(Eleanor pov)
After lying in bed for a little while longer, we decided to get dressed and go downstairs for a late lunch. Damion said Jane had been asking about me lately and I also wanted to talk to her about the Piper and Dani situation. Even though I donât really need anyone to wait on me hand and foot. I know Dani is the better choice though out of the two, thatâs for sure.
I quickly put on a blue shirt with frilly short sleeves and dark wash skinny jeans. Damion was on the phone with someone as he watched me getting dressed intently, I couldnât help but smile as he had to ask the person on the other end to repeat themselves a few times because of how distracted he was.
I was just slipping on my shoes when I felt two strong hands wrapping around my waist.
âYou look gorgeous Bunny.â Damion whispered next to my ear, his deep velvety voice causing butterflies to fill me.
âThanks, baby, you look very handsome yourself.â I smiled happily, loving his matching blue shirt with his sleeves rolled up and black slacks.
Damion rarely dressed casually and always looked freaking gorgeous no matter what he wore. I also learned quickly that he is a very tidy and neat person..okay, I might almost classify him as a neat freak but he has definitely relaxed somewhat since we have been together. Before I would move one item out of place and I would find it conveniently back in its designated home the next time I looked for it. He wasnât used to having anyone else in his personal space I think and it threw him off. He never complained or made remarks but something deep inside of me knew that those misplaced items were put neatly back in place with frustration.
Damion hugged me tightly and placed a soft k**s on the side of my neck.
âThere is something I have been meaning to give you Bunny, Lance had given it to me after they first found you, and I kept it safe all of this time and honestly might have forgotten about it until recently.â He said sheepishly and confusion filled me, what could he be talking about?
He let go of my waist and walked over to the dresser that was pressed up against the wall. He pulled open a small drawer and reached in, bringing out something gold and shimmering and I let out a gasp.
My necklace, the one my mother had given me..I thought it had gotten lost forever that night.
âThe chain broke, but I had it replaced for you, it took some time for the jeweler to find the right piece.â He spoke softly, his hands unclasping the chain as he slipped it around my neck.
I looked down, glancing at the small golden crescent moon as it sparkled in the light.
âTh-thank you.â I was stunned by the fact that he not only kept this for me but also had it repaired.
Damion walked around me, hovering above as he looked down and touched the necklace with gentle hands.
âAbsolutely stunning.â He breathed, his eyes gleaming as his gaze was now burning into mine.
Before I knew it I was jumping onto him and wrapping my arms around his neck. He let out a deep laugh as he held onto me tightly, stumbling back slightly from the surprise attack.
âThank you, you have no idea how much this means to me.â I whispered, smiling widely as my heart filled with happiness.
âAlso, I just got off the phone with Alpha Kilo from River Rock, I told him we wanted to come and visit soon. They will be ready for us in a week.â He informed me quickly and I froze. Oh no, did he tell him who I was? Will Helen find out that my mate is the king this way? Oh, goddess, I should have just been upfront from the start.
âDid..did he ask why we were visiting?â I inquired nervously.
Damion pulled me back, looking down at me curiously as he held onto my arms.
âYeah, I mentioned we wanted to visit a few of his pack members.â He added as he studied me carefully.
Shit..so he did tell them, dammit..well I guess I will have a lot of explaining to do..
âWhat is it Bunny..what are you not telling me?â Damion raised his eyebrow, a stern look forming on his face.
âWell..I um, I didnât necessarily tell them who my mate is exactly..â I looked away, feeling guilty as his gaze continued to burn into me.
âBunny, you didnât tell them that your mate is the Alpha King?â His hand reached up, gripping my chin gently as he turned my head towards him.
âNo..â I replied shamefully.
âIt just never came up exactly, and I didnât want them to freak out or anything..they were surprised I found my mate let alone the Alpha King, and they havenât exactly heard the best stuff about you so I wanted them to get to know you first before they make any judgments and I..â I rambled on, trying to explain everything but before I could dig myself into a bigger hole Damion laughed, making me stop talking.
âHey, itâs okay, I get it..I know the rumors that are said about me. I know I donât exactly have the best reputation currently with my people.â He stated matter of fact, but it hurt to hear it.
It wasnât that I was afraid of what they would think about me being mated to the Alpha King..I just didnât want them to cast judgment on him before they even gave Damion a chance.
âNo, it wasnât right of me to keep it from them, Iâm sorry Damion..I am proud to be yours and I want everyone to know how amazing of a mate I have.â I looked deeply into his eyes, feeling horrible for keeping this a secret..I donât want Damion to feel like Iâm ashamed of him in any way..why didnât I just come out and say it?
âListen, itâs okay if you wanted to wait. I know these people are like your family and care about you a lot. Once they see how happy you are and how much I love you, I bet they will be on board right away.â His voice was gentle and caring, his hand sliding up to my cheek as he held me protectively. I leaned into his palm, letting out a deep sigh as I relished the warmth from his touch as he hovered above me, pressing his lips to mine tenderly.
âNow letâs go eat lunch before I change my mind and rip those damn clothes off of you.â He smirked against me, making me laugh as my heart filled with happiness. It was almost as if this man were slowly fixing every crack, every heartache and disappointment I ever had in my life. Like the love he had for me poured in through his words and touch, filling my veins and pulsing through every inch of my body.
I was happy..for the first time in years and it made me realize something..I had endured for most of my life, and now, now Iâm finally living and there is nothing that will get between that because as much as my mate loves and protects me..as much as he is the stronger one, the one who could destroy thousands just to get to me..I know in my heart that he is the one that truly needs to be protected..because this man right here, he has been the one truly enduring all of his life. He has been the one who was pushed down and beaten until he had no hope left, until he was a shell of a man who didnât realize how much he had suffered through. He was a true survivor and I vow with everything I have in me to never have him have to endure again. He deserves every great thing in this world and I will be the one to give it to him. I will be the light that fights away every darkness that tries to make its way through..now I know my purpose, I know why I was sent here by the moon goddess..my purpose was Damion all along.
âOur mate is our reason Eleanor.â
Kari confirmed my realization and something inside of me changed, like something that had been hiding has finally revealed itself and now lives deep down inside of me.
I had to protect this man with my life, I had no doubt that Kari was more than strong enough..but I needed to become stronger too, for whatever comes our way.
We walked towards the elevator hand in hand as Pierce nodded his head and gave me a soft smile.
âGood afternoon Pierce.â I said cheerfully, feeling like nothing was going to ruin this great day.
âMy Queen.â He said in the serious tone that he used with Damion around. Pierce and I actually talk sometimes when Damion is off doing something else. I learned he has a mate name Coco and they have a pup who just turned six named Ava. I was shocked to learn that considering I had been around this guy for close to months and knew practically nothing about his personal life.
I told him that I hope I can meet them soon, and he showed me a few pictures of them on his phone. But when the big boss man comes around I could hardly get two words out of him. I get it though, this was his job and he needed to act professionally.
âBaby, I was wondering..â I began, capturing Damionâs attention immediately.
âWhat is it Darling?â He asked almost too hastily. I couldnât help but laugh, why was he acting so nervous all of a sudden?
âWell, I was thinking maybe it might be a good thing if I learned some self-defense type of stuff.â I didnât know what to call it exactly..training? Fighting? I was clueless on this topic..the most I have ever done was hit a ball of dough with a rolling pin..I do have some good muscle tone from that though.
He blinked at me in surprise, even Pierce glanced towards me as I shifted on my feet anxiously, was it that shocking?
âSelf-defense? You want to learn how to fight Bunny?â Damion had the biggest smirk on his face now, his eyes sparkled with excitement as I nodded my head softly. The look he was giving me was making me hot..and not in a good way when I am in the elevator with my personal guard.
I cleared my throat, trying to compose myself as I stood up straighter.
âYeah, what kind of Queen would I be if I couldnât even defend myself.â I said with fake confidence, I was at the fake it till you make it stage right now.
I noticed a smile pull at the corner of Pierceâs mouth and quickly disappeared just as fast.
âOkay Bunny, tomorrow morning we can join the soldiers for their usual training routine..but we do have to get up early.â He glanced at me sideways and I frowned.
âHow early?â I was beginning to regret this already.
âFive in the morning early.â He was full-on smirking now, knowing how much I loved my sleep. I was just not a morning person! I never have been..so I was finally living my best life by getting to sleep in every day.
âFine..â I grumbled, fighting the urge to pout and act like a brat. Damion laughed, pulling me into him and kissing the top of my head sweetly.
âI like your determination.â He added, walking us out of the elevator and towards the dining room.
I was already regretting bringing anything up. Not only will it be unbearably early, but now I get to show the whole castle how out of shape I am. Yikes..I guess I didnât fully think that one through.
I let out a sigh as Damion sat me down and sat right next to me.
âWhy arenât you sitting at the head of the table?â I wondered out loud.
âI only did that to prove a point.â He smiled mischievously and I couldnât help but giggle.
Suddenly he grabbed the leg of my chair, pulling me directly next to him as my heart fluttered uncontrollably.
âThere, thatâs better.â He winked, causing me to melt under his gaze..how have I been able to function this long? This man practically renders me useless with one damn look. Ugh, he is so dreamy, so handsome and perfect..those lips are so kissable and that..
âWhatcha thinking about over there Angel?â Lanceâs voice suddenly cut through my thoughts, making me whip my head around to find Lance, Lucas and Jake all staring at me with huge smirks on their faces.
When did they get here?
âOh uh..just that Iâm really hungry.â I blurted out, making them all laugh.
âIâm sure you are, I was afraid you were going to devour our king right before our eyes.â Lance quipped while lifting his water glass and taking a long sip. I felt Damion shaking beside me, oh goddess, was he angry? Did Lance go too far?
I turned my head to look at him, expecting to see rage filling his face but instead I was met with stifled laughter..he was trying not to laugh..at me! What the hell!
I quickly crossed my arms and turned my head away.
âI see you woke up and chose to be an a*****e again today Lance..like always.â I didnât mean it obviously but why was I the butt of the joke now? Lucas and Jake laughed loudly, looking at Lance as he narrowed his eyes at me.
âWell, I did get better sleep, considering my Queen wasnât declaring her title to the whole castle today..but I guess the night is still young.â He winked and I clenched my hands into fists, he knew just what to say to get me worked up..maybe itâs a freaking superpower or something..like seriously how does he think of this stuff?
âLance, thatâs enough, you donât want to get your a*s kicked by the Queen first thing tomorrow morning do you?â Damion raised his eyebrow, giving Lance a warning look as I huffed and took a long sip of water.
âWait..is Angel training with us tomorrow?â He asked excitedly and Damion nodded his head.
âIf I may, I would like to request my partner now..I choose Lance..he will just stand there like a dummy right so I can kick his a*s?â I asked with a hopeful tone and Damion shook his head laughing.
âYou are being naughty Bunny.â
He linked, his hand sliding on my thigh as his voice echoed through my mind. Oh goddess, how can one touch take away all my frustration and place it with a new, worse kind.
âHe is teasing me.â
I pouted, making him laugh as he bent down, claiming my mouth with his own.
âOkay we get it, you two are grossly in love..you know I planned on eating right?â Lance frowned and I couldnât help but look at him smugly and fought the urge to stick out my tongue..that was even too far for me.
âI will be her partner if thatâs okay with you My King.â Lucas randomly blurted, surprising everyone at the table as Damion nodded tightly. I could tell he was struggling with the mere idea of another man training with me, but he was holding it in better than I thought.
Just then, the doors to the dining room opened as Janeâs smiling face greeted us. There were four servers behind her, all carrying covered trays as they walked swiftly around the table.
âMy King, My Queen, today we have prepared for you fresh lobster linguine.â She beamed, the aromas filling the room as I looked down at the tray in awe. Wow, this was fancy, I knew Damion was a foodie but lobster linguini for lunch?! I could get used to this.
Dani just so happened to be my server as she winked at me and took the top off of the tray. The smells slammed into me and I soon realized I was completely famished..
âThank you Jane, this looks wonderful.â I breathed, amazement clear in my voice as she couldnât help the wide grin that filled her face.
I quickly took a bite, fighting down the m**n that wanted to escape me.
âIs it good Bunny?â Damion asked, watching me intently as I nodded my head. My mouth was too full to respond as he frowned slightly, looking back at his food.
âWhatâs wrong baby?â
I linked between bites as I saw him stab a piece of lovster with his fork and bite it aggressively.
âI thought only I could put that look on your face..I guess I have competition now..with lobster.â
He pouted, like full-on pouted..and I thought I was being the brat. I tried my hardest to hold in the laugh that wanted to explode from my full mouth, causing me to choke.
Damion dropped his fork with a clank, patting my back protectively as I waved my hands in the air, trying to get him to stop.
âIâm okay..â I choked out, seeing the worry all over his face. He let out a sigh of relief and continued to eat, his hand very high up on my thigh. I guess he was claiming me infront of the lobster..
I couldnât help but steal glances at my adorable mate all through lunch. I guess I should make it up to him somehow..but can he blame me for how delicious this was?! I better think of something good..but first I had one more thing to handle and I had a feeling it might not go so well..but who knows, maybe Piper isnât as bad as I thought. Famous last wordsâ¦