The Arrival.

Selene~

The murmurs died instantly, replaced by a tense silence. His hands supported my whole body, which trembled like a leaf. My mind was at war. People's words felt like a dagger, but Damien's words—his voice—contained strength, like a shield protecting me from all their judgments and cruel words.

Why is he doing this? Why is he going against his people for me?

My heart hammered in my chest ready to break out of my chest. I did not deserve it. I risked a glance at him. He was there protecting me from his own people. Will he still behave the same when he knows that I...? My thoughts faltered.

My mind spiraled out of control, dragging me into a pit of memories I didn't want to revisit. My vision became blurred, and my breaths became shallow and frantic. The voices of the crowd, Damien—everything around me started to fade.

My chest tightened painfully. It felt like there was no air left to breathe. The noise of the crowd became distant, replaced by my own heartbeat, hammering into my ears.

I have to get out of here, I thought desperately. I can't let them see me like this. I can't let him see me like this.

I tried to get past them but before I could take a single step away from the suffocating crowd, the world went blank. I heard the gasps, screams, and shouting of people before my mind went numb, and so did my whole body.

_________

Despite the chaos outside, my mind was still fighting a war from within.

My fault. It's always my fault.

The memories came flooding back, mercilessly. Every time I made a mistake, every time I had been a burden. They played on repeat, each one sharper than the last. Every cruel word that had ever been thrown in my way was echoing in my mind. 

If you weren't here, everyone would be happy. If you could have just disappeared, they wouldn't have to put up with you. 

The whispers in my head turned darker. Louder, without any mercy.

You were the one who dragged them down.

You should die.

Die!

My eyes flew open. My lungs burned as I struggled to breathe. My body felt heavy, and wet with all the sweat. It took me a moment to get adjusted to the darkness around me.

Where am I?

As the question crossed my mind, I looked around to find myself in a room. The only source of light in that room was the candles put on each side of the bed. The warmth of those lights was not enough. My hand could feel the soft yet cold sheet beneath me. I was still assessing the surroundings around me when a voice caught my attention.

"Are they sure that she is the one?" It was a feminine voice. The other female voice was low and unclear. My curiosity got over my exhaustion, and carrying the candle, I let my feet get in contact with the wooden floor.

The coldness of the wood sent shivers, making my whole shudder. I muffled the gasp and tiptoed towards the door. Getting near the door, I focused on the voices.

"I heard she was the Luna of her pack yet her body is malnourished." Her voice got a hint of accusation. The other female did not like her tone as she replied, " Do you doubt, that Alpha has been fooled?"

The tone was sharp enough to make the atmosphere grow with tension. "I...I did not mean that but.." She failed to answer the other female. "Though I understand your curiosity but we are just maids."

"Also, if someone heard, our tongue can be cut off for talking ill of the Luna."

The surroundings fell into silence when I heard the footsteps. "Shh...the Alpha is coming." I heard the other female.

Damien is coming.

As the thought was processed by my mind, I walked back into the bed. Keeping all the things back in their place, I closed my eyes covering myself with the quilt. Trying to inhale air as slowly as possible, I waited. In the next few seconds, the door flew open.

"She is still asleep, Alpha." One of the girls informed him. Damien maintained the silence. After a few seconds, I could hear the footsteps followed by the sound of closing of the door. With each passing second, I could feel him walk in my direction.

Heat radiating off his body to warm down the cold environment. A shiver ran down my spine making it hard to keep acting. Coming up with another idea, I stirred in my sleep. "Selene," his deep voice echoed in the room.

I took my time, as I opened eyes. Glancing around, my gaze stopped the man standing in front me. His gaze did not carry anything but warmth and calmness. In the following days, I got used to his peaceful expressions and eyes. Comparing it with Lucian's malice and venomous eyes, he did not make me feel at the edge all the time.

Though his large frame was some time felt overwhelming for me, I could not stop but look back into his eyes.

"Da..Damien," I tried to keep my voice slurry not making him feel that I was already awake. He sat beside me, his gaze assessing every change happening on my face. "How are you feeling?" His question was normal but his voice had a tinge of something warm... care? Why would an Alpha of such a prominent pack would care for a trash like me?

The thought made me unsettled for a moment but covering up with a fake smile, I replied, "I..I am feeling better now." I tried to look anywhere but his eyes when unexpectedly he raised his hand. My breath hitched, and in reflex to protect myself, I covered my face with both my hands. "Please..don't," the rest of the words remained in my throat. The room was carrying an unavoidable tension. Seconds passed, but nothing happened. Slowly I opened my eyes to see him in front of me. His hand was still in the air, his hand's backside was facing me as if he wanted to check my temperature.

What did I do?

As the realization hit me, I heard his low yet domineering voice, "Did somebody hit you?"