Chapter 44 - Clara

I sat in the car, wringing my hands, fighting back tears. Luca and the guards loaded my belongings after Damon's instructions. I said nothing, simply walked to the car and sat down. I feared that if I stayed in the house any longer, I'd break character and Damon would see through me. "We're doing the right thing," I whispered to my wolf, who whimpered inside me. "He can't find out our secret. He just can't." I felt disgusted with myself after yesterday's harsh words to Damon. My wolf refused to speak to me, but what could I do? I was afraid, protecting myself.

I glanced at the house. Damon stood by the door, a frown etched on his face as he watched Luca pack my things. He looked at me, and I gasped. The windows were heavily tinted, but I felt his gaze, a silent plea for me to stop this charade. I wanted to stop, too. Just then, Alicia appeared beside him, a frown mirroring his, though I sensed underlying excitement. I clenched my fist. She might have driven me away, but nothing would happen between her and Damon; she wouldn't win.

The trunk slammed shut. I closed my eyes. It was time—time to leave the place I'd called home for weeks, time to leave Damon. I turned to look for him, but he was gone. I hid my disappointment as Luca entered the car. "Ready to go, Madam?" he asked. I nodded. "Yes."

The car started, and I stared at the mansion until it disappeared. A single tear escaped. "You know," Luca muttered after a while, "if something's bothering you, you can always tell Damon. He's sharp-tongued, but he'll listen, especially from you." I scoffed. "What? You think I don't have feelings for him? I just don't want him. Nothing's going on." My wolf grumbled in disapproval. How easily I lied—years of practice.

Luca said nothing more, and neither did I. I was nearly asleep—I hadn't slept a wink—when Luca announced our arrival. I looked out the window, pleasantly surprised by the beautiful mansion. It wasn't as large as the one back home… home? I laughed. After my behavior with Damon, I doubted he'd ever want anything to do with me again.

"Come on, Clara. I'll show you around and introduce you to everyone," Luca said, getting out of the car. I followed, frowning at the sheer size of the property. "I can't stay here alone; it's too big," I said to Luca, and he raised an eyebrow.

"Sorry?" he asked, making sure he'd heard correctly.

"I can't stay here. It's too big. Don't get me wrong, it's beautiful, but I can't stay," I said truthfully. I disliked being alone in a house, especially one this large. Yes, there would be maids and butlers, but it wasn't the same.

"Oh, of course, Madam. I'll make arrangements immediately," Luca said, pulling out his phone and stepping away. I glanced around, and Damon immediately sprang to mind. If he were here, I wouldn't mind staying. Besides my aversion to being alone, I knew everything here would remind me of Damon. His scent probably lingered, just as it did on me. Chills ran down my spine as I remembered our morning sex. It took all my willpower to stifle a moan.

"What do you mean she doesn't want to stay at the house?" Damon's voice startled me; it came from Luca's phone.

"She said it's too big and she can't stay alone," Luca replied.

"She's not alone; she's with the fucking maids," Damon retorted. Luca sighed and said something I couldn't hear. "Okay, take her to that house," Damon said before hanging up. Luca sighed, then smiled at me, pointing at the car. "Let me take you to your new home," he murmured. I smiled slightly before getting back in.

The house he took me to wasn't as large as the previous one, but it wasn't small either; a cozy duplex with a simple white picket fence and a decent yard. Just right for me. The yard was too small for the car, so Luca parked it outside.

"Is this place better?" he asked. I nodded, smiling. "Much better, thank you."

The house seemed unoccupied for years, making me wonder if anyone had ever lived there.

"Are you sure?" Luca asked. I smiled and nodded. "Yes, and I think it's closer to work. I can see my workplace from here, so I won't need a driver," I said. He frowned. "Damon won't agree to that; he'll get you a driver. Let's go in, and don't worry about cleaning. Some maids are on their way. Just get comfortable, okay?"

We went inside. All the furniture was covered in plastic. Luca turned on the lights, and I nearly choked on the dust. "Who used to live here?" I asked, glancing around at the teacups, girly toys scattered on the floor, and baby-pink walls.

"No one. This used to be Delilah's playhouse," Luca said. My eyes widened. What? She had a whole house as a playhouse?

"It's a little small, so I hope you can manage here for a while until we find a better house. This was last minute…"

"I love it. I hope Delilah won't mind me decorating it a bit?" I asked. He smiled. "Go crazy. I'll have the interior designer here tomorrow. If you need anything, tell the guards outside or call Damon."

I frowned, took a deep breath, and walked to the window. I furrowed my eyebrows at a car almost identical to Damon's, but when I blinked, it was gone. I sighed, turning back to Luca. I missed him so much my brain was playing tricks on me.

"Shall we check out the whole house?"

(Note: The original text contained some possibly unintentional repetitions and inconsistencies. I've addressed those as best as possible within the context of the story.)