Seventeen

Seventeen


DAMON 

She looked at me like I said something weird. 

Was it because she just woke up? Or was it that I was doing too much?

"You'd be staying in the room next to mine, I need you to be safe.” I reiterated, should she not have heard me for the first time. 

“I heard you, but you really don't have to. I think I'm fine.” She lazily spoke. 

I scoffed. Really, I don't have to, but I don't know why I can't help it. 

“Common Kathy, you almost died in the middle of a match, and also in my pack. It should have been a huge loss in my pack and cost us a lot, too.”

She made a face. 

"I'm sorry for the inconvenience.” She pleaded. 

"You don't have to be dear. I'm glad you're fine and that's it. You're not a bother, we only need to take more precautions and it starts with watching you.” 

I smiled, for her to not feel pressured. 

She sprawled lazily on the bed and yawned countless times, not wanting to move an inch. 

"Get your lazy ass up."

"Lazy? We could do a rematch.” She dared me. 

I chuckled. "No way. I'm not going to be bullied into that. And for the records, you're already a member of my pack.”

"Okay? What difference does it make?" She rolled her eyes. 

"Which means your safety is my priority.”

I bent down and helped her sit up, and then I sat next to her, noting she still wasn't ready to move an inch. 

“What are you doing?” She adjusted so she could look at me properly. 

“Exactly what you're seeing. We could spend the whole of the week here if you want.” 

"How about a year?" She was messing around. 

"Even better."

She started laughing. 

“So, what's your story?” I studied her blank expression. "I mean, I could go on and on, tons of unanswered questions, like who the father to the child is, why you got banished?...”

She kept mute and instead adjusted in the bed. I could sense her uneasiness. It could be that she wasn't comfortable spilling, or that the presence of the servants made her so. 

“You all should go out for a moment. I would call you when you are needed.” I said to the servants, once I noticed it. 

“Yes, Alpha.” They chorused and walked out of the spacious room one at a time. 

And now, we had the room to ourselves. 

"So, do you want to talk about it?" 

She arched her brows... Well, I really don't get it.

“It's perfectly okay if you don't want to.” I tried to pacify her, even though I would love to know. 

"It's fine. I'm okay sharing some things.” She spoke on the matter for the very first time. 

Splendid. I adjust to look her in the face. She doesn't retreat, which makes it better to continue. 

"How would you love to start? Should I go with a question and you answer the one you're comfortable with?”

"Ehm..." She stopped to think it through. "There would be no need for that. It's just a short story, I could just begin.”

"Perfect then. Just do you.” I urged her. 

"So, I was with my supposed mate, and I'm sorry I won't state the name of the pack or his name. Hope you don't mind?”

"Of course not." I responded. "I was originally only interested in what happened to you, which their names won't be a hindrance. So, please continue by all means.” I prompted her. 

"Cool then.” She forced a smile. "We got intimate...”

I felt my muscles twitch. I shook off the images of her with her supposed lover. I truly can't nail the right word on my feelings. It can't be jealousy, or is it? 

“... And then I got pregnant, which was the end product.” She sighed. "And then he started assuming that I was cheating.” Her voice was frail. 

I reached out, placed my hand on her shoulder, and gave it a gentle squeeze, for emotional support. 

"It's okay, take your time.” I whispered. 

"Well, the thing was, the doctor told him he was impotent and then it raised dust when he found out I was pregnant.”

She stopped to look at me. 

“I know you've probably painted an ugly picture of me in your head, like how possible it is to get pregnant for an impotent guy.”

"No, not at all..."

“You don't have to lie to me. I also question myself every day, maybe it's the moon goddess trying to punish me.” She bluffed. 

“No, I'm serious.”

She broke down and began to weep. 

“And now that I’ve lost the baby, it feels more annoying. How would I prove to them that it was truly his? It would only cement their suspicion.”

"Come here." I pulled her closer and wrapped her up in a bear hug. 

For long minutes, she wept in my bosom and I was gentle enough to let her be, I didn't say a word and continued to stroke her hair. 

She sniffed and snorted in my arms. 

"I'm so sorry I messed your dress up.” She sat up and pulled away. 

I looked down to see my dress now soaked with her tears. 

"It's totally fine, Kathy. You don't have to apologize.”

She nodded.

“For the record, your secret is safe with me.”

She nodded yet again and smiled. 

"I'm set to go.” She climbed down from the bed. 

"Alright then." I also got down and held onto her elbow for support. Too worried that she would break down. 

“Hello, come on and help out with her items.” I yelled and hoped the servants would listen. 

It took a few minutes before they got in and walked towards us. 

“Alright Alpha Damon.” They chorused and began packing her things. 

"Move them to the guest room next to mine." I ordered them and no one in particular.

"Noted alpha."

"Alpha Damon, you really don't need to bother...”

"You're stuck with me, and it's Damon to you.” I smiled.