Chapter 25

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 was 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."