Chapter 18

Emelia's POV.

I woke up feeling a warmth I hadn't felt in a long time. Slowly opening my eyes, I realized I was lying in Damon's bed, wrapped snugly in a blanket that smelled faintly of him—earthy, comforting, and utterly intoxicating. As my mind cleared, the memories of the previous night came flooding back.

My heart pounded as I recalled the unexpected intimacy between Damon and me, the way he held me, his words echoing in my mind: "As long as you like.". The events of the previous day came rushing back, my desperation to see Damon, the dizziness, the embrace. My cheeks flushed with embarrassment at the thought of how I must have looked, practically throwing myself at him.

Panic set in briefly. Had I really been that vulnerable? Had I truly fallen asleep in his arms? A part of me wanted to crawl under the blanket and hide, but another part of me—a stronger, bolder part—felt an inexplicable sense of calm and safety. Damon had made me feel something I hadn't felt in years: wanted.

I sat up slowly, taking in my surroundings. The room was dimly lit, the curtains drawn to keep the morning light at bay. I could hear the faint sounds of the manor waking up: distant voices, the clatter of dishes, the chirping of birds outside the window. Everything felt surreal, like a dream I hadn’t quite woken up from.

My thoughts drifted to David. The shock of his actions still reverberated through me. His words, “You’re my true mate, Emelia. You’ve always been the one,” echoed in my mind. But I felt nothing for him now—no bond, no pull, no desire. The only person who made my heart race, who filled my senses, was Damon. I had denied it for so long, blinded by my quest for revenge, but the truth was undeniable now: Damon had always been my mate.

A soft knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. “Come in,” I called, my voice still groggy from sleep.

Lady Marinda entered, carrying a tray with a teapot and a cup. She gave me a warm smile as she set it down on the bedside table. “Good morning, Emelia. How are you feeling today?”

I returned her smile, albeit a little sheepishly. “Better, thank you. I’m sorry about yesterday. I don’t know what came over me.”

“It’s alright, dear,” she said kindly, pouring me a cup of tea. “Travis mentioned you were feeling nauseous. How are you now?”

“The nausea is gone,” I replied, taking the cup from her. “But I did feel dizzy after taking the pill. Is that normal?”

She frowned slightly. “It’s not a common side effect, but everyone reacts differently. If you feel unwell again, please let me know.”

I nodded, taking a sip of the tea. It was warm and soothing, easing the remnants of my discomfort. Lady Marinda stayed for a few more minutes, making sure I was alright before leaving me to my thoughts.

As I sipped my tea, my mind wandered back to Damon. He had been so gentle with me, so patient. Despite everything, he had never forced me to accept him as my mate. He had given me space, allowed me to make my own decisions, even if it meant watching me walk into danger. The memory of him treating my wounds, the concern in his eyes, made my heart ache. I had hurt him so much, yet he remained steadfast, always there, always waiting.

I finished my tea and decided to get dressed. I couldn’t stay in bed all day, lost in my thoughts. There were things that needed to be addressed, questions that needed answers. I needed to confront David again, to understand why he had suddenly claimed I was his true mate. And I needed to talk to Damon, to finally acknowledge what I had been denying for so long.

After dressing, I made my way to the dining hall. Damon was already there, discussing something with Travis. His eyes lit up when he saw me, a smile spreading across his face.

“Good morning, Emelia,” Travis greeted, his voice warm and gentle.

“Good morning,” I replied, feeling a flutter in my chest at the sight of Damon.

“How are you feeling?” Damon asked, his concern evident.

“Better,” I said, giving him a small smile. “Thank you for taking care of me last night.”

“It was my pleasure,” he replied, his eyes never leaving mine.

"Damon, there’s something I need to tell you.” My heart skipped a beat as I spoke, not knowing how he'd react to my confession.