Free Web NovelChapter 65: Criminal Emotions I
"The only one I’ve kept and want here is only you," Damon said.
His eyes stared earnestly into mine, and for a second, my breath clogged in my throat. All words of retort were stolen away with just one look into his icy eyes. They were like rivers of frozen water, calling out to me as though filled with a siren’s song. I couldn’t help but be pulled in by them, trapped in the everfrost of his gaze.
Yet, I was mesmerized by how warm they were. Gone was the wintry gaze; it was now filled with a soft light, radiant and kind. They were inviting, a huge contrast to how his eyes were before. Previously, he looked at me with such contempt.
While he claimed to have kept me here because I was his fated mate, I had never felt that bit of love and affection fated mates were supposed to have with one another. Now, there it was, staring right back at me. But I couldn’t help but wonder if it was too late.
"Liar," I muttered softly, dropping my gaze and breaking our eye contact. "Susie isn’t the only one. If you have her loitering around the packhouse as a sex partner for whenever you feel the urge, then surely there’s more than one. Otherwise, if she was the one and only, you would’ve long made her your luna."
Damon sighed heavily, pinching the skin between his eyebrows. He said, "I can’t deny that I have had bodily relations with other women―"
Although that was a fact that I already knew, hearing it spoken out loud by Damon’s own lips made my heart ache. The mark that he left on my skin burned at his words, searing through my flesh as I bit down on my bottom lip. I wasn’t willing to cry or show that it was hurting me, both in mind and body.
Instinctively, my right hand reached over to my left shoulder, grazing over the mark Blaise left on me. This time, it was guilt that pierced through my chest. While I knew that what I felt for Damon was purely because of our fated bond, I didn’t think it would affect me like that― and the fact that it did felt downright criminal.
Damon must’ve noticed my actions, for his frown deepened even further. His hands dropped to his side, his jaw clenching.
"And for the record, I am not the only one who has sought for the pleasures of the flesh before our mates showed up."
I instantly looked over, growling. "What’s that supposed to mean?"
"Kaine was always a loner and he didn’t know Nicole until she became the pack doctor," Damon said. "They’re mates, I’m sure you know. And as for Elijah, well, let’s just say I have seen him leave pubs and clubs with random women more than a handful of times only to reappear a few days later."
My face instantly soured at the thought of those men’s nightly endeavors. Those were all things that I could’ve lived my entire life not knowing. I didn’t need to hear about Elijah’s body count, or how Kaine and his face of stone could still so easily hook women of his choice.
"Sex is just that," Damon said with a shrug. "There were no strings attached, though there were plenty of wolves who had dated before finding their fated partners, or settled with chosen mates. It’s the same across all species. Wishing for someone to stay a virgin before finding their one true love only happens in fairytales."
"I..." My breaths were shaky when I exhaled, turning to look away, refusing to look at Damon any longer. "I know that."
"You didn’t think that Blaise was pure, did you?" Damon asked. freewёbn૦νeɭ.com
That question had me stumped before I flushed red, my cheeks turning a bright beetroot color.
"I― I didn’t think that far!" I yelled.
My hands slapped over my lips as soon as I did. I had no clue why I was so frantic about discussing Blaise’s previous sex life, or even how Damon could be so nonchalant about it.
Yet, of course, my frenzy only caused Damon to grin a little. I had come to realize that my misfortune and panic were great sources of entertainment for him, much to my dismay.
"I get that it’s normal. I am not faulting you — or anyone, for that matter — for having sexual needs. It’s just weird to have a harem of women kept at the same house as your fated mate, whom you claim to be courting!" I argued.
"Susie is gone," Damon plainly said. "And so are the rest of the women. You won’t see them in House Sirius any longer."
I pursed my lips together, remaining silent. Seeing my refusal to speak, Damon continued to explain.
"These women and I have a deal― I can provide them a life of luxury and power within the pack, and more importantly, a shelter over their heads and a ticket into Fangborne in exchange for their companionship. It’s a business transaction, one which is only carried out upon their agreement. Nothing more, nothing less."
No words came to my aid. I admit, I had thought that they were captured slaves like I was. I didn’t think that they willingly took part in all of this, even after Elijah’s explanation of his and Susie’s relationship. I had assumed that she was the exception and that the other women were like me.
After all, unlike them, I had no choice. I was given this collar forcefully. My hands had risen to tug at the leather chain again, fiddling with the material.
Damon stared at it and sighed before he walked over to a different drawer. Opening it, he pulled out a pure white chain, much daintier and more detailed than the collar on my neck or Susie’s. Our collars were just plain leather belts. This one was made of what seemed like lace, shaped like spider webs, and adorned with small diamonds that sparkled when it caught the light.
He made his way over, and without another word, his hands came to my neck. His fingers brushed against my skin, causing me to shiver as I looked up at him.
With a click, the collar on my neck came off, falling into my lap.
