Page 45 of Damian

My eyelids flutter open, and I stare into the amber irises of my mate. Those eyes, so full of warmth and unspoken promises, make my heart race. “Damian,” I whisper, my voice trembling with nerves and excitement, “I've never experienced a kiss.”

The surprise on his face is fleeting, quickly replaced by a look of deep desire. His pupils widen, and a slow, tender smile graces his lips. He reaches up, brushing his fingers against my skin as he gently pushes the hair from my brows. The gesture is so intimate, so caring, that my breath catches. He leans in with a deliberate slowness, closing the distance between us. His lips meet mine in a kiss that is both soft and full of promise, igniting a fire within me. And the world fades away.

The kiss is gentle yet filled with a passion that makes it hard to breathe. His lips are warm and inviting. He moves against mine with such tenderness that my heart swells. It was nothing like I’d imagined, and everything I’d desired.

With his hand on the small of my back, he pulls me closer and deepens the kiss. The sensation is irresistible. Pure pleasure and bliss. I wrap my arms around his neck, losing myself in the moment.

When we finally pull away, we’re both breathless. Our cheeks flushed with happiness. I open my lids to find Damian staring at me with pure adoration on his face.

“Was that okay?” he asks with concern in his tone.

A smile spreads across my face. “It was perfect. It was more than I dreamed it would be.”

His eyes shine with happiness, and he smiles back. “I’m glad,” he says, pulling me into a tight embrace. “Because it was perfect for me too. I’m honored to be your first.”

Lying wrapped in each other’s arms, I know that this moment will be one I’ll cherish forever. It’s the beginning of something beautiful, something that will change my life in ways I can’t even imagine.

Chapter 33

Damian

“There will forever be mysteries for us to discover. It’s not always our job to point them out, but to let others enjoy the journey that gets them where they’re meant to be.” ~ Damian

I help carry buckets of water for Lena’s bath. The weight of them pulls at my arms with every step.

Lena’s trembling muscles didn’t allow her to take one last night with all the other women. However, now, as the morning sun warms the camp, we are determined to make sure she gets the chance to wash away the grime and exhaustion of the ordeal she experienced.

Lena rests under Isaak’s arm. His presence steadies her while she moves about the camp. His care for her is evident in every gentle touch, every whispered word of encouragement.

Meanwhile, Anjal, Jayce, and I gather plenty of water with efficient and coordinated movements.

Georgia, ever the watchful one, steals glances at Frank as he stokes the fire for the morning meal. There’s a softness in her expression that wasn’t there before—a hint of something tender and promising. Willow had confided in me that Helios had blessed every heifer from this herd. A secret, she whispered with a hint of awe and thankfulness. It was the last thing she said to me before departing, and the only thing she told me to keep to myself. The knowledge felt heavy, sacred, like a reminder of the mysteries that still linger in our world.

Violet and Tara are deep in conversation. Their heads are close together and their expressions intense, as if the weight of their words could change everything.

Peter tends to Alexander; his hands steady and reassuring as he goes about his tasks.

Sara’s announcement this morning had been unexpected, but welcome. As chores were being assigned, she declared that she’d accepted Markos as her mate last night. Her attitude conveyed strength, and her eyes appeared bright with determination and joy. She expressed her desire to remain until the others decided what they were going to do. Her attitude is refreshing compared to the many who walked away, acting like they didn’t care if they ever saw anybody again. I couldn’t truly blame the ones who wanted to forget everything about the world they grew up in.

Takis and Kore, Michail and Niki, Yanis and Irida nodded in agreement with Sara and Markos. “We’ve all made the same decision,” Michail informed everyone in a steady and resolute announcement. It was a powerful moment. A declaration of unity and commitment that seemed to bolster the spirits of those around us.

If the bond forming that we’re witnessing between Lena and Isaak is any sign, she and young Serafim will leave with Isaak once she’s physically strong enough. The thought of their departure is a bittersweet moment of relief and sorrow, which tugs at my heart.

There are five more women hesitant to embark into the unknown, with Violet top among them. Her uncertainty is heavy in our hearts and mirrors the fears and doubts that linger in all of us.

Once breakfast ends, I ask Emjay to go for a walk. She looks at me and smiles. “There aren’t many places to walk in here.”

“We could go for a hike in the mountains outside. Maybe find the waterfall.”

“Okay, that sounds nice. Just let me tell Georgia and my girls.”

She isn’t gone long before she returns out of breath and with a schoolgirl smile on her face. “I’m ready,” she declares.

She lets me take her hand as we walk toward the cave and out into the Yonah Mountains.

I inhale deeply, letting the fresh air coat my lungs. The stench of the bodies still piled in the cave haunts me. I shake off the guilt that we’ve yet to remove their remains by soaking in the smell of the river flowing, the different species of flowers and trees, even animal droppings nearby. All the aromas remind me what a majestic world we live in. I love the outdoors and nature. “Do you like to fish?” I ask Emjay.

“I like to eat fish. I’ve never been fishing, so I don’t know.”

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