25

Charlie

I was standing in the closet in front of the giant mirror Damon had in there and I just had gotten dressed. Damon was in the other room to give me my privacy to get ready. My heart had been beating so fast, nerves filled my body and I was excited and yet nervous to see my mom. And everyone else. I heard the door open and Damon's smell filled the room even more than it already was. "Dinner is starting soon. we should head down-" His voice cut off and his jaw dropped. I could see his reflection in the mirror as he stood behind me.

"What? Is it too inappropriate for dinner?" I asked him as he stood there, silent. I called this dress 'red hiding hood' because of its silhouette. It was a form-fitting, dark red dress. With a plunging v-line, halter top, and it was backless, with a slit up the right side that stopped mid-thigh. Nothing about this dress resembled a red riding hood, except for the fact it brought out the 'wolves'. Men. I've only worn it once. That was the same night that I lost my virginity.

"No, no, no, it's gorgeous. It's perfect. You look amazing. You look perfect." Damon was stuttering over his words and his face was bright red. He had never seen me like this before, and I don't think he was planning on it beginning tonight. "Thank you." I smiled at him and walked towards him. I had my heels on which made the height difference a little less. I was about 5'7 but Damon was 6'5 and gigantic.

"This dress...you in this dress." Damon's eyes went black and I was immediately drawn into his energy. I knew what he wanted. He wanted me. Did I want him? Yeah...I think I did. He looked just as handsome as ever. He wore a dark blue suit, with a black button-up that was unbuttoned at the top. He had gotten his ears pierced, which added to his look, he had lined his beard up and styled his hair. He was so handsome.

"You look amazing too," I whispered to him the tension between us growing. His eyes began moving up and down from my eyes to my lips. He slowly moved his hands to my waist and pulled me closer to him. he leaned forward and just as he was leaning forward, and I was leaning forward too, there was a knock at the bedroom door.

Irritation filled Damon's eyes and he reluctantly pulled away from me. We both walked out of the closet and Damon went to the door to open it and I went to my vanity to fix my makeup. "Are you ready?" The voice was so familiar and I looked over and saw a face I hadn't seen in months. I walked over and stood behind Damon and his face dropped. Not in a bad way, but like he wasn't expecting me. "Oh, Charlie. Good to see you." Trey said with a faint smile. Damon was right, something was off about him. His energy changed. And not for the better.

"I didn't know you were joining us tonight. What a pleasant surprise." He had a smile on his face when he said that but there was something off about it. Like he really didn't mean it. "Nice to see you again too Trey." I went and stood beside Damon and intertwined my hand with his. "Shall we?" I said and looked between them. "Yes, let's go."

•••••

The closer we got to the dining room the smell of food hit my nose. I missed the smell of fresh-baked bread, one thing about the castle was that they have the best cooks. Damon and I stood outside the door. I think he could feel my nervousness and he was waiting for me to calm down. "It's okay, don't worry. It's going to be a good night. And this time there will be no rogue attack." Damon smirked and I let out a laugh. "Right, that was the last time I was in here. I kind of blocked that out of my memory."

"Come on, let's go see your mom." Damon opened the door and immediately noises of laughter and light chattering filled my ears. That's when everyone's eyes turned towards me and silence fell. Damon just ignored it and continued to walk into the hall. Slowly the surprise of me being there faded and people began talking again. I wasn't worried about the fact they were talking about Damon and his 'mysterious guest', I just wanted to see my mom.

Though it hurt that many of them didn't recognize who I was, but I kind of liked it that way. I continually looked around waiting to get a glimpse of my mom, but I had yet to see her walk through the door. "Charlie?" An all too familiar voice said behind me and I immediately turned around. My eyes swelled with tears and a smile covered my face. "Hi, mama." She ran to me so fast and pulled me into her arms. Behind her stood Stephen protectively.

"Oh, I missed you so much. You look amazing sweetie!" I could feel her tears hit my shoulder and we just stood there hugging each other. "I missed you to mom," I said softly to her.

"What are you doing here?" She asked as she pulled away from me and looked me in my eyes. I couldn't stop myself before I said it, but it just felt natural. "I'm home," I whispered to her and a smile covered my face. I turned to Damon slightly and he was beaming with a smile. "I'm glad you're here." Just as I was about to respond I heard a voice call my name from across the room.

"Charlie, welcome back!" I turned from my mom to see who it was and it was Layla. She looked just as beautiful as ever. Her beautiful brown curls were bouncing, and her dark navy dress complemented her skin perfectly. There was a man behind her following and it hit me, it was Dr. Oliver. I slightly remember him, but why were they together? Mates maybe? "How are you?" She pulled me into a hug much to my surprise. I didn't think she would be one of the people to remember me. "I'm doing great Layla, how are you?" I asked her pulling away. "Listen we started off kind of on the wrong foot and I apologize for that. But I am so glad you and Damon are making up. Hopefully, you and I can get to know each other a little more okay?" She was different than the last time I saw her. She wasn't as rough, she was being soft and she looked happy. But then again she had been locked in a cage all her life so I can't blame her.

Damon grabbed my hand and lead me to the head of the table where of course he would sit. "Will your parents be joining us?" I asked him as he pulled the chair out for me to sit. "No not tonight. They are on vacation." He said as I sat down and he walked around and sat beside me.

Damon stayed standing and all the voices began to die down. It wasn't until that moment when I looked around the table and made eye contact with Christina. She was still just as beautiful, but something was off. Her usual bright self was dim. I can usually tell when she is in the room, I could hear her voice. But tonight, I didn't even know she was here. She was sitting by Trey, and their usual touching and loving gazes were to a minimum. Something was up and I needed to find out, I didn't like the energy that they were giving.

"Thank you so much for joining me for dinner tonight. While I was gone for a few months I thought about coming home for months. I miss you all but it was much needed. Now I can be the leader and Alpha that you all deserve. So please enjoy dinner and each other. I am so glad to be back." Everyone began talking to each other again and I turned to Christina but she stayed silent.

"Hey, Christina. How are you?" I spoke up to try and get her attention. She looked surprised that I even said anything to her. I was surprised that I spoke to her. "I didn't know you would be joining us, Charlie. You look great." She gave me a faint smile, but she kept looking at Trey. It was almost like she was making sure she didn't say anything wrong. "How have you been?" I asked her back but I guess Trey didn't like that question. "We're good, thank you for asking." He spoke up and gave me a half-smile. There was something behind his eyes, I couldn't quite put my finger on it. But it wasn't good.

"Enough about us, where have you been? How was life for you these past few months?" Trey asked, getting me to get my attention from Christina. "I didn't do anything as exciting as Damon. I just stayed here and moved into the city. Got an apartment, and a job, made some friends. I really started to create a life for myself."

"That's really great! Christina and I are happy to hear that." Trey spoke for both of them. I turned to Damon and gave him a weird look and he returned with a look that said we would talk about it later. "I have been wanting to talk with both of you actually. I can't help but feel I have some fault to play in how badly things went down. I may have overreacted and I am realizing that now and I apologize. I hope one day you can forgive me for any damage I could have caused." I don't know why but I just felt pushed to apologize to them, all three of them. I was sorry, and I wanted them to know but I can't help but feel like I am the reason that I caused the problems they are experiencing.

"I appreciate that, thank you. And you were forgiven a long time ago." Christina spoke up and told me. "I would love to hang out at some point. I mean we are going to be sisters soon." I smiled and laughed, and so did she. It was the first time that it was genuine and it didn't feel forced. "Yes, of course."

•••••

Dinner went on and there was a light conversation between us all. Damon and I were both laughing and getting more comfortable with each other, which just caused the spark between us to grow more and more. I was no longer fighting the mate bond. I was welcoming it with open arms, and I wanted it honestly. At this point, dinner was basically over and it was getting late. "Damon, do you mind if I stay with you tonight? If not no worries, I'm sure my mom has some space." I asked him. "Mind? You were going to stay with me regardless, it's way too late for you to be going back by yourself." He grabbed his wine and took his final sip. I couldn't help the smile that came when he said that. But I was done hiding how I felt for him. I want him to know.

There was a tap on my shoulder and I turned and my mother stood there looking as beautiful as ever. "Come, let's walk." She reached her hand out for me to grab and I immediately grabbed it. "She'll be back before it gets too late." She told Damon and basically pulled me out of the dining room.

"You look absolutely stunning tonight. You look like your grandmother." My mom said as we walked down the hallways of the castle. "Now, you and Damon? I didn't know that was happening again." I knew this was coming. "Yes, well neither did I." I laughed at that. "How are you feeling about that?"

"I mean, it feels different this time. I mean he is different this time. He is taking the time to know me, and ask questions. He isn't distant. He is right here, in front of my face. Being open, and honest. I trust him and I believe what he says when he says it. I'm not closed off to him, I'm comfortable. I want to be with him, mom. For real this time."

The way my mom was looking at me, I had never seen her face like that. Her eyes were swelling with tears, I could only hope they were happy tears. "That's exactly how I feel with Stephen. You hear the stories of wolves finding their mates and there's this electricity and it's burning and passionate. And you expect yours to be the same way. But everyone's mate story is different. Some peoples are quick and immediate. Some peoples are slow and constant. Neither is better than the either. It happens based on what your personal needs are. The moon goddess is funny in her ways. In that, there isn't just one."

My mom was right. I was comparing our relationship whether I realized it or not, I was. I was expecting it to be big and all-consuming and if it wasn't that it wasn't enough. But what I really need, is what is happening right now. I need consistency, comfort, and peace. That's what Damon brings to me. "I'm happy for you. Just let yourself be happy Charlotte. Let him make you happy. The first step is telling him how you feel. Vulnerability. I know it's scary but it's needed."

My mom always had the best advice. Why didn't I come back sooner? "Honestly love, that's all I wanted to talk to you about. Oh! And one more thing." She stopped walking and turned to face me. "Come visit me more! I miss your face. When I look at you, I see your father and I don't ever want to forget what he looked like." My eyes started to tear up, the anniversary of his passing was coming up and it usually hits my mom hard. I'm thankful she has Stephen but it doesn't make it easier when you lost the first great love of your life. "Of course mom, and I'm sure I'll be here a lot more."

"Alright come on, let me take you back to Damon before he freaks out."

•••••

I walked into his suite and my heart was pounding. I was about to do it. Tell him how I feel. But what if he doesn't feel the same way? What if I'm feeling things too fast? I walked through the living room and he wasn't there, I could only assume he was in his room. I made it to the door and stood there. I was taking deep breaths, I needed to calm down. I had nothing to worry about. Right? I slowly opened the door and the TV and the lamp were on. Damon was laid out on the bed, with just his pajama pants on and no shirt. He looked so comfortable and relaxed...it was extremely attractive.

He turned to me and I closed the door and I just stood there. My feet were glued to the floor. Which is extremely frustrating because my feet were hurting from these heels. "Charlie? You okay?" He paused the show he was watching and slowly sat up. "I need to tell you something, so if you could put a shirt on that would be great," I told him. "Okay?" He laughed slightly and grabbed a shirt from the drawer next to him and threw it on. "Better?" He asked and I just nodded.

"Fuck it, I'm just going to say it. Damon, I have feelings for you. And I would be down to take this further if you are." My heart was beating so fast it was starting to burn my chest. He didn't say anything. He just sat there with a giant smile on his face. "Is that it?" That was all he said. "What do you mean that's it? I just poured my heart out here, I would like a bit more of a response please."

"Charlie, of course, I have feelings for you, and I am ready for whatever you want. I told you that from the beginning. All I want is you." I'm sure I looked ridiculous with the giant, goofy smile I probably have on my face at the moment. "Okay? Now can you please walk away from the door, get into your pajamas and come lay down?"

"Oh, right. Sorry."

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