Page 72 of Aine

It’s pretty uncommon for him to go out of his way to help me, and I’m grateful he hasn’t shamed me for my bleed. I anticipated him to be the type of man to express extreme disgust and disregard for female issues.

He nods as I sit on the edge of my bed. I’m glad he got us a room with two, even if they are only inches apart. I could probably reach out and touch him from the center of mine.

The image of Damien trying to fit on such a small mattress brings a tiny smile to my face. I’m quick to force it down and replace the expression with a more neutral one, though, not wanting him to ask what I find so funny.

His body’s going to be hanging off every edge.

“There’s something I’d like to speak with you about,” he says as I get comfortable.

My suspicions rise at his vague words, but I try to keep my face calm as I nod.

Damien sighs before continuing. “Alpha Owen is said to be a particular man, and I think it would be best if we remained silent about Freya’s history. I’d like for us to paint her in a good light tonight.”

I resist the urge to roll my eyes. Is there even a way to do that? I’m angry with Damien’s desperation to help her and am opening my mouth to lash out before I can think better of it and stop myself. “So no telling him she’s mated to your brother and fucked you?”

Damien visibly recoils. “It wasn’t like that.”

His voice is low and thick with anger as he defends himself, but I’m not dumb. I know what Alex meant when he said she warmed his bed.

“Oh, so your dick hasn’t been inside her?” I ask.

Damien’s quick to his feet, and I match the action and stand just the same. His beast is clearly pushing at him to be released, his pupils dilating and claws extending. Fear fills me at his visible outrage, making me wish to take the words back.

“I was drunk. Too drunk to understand what she was doing and stop her. I would never willingly have sex with Freya,” he snaps, backing me up against my bed.

Oh. I sit.

“She raped you?” I whisper.

“I’m an Alpha,” Damien spits out. “I was notraped, and you should refrain from saying such stupid things.”

His face is flushed, making me feel guilty for pushing. It took me years to come to terms with and accept that what Henry was doing to me was wrong, and I’m sure it’s even harder for Damien.

A renewed hatred for Freya fills me with the knowledge of what she did to Damien. If I were a beast, I’d rip her head clean off her body.

“I don’t think it’s right to lie to that man about Freya,” I say.

Damien continues to glare as he runs a hand through his hair and returns to his bed. The frame creaks underneath him, making me worry it’s going to break. He doesn’t appear to share the same fear as he lies back on the mattress, though.

“I’m aware it’s not ideal, but it needs to be done.”

I shake my head. “Why? I don’t understand why you’re helping her.”

Damien remains perfectly still as he absorbs my words, and if it weren’t for the sight of his chest moving with breath, I’d think him dead.

“I’m not going to discuss that with you.” He turns away.

Chapter Seventeen

AINE

I hope Idon’t look too stiff as I walk between Damien and Freya, my side pressed firmly against his. I’m not too surprised Freya ran out to join us the moment we left the hotel, the woman probably lingering outside waiting for us. Damien didn’t so much as look at her when she approached, but he did slip his hand in mine.

Without meaning to, I squeeze his fingers and lean further against him as Freya chats animatedly to Damien over my head. I still don’t know what to make of the information he shared and feel my hatred toward the woman grow as I imagine her taking advantage of Damien.

He may be a dick, but that doesn’t mean he deserves to be raped. Even if he doesn’t want to call it that, what he described is exactly that.

Damien tightens his grip and holds me tightly against his side when I stumble. Embarrassed, I pull my hand from his and push against his hip to create some distance. His arm wraps around my waist before I can succeed in putting any space between us.

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