5

Chapter 5 – Escaping Death's Door, Part 2

Liliana

My heart was beating against my chest as I got farther and farther away from Gerald's pack.

I was half sure he would return and kill me.

It didn't make sense for him to let me go.

After an hour on the bus and no sign of them, I relaxed a bit.

I was almost in the gladiator pack. In about 30 minutes I'd be in his arms.

In the arms of the love of my life.

It wasn't long when I entered the Gladiator's pack.

The familiar tall but stylish buildings of the Eastern province welcomed me.

The smell of spice and the sound of soft music coming from a bar penetrated the night air.

In a couple of minutes I will be at the pack house.

A sigh of relief escaped my lips as the taxi stopped me in front of the pack house.

I was here and alive.

I paid the man and made my way to the gate.

The guards immediately opened the door.

“Thanks, Sylvester,“ I said.

“Are you okay, Luna?” They asked.

They'd always called me this. Even since I was a kid.

It always rubbed me the wrong way, but today, it made me feel confident in my position with Damon.

“Where is Damon?” I questioned.

“Inside. He's in a meeting. I'll get him.”

“Thank you.” I said, following him into the living room – a large expanse of space that I had come to know like my own home.

I sat down on the big red sofa but immediately stood when I saw Damon coming.

He looked at me like he was staring at a ghost.

I quickly ran towards him, hugging him.

“You have no idea the horrible day I had today.”

I said.

There was shock in his eyes, but then he smiled.

“I'm so happy to see you, love. But you didn't tell me you were coming.”

I started to cry as I remembered the shit I had been through today.

“What's wrong!” He asked.

“I was banished, Damon.”

I said.

“What? How?”

“Tony. He accused me of killing my father!”

“What? Why would he do that?”

“I only know. I have no idea what came over him. And then I was captured by assassins, the Ravagers. They almost killed me. I managed to escape.”

Domon’s jaw clenched.

“That bastard!” He muttered under his breath.

“What?”

“Um, nothing. How about you get some rest, and tomorrow we'll figure out what to do.”

I nodded, hugging him again. He hugged me tightly, and every doubt that bastard had put in my head immediately disappeared like it was never there.

I still had my fiancée.

“Come on,” he said, carrying me bridal style.

“I'm sorry I wasn't there to help you, my love.” He said it, his facial expression one of genuine concern.

I could tell he was upset by the crease that formed on his forehead.

“It's okay; I'm just glad you're still you.”

He gave me a confused look but didn't say anything.

I thought about warning him about Gerald and his band of assassins but decided against it. I doubted he'd dare come here.

Damon put me in the shower and washed all of the mud and blood off me. He proceeded to kiss my face gently, soothing my rattled nerves.

Now that I was in familiar territory, all I wanted was to sleep and forget today ever happened.

Damon carried me out of the bathroom, dried me up, dressed me in one of his old clothes and got into bed with me but not before sending my brother a message that he was coming for him.

It wasn't long before I fell asleep to the sound of his rising and falling chest.

“***

I woke up feeling pressed.

I quickly stood and rushed to the bathroom to pee.

I sighed when I was done, wiped, flushed and sauntered out of the bathroom.

I frowned when I didn't see Damon anywhere in the room.

The spot he'd been sleeping in was empty.

I glanced at the clock. It was only 5:30am in the morning.

I sat on his spot, feeling the bed. I was surprised to find it very cold, like it hadn't been slept on for a while.

Frowning, I made my way out of the room to find him.

I had a feeling he was probably on the phone with Tony by now.

He'd seemed very angry last night.

I opened the door carefully and strolled out of my room.

I made my way down the hall. It was quiet and dimly lit, making me stumble against something.

I looked down, and it was a woman's heels.

What the hell?

Despite feeling a bit dizzy, I bent down and picked up the shoe. It was an expensive one. Who could have possibly flung their shoe all the way here?

I searched for the second pair but couldn't find it anywhere. What I did find at a distance was a purse.

I walked carefully towards the purse to pick it up before I got to where it was.

I heard sounds of moaning and grunting coming from the door beside me.

I frowned and listened closely to see if I was hearing right.

I leaned in, placing my gears against the door, but as I leaned into the door, I lost my balance and fell straight into the room. My heart stopped as I saw Damon shirtless, his body covered in sweat, hovering over a woman.

I screamed. The sound tore from my throat before I could stop it. Damon's head snapped towards me, his eyes wide with shock. The woman beneath him gasped and scrambled away, yanking the covers over her.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Damon shouted, snatching up a towel and wrapping it around his waist.

My mouth opened, but no words came out. I felt like I was choking on my own heartbeat. My lungs burnt, my throat tightened, but all I could do was stare at him, at the man I had trusted with everything.

“How could you do this to me?” I finally croaked, my voice barely above a whisper.

His face twisted, and he let out a cruel laugh. “You really are a fool, Lilliana. Did you actually believe I cared about you?” he sneered.

It felt like I’d been punched in the gut.

“Were you… Were you working with Tony? Were you both trying to kill me?”

His smirk made me nauseous. “Yes. And I was just about to finish the job.”

I didn't wait to hear more. I turned and ran. My bare feet slapped against the cold floor, tears blurring my vision as his footsteps thundered behind me.

I reached the front door, nearly there – when I felt his presence closing in. I screamed again.

But then, a blur cut between us.

Gerald.

But it was too late; Damon was already on me, his sprouted sharp fangs on my bare neck.

“Let her go! Or else, you would be dead in seconds.” Gerald roared.