Fantasy Land

Chapter 13

Unwanted

Damon

My side still aches from Fafnir's blow to my ribs. I walk down the halls of my palace, the blank walls feeling cold and lonely as always. A soft voice fills me ears making me stop in my tracks. It fills me with an emotion I can't pinpoint. I look at the cracked door to my left, spotting a red head of hair I'd come to adore in the past weeks. Gabriella sits holding Lest's hand as she speaks softly to him.

"I hope you wake up soon." She says to him gently. "I don't know how much longer I can survive here without you." The words hurt me. I hadn't attempted to spend much time with her over the weeks. I assumed she wanted time and space to adjust and look after Lest. Clearly, they are very close, and I was somehow supposed to fit with them. "Jayna knows now. About us. Not everything of course, just that you're a hunter and I'm a witch. Apparently, you and I are somehow mated to the king of all werewolves. I think you'd laugh seeing the puppy dog eyes he gives you." I sigh softly as I watch her rest her head beside Lest's hand. I can feel the sadness coming off her in waves that makes my chest clench. She goes quiet for a while, and I assumed she'd fallen asleep.

"I wish you'd wake up and tell me everything is going to be okay. Hold me the way you always do." She says with a yawn. It's quiet and reminds me of the noises kittens or foxes make with a little squeak at the end. I stay stuck in my place until I hear her soft snores indicating she's sleeping. I quietly enter the room, closing the door behind me. She's hunched over in her chair with her head on the bed beside Lest's hand. She shivers slightly in the cold hospital room. I pull off my jacket on instinct, wrapping it around her shoulders. She hums softly in her sleep, snuggling into the jacket.

I walk around the room cleaning up where I can. Shockingly, it was therapeutic for me. I'd never liked cleaning or tidying, but memories of my mother during one of the great wars reminds me of why I found it therapeutic. I shake my head, allowing the memories to retreat back into the depth of my mind.

I grab the glass of water sitting on the table beside the bed. Walking to the bathroom I empty the several day-old water into the sink and refill the glass with clean water. When I come back, I'm shocked to see Lest awake. He's gently stroking Gabriella's cheek, a look of pure adoration on his face. I quietly come over, not wanting to disturb either of them.

"Please don't wake her." Lest says without looking up. He must think I'm a nurse or doctor, not the alpha or his mate. I smile softly, ignoring the pull of jealousy in me. "She deserves some rest." I nod, knowing he isn't actually looking at me and quietly make my way out of the room. I close the door, making sure it latches shut before walking to my room further down the hall. The bitter winter outside causes the temperature of the entire castle to drop, even for the werewolves. I can feel the chill creeping into my bones as I walk.

I finally make it to my room, tossing the door open. I kick the door closed as I tub my tired neck, sighing as I close my eyes.

"Looks like someone could use some stress relief." My eyes snap open at the sound of her voice. Dahlia is laid across my bed in nothing but a skimpy set of lingerie I would have found sexy at one point. She stands, her long hair swinging behind her as she walks towards me. Her scent makes my nose scrunch, her touch along my shoulders and chest revolting.

"What are you doing here?" I ask as I grab her wrists and pull them from me. She looks at me shocked as if I'd slapped her.

"I thought you'd need a little stress relief before your meeting." She says with her attempt at puppy eyes.

"I told you last time that this wasn't going to happen again." I walk past her to my bed where her robe is laying.

"Am I not good enough for you?" She shouts, suddenly angry with me. I sigh, not wanting to have this conversation again.