(Eleanor pov)
Well, that went even better than I ever hoped. How quickly Helen took to Damion and realized everything she heard was just a rumor. Damion pretty much answered all of her questions easily and with patience. I was surprised at how docile Titus was behaving during that whole time..but he definitely made up for it after Helen left.. letâs just say we might be running a little bit late to lunch now.
Damion has had me twice already and somehow convinced me to follow him into the shower..Saying he would behave and yet here we are..my body is pressed up against the wall and he just made me c*m for the second time since we got in here.
âDamion, we are going to be late.â I gasped, his mouth trailing k****s across my naked back as he rides out the last of his o****m.
âI had to make sure my scent is all over you, in every way possible.â He smirked against my skin, making me shake my head as he slid out of me slowly.
âIâm sure the first two times did the job well enough.â I teased, earning a playful bite from him making me yelp.
âI can never have enough of you Darling, I could even go again right now.â He breathed against my neck, the water cascading down my body as we continued our shower. Go again?! How could this man be so freaking horny..seriously.
âI love you, but you are an animal.â I laughed while turning my head to look at him.
âI blame your gorgeous body, I just canât stop touching you.â He whispered while gliding his fingers down my chest, his mouth finding mine as he kissed me deeply and reached over to turn off the water.
âNow letâs get ready before I canât control myself any longer, all of our stuff should be in the closet.â Damion smiled, spanking my butt softly as he opened the shower door and then led me out.
He quickly wrapped me in a towel and kissed the tip of my nose, making me giggle as he looped his arms around me.
âAre you happy Bunny?â His voice was tender and caring as he searched my eyes carefully.
âI feel so much better now. To see Helen and have you both finally meet. I canât lie, itâs a relief that it went so well..â I sighed, resting my head against his smooth chest as he chuckled softly.
âYou doubted my abilities in the art of charming?â He gasped, mocking offense as I rolled my eyes and looked up at him.
âNo, I knew if anyone could win Helen over it would be you and those devilishly good looks of yours.â I smiled up at him sweetly and he shook his head.
âIs that the only reason?â He frowned, making my heart melt.
âOf course not baby, but it certainly doesnât hurt.â I donât think anyone could deny the effects Damion has on people. Even men seem to look at him with awe..how the hell did I get to be the lucky one that was blessed with this man.
We finished getting ready and I decided to wear a pair of wide-leg white pants with a light pink silk cami top and matching blazer. Dani has officially taken her position in helping me out the past few days and has brought some new items for my wardrobe that she described as âQueen worthyâ. I guess this was one of the outfits she matched for me and I must agree, it looks amazing. I paired it with my golden moon necklace and pulled my silver hair up in a bun.
âYou look incredible Darling.â Damion walked up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist as he looked down at me. He wore a cream-colored polo shirt with tan pants. His hair was tied back and he looked sharp and handsome. Like a true king.
âYou are the incredible one.â I smiled, pecking him on the lips as he turned me around and took my hand.
âWell, we better get going. Lucas informed me that he will be a little late but will meet us there.â Damion added while pulling me alongside him. Lucas has seemed to be busy since the moment we got here. I really want him to meet Helen and my friends because he was the whole reason I could even reach out to them.
We walked down the hallway with Pierce following close behind. I felt bad for taking him away from Coco and Ava for a few days but I wanted to talk to Damion and suggest we give Pierce some time off soon. I feel like he works non-stop around the clock..and honestly, I donât want his family to suffer for it.
We turned the corner where Helen was waiting for us, I smiled and waved happily as she looked over to the side where more people stood and I could feel my heart racing. The rest of my friends were all standing around and chatting quietly.
Albert was talking with Zach while the twins stood next to a man that chatted happily to the both of them. But the one that stood out the most to me was Rachel, she looked absolutely amazing. Her skin was no longer pale, and her brown hair was shimmering brightly. She looked like she even gained some weight and was practically glowing. Our eyes locked and the tears that filled them surprised me.
Rachel was the closest to me out of everyone in the pack, but that being said she was still quiet and mostly kept to herself. I know she struggled with the loss of her parents and sister the hardest because she was older at the time when it happened. She was left a shell of a person but the glimpses I saw of her were always warm and kind. She loved to read and we would occasionally go out and pick wildflowers when we had the time. It was something just she and I would do and it helped us get through some hard depressing moments. Just being out in the wilderness and pretending like we didnât have the tragic pasts we did..it was just us enjoying the beauty and simplicity of life.
âElle.â My name fell from her lips as she set her drink down and rushed towards me. Before I could even let go of Damionâs hands, she wrapped her arms around my waist, hugging me tightly as I couldnât help but breathe in her familiar scent.
âRachel, I have missed you so much.â I tried not to cry, but it was hard when everyone else rushed over and joined in on the hug. I felt Damionâs hand begin to loosen but I gripped him tighter, needing him here just as much as everyone else.
Then I felt Damion tense, looking over I saw his eyes locked on to someone else. Thatâs when I saw Zach, his jaw was clenched and he was staring at Damion with the coldest expression I had ever seen from him..which honestly confused me. Why was he looking at Damion like that? I thought we talked through everything over on the phone..
âBaby, itâs okay.â
I linked, feeling his anger rising through our bond. My voice must have snapped him out of it because he quickly looked down at me and gave me a reassuring smile.
âOh my goddess Elle, your hair is incredible.â Danielle said excitedly as everyone stepped out of the hug.
âThanks, Iâm still kind of getting used to it.â I laughed, glancing over at Zach who was still glaring at Damion..what the hell is his problem?! This is starting to piss me off now..he didnât even say hi to me or anything but he is glaring at Damion like some jealous ex or something?
âElle, we want you to meet our mate, Cole.â The twins spoke at the same time, making me laugh as their mate stepped forward. He had brown curly hair and freckles, he was taller with fair skin and blue eyes.
âItâs nice to finally meet you, Queen Eleanor, King Damion.â He looked extremely nervous, glancing between me and Damion.
âItâs great to meet you too, but please, call me Elle, and congratulations to you three.â I could tell this man had his hands full, I know how the twins can be.
âTh-thank you..Elle.â He said with wide eyes, he seemed completely flustered.
âHe is the nicest guy ever, he spoils them like crazy.â Rachel whispered next to me, humor lacing her voice.
âWe knew that needed to be a must with those two.â I said back, smiling at the twins as they giggled amongst one another.
Albert stepped forward now, extending his hand toward Damion before speaking.
âKing Damion, I am Albert, Helenâs mate and a friend to Elle.â He explained, shaking Damionâs hand as my mate gave him a tight smile.
âAlbert, itâs nice to meet you, Eleanor has spoken fondly of you.â Damion said cooly and I could tell what he said really touched Albert because his cheeks turned pink and he suddenly stood a little taller.
I looked towards Zach who was still shooting daggers at Damion..I needed to say something, this was getting ridiculous..he wonât even introduce himself? Maybe he was struggling with this harder than I realized.
But before I could say anything, the door burst open and there stood Lucas, his chest heaving as he looked throughout the room. Everyone watched him in silence as he sniffed the air and his silver eyes flashed. I had never seen Lucas like this before.
âLucas are you okaâ¦â before I could even finish my sentence Lucas rushed past me, his eyes wide with disbelief as he stared at my friend Rachel.
I looked toward her, realizing now that she was acting strange too..what is happening?
âEleanor, Rachel doesnât have a mate, correct?â
Damion quickly linked me and I shook my head no when the realization slammed into me and I gasped, slapping my hand over my mouth as they both spoke the words together.
âMate.â Lucas breathed, his chest rising and falling steadily as Rachel looked up at him with what could only be confusion and shock written on her face.
âMate.â She squeaked, her big hazel eyes staring at Lucas. Lucas stepped closer, causing her to step back, making him freeze in place as he took a deep breath.
âMy name is Lucas Bailey.â He suddenly blurted out, causing Rachel to blink from surprise.
I stepped forward, seeing she was frozen and didnât know what to do and I took her hand gently, feeling Damion close behind.
âThis is Rachel Moore, she is the friend I told you about Lucas. Maybe you could give us a minute though to process everything that is going on..would you like that Rachel?â I spoke calmly, knowing Lucas was on edge and his wolf had to be wanting to pounce on Rachel any second.
Rachel nodded her head, her eyes now meeting mine as she was practically pleading for me to take her out of here.
âI will take Lucas outside to get some air, please..just keep Pierce with you..â
Damion linked and I noticed his eyes dart to Zach, who was still acting standoffish.
I guess I will have to deal with that later..this is much more urgent now.
I took Rachelâs hand and led her over toward a sitting area, I knew the Alpha was probably coming down any moment so we better make this quick..
âHow are you feeling?â I asked softly, realizing our old pack mates were all gathered around us.
Helen looked completely thrilled, which surprised me, and the twins were linking between one another. Zach was just staring into the corner with his arms crossed and Albert looked worried.
âI..I..who is that again?â She mumbled, it was like she was in some type of trance, she was still looking off into space.
âHis name is Lucas, he is one of the twins who saved me that night.â I placed my hand on her shoulder and her head snapped to me in an instant.
âTwins?!â She gasped and Helen clapped her hands with glee..what was her problem?! Usually, she is the serious one in these situations. I couldnât help but shoot a glare at her, silently telling her this wasnât helping. She cleared her throat and walked next to Rachel, patting her back gently.
âRachel, I know this is hard to wrap your mind around..but the moon goddess does everything for a reason. To know these are the same men that saved our Elle, they must be kind-hearted and worthy of a chance.â Helen said sweetly and for a moment I was wondering if she was pushing this for Lucas, he really must have won her over during that phone call.
âYeah..I just..twins?!â She exclaimed causing our twins to gasp.
âWhatâs so wrong with twins?!â They said at the same time, making me stifle a laugh.
âGreat, more Night Shade assholes taking our girls.â I heard Zach barely mumble and that was it for me..why was he being a huge d**k?! I have never seen him like this in my life..he was sounding like a real jerk now..he was always so nice and understanding. This wasnât like him at all..had he really changed that much?
âZachary..what the hell is your problem?!â I snapped, turning towards him as I tried not to make a scene but was failing miserably.
Zachâs eyes widened, his mouth dropping open as I noticed Pierce stiffen from across the room. Ready to interject at any moment.
âCanât you see Rachel is having a hard enough time with this without your unnecessary comments?â I said firmly, knowing his comment was directed toward our situation..
âFine, I will just go then.â He went to walk away and I couldnât help but feel bad for snapping at him..I know it was warranted but I have never spoken to Zach like that in my life.
Helen glanced at me with a raised eyebrow and I let my head fall..this was too much already and I had just reunited with everyone not even twenty minutes ago.
âDarling, whatâs wrong?â
Damion linked, obviously feeling my frustration.
âJust..itâs nothing, is Lucas okay? Rachel seems to be calming down.â
I looked over at her as she was now wringing her hands together nervously..but I happened to notice her cheeks were turning pink and her eyes gleaming. She must have been warming up to the idea even faster than I imagined.
âWell, Lucas isnât the issue now..Lance called and Lucas blurted it out..he is on his f*****g way and in wolf form of course.. One of the warriors confirmed.â
Damion sounded at the end of his rope and I couldnât help but sigh.
âHow did things go south so quick..I guess we celebrated too soon.â
I spoke softly, trying to keep calm because I know one of us had to hold it together..
âLucas really wants to see her. Is she ready for us to come in? The Alpha and Luna are on their way.â
Damion linked while I peered over at Rachel one more time. She was now glancing over towards the door where Lucas had left.
âYeah, I think she is ready.â
I couldnât help but feel excited now..this was like a dream come true. I know how great Lance and Lucas are..and Rachel really deserves the best. This was a perfect match now that I am thinking about it..thank you, moon goddess.
âRachel, they are coming back in, okay? Listen, just take things at your own pace. Lucas is really an amazing guy and he will respect that. I think right now he just wants to be near you.â I placed my hand on her shoulder gently, feeling her calm instantly as she nodded her head. She looked so innocent and pure..Iâm just glad it was Lucas who met her first because honestly, Lance would eat her alive.
Just then the door opened and Lucas walked back in, his hair was slightly disheveled and I noticed his light blue dress shirt was now rolled up at the sleeves.
He walked towards Rachel and smiled softly, this approach was much more different than the last and I think Rachel really appreciated it.
âI was wondering, would it be okay if we sit together for lunch? If not I understand..â he asked carefully, his hand coming up to the back of his neck as he rubbed it nervously.
âYes..yeah, I mean sure if you would like.â Rachel managed to say and I swear Helen almost clapped her hands with excitement again and I quickly glared at her, making her stop.
She shrugged sheepishly and then thatâs when the Alpha and Luna walked in with their Betaâs and Gammaâs in tow. Followed by a brooding Zach who wouldnât even look me in the eye..yeah, this lunch should go great.
I guess I have to deal with that now, I honestly thought he would be okay but maybe that was wishful thinking. Could this be harder for Zach than I thought? I hope we can figure this out and get back to being friends..I want the best for Zach, I just thought he did for me too.
Damion stepped next to me, his eyes searching my own as I tried to give him my best smile but he knew..he knew me too well. Letâs just hope he keeps his cool as well..Damion has come a long way but this will be our first real test..and now Iâm feeling bad for putting him in this position..We just have to get through this together..whatever Zachâs issue is he will have to deal with on his own unless he decides to act like an adult and actually talk to us. I care about him, but if he makes my mate feel uncomfortable in any way, I wonât put up with it..I will never just sit back and let someone disrespect my mate, even if I once considered them as a friend. Thatâs something I will never let happen..no matter what.