The Protected Luna

Her Slim Grip On Sanity

Dimitri

As I stood in the shower allowing the hot water to cascade down my back, I closed my eyes, allowing all what transpired in Golden Sun and just now on the private jet to sink in. Last night I heard Artemis wake up during the night and I sensed her emotions and got an idea of what she was thinking through the mate bond.

She had another nightmare, most likely about Marcus. I noticed that this one didn't bring out much of a reaction, like a scream or tears or even a bout of fear and unease. It was like...she expected it or didn't even care anymore.

I wanted to comfort her ease her burden. But seeing how rigid her body was and how far away from me she laid, I refrained from doing so. She needed her space and mentally she was exhausted from all the stress accumulated on the trip.

In Golden Sun she was trying to impress Deirdre and get on good terms with Lisa, but failed on both sides. I also noticed the shift in tone and demeanor when Deirdre spoke to her. It wasn't warm and cordial like the way she spoke to me or Everice, it was curt,  passive-aggressive. I should've noticed this and put a stop to it.

But I didn't. I allowed Deirdre to speak to my mate like that and hurt her. Then we had a fight and I yelled at her and pushed her away when she was just fulfilling her duty as my mate.

"Not to mention you getting frustrated when she refused to let you touch her," Roman added.
"Look who finally decided to wake up," I scoffed.
"Don't start on me, you're lucky I'm even talking to you. Have you apologized to our mate yet or is your dick still lodged up your ass?"
"Roman cut it out. And yes I did apologize to her. She's still mad,"

"Well try harder idiot! You hurt her and now you need to make it up to her. I could feel fragments of their emotions. They're hurt and feeling neglected. Go and comfort her!" he growled.
"Alright I'm going. But if she doesn't want me to comfort her and gets more angry, I'll have you to blame," I warned.

When I was done with my shower I wrapped myself in my towel and stepped out. Entering the bedroom I saw her lying on the bed with her arm covering her eyes. With a sigh I walked over and tapped her leg. She removed her arm and the moment our eyes met, I felt like I've been stabbed in my chest with a silver stake.

Her eyes were red, evidence that she spent a lot of time crying and I could sense her emotions much stronger than ever, up to the point where it was physically painful. Then a thought hit me. She had the ability to project shields and forcefields, physically, mentally and emotionally.

Before I felt a small amount of what she was feeling through the mate bond because she had put her emotional shield up. But now when she was alone in the safety of her own home and pack, it had subconsciously lowered and all the negative emotions that accumulated over the past few days were running rampant.

Now that there was no shield blocking her emotions, I could feel everything she was feeling on a much higher scale. And it was killing me inside out. Roman was furious with me, growling and pacing restlessly while scratching at the barrier to get out. As she laid in bed staring up at me I felt the need to say something. I was about to, but Bria came knocking at the door before I could.

"Dimitri? Artemis? Are you almost ready? Breakfast is served and everyone's waiting for you,"
"We're coming Bria, just give us five more minutes," I called out.
When she left to go back downstairs I turned back to Artemis.

"I'm feeling your emotions through the mate bond, your sadness, your anger and your loneliness. I know the majority of those feelings are because of me and I don't blame you for it. But won't you give me a chance to make it up to you baby?" I asked gently.