Chapter 22

Emmaline remained frozen in Damien’s arms who held her closer to his chest, too afraid to let her go. She tried not to let her mind sway and stayed on her toes but the moment his warmth penetrated her skin, she let her guard down. Her wolf purred, relishing the enchanting scent which Emma didn’t deny, not this time.

Emmaline closed her eyes and leaned her head on his chest. The lub-dub of his heart pacified her, easing up her troubled mind. No matter how much she hates him, she couldn’t resist the comfort his touch always provided her.

On the other hand, Damien’s grey eyes lit up in joy when Emmaline snuggled into him. His heart raced at their proximity but what threw him off his feet was her hidden consent. That’s the power of the mate bond, something which they both neither can resist nor deny.

“It’s alright. I am here Princess; your Damien is always for you.” Damien cooed in her ear and kissed her temple.

His words stirred her withered feelings.

Emmaline was overwhelmed because this was something she always wanted to hear from someone. That she wasn’t alone. That there was someone whom she could rely on, who could encourage her, stay by her side, wipe her tears, and help her cope with fears.

Her cerulean orbs pooled. Damien tensed when he noticed her body trembling. He immediately broke the hug and cupped her face in his palms.

“W-What happened Princess? I swear I didn’t do anything this time. I just came to see you, nothing else.” He blabbered while watching her teary eyes.

Emmaline couldn’t hold back her laugh. His panicked face amused her.

Damien narrowed his eyes when he found her chortling, “What’s wrong with you?”

Emmaline shook her head in denial, “Nothing.” She said while controlling her laugh.

Though Damien was scolding her, he was delighted from inside. Because it was the first time, he was able to witness her smiling face. And he was the reason behind it. Something which he was craving for so long.

And finally, he succeeded today.

Emmaline tensed when Damien suddenly moved forward and tugged the rogue strand of her hair that was kissing her forehead behind her ear gently. Caressing her cheekbone, he placed his index finger below her chin before making her look into his eyes.

Emmaline looked at him hesitantly. Damien leaned forward making her recoil but a soundless gasp escaped her lips when he coiled his hand around her waist and pulled her forward with a jerk. Her hands clutched his shoulders in reflex.

Damien smirked when he noticed the pink hues on her cheeks. On the other hand, Emmaline was losing her mind. Her heart did a wild flip-flop when their noses brushed against each other. She knew he was deliberately making her lean on him.

Scowling, she grabbed his shoulders and tried to move back which ticked the Alpha. He harshly pulled her to himself making her yelp. Emmaline wasn’t prepared so she ended up hitting her forehead with his chin but Damien quickly ducked making their lips touch.

Fireworks exploded while Reina and Scar gruntled inside their heads. Emmaline almost fainted when the seam of their upper lips touched. With a scream, she pulled back and yanked herself away from his hold.

“H-HOW DARE YOU??” She shouted while rubbing her lips repetitively. Damien watched her tomato face with a grin. Dipping his left hand into the pocket of his trouser, he started walking in her direction making her retreat in dread.

“Why are you so upset? Isn’t it a common thing between couples?” He said and brought his fingers near his lips. Her jaw dropped at his words but her eyes turned to the size of saucers when he rubbed his thumb over his lips seductively. His lewd act didn’t end there as he then sucked it while looking straight at her.

Her soul left her body. Emmaline quickly looked away; her heart was hammering in her mouth.

“What? Don’t judge me. I just wanted to get a taste of my mate and damn it’s fucking addicting.” He said and sauntered in her direction. Emmaline panicked and tried to run but he quickly grabbed her forearm and pulled her back to her spot.

Emmaline cowered and huddled to the wall as Damien towered over her small figure. Placing his left hand above her head, he bent to her face level.

“I knew you were sweet” Damien rasped, his deep voice turning her knees weak. Emmaline couldn’t bear to look into his dark eyes anymore so she turned her face to the other side.

But Damien continued leaning forward. The hair on her nape stood up when he smelled her hair and buried his face in them. Her fists clenched; her eyes closed as his hot breath fanned her skin.

“You are sweeter than sugar,” Damien spoke and planted a chaste kiss on her left cheek.

Emmaline shuddered in response. Damien then moved back and peered at her flushed face that was peeking through the curtain of her silver locks. Very gently he removed her hair before cupping her chin and making her look at him.

Emmaline had her eyes down. She was in a state of a conundrum. Neither she was able to push him nor resist him.

But wasn’t this forbidden? The sane part of her mind chided her.

Her eyes instantly shot up. Indeed, it was. He was her ex-Boss and on top of that, their age difference. She was a teen for fuck’s sake and here she was getting attracted to a man who had...

Harassed her once.

Humiliated her multiple times.

Forced her to starve.

Snatched her job.

Her peace and...

Have wreaked havoc in her life.

‘AND I AM BLUSHING FOR HIM?? HAVE I GONE INSANE??’ Emmaline snarled in her mind.

Damien frowned when Emmaline suddenly shot him a death glare.

“Em, what’s wrong-”

But before he could complete it, his face was turned to the other side.

“STAY AWAY FROM ME ASSHOLE!! How dare you touch me again?” She gritted and pushed him hard. Damien stumbled back and continued staring at her in shock.

“EITHER YOU ARE DEAF OR YOU ARE STUPID OR YOU ARE SHAMELESS. DESPITE MY WARNINGS, YOU ARE STILL GLUED TO YOUR PERVERT ACTS. How low can you stoop Mr. Knight?” She snapped at him, irritated with his constant interference.

Her words riled him. Damien clenched his jaw; he was also getting fed up with her denial. Still, he swallowed his rage and exhaled a deep sigh.

Taking a deep breath, he moved towards her and spoke softly, “I know you’re angry at me but don’t you think it was needed? You almost killed that guy, Em. I agree it is all because of me but you can’t just vent out your anger on everyone. Forget it, let me feed you first. I don’t want you to get sick.” He said while hinting at the bags under her eyes.

Emmaline indeed looked sick and the fact that he was behind it was increasing the burden of his guilt.

Damien tried to convince her and stepped forward to take her hand but Emmaline slapped it away.

“Meal huh?“, she scoffed, her eyes sizing him up, “I won’t even accept a glass of water from your hands. You filthy rich and bloody monster, if you know me so well so you should understand by now that I am the second name of death. I don’t fuss around in the air and neither let anyone do the same with me. I am neither patient nor tolerate shit twice. You have crossed all your limits, Damien. So, I am telling you this for your good, stay the fuck away from me or you’ll be next.”

She said while eyeing the unconscious David sprawled on the floor.

Emmaline then picked up her bag from the floor and forwarded her legs to leave.

“You can’t resist me, Emma. I know I wronged you but you can’t hide from the truth that you are my mate. You are my responsibility.” Damien shouted from behind, his voice held desperation.

Hope kindled in his heart when Emmaline stopped in her tracks.

“Did I manage to convince her?”

Damien thought. Without wasting time, he quickly rushed to her thinking she would come running into his arms but his smile faltered when Emmaline turned to face him. Her eyes were cold and her face devoid of any emotion.

Sweat beads adorned his forehead as he anxiously anticipated her response only if he knew that her response would leave him devastated.

“If that’s the truth then I reject you as my mate.”