HIDDEN (FIGHT OR FLIGHT)

Chapter 35

DAMON'S P.O.V.

Waking up with a dull throb in my head, I squinted, letting the morning light seep through my lashes. The ache from last night’s party pulsed gently behind my eyes, but it wasn’t all bad. There was warmth beside me, a presence I’d never thought I’d wake up to – Kyle, my twin brother, lay sprawled out on the bed, his face softened by sleep. Just the sight of him made something I’d buried for years come to life, like a spark warming its way to a flame.

I watched him for a moment, unable to shake the disbelief. He was real. Kyle, my twin, the person who shared my blood, my face…someone who actually understood me, and here he was, breathing beside me like he’d been there all my life. A warmth, unlike anything I’d felt before, washed over me – it was happiness, but also something deeper, something that ached a bit because of how good it felt. I could only hope he’d feel the same way.

Suddenly, Kyle’s eyelids fluttered, and his big, blue eyes blinked open. He looked up, saw me, and his entire face lit up.

“Damon!” he said, his voice thick with the warmth of sleep, before he pulled me into a tight hug. I could feel his heartbeat thumping against my chest, a comforting, steady rhythm.

“You’re really here,” he whispered, his voice cracking a little as he buried his face into my shoulder. “You’re actually here with me, not just a dream.” He squeezed me tightly, and I could feel the sincerity in his embrace, his relief, his joy.

I hugged him back, not caring if my hold was too tight. “I feel the same way,” I murmured, my voice rough from sleep and emotion. “I didn’t think…well, I didn’t think I’d ever get to have this.” I could hardly put it into words – the security of being around him, the joy of simply having him close. It was strange, even terrifying, to be this vulnerable, but Kyle’s presence made it feel safe.

We held each other in silence for a moment, the embrace full of everything we didn’t say. I didn’t want to let go, didn’t want to leave the quiet, safe bubble of this moment. But the sound of Emily... I mean Mom's voice calling from downstairs broke the silence, drawing us back to reality.

“Boys! Get cleaned up and come down for breakfast,” she called, her tone warm and lively.

“You go first,” he said, grinning as he nudged me toward the bathroom. “I’ll pick out something for you to wear. Don’t worry, you’ll look great.”

I rolled my eyes but nodded, slipping out of bed and heading to the shower. As the hot water poured over me, I tried to push back the remaining haze from the night before, but my mind kept drifting back to Kyle. I was amazed by how easy he made everything seem – how his kindness and humor cut through my usual walls. It was almost like I could relax around him, which was something I’d rarely felt.

When I finished, I walked back into the room to find Kyle had laid out an outfit for me on the bed – a soft gray t-shirt that was slit at the back, with a slight V-neck and a pair of simple, well-fitted dark jeans. It was nothing flashy, but it was…nice. Somehow, it looked comfortable, something that actually felt like me. I smiled to myself, pulling on the clothes. Kyle really had a knack for these things.

He took his turn in the bathroom, and when he came back, he’d chosen something similar – another gray shirt, though his had a lighter shade, paired with jeans that matched mine. Seeing us both dressed alike, I felt an odd, satisfying surge of connection, like we were two halves of the same person.

Downstairs, Mom had laid out breakfast, and the table was packed – stacks of golden pancakes, fluffy scrambled eggs, fresh fruit, and crispy bacon. She had even put out fresh orange juice and coffee. I hadn’t felt this kind of warmth, this family atmosphere, since I was with Papa. As we sat, Mom's face was all smiles as she took us both in.

“So, how did you two sleep?” she asked, giving us a knowing grin.

“Great!” Kyle replied with his usual cheer. He leaned into me a little, nudging me with his shoulder. “I’m still half-worried it’s all a dream, though.”

I chuckled, glancing at him. “If it is, I don’t want to wake up.”

Mom's eyes softened, and for a moment, she just watched us both, her gaze filled with an almost motherly affection that made my chest tighten. “I’m so glad you found each other,” she said quietly, almost like it was a confession.

After a few moments of light-hearted conversation and laughter, I eventually mentioned, “I should get back soon… Bear’s probably wondering where I am.” A pang of unease twisted in my stomach, the kind that always hit when I thought about him. I'd been away from him too long, even though it was just a day, still, I needed him by my side. The bond we shared was strong, something I couldn’t ignore.

Kyle’s face fell a little, but he forced a smile. “I get it, Damon. The mate bond…it’s important. Besides, I’ll be here when you get back.”

Mom reached across the table, her hand finding mine. “You bring him by, alright? I’d love to meet him properly. I’d love to meet my other son-in-law.” Her smile was warm, encouraging, and it felt like the kind of acceptance I’d longed for.

I returned her smile, nodding. “I will... Mom.” Her kindness was nearly overwhelming, and I wondered if it would ever feel real – having someone who wanted me like this, who didn’t see me as a burden or a risk. Mom's eyes widened at the name and she smiled widely at me.

When breakfast was over, I pulled Mom into a hug, something I wasn’t used to doing but felt strangely natural. “Thank you…for everything,” I whispered, the words escaping before I could think twice. She hugged me back tightly, and there was a gentleness in her hold, a quiet understanding that somehow made everything feel right.

“You’re always welcome here, Damon,” she murmured, stroking my hair like I’d seen her do with Kyle. “Remember that. This is your home too.”

After we said our goodbyes, Kyle led me to Andrew’s house down the street. Felix was there with Vincent, and as I entered, Felix caught my eye, nodding in understanding. “You’re headed back to Bear?”

“Yeah,” I replied, glancing at Vincent. “You coming?”

Before he could answer, Logan piped up, offering Vincent a spot on a hiking trip he’d planned with Felix. Vincent’s face lit up, though he shot me a look that clearly showed he didn’t need much convincing. I smirked, giving him a nod as if to say, 'I know you want to stay' .

After hugs and goodbyes with Felix, Kyle led me into the woods to a hidden clearing, his face serious for a moment. He pulled me into a hug, and I felt the depth of it, how much he truly cared.

“Promise you’ll come back soon,” he murmured, his voice carrying a hint of vulnerability.

I nodded, hugging him back tightly. “I promise. I won’t be gone long.”

Andrew pulled me into a quick embrace as well, patting my back. “Don’t take too long. We’ll all be here waiting.”

I took one last look at them, then closed my eyes and focused on Bear. The pull was immediate, leading me across the distance until I reappeared at the back of Becky’s house. Bear was there, chopping wood for the fireplace, his muscles flexing with each swing of the axe. The moment he saw me, his face softened, and he dropped the axe, closing the distance between us in a few strides.

Before I could say anything, his arms were around me, his hold almost desperate. “I missed you,” he murmured against my shoulder, his voice filled with relief and affection. He pulled back just enough to look into my eyes, his thumb brushing over my cheek.

I leaned into his touch, letting the warmth and familiarity of his presence calm my racing heart. “I missed you too,” I whispered, my hand resting on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart. For a moment, we stood there, just holding each other, the world falling away until it was only us.

Bear leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead, then to my lips, each one tender and filled with the quiet promise of everything we’d built together. “Don’t ever stay away that long again,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion.

I nodded, a slight smile pulling at my lips. “I don’t plan to.” With that, I held him close, feeling, for once, like I was exactly where I belonged.