Chapter 16 – After the Blood

The pack house smelled like smoke and iron and fear when we got back.

We did not bother cleaning up. Damons shirt was torn across the chest blood drying in patches. Some of his, most not of his. My cloak was ripped at the shoulder where the claw had caught me. The wound underneath was already pink scar tissue.

We walked in through the side entrance anyway hand in hand covered in dirt and enemy blood and the whole place went dead quiet the second people saw us.

Omegas froze mid-task. Warriors stood up straighter. Elders at the table stopped whispering.

Lila was the one to gasp. Loud sharp hand flying to her mouth.

"Isla. "

I met her eyes. I did not smile. I did not explain.

Damon did not stop walking. He just pulled me through the hall toward the stairs. No speeches. No explanations. Not yet.

The eyes followed us the whole way.

Upstairs he barred the door to his quarters. He turned to me.

First thing he did was check my shoulder fingers gentle peeling back the torn cloak like it might hurt me if he moved too fast. The cut was already closed. Just a thin red line.

"You are healing " he said. Voice low. Rough.

"Yes " I said. "I am healing faster than yesterday."

He exhaled. Like he had been holding the breath since the clearing.

Then he pulled me into him. Hard. Arms crushing me against his chest. Face buried in my hair. I felt his heart hammering. Fast unsteady.

"I thought. " His voice cracked. "When that bastard got you. I thought. "

I wrapped my arms around him. Tight. "I am here " I said.

He did not let go for a time. Just held on like if he loosened his grip I would vanish.

When he finally pulled back his eyes were wet. Not crying. Just shiny. Raw.

"You fought like hell " he said. "You did not hesitate."

"I did not have time to hesitate " I said. I gave a laugh. "Turns out I am pretty good at ripping throats out."

He did not laugh. Just looked at me like I was something terrifying at the same time.

"I do not deserve you " he whispered.

I swallowed. "Do not start that " I said.

"It is true " he said. His hands framed my face. Thumbs brushing my cheekbones. "I spent years hurting you. Making you feel small. Weak.. You still chose to fight beside me. You still. "

I cut him off. I pressed my forehead to his.

"Stop " I said quietly. "I hated you for a time. I still hate parts of you.. I do not hate all of you. Not anymore."

He closed his eyes. He breathed me in.

"I love you " he said. Voice low I almost missed it.

My heart stuttered.

He opened his eyes. He looked into mine.

"I love you, Isla. Not the bond. Not the White Wolf. You. The girl who survived everything I threw at her. The girl who just tore a mans arm off to protect what is hers. I love you.. I am sorry it took blood and death for me to say it."

I felt tears burn behind my eyes. I did not let them fall.

"I love you too " I whispered. " When I hated you. When I wanted to kill you. I think I loved you then too. I just did not know what it was."

He kissed me.

Slow this time. Not desperate. Not angry. Just deep. Like he was pouring everything he could not say into it.

When we broke apart both breathing ragged he rested his forehead against mine.

"We tell the pack tonight " he said. "Everything. No more secrets."

I nodded.

". When the rest come?" I asked.

"We fight " he said. "Together."

I smiled. Small. Tired. Real.

"Together " I said.

He kissed me again. Softer.

Then he pulled back. He looked at me.

"Shower first " he said. "You are covered in blood."

I laughed. Real this time. "So are you " I said.

"Yes " he said. He tugged me toward the bathing room. "Come on. We have got time before the meeting."

We did not talk much after that.

Just water. Steam. Hands washing blood off skin. Careful touches. Quiet kisses.

No rush.

No fear.

Just us.

For the time, in forever it felt like we had time.

Even if we did not.

Because whatever came next. Whatever army was marching toward us. We would face it side by side.

For once I was not afraid.

Not of them.

Not of him.

Not even of myself.

The White Wolf was awake.

She was not alone anymore.