Chapter Fifty Two.

Chapter Fifty Two.
Jhelani's POV:

I paced back and forth in my room, feeling overwhelmed by all of the drama that arose today. They were just getting on my nerves and I couldn't deal with their shit any longer.

The fact that they were arguing over me only made the situation worse. I knew I felt something for all three of them and I just wished they'd come to an agreement with it.

I didn't want to be the one to come between them. They have this strong bond and the last thing I'd want to do was come between them.

A knock on the door disrupted my thoughts. “Go away,” I groaned into my pillow. “I don't want to see anyone right now.”

The knock became persistent, that I had to move my face up from my pillow. “I said I don't want to see anyone,” I said louder this time.

“Jhelani,” I heard Damon’s voice. “I want to see you. Please, open up the door. Let me in.”

I groaned and got up from the bed. I opened the door and Damon's lips curved up to a weak smile, while I stared at him with a blank expression on my face.

“What do you want?” I asked, my voice coming out sharper than I intended.

He sighed dejectedly, “Can we talk?” He requested.

I crossed my arms against my chest. “We have nothing to talk about, Damon,” I scowled at him.

He looked unshaken and didn't walk away. I scoffed and returned to my bed, but he held me back by the wrists before I was able to. I tried wriggling my wrist out of his hands, but he was adamant.

His voice came out low and steady. “Stop struggling, Jhelani." Hr said sternly. "Or else we'd either do this the easy way or the hard way.” I paused for a moment, my eyes wide and my lips parted, but I quickly gather my resolve. I continued wriggling.

He groaned out of frustration. “I guess the hard way it is,” he muttered under his breath.

The next thing I knew—he carried me over his shoulder and back into my room. I kept trying my best to get out of his hold, but he was so much stronger than I was.

He put me down on my feet, and locked the door before I knew it.

My breathing hitched. "What are you doing?"

He slowly turned to me, his eyes locked on mine as he took long but gradual steps towards me.

“I wanted to apologize for the way I've been today. For the way I'd acted. I realized that I've only made things awkward and I shouldn't have been so harsh seeing you with Jace. You're our mate and I should've been more— understanding.”

I was a little taken aback. I wasn't expecting him to apologize and admit to his mistake and actions as I listened attentively.

I bobbed my head slightly, almost melting at his apology. Until—

“But, I can't help it when I see you with Jace or even Kian. It makes my chest tighten, and I just lose it. Every atom of control in me just go berserk, I lose my shit before I know it. I try to stay calm and take it as it is, but it’s like something inside of me snaps whenever they're with you.”

I folded my arms tighter and glared at him. “You’re being controlling again, Damon. You can’t just act like I’m your property every time you get jealous.”

He looked down, running a hand through his hair. “It’s not about control, Jhelani. I’m just… scared.”

“Scared?” I repeated, a little softer now. “Of what?”

He let out a shaky breath and met my eyes. “Of losing you. You don’t remember what it felt like before, but I do. I lost you once, watching you slip off my fingers, and I barely survived that. I can’t go through that again.”

The room went quiet for a while. I could hear the sound of the wind brushing against the window. Damon’s voice cracked a little when he continued.

“I know I’m selfish, but every time I see you with them, it feels like someone’s taking you away from me piece by piece. Gradually. I know it’s wrong, but I can’t help it. You’re the only thing that’s ever felt real to me.”

I sighed and rubbed my temple. “You can’t keep saying that like it makes everything okay. I’m tired, Damon. I’m tired of being the reason you three can’t stand in the same space without tearing into each other.”

He stepped closer, like he was scared I’d push him away. “I don’t want to fight them. I just want you. I want to have you to myself. Just me and you in this world.”

“Yeah, but it’s not that simple,” I said, my voice almost a whisper. “You all say you want me, but none of you want to share. You think love is a competition, but it’s not supposed to be like that.”

He looked at me for a long moment, and then his hand came up to touch my cheek. His palm was gentle and warm. “I’m sorry,” he murmured. “I’m not good at this. I don’t know how to stop being scared of losing you to someone else.”

I didn’t pull away this time. I just looked at him, my hand slowly moving up until I held his hand on my cheek. His eyes looked so tired, like he’d been fighting this battle in his head all day.

“You don’t have to be scared,” I said quietly. “You just have to stop trying to own me.”

He gave a sad little smile. “I’ll try.”

For a few seconds, neither of us spoke. He just kept his hand on my cheek, his thumb brushing lightly against my skin. Something inside me softened. I didn’t want to fight either.

When he pulled me into a hug, it wasn’t rough or possessive like before. He buried his face against my neck, and I felt the warmth of his breath against my skin. His body temperature was a contrast to mine. He was so warm, very warm. Now I understood what they spoke about werewolves in the books I read.

“I don’t ever want to lose you,” he whispered.

I hesitated, then wrapped my arms around him. “Then stop making it so hard.”

We stayed like that for a while. When he finally pulled away, his eyes lingered on me a little longer before he turned toward the door.

“I’ll give you some space,” he said softly. “But don’t shut me out again, okay?”

I nodded, even though I wasn’t sure what I really wanted the space, I was loving the little intimacy we shared. He gave me one last look before he left the room, closing the door quietly behind him.

I walked to the window and stared out into the yard. “I don’t know how much longer I can keep pretending everything’s fine,” I whispered to myself.

For a moment, I thought I saw something move beyond the fence. A shadow — tall and still in a black cloak that covered him full— watching the house. My chest tightened, but when I blinked, it was gone.

I pressed my hand against the glass and took a deep breath. I didn’t know if it was my imagination, but something about tonight didn’t feel right.