Chapter 18 – The Night Before the Storm

The pack house was wide awake that night. Torches were burning in the hall and warriors were sharpening their blades and checking their armor. The omegas were packing supplies. Saying quiet prayers. Even the kids were being really quiet they were all huddled together in the corners with their eyes wide open they could feel that something was off.

Damon and I were standing on the balcony looking out at the grounds. The moon was full. It was making everything look silver. There were fires burning on the training fields people were still there practicing. The air smelled like smoke and oil. It was kind of scary.

I was leaning on the stone railing. My body was still hurting from the fight we had earlier.. The pain did not feel like it was mine anymore. Damon was standing behind me he was really close. I could feel his body heat through my shirt. He put his arms around my waist. He did it slowly like he was asking if it was okay. I leaned back into him without thinking about it.

"You should get some rest " he said really quietly into my hair.

"I do not think I can " I said.

". Can I " he said.

We just stood there for a time not saying anything. Just breathing. I could feel his heart beating against my back. It felt really nice. The bond between us felt warm and deep.

"I keep thinking about what we saw in the clearing " I said quietly. "The way those people smelled and the mark on their chest. They were not scared they were really sure of themselves."

Damons arms got tighter around me. "They think they can take you away from me."

"They can not do that " I said.

"I know they can not " he said, his voice was really low. "But if they try to..."

He did not finish what he was saying he did not need to.

I turned around in his arms. Looked up at him. The moon was shining on his face. It was making the sharp lines and the shadows under his eyes look really cool. I saw a scar on his jaw that I had never noticed before.

"I am scared " I said. It felt weird to say that loud I had not said it in a really long time.

He put his hands on my face. His thumbs were brushing my cheeks.

"I am terrified " he said, he was being really honest. "I am not scared of dying I am scared of losing you. I am scared of not being able to protect you."

My throat felt tight.

"Then do not watch " I said quietly. "Fight with me stay with me."

He leaned down and kissed me it was an deep kiss. It did not feel like the kisses we had before it felt like he was making a promise. Like he was putting everything he felt into that kiss.

When we stopped kissing we were both breathing hard. He put his forehead against mine.

"I love you " he said again like he needed to hear it loud. "I love you much it hurts."

I smiled a bit my lips were still touching his.

"I love you too " I said. " When I wanted to be angry with you especially then."

He laughed a bit it was a soft sound.

"Lets go to bed " he said. "We have a hours before it gets light. Let me hold you."

I nodded.

We did not make love that night not like I thought we would. He just took my clothes off slowly and carefully he was gentle with all my bruises. He kissed every mark on my body every place where I had been hurt. Then he pulled me into his bed. Wrapped his arms around me like he was shielding me.

We were skin to skin, heart to heart. His hand was stroking my back in circles mine was tracing the old scars on his chest.

We did not talk much we just breathed together.

At one point I felt his wolf brush against mine it was warm and protective. Mine answered they curled around each other like they had been waiting forever.

"I am not going to let them take this away " I whispered into the dark.

"Neither am I " he said.

I fell asleep eventually it was an broken sleep.. I did sleep.

When I woke up the sky was just starting to get light. Damon was already awake he was watching me.

"They are close " he said quietly. "I can feel it."

I sat up. Pulled the sheet, around me.

"Then lets go meet them " I said.

He nodded he reached out. Tucked my hair behind my ear.

"Together " he said.

"Together " I said.

We got dressed in silence we put on our armor and our weapons. He put his cloak over my shoulders again it felt right.

Before we left the room he caught my hand. Pulled me close one last time.

"No matter what happens today " he said, his voice was low and fierce. "You are mine. I am yours always."

I kissed him hard.

Then we walked out together into the hall where the pack was waiting. Into the dawn, where the enemy was coming. The White Wolf was not hiding anymore. Neither was her Alpha. The war had. We were ready.