Chapter 76

Damon

"She must have been really tired," I murmured, caressing her hair and staring down at her beautiful face. Clara fell asleep again. No matter what noise we made, she didn't wake up. I even checked several times to make sure she wasn't dead.

"Yes, she didn't sleep well last night. Your father isn't going to be happy to see you," Luca uttered, and I sighed.

"My wife wanted me, and as of now, she's my main priority. I'd like to make her my Luna as soon as possible. I also wanted to marry her again," I murmured, and he glanced at me briefly.

"Marry her again?" he questioned, ensuring he'd heard correctly.

"Yes. Our first marriage was based on selfishness; this time, it will be based on emotion. I want a big wedding, and I'd like to see Clara in a gown. She'll be the most beautiful bride ever," I murmured, smiling as I caressed her face.

"You love her, don't you?" Luca said, and my fingers paused before I turned to him.

"I do, don't I?" I questioned, and he scoffed.

"Are you asking me?" Luca asked, and I sighed before staring down at Clara.

"I've never been in love, so I don't know how it feels, but I feel very strongly about her, if that's what love implies," I murmured, and he smiled.

"Who knew you could ever be in love? I always thought you were going to die alone, but here you are," he said, and I rolled my eyes, knowing he wasn't entirely wrong.

"I can't pinpoint the day I started feeling this way about her," I murmured.

"I can, and if you ask me, I'd say you were smitten the day you first met. No one pushed your buttons like she did, and you couldn't stop talking about her. You tried so hard to fight the attraction, but you're mates, and the Moon Goddess knows why she made you both mates. Clara is your other half," he murmured, and I smiled, knowing he was probably right. He always was.

"And I never want to lose her; that's why I want to make things right," I murmured, and he hummed.

"I'm proud of you and happy for you. At least now you're Clara's problem, not mine," he murmured, and I rolled my eyes.

"What about you? I'm starting to think you're hiding the girl you like from me. You've never spoken about a woman, nor have you ever been in a relationship. Are you gay?" I asked jokingly, and he chuckled.

"You and I both know I'm not gay, but I'm not ready for a relationship right now, and no one has really caught my attention," he murmured. I decided not to push further, knowing he would tell me if he liked someone.

We arrived home, and my father and the others emerged from the house as soon as we pulled into the driveway.

"How many times do I have to tell them not to be in my house when I'm not around?" I muttered through clenched teeth as the car stopped.

"They all came to see how Clara was doing," Luca informed, and I sighed as Clara opened her eyes.

"Are we home?" she asked, and I nodded.

"Yes, baby, we just got home. Let's go inside," I murmured, getting out of the car.

The guards opened the door for Clara, and she quickly rounded the car to stand beside me, interlocking our arms as if afraid I'd leave.

"Let's go?" she asked, and I nodded as she led me toward everyone.

"You're not supposed to be here, Damon," my father said, just as I predicted, and Clara's grip tightened.

"No, but my wife needed me, so I'm here," I replied. I saw Aunt Amelia smiling proudly.

"Damon…"

"Father, please. I've reflected on my actions, and I know I was wrong. I wanted to stay in the abyss to finish my punishment, but my wife needs me. You know you would do the same if our roles were reversed," I murmured, and he sighed.

"Just because I'd do the same doesn't make it right, Damon," he said, and I was about to counter him when my mother spoke.

"That's enough, both of you. His wife needs him, my love. Just make an exception this time," my mother murmured, glancing at my father, who sighed.

"We can't keep bending our rules for him; that's why he doesn't change," my father murmured.

"That's incorrect, Alpha King. You and I both know Damon has changed since Clara came into his life. He's more well-behaved when she's near him. When they're apart, bad things happen," Luca said, and my hold on Clara tightened. He was right; anytime I was away from Clara, bad things happened.

"Please, Alpha King, let me be with my husband. If you're still determined to send him to the abyss, I'll go with him because I'd rather be there with him than without him here," Clara said, breaking her silence, and everyone fell quiet.

I knew if my father ordered me back to the abyss, I wouldn't let Clara go with me because it was too dangerous, but I didn't publicly counter her words.

"I'm not going to win this anyway, so why keep pushing it? You will still complete your punishment later, Damon, but for now, be with your wife," my father said, and I smiled, looking down at Clara, who had a wide grin.

"Shall we go in?" I asked, and she nodded happily as I led her inside.

"Come to my office later; I have something to discuss with you," my father said, and I nodded without stopping.

I led Clara to our room, where her maid, Gwen, was waiting.

"You are back, Alpha," Gwen said, bowing.

"Why are you here?" I asked, and Clara jabbed me with her elbow.

"Be nice, Damon," she muttered, and I rolled my eyes.

"Why are you here, Gwen?" I asked sarcastically. I thought I heard Gwen scoff.

"I didn't know Ma'am Clara was coming back, so I was waiting for her. I also tidied the room while you were gone, and now I'll take my leave," she murmured, bowing and leaving.

"I'll see you later," Clara called after her.

"It seems you've gotten close to the help," I murmured, kissing Clara.

"She's not 'the help'; she's an Alpha's daughter and my friend, so treat her like my friend, not a maid," she said, and I rolled my eyes.

"I treat everyone like a maid except you, Clara. Now hurry your sexy ass to the bathroom so you can help me get cleaned up," I murmured, and she sniffed before playfully gagging.

"Yeah, you're right, you stink," she murmured, and I scoffed.

"It seems someone wants to be tickled again…"

"No!" she shrieked, dodging me as she ran to the bathroom while I laughed.

This felt right. This felt like love…