Page 106 of Aine

“Avia will be here any second with the transfusion kit,” Damien promises, not acknowledging my failure.

I move to shake my head in refusal of the blood, but Damien cuts me off by pulling me into his arms once more. His body shakes as he holds me against him, his face burrowing into my neck and cheek as he breathes in my scent. I’m embarrassed he’s smelling me, my skin no doubt reeking at this point.

Not to mention the bile and excrement that covers my lower half.

Damien hardly seems to care as his tongue darts out to lick me, tasting the muddy skin on my neck with a content sigh. I don’t know what to make of it, but my body seems pleased as it relaxes despite my turmoiled thoughts.

I know I’ll regret this later, but I can’t resist the temptation of comfort and safety his arms bring.

Damien cups the nape of my neck before pulling back just enough to look me over, his eyes darting along my wounds for what feels like the tenth time. I sag underneath his stare, disappointed in myself.

It’s not until another person drops to their knees next to us that I work up the strength to look away from Damien. He tightens his grip to keep me in place as Avia grabs my arm and turns my wrist toward her.

I try to jerk out of Damien’s hold as she prepares my arm, my frantic actions only causing Damien to pull me further onto his lap so he can better keep me still. My knees settle on either side of his thighs as my chest presses against his bare one.

His thighs are slick with blood, and I wince as mine starts to pool out of my cuts and join the disgusting mixture I’ve already spread on him when he pulled me into his lap. He should be shoving me away, not trying to share his blood with me.

Silent tears stream down my cheeks as Avia slides the needle in my arm and begins to work on Damien. She moves quickly, and almost immediately, I feel the side effects of Damien’s blood taking place.

The hatred I feel for myself grows with each inhale, and the healing from his blood only adds fuel to the fire.

“I’m so sorry, Aine,” Damien says needlessly. “I don’t want to force you, but you’re too weak to travel home like this.” He presses soft kisses to my skull.

The hand on the back of my head shifts to the nape of my neck. His thumb rubs comforting circles against my skin as he continues whispering his quiet assurances. They only serve to make me feel worse. I’m undeserving of his kindness.

“It’s almost done. Are you feeling better?” he asks after a few minutes.

I nod. I feel better than I ever have before, and I hate myself for it.

Damien fingers the choppy ends of my hair as I look at the tube pushing his blood into me, my guilt amplifying as I see just how wide it is. He’s giving me so much. More than I need.

Avia moves to remove it, but he jerks out of her reach.

“Not yet,” he snaps.

She sighs and reaches for him once more.

“Damien, you need—” she starts, pausing when Damien moves away from her again.

The grumble that seeps from his chest has me freezing, waiting for his anger to be taken out on me. I don’t understand what game he’s playing pretending to care like this.

He probably just doesn’t want his beasts to see me in such a sad state. I imagine it’s got to be quite embarrassing for him. The strong Alpha walking around with a weak, human mate who’s covered in her own shit and can’t even work up the courage to speak.

I’d be ashamed if I were in his position, too.

Avia continues to argue with Damien until finally, she gives up and moves away to help some of the other injured beasts. They trickle in from the direction of Owen’s pack, their bodies visibly exhausted. Most seem to be relatively uninjured, but every once in a while, one will return carrying an unmoving body.

My heart cries every time I see one, guilt coursing through me that they’ve wasted their lives saving me. My time with Owen wasn’t exactly enjoyable, but it wasn’t so bad that anybody deserved to die over it. I was slowly learning how best to please and keep him happy. I was going to be fine.

“What’s wrong with her?” somebody whispers from behind Damien.

Alex shouts at them to leave, and Damien repeats the sentiment with slightly more colorful words. I watch the woman’s retreating figure curiously, not entirely understanding why they yelled. It’s probably because they’re embarrassed.

I remain still as Damien finally pulls the tubing from our arms and sets it aside. He takes me with him as he stands, my feet dangling toward the ground before he uses his free hand to grab my thighs and wrap them around his waist.

My lips purse as I take in the sight of my thighs. Most of the newer injuries seem to have healed without scars, but the ones from my first days here left little white spots behind.

“I’ll carry you home,” Damien says.

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