Chapter 53

(Juliette's POV).

"Mom, are you okay? You're hurt," Ares said. He looked so sad as he sat beside me and looked at my injured condition. His eyes were glazed over and he was on the verge of tears. I tried to calm him down by rubbing his cheeks with a smile.

"I'm fine. It'll heal in a few days," I told him, "so you don't have to worry, okay?"

"But still, I'm worried about you. You got hurt saving me. I should have taken care of you." I was stunned at Ares' words. Although he's still a child, he's so mature. And I was so proud of him that I wanted to cry, but I tried to restrain myself from being sad in front of him.

"Ares, you're still a child. So it's my job to protect you. When you grow up, you can protect mom, hm?" I said with a smile.

"In that case, I'll grow up quickly and get stronger so that I can protect mom from all dangers." He looked so determined.

"I'm sure you will become a strong adult man," I said. I kissed his forehead and rubbed his cheek fondly. "You're not hurt, are you?" I asked.

He shook his head. "No, I didn't. Dad came at the right time and saved us."

"D-Daddy?" I gasped in shock. My eyes bulged perfectly when I heard Ares call Damian Daddy.

I immediately glanced sharply at Damian, but he just looked at me with an innocent expression. How could he have done such a cunning thing in such a short time?

"He is my father, right?" he asked with an innocent face.

I swallowed my saliva with difficulty. I didn't know what to answer. And I also don't know what Damian has said. But biologically, Ares is Damian's son. But I don't accept Ares calling Damian Daddy because he doesn't deserve it. I don't want them to become close and one day Ares will love Damian too much to leave him.

"Ares, he..."

"Like I said, your mom is still mad at me and she won't forgive me that easily. So, what I'm trying to say is that I am indeed your father," Damian suddenly cut me off. He knelt before Ares while clasping his hands together. "I hope you are not angry with me either. But I will try to make up for all the time that has passed by protecting you two."

I felt like my chest was being squeezed. Seeing Damian being so understanding to Ares. I never imagined this before. But I still can't just forgive him. And I also can't do anything to force Ares not to accept Damian's presence.

Ares shook his head. "I know there must have been a reason why you left us six years ago, but it was because you came here to save Mother. I will forgive you," he said wisely.

Damian chuckled. "To be more precise, your mom left me, Ares," he spoke as he glanced at me.

And I immediately glared at him. Feeling unacceptable that he was trying to blame me for this. "Because you deserve it," I hissed.

Damian let out a long breath. He stood up straight and looked at me. "I'll let you rest. Call me if you need anything."

"Are you leaving again?" asked Ares.

Devan shook his head and pinched Ares' cheek. "Dad's in the living room with Gabriel. You stay here to look after your mom, okay?"

"Um! I got it!"

"I'm in the living room, Juliette," he said as he ruffled my hair. I just stay quiet without responding to his every word. I'm still not in the mood to talk to Damian, but I can't deny that I miss him so much.

"Mom," he called, snapping me out of my reverie.

"Yes, sweetheart?"

"Is your relationship so bad? Mom looks so uncomfortable around Dad."

I was stunned by Ares' words. He was too sensitive for a boy his age.

I smiled wryly. "It's because I haven't seen him in too long, so it's a little awkward," I lied. I didn't want Ares to know what kind of problems had happened to make me hate Damian so much. Because I don't want Ares to know bad things. I just want him to be happy with all the good memories I've always given him.

***

(Damian's POV)

I rushed out and let Juliette rest with Ares. She needs time to take it all in, so I give her some time alone. I returned to the living room and Gabriel was still there waiting for me.

"Alpha Damian, how is Luna?" Gabriel asked. I sat on the single chair in front of him.

"She's fine. I told her to rest with Ares," I told him.

"Then what about the offer you made? Does she want to come back with you?"

"Yes. She wanted to, even though she had to. But she did it for Ares' safety. Although she will reject me, I will use violent means if she won't come back with me. Because their safety is very important to me."

"When are we going back?"

"Hm, probably tomorrow. Tighten the guard around here. Even though I know that they won't dare come back here, just in case," I ordered.

"Yes, Alpha Damian."

"It was Alden, wasn't it?" I asked. Gabriel nodded his head. "I should have killed him a long time ago. I thought he'd give up, but it looks like he's working with another pack to destroy me."

"You mean Alpha Xander?"

"Yes. He also insisted on finding Juliette. He wants Juliette to be his, but I won't let that happen," I hissed. I clenched my hands together in anger.

I had to work even harder to eliminate the bugs that were trying to destroy my life with Juliette. I need to defeat them soon so I can live peacefully with my little family.

"But, Xander wants Luna to be his Mate. Isn't their plan very different because Alpha Alden wants to kill Juliette," Gabriel said.

"Maybe it was a bluff from them. They used Juliette to lure me out and will kill me when they get the chance," I said. My eyes sharpened as I stared at the cracked window glass from the fight earlier.

"Do you think they still don't know that you can die if Juliette dies too?"

I shook my head. "Agatha told me. Xander found out and that's why he took Juliette hostage. But, I won't make the mistake a second time. I'll make sure to defeat them both and I can live peacefully with Juliette."