Clara let out an exasperated sigh before turning to Damon, who was standing close behind her.

“Can you just leave me alone for a second and stop following me? I need to pee,” she said. He tilted his head.

“Why can’t I follow you to pee?” he asked, as if genuinely confused. Under normal circumstances, she wouldn't mind, but she certainly did now.

Five days had passed since she returned to the pack, and Damon hadn't left her side for a single moment. No one else was allowed to see her. While she loved his company, she was suffocating.

“It’s not about that. I need space, Damon,” she whined, and he pouted.

“You need space from me? Don’t you love me anymore?” he asked softly, and her heart ached. She sighed, walked toward him, and wrapped her arms around his waist.

“Of course I love you, but you can’t keep me cooped up like this and follow me around like a lost puppy,” she murmured. He hummed.

“I can, and I’m not complaining. I love your company,” he said, making her sigh again.

“Damon…” Before she could finish, he cupped her face in his hands, lifting her head to meet his gaze. “You’re so cute when you’re trying to scold me,” he said softly, before kissing her. She sighed, unsure what to say.

“Do you know why I was so adamant about falling for you in the beginning?” he asked, caressing her cheek.

“Because I puked on you?” she asked, and he chuckled.

“Disgusting, but no. I knew I had many enemies who would try anything to bring me down. That’s why I never got close to my family. Even they could protect themselves, but you… you were a light I wanted to protect. I know you think you can defend yourself, but I don’t care. I want to protect you. You quickly became my weakness, and now it’s like you have a bounty on your head. My enemies are trying to get to you, and it’s killing me. These past few days without you made me realize I’m not as strong as I thought. What if you’re taken from me again? What if my enemies succeed? That’s why it’s so hard to let you out of my sight; I couldn’t survive it again. I’d rather die than be away from you,” he murmured. She bit her lip to stop herself from crying.

Her hormones were raging.

“But keeping me caged won’t keep your enemies away, Damon. You can’t stay here with me forever. You have to do something before they attack. I’m your wife, Damon, and I’ll stand beside you, fight beside you. I’m stronger than you think,” she said. He frowned.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re strong, Clara. You’re pregnant now. We lost a child before because of something like this. I can’t risk your life or our baby’s life,” he said sternly.

“I understand, but when you become Alpha King, I’ll become your Queen Luna, and with that title comes responsibility. These are my people, Damon, and I choose to fight for them,” she explained. The stern look remained in his eyes.

“Clara…”

“If it makes you happy, I won’t physically fight until after I give birth. I don’t want to risk our child’s health, but I want to be involved in the plans; I want to help you,” she said, staring intently at him.

“I know you’re used to handling things on your own with Luca’s help, but he’s not your wife, I am. I’m your partner, and we’re going to get through this together. I’m not taking no for an answer,” she said. He smiled—the beautiful smile she’d missed so much.

“You’re ethereal. You have no idea how beautiful you look. If only you could see yourself through my eyes, you’d understand why I’m so obsessed with you,” he murmured, caressing her cheek and then kissing her palm before pressing her head to his chest. She snuggled into him.

She didn’t know what the future held, but she knew she would support Damon no matter what.

“Okay, I really need to pee now,” she said, pulling away and running to the toilet, locking the door.

Afterward, she found him asleep on the bed. She sighed, leaning against the wall, watching him. He hadn’t slept well since her return, paranoid and constantly checking the house, even after confirming its security. He remained alert all night. She’d tried everything to get him to sleep, but he refused, worried about the risk. She’d tried staying awake with him, but exhaustion had won.

She walked to the bed and sat down, facing him. He slowly opened his eyes, and she frowned at the tiredness in his face.

“Come, let me hold you so you can fall asleep,” she murmured, patting her lap.

He smiled sleepily, sat up, kissed her, and then wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his head on her lap.

“I love you,” he murmured sleepily. She smiled, running her fingers through his hair.

“I love you more.” And because of this, she needed to help relieve him of the burden on his shoulders, but how?

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