Sold by my Alpha, bought by my Mate Chapter 166: My Duncan

Ava

"You look really good, doggie... even though, you've been through so much and are unconscious. I have to admit I've never seen a prettier wolf," I say, straightening his clothes and carefully tucking him in.

Most of the warriors had survived with minor injuries; their wolves had helped them heal. Little Thing had even been discharged.

But my little wolf had received a terrible wound from a hellish sword and had almost died. If Jeremiah hadn't given him his blood... he wouldn't even be here.

The other alphas left, but Asher couldn't leave without his beta. He, like me and most of the others... still held out hope that Duncan would wake up.

There were no more traces of vampire blood in his system, but his wolf just didn't seem to wake up.

"If only I were your mate... maybe I could help you..." I said, stroking his hair.

I feared and longed for him to wake up. I wanted to see his eyes, I wanted to see his mischievous smile; and at the same time I was afraid that he would be disappointed in me, his rejection.

But to see him alive... I would endure anything, accept whatever happened.

I just wanted to know that Duncan, Beta of River Ash, was alive. He would find his mate, they would mate, have puppies and live a boring life far away from this madness.

But I was none of that, I was just a crazy demoness in love with him. Yes, I had already accepted it, that was what they said love was.

"Ava..." I heard a resonant voice and saw my king leaning against the door frame.

"Master..."

"There's been no improvement?"

"Not yet... his wolf is out there somewhere, I think. It seems like he's missing something to wake up... part of me fears he'll never do"

Suddenly he seems to falter, and I get up to help him, and he sits down next to me.

"I know... a lot has happened between us, but please, I beg you..." I say, placing the talisman in his hands.

After the war, when he was being treated, he had taken off his own talisman. I didn't want to wear mine without him having his. But he resisted.

"I know it will help you, I know my strength will make you better, Master," but he seems unwilling.

I fear in my heart that he hasn't really forgiven me, though maybe he needs time, and I would wait as long as it takes to have my master back.

"Dear... I haven't accepted it, not because I have anything against you or don't trust you. You will always have my love and eternal gratitude. It's just that I don't think it's for me. Our alliance is not because of a talisman, but because of true feelings: friendship, respect, honor," he says, and I swallow hard.

"I will always adore you, Master," I say, and he takes my hand.

"I know you will always be with me, but I also believe that you have gained a bit of humanity, you are not the same demoness anymore, Ava. And if I have learned anything, it is that I must cherish the people I have by my side who are loyal to me. The world is a dark place, and we don't know where the shadows come from. But even though you were forged from hell... you are light to me, my dear," he says, standing up and leaving his talisman in my hands. His words unsettle and excite me.

"I think there's someone who can benefit greatly from this talisman, someone who can help you feel more human, and maybe in time you can find joy, sadness, other feelings... like the rest of us," he says, and I understand that he's giving me his blessing.

I can't believe it.

"But Your Majesty..."

"Do it, I release you, with love, my dear. Just promise me that you'll always be within my reach," he says quietly. This is not easy for either of us.

"Forever..." I say, and he smiles and walks away.

And now I know what I have to do. I hadn't thought about it because I felt I had to choose between my two great loves. But the reality is that there is love for both, for all.

With trembling hands, I place the talisman on Duncan's wrist, hear him sigh, and approach him. The night is clear outside and the moon is shining, it's a new moon and the wolves say it's important.

"Come back to me, Duncan... come back to me, please" I beg him and fall asleep with my head on his bed.

When I wake up, someone is stroking my hair, and when I turn to look at him, I feel the air leave my lungs as I see his beautiful eyes and smile.

He looks a little weak, newly awakened and pale... but beautiful as a spring morning.

"Duncan, Duncan!" I say ecstatically, stroking his hair, and I don't know whether to hug him, kiss him, or walk away.

"My precious demoness... am I no longer a Doggy?" he asks, and I start to cry, and he leans in to take my face.

"What's wrong?" he asks, worried.

"I... I'm sorry, for everything I've done..." I say, unable to speak.

How can people talk when they have so many feelings in their bodies? I have never felt anything like this before, I feel completely stupid.

"Ava... I knew everything that happened and I never doubted you. I love you, I told you... you are everything to me, you are the only one who makes my loyalty waver, I stopped seeing other women because of you, there is no one else for me but you. You are all I want and long for," he says, and cry more, and he gets worried.

"Ava?"

"I'm sorry...it seems I'm becoming more human and I don't know how to deal with it," I confess, and he laughs and moves closer, so I can lie next to him while I stroke his chest and can't stop looking at him. I can't believe he's awake and well.

"How are you feeling?"

"Tired and like I've had a terrible nap, my wolf was defeated, and suddenly we felt a light and energy surrounding us. I felt a weight in my hand, like it was pulling me, like an anchor pulling me somewhere... and it brought me here," he says, and we both see the bracelet on his hand, matching mine.

"Does that mean...?"

"You were in really bad shape, Duncan. And this is my gift to you. It means we are united, I've given you a part of my power, it's an alliance, but it's not just any alliance. I am bound to you forever,"

I confess, and he strokes my face. This feels like my dreams, the ones I had where he was with me and I thought they were just lies.

"I couldn't be more grateful. Having you... is what I've wanted most in my life," he confesses.

"Then..."

"Then let's consummate this alliance..." he says very seriously.

"What do you mean?"

"Ava... my beautiful Ava... will you make me the happiest wolf in the world if you accept me as your mate?"

"Your mate?" I'm in shock.

"I have felt it for so long, ever since I saw you, my wolf was crazy. You are neither a wolf nor a human... so maybe it was different. But you are my mate, Ava... I'm sure of it. The question is: Do you want to be with me? Be my mate for the rest of my life?" he asks, and I'm ecstatic.