Chapter 89

Clara stared down at her plate, her eyebrows furrowed. She had no idea what she was looking at. Noticing her confusion, Damon chuckled. “Those are oysters with a side of caviar. It’s very popular here,” he said. Clara grimaced. She hated oysters.

“Oh,” she murmured, slowly picking up her fork. She didn’t want to seem uncultured, but Damon’s expression suggested he’d already seen through her.

“You don’t have to force yourself to eat. We can have the waiter bring something else,” he murmured.

Clara frowned. “Then wait another hour? I’m hungry now, so I have to eat it,” she murmured, reaching for an oyster. Damon swiftly swapped plates, placing his carbonara in front of her instead.

“Is that better?” he asked. Clara nearly salivated; his food looked delicious.

“Are you sure—?” she began, but he picked up his fork and twirled some pasta. “Let me feed you,” he murmured, the fork poised near her mouth.

She glanced at him before opening her mouth. As soon as the pasta touched her tongue, a moan escaped her throat.

“This is so good,” she murmured, then froze at the desire in his eyes.

“You’re making it terribly hard to keep my dick in my pants, love,” he murmured, his voice sending shivers down her spine.

She opened her mouth to speak when gunshots rang out from outside. Damon sprang up, pulling out a gun she hadn’t known he had.

“What’s going on?” she asked, fear rising.

“Stay by my side. Grab your bag,” Damon ordered, the playfulness gone from his face. He took her hand, and they cautiously exited the restaurant, his guards forming a protective shield as they moved toward the car.

“Where’s Leo?” Damon asked once they reached the vehicle.

“He went after them, Alpha,” one of the guards reported, earning a nod from Damon. “Take my wife home immediately,” Damon ordered.

Clara’s eyes widened. She grabbed his hand before he could leave. “Where are you going? Aren’t you coming home with me?”

“Someone’s testing my patience and I won’t rest until I’ve dealt with them. Go home; I’ll be back before you know it,” he said.

Clara shook her head. “It’s dangerous, Damon,” she murmured. He smirked. “You should be worried about them, not me. Take her home now,” he ordered, yanking his hand away and running off as the guards ushered Clara into the car.

Chapter 39 (61%)

“No, he needs to come home with me! Go get my husband!” Clara yelled at the guards, who looked confused.

“Don’t worry, ma’am. The Alpha will be alright. Your safety is our priority, and we have to take you home immediately,” one of them said. The car started.

Unable to convince them to return for Damon, Clara gave up and let them drive her home. She prayed to the moon goddess for her husband’s safety. The night had started so well; why did things always go wrong?

They arrived at the mansion to find Delilah and Aunt Amelia waiting. They rushed to hug her as soon as she got out of the car.

“Thank goodness you’re safe. Damon called Luca earlier and alerted him to the situation. Luca’s gone to meet him. My father has ordered a complete lockdown on the pack. We were worried something had happened to you,” Delilah murmured. Clara cried.

“Oh, Clara, what’s wrong?” Aunt Amelia asked, holding her close.

“From one problem to another. The night was going so well, and…”

“Enough of that, Clara. It’s a good thing they attacked tonight. At least Damon’s plan worked,” Aunt Amelia said, her eyes widening with guilt.

“Plan? What plan?” Clara asked. Aunt Amelia bit her lip.

“Clara…”

“What plan, Delilah?” Clara pressed. Delilah sighed.

“The date was a plan. Damon knew they were targeting you, so he set up the whole thing to lure them out,” she revealed. Clara’s eyes widened. So it had all been a plan. He hadn’t wanted to get to know her better? He’d used her as bait?

Without a word, Clara pulled away and walked toward the house.

“Clara…” Delilah started, but Clara raised a hand to stop her. “I need to be alone,” she murmured.

She entered the house, took a shaky breath, and furiously wiped away her tears. That bastard had played with her feelings. She’d been so close to confessing her feelings for him.

“You’re such a fool, Clara,” she murmured, climbing the stairs. She showered and changed into a nightgown before going to her son’s room. She’d neglected him all day because of Damon, but she was grateful for the nanny’s care.

Her son clapped his hands when he saw her, and she rushed to hug him. After dismissing the nanny, she spent time with him until he fell asleep. She then climbed into bed with him.

After a while, she felt a hand on her shoulder. She knew who it was.

“Hey, why are you sleeping here?” Damon’s soft voice asked. Clara slapped his hand away.

“So, your plan worked, huh?” she asked. He was silent for a moment before sighing.

“It’s not like that, Clara. I…”

“Save it, I’m not interested, and don’t you dare wake this little boy up,” she murmured. She shrieked as Damon lifted her out of bed and threw her over his shoulder. She pounded his back silently. He carried her out of the room and down the hall to their bedroom.

“Put me down, Damon! I’m not going in there with you!” she screamed, realizing they were far from her son’s room.

Damon sighed and set her down. She tried to leave, but he grabbed her hand and pulled her close.

“Yes, I admit the date was a plan to lure them out, but it was also a way for me to get to know you better, Clara. We had fun, didn’t we? We were happy earlier, weren’t we?” he murmured.

Clara frowned and pulled away. “Goodnight, Damon,” she muttered, turning to leave.

“I love you, Clara!” he yelled. She froze.

“I wanted to tell you that tonight, show you, and make you feel how much I love you. I love you, Clara, and I have for a while. Please forgive me; I should have included you in the plan. I’m sorry,” he murmured.

Clara clenched her fist, holding back tears. She wouldn’t fall for this again. She couldn’t trust his words; it might be another plan. If Damon broke her heart, she wouldn’t survive it.

“Well, I don’t love you,” she murmured. She turned to see Damon lying unconscious on the floor, a bloodstain on the ground, a large gash on his back.

“Damon!” she screamed, but he didn’t move. She tried to lift him, but he was too heavy. “Someone help!” she yelled, slapping his face, instantly regretting her words.

Luca rushed in, helping to lift Damon. He carried him into the bedroom, laid him on the bed, and called a doctor. Clara held Damon’s hand, crying. She hadn’t meant a word she’d said.

“I love you, Damon, so you can’t leave me, okay?” she whispered.