Chapter 156

Clara

I forgot how fun it was to spend the entire day with Damon. We didn't do anything extraordinary; we just stayed in each other's arms, enjoying each other's company. As much as I never wanted it to end, I knew Damon had responsibilities, and I couldn't keep him locked up with me forever.

The next morning, Damon was gone when I woke up. I sighed, trying not to feel sad. Soon enough, all this would be over.

Since Damon didn't want me involved in training or anything else, I had little to do these days. Delilah couldn't even keep me company because she had to train, too.

I sighed, lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling. What was I supposed to do with my life now? Maybe I should get a hobby, but definitely not painting.

Hours passed, and I still didn't know what to do. Finally, I decided to go downstairs and be with everyone else. Even if I didn't train, there was no harm in watching.

I quickly bathed and got dressed before going down to join the others. I glanced behind me and sighed at the number of guards stationed to watch me.

"Can you at least try to stay hidden? I don't appreciate you all breathing down my neck," I scolded, but they ignored me, not even acknowledging me with a nod.

I rolled my eyes and continued to the training room. As soon as I arrived, everyone stopped and turned to me.

"Oh, please, don't stop because of me. I'm just here to watch," I said with a smile, then turned to Damon as he approached.

"Don't scold me, please? I got really bored in the room and just needed some fresh air. I won't interfere; I'll just watch and…"

"Relax, my love. It's okay if you want to stay and watch. I was about to send someone to get you. I've realized I've been too harsh and strict with you. You're safest next to me, where I can keep an eye on you," he murmured with a soft smile, and I smiled back.

"So I can stay and watch?" I asked, and he nodded, taking my hand and leading me to a bench.

"Did you eat before you left the house? Don't you dare lie to me," he warned, giving me a stern look, and I pouted. "I'm not that hungry," I told him, and he frowned.

"Are you sure you're okay? From all the books and research I've done, you're supposed to always be hungry. Maybe we should go to the hospital and have you checked," he said with genuine concern, making me chuckle.

"It's sweet that you're doing your research, and most pregnant women do tend to be always hungry, but not always being hungry isn't a sign that something is wrong. Besides, when I do eat, I always eat a lot, so it's okay. When I'm hungry, I'll eat," I assured him, but he still looked worried.

"Still, I'll have someone get you food, just in case you get hungry later, and please eat. Simon!" Damon called to a guard before I could say anything and ordered him to get me food.

I sighed and let him do as he pleased; it was the only way to calm him down.

After assuring him I was okay, Damon returned to training. Despite his proximity—he was only about five feet away—the guards remained stationed behind me.

At that moment, I couldn't recall how it happened. It was so fast my brain couldn't process it.

Damon was running toward me, a scared look in his eyes. His lips were moving, but I couldn't hear him until he stood in front of me, and I heard several shots fired. Someone grabbed me, but I didn't know who. All I could focus on was Damon, lying on the ground, blood gushing from his abdomen.

"Damon!" I screamed. Were we being attacked? What was going on?

"Get her back inside now!" Damon yelled.

"Let me go! Damon!" I screamed again, and then I noticed Delilah holding me down.

"We need to get you inside, Clara. Now!" she yelled, dragging me away. I fought against her, reaching for Damon, but I only moved farther away.

My eyes widened as I watched him slump to the ground, lifeless. Luca and the others tried to get a response from him, but there was none.

"Delilah, please let me get to him, I'm begging you," I pleaded, but she ignored me and dragged me away until I could no longer see Damon.

I stopped fighting as soon as we reached the house. My heart ached so badly I could barely breathe.

"Stay in here until I come for you. Damon will be fine; he has to be. You have to stay here if you want him to be fine," Delilah said.

"Delilah, please let me be with Damon, please…" Before I could finish, she rushed out, banging the door behind her. I tried opening it, but she had locked it from the outside.

"Let me out! Damon!" I screamed, banging on the door, tears streaming down my face.

"I just want to make sure he's okay. Please," I pleaded, sliding down the door, wailing bitterly.

I should have stayed indoors. This was all my fault.

In a fit of anger, I grabbed a vase and threw it at the wall, only to see a piece of paper slide from my shelf.

I stared at it, trying to remember what it was, when it dawned on me. My uncle had left that letter in my luggage, and I had intended to read it but had forgotten.

I immediately grabbed it and read the letter as quickly as I could. Lycans and werewolves weren't known for using weapons to attack. If the attackers were human, I needed to speak to my uncle more than I thought.

I sighed with relief as soon as I saw the number at the end of the letter. It had always been there. I always had his number.

I immediately found my phone, dialed the number, and waited. It didn't take long for my uncle to answer.

"Ladybug, you finally called," my uncle's relieved voice said, and all I felt was anger.

"If you and your group of hunters don't kill me first, then watch your back because I won't let anyone hurt my husband and get away with it."