He didn’t dare interrupt her. Just having her there was enough to give him a sliver of hope that he hadn’t yet destroyed everything between them. His wolf remained aware, but content just having her back with them—at least for the moment.
After Damon cleaned his wounds, which were almost healed due to shifter magic, he put on a pair of shorts. He kept himself occupied to keep from pacing before her, desperate to know what was on her mind. He put dishes away and wiped down counters. He’d communicated to Rafe and Grayson what had happened, but said he couldn’t leave the cabin. His primary concern was taking care of Sophie, and she needed him right now.
Or, maybe it was more accurate that he needed her.
After several more minutes passed, Sophie put down the mug and turned to him. “Tell me about your family.”
He covered his heart as he walked into the living room. “You go right for the wound.” He gave her a weak smile.
She tilted her head. “What does that mean?”
“Because my parents are the reason why I swore I didn’t want a mate.”
Her lips parted. “What happened with them?”
He gazed out the picture window. “We all lived here in the region as part of the Franconia Pack, but didn’t move to the mountain until Rafe purchased the resort. When I was nine, my mother said she was leaving. I asked her to take me with her, but she said I was better off here with the pack. I didn’t understand why. I still don’t.” He choked on those words as a lump in his throat stole his voice. He sipped his hot chocolate.
“Are you all right, Damon?” Her voice was soft and concerned.
He took a deep inhale before facing her. “From now on, Sophie, no secrets. I’ll tell you everything. No matter how painful.”
“Your mother leaving you—that sounds incredibly painful.”
“It was. She left us.” His body trembled and his voice sounded strangled. “She left me. Her only child.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry.” Sophie covered her heart and then motioned to the space beside her. “Do you want to sit?”
There was nowhere he’d rather be than near her. He sat at her side and inhaled her fragrance. “Your scent. It calms me. That’s one of the signs that you’re my mate.”
Her lips parted. “One day I hope to understand that.”
He took her hand in his. “It means you’re the other half of my soul. The only one for me.”
She exhaled with a shaky breath. “That sounds so intense.”
“It is. It means—everything to a wolf.”
Her chest rose and fell in a slow rhythm as she stared at him. “I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t need to say anything. I just want you to know how I feel.” His heartbeat drummed in his ears. “You asked about my family, and I need to tell you what happened. Despite how bad it was when my mother left, it was worse for my father. You see, when a wolf is rejected by his or her mate, it’s brutal agony. Some describe it as losing a part of your soul. My father went downhill, slowly unraveling. He went mad and left the pack.”
“Where did he go?” Sophie’s voice was gentle.
Damon rubbed the bridge of his nose. “He ran off into the forests, living alone—a lost, broken-hearted wolf rejected by his mate.” Damon swallowed the bitter taste in his mouth. “His body was found by another pack. He died alone.”
She gasped. “Damon.” She shook her head. “If I’d left…. Would you…?”
He stared down. “I don’t know. I’ve been adamant that I’d never have a mate.” He took one of her hands in his and searched her eyes. “Until I met you. And then I finally realized no matter what happened, it’s worth it.”
Sophie’s eyes widened, her expression torn with anguish. “I almost left.” Her face turned white. “I didn’t know. If I knew what it would do to you…” She rubbed her temple with her free hand. “I was just—confused.”
“Of course you were, Sophie. I hadn’t told you any of this. And part of it was because I was a coward. My wolf sensed you were my mate right away, but I refused to believe it. I was so terrified that what happened to my father would happen to me.” He shrugged. “Maybe I acted like an idiot to create a self-fulfilling prophecy.”
She gazed at him with eyes warm and full of love. “That’s sounds like a very human thing.” She smiled. “I’m glad you told me. And as time goes by, you’ll tell me more about what it’s like to be a wolf and to live as part of this pack and all of it.” She exhaled with a whoosh. “But maybe not all in one night.”
“I understand completely. There’s one more thing I want to tell you, so it doesn’t scare you when it happens.”
Her eyes widened. “What?”
“When shifters find their mate, instinct urges them to claim their partner. It’s usually done with a bite to mark them.”
“Have you felt that with me?”
“Absolutely,” he declared. “Never so much as last night. My fangs emerged while we were making love. It took all my self-control to hide them from you. But I promised you, no more secrets.”
“Fangs?” she repeated. “While you’re a human?”
“Yes. I thought you should know in case you see them.” He shrugged. “Then you’ll know why. It’s nothing to fear. It just means that I want to be with you—always.”
Sophie gazed at him, her eyes wide. “Thanks for letting me know.”
Rafe interrupted, Is everything all right?
Damon motioned to Sophie. “Hold on one second. It’s Rafe.”
Yes. We’re still in my cabin, recovering.
I’ll be there in ten minutes.
Damon returned his attention to Sophie.
Her
