask me the same. My heart and body are not in my control in your presence, they react to however you want it. And I knew this the moment your hands touched my skin when you fixed my dress the night of the ball. It took me a while but I know now that you're my mate," I said simply. "I know you weren't lying, Damon. I can't imagine a life without you, My wolf cries in joy whenever I see your face. I know it's hard to believe, given everything, but it's the truth."

He turned away from me, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "You don't understand, Emelia. I'm afraid....I'm afraid that I'll end up like my father". His abruptly fell silent, this was the very first time he'd talked about his family. Everything I knew of them was what others told me, but now Damon spoke of his father himself. Lady Marinda had told me that it was forbidden to talk about it, that Damon himself hadn't mentioned his family's name since the incident. "My father—" he gulped, maybe he was trying to muster up the courage to talk about the past he never wanted to recall, "He....he was betrayed by my mother. She destroyed him. I thought I could escape that fate, but now it feels like history is repeating itself."

I stepped closer, my heart breaking for him. "I know everything, about your parents and how they died but I'm not your father's mate, Damon. I'm not here to betray you. I want to be with you, there are some things that I don't understand and maybe I don't feel the way you do, but one thing is clear to me I'll die if you die. My wolf and I won't be able to handle the pain of losing you, our connection is too strong."

He was silent for a long moment, the tension between us almost unbearable. Finally, he spoke, his voice filled with pain. "I want to believe it. More than anything, I want to believe that I won't end up like my father. I don't care if I end up dying. I care about you, and only you. You're half my soul, you've consumed my heart. I can't lose you Emelia, but I don't know what fate has in store for us. There are things that you don't know yet–the pain that I've felt for so long and now when I've finally found you—"

"Damon, nothing's going to happen to me. Look at me," I whispered, taking his hand in mine. "Let me show you that this is real. That it won't just disappear when you wake up tomorrow, that my heart belongs to you now."

He looked down at our joined hands, then back up at me. The conflict in his eyes was clear, but so was the desire to claim. I could see his eyes darken. "Then this is your last chance," he said, his grip tightening on my hand, "After this, there's no going back. I won't let you leave me. You'll be mine and there would be no escape from me".

Obsession washed over me, and I felt a pleasure pool inside my stomach. Damon was right there was no going back from this moment, No matter what I thought of myself, no matter how I felt, Damon always thought I was beautiful. Damon, who refused to indulge in anything but the finest, wanted me.

And I wanted to be wanted.

I craved the attention. The positive affirmation and the love. I wanted Damon to want me more. He stared into my eyes, and I understood that this was it. The last chance to stop dancing with the devil. The last chance to do what was right rather than what felt good. I gave away my soul away. "Perfect," I whispered, just loud enough for Damon to hear

We stood there, holding each other’s gaze, knowing that neither of us would survive without one another. Anyone could see that this relationship was destructive from miles away, the way we both held desires that would normally make others sit back in disgust, was what made our connection strong.

No matter how long it took, no matter how difficult the path ahead, we wouldn't let each other go. Damon was my mate, my obsession, my everything. The nervousness lingering inside my stomach settled. Damon's monster that watched over me was grand, and his possessiveness knew no bounds. I knew he wouldn’t just protect me from minor slights but he would step in before any serious damage was done. I leaned closer. Breathed in the white shrubs and honeysuckle.

Damon wrapped his arms around me, wonderful and tight, "I'm never going to leave you," he spoke, more monster than human.

"And you'll never let me leave, right?"

"Yes, my love. And I'll never let you leave".