Omega Bound Chapter 244

Damon

“Amani,” I begin, "Is not just my mate—she’s the part of me I didn’t know was missing until I found her. You don’t understand what it’s like until it hits you. That pull, that bond. The second I saw her, my wolf went silent—and that silence spoke louder than any howl. It was peace. It was…home. She loves me in a way that makes me want to be better. Not just as a mate. When my past claws its way out of the dark, she doesn’t run. She stays, and I love her for it."

I pause as I stare into her big, gold eyes, “There isn’t a war I wouldn’t start for her. Not a mountain I wouldn’t move."

“Most people look at Damon and only see the fighter. The trainer of the soldiers, but what they don’t see, what they never notice, is how sweet he is. How tender his heart is when no one’s watching. Damon wakes up before I do, just to make sure the coffee’s hot and the room’s warm. He brushes the hair away from my face when I sleep, like I’m something precious. Every time he pulls me closer when I’m cold, or kisses my forehead like he’s grounding himself in me.” Amani says as she stares into my eyes, looking the most beautiful I have ever seen her.

"Gross." Cyrus shudders, and his mate raises her eyebrows. Amani grabs my face and thoroughly kisses me.

"Awwwww....wait, that is what grosses you two out?" Ayla moves between Cyrus and Raven as we sit and eat our meal.

"I think I just puked in my mouth." Raven takes a drink as I laugh hard.

"Are you two going to have pups right away?" Ayla asks, changing the subject.

"We aren't saying no, but we are also interested in providing a home for pups that need it. We're open." Amani smiles at Ayla as I squeeze my mate's thigh under the table.

"You could look into starting something up here. I'm sure countless others share similar stories to you, Cyrus, and Damon. Maybe we can look into something. I don't know what it would be, but I am open to ideas." Thane suggests.

"You could just get yourself one of these." Raven reaches into her shirt and pulls out her opossum.

"Gross. Put that thing away." I'm barely containing myself knowing the mess of the meal will be here after they leave. I do not want to even think about an opossum around my food.

"Better watch how you talk about our love child," Cyrus growls while pointing his butter knife at me.

"You better keep your parasite purse away from the table." I scowl while pointing at their rat. I'm sure it's infested with worms.

"Parasite purse? You're using your mother's nickname for my opossum now?" Cyrus drops his silverware onto the table.

"Does this ever end?" Ayla asks.

"No." Thane sighs. "I think it is some reverse form of a bromance that is really a bromance." He whispers.

"Do not talk about my mother," I growl. Despite my horrible upbringing, it doesn't mean he needs to be disrespectful.

"Why? I'm sure she is the reason you are just as screwed up as Amani and I are." Cyrus scoffs.

"I'm not screwed up," Amani growls at her brother.

"You better keep my mate's name out of your mouth." I turn in my seat, glaring daggers at Cyrus now.

"You better keep my sister's body parts out of yours."

"I can do whatever I like with her body parts because we are mated. I won't, however, but I could."

"Why are you so damn sensitive?" Cyrus asks.

"Why are you so psychotic?" I question. "How would you like it if I were speaking negatively about your mate?"

"Try it. She hasn't grated any cheese weiners today." Cyrus nods toward his mate. I turn to look at Raven, who winks at me. I shudder in fear.

I'm not afraid to admit it.

"Is there dessert? I miss dessert." Ayla asks.

"How can you miss dessert when all you eat is cake?" Amani responds.

"Thane took my cake away." Thane sighs loudly.

"No. I took away your ability to eat things made in the kitchen I was poisoned from." He clarifies.

"My cake was made there." Ayla scowls.

"I will make you a cake," Thane suggests. I highly doubt he has time for it.

"It's not the same." Ayla growls.

"I can bake." Thane turns more toward her.

"So can I." Ayla reminds him. This meal is turning into a shit show.

"Then bake your cake," Thane grumbles.

"I don't want to bake my own cake. I want the double chocolate cake from the pack kitchen."

"I don't have cake. I have brownies." Amani suggests.

"I'll take it, but I remain under duress about the situation," Ayla answers.

"It is only temporary," Thane says as Amani leaves to get Ayla her brownie.

"You're the Luna of this pack. Don't let Thane push you around." Raven says as she shoves her hand down the front of her shirt, nodding at Ayla.

"Thank you." Ayla smiles at Raven.

"I'm not trying to push her around, I am trying to keep her alive," Thane explains.

"Maybe you can get the recipe from the kitchen, and Thane can make it for you at home," Amani responds sweetly. I appreciate her ability to remain a calming presence.

"Wonderful idea," Thane answers.

"Because Thane's cake may not taste like Monica's and the kitchen's does," Ayla's words quiet the table.

"Who was Monica?" Amani asks.

"She was my first friend here..." Ayla starts to explain.

"Watch it." Cyrus interrupts, causing Ayla to roll her eyes.

"Besides Cyrus. She worked in the kitchen, and we became close. She was working on the heat clinic project with me and even asked to throw me a pup shower. Then the traitor blew her up, hoping to get Thane instead."

"Wow. I'm sorry to hear that." Amani says.

"Thanks." Ayla's hurt is evident in her facial features as if Monica passed just yesterday.

"I'm sorry he is still breathing," I respond.

"Not for long," Thane answers. “They walked among us, smiled in our faces, and put us in danger. I don’t care how deep they’ve buried themselves or how long it takes—I will find them. I will drag them out by the throat, and I will make an example so brutal, so final, that no one will ever dare cross this pack again. I don’t show mercy to traitors. Not when my blood is at risk. I will protect my family—with teeth, with claws, and with the full weight of the Alpha’s wrath.”

"I second that, brother." Cyrus raises his glass. The rest of the table nods in agreement, and at the same time, we realize that he means it. Nobody will be safe from him. No matter who they turn out to be.