Chapter Eight

I awoke in an unfamiliar bed, sinking into its comforting embrace. A warm arm encircled me protectively, but as my eyes adjusted to the surroundings, I realized this wasn't the room I had occupied the previous night. Gently, I extricated myself from the embrace, slipping out of bed soundlessly. With cautious steps, I tiptoed to the bathroom and softly closed the adorned door behind me.

Turning on the faucet, I splashed water onto my face, then reached for a towel to dry off. When I glanced into the mirror, a scream escaped my lips. My once brown hair, flowing down to the middle of my back, had transformed into a cascade of white platinum, trailing down to my buttocks. My eyes, previously a deep brown, now blazed with a fiery orange intensity, akin to the brilliance of the sun.

Freckles, once scattered across my face, had vanished entirely. My complexion had also undergone a remarkable change, evolving from pale white to a radiant olive hue, leaving my skin flawless and blemish-free.

Drawing closer to the mirror, I tentatively pinched my cheeks, half-expecting to wake from what felt like a surreal dream. "Ouch," I muttered softly to myself. Suddenly, Damon burst into the bathroom, causing the door to slam loudly against the wall. He swiftly scanned the area behind me, his protective instincts on high alert. Once he ascertained there was no immediate threat and that I was safe, he visibly relaxed and approached me.

"Why did you scream?" Damon inquired, genuine concern etched across his features.

"My face—my face has changed," I pointed out, still grappling with the shock of it all. Damon stepped even closer, narrowing the gap between us to just an inch, and tenderly brushed his fingers against my cheek.

"Perhaps this has always been your true face, but you were never aware of it," he spoke, his voice imbued with soft and caring reassurance.

"I don't understand. I've looked the same all my life," I replied, gazing up at him, confusion etched across my features.

Damon leaned in closer, gently tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "Well, do you remember anything before you collapsed?" he inquired, his concern palpable. Delving into my memories, I sifted through the events of the past few hours.

"Yes! I remember hearing chanting in my mind, like a long-lost memory from when I was a baby. There were a few witches standing around me as I lay in a bassinet, and they were chanting something. One of the witches mentioned the need to keep me safe and something about a glamour," I recounted, my eyes meeting Damon's as he nodded in understanding.

"It's just as I suspected. Your parents must have enlisted the help of witches to cast a spell and a glamour on you, concealing your powers and altering your appearance," Damon explained, his voice tinged with understanding.

"None of this makes any sense. I have to regain my lost memories. I need to discover who they were," I declared, determination coursing through me.

Damon extended his hand toward me, a gesture of support. "You and I both, but for now, I think we should return to bed," he suggested. I took his hand, allowing him to lead us back to the bed. We settled in, with Damon lying down, his hands resting behind his head. I turned to face him, the mysteries of my past still swirling in my mind.

"I don't think I can sleep," I admitted.

"That's okay. You can just lie with me until the sun comes up," Damon reassured me. I nestled my head on his chest, and his arm gently descended to rest on my back. His hand traced soothing circles, providing me with a sense of comfort and security.

***

"Do it again!" Renin's voice echoed with frustration as he shouted at me. My inability to land a single punch on my opponent had clearly tested his patience. Letting out a growl of frustration, I had been at it for hours, and it seemed like an unending battle. My opponent, on the other hand, wore a smug smile that only intensified my irritation.

"You won't be joining your beloved husband for dinner until you manage to land a punch on Aila," Renin declared firmly. My gaze shifted to Aila, her infuriating smile still in place. She was one of the she-wolves who had glared at me yesterday, and today, she seemed intent on making me stumble at every turn, using every opportunity to put me on the ground.

"It's alright, Millie. Keep your focus on your opponent, study her, identify her weaknesses, and strike," Ellie encouraged me. My attention was locked on Aila, who kept shuffling her feet from side to side. With determination, I advanced towards her, simulating a punch. In response, she swiftly raised her hands to shield her precious face. A sly grin crept across my face as I realized just how much she valued her appearance above all else. Seizing the opportunity, I altered my attack, aiming a punch at her stomach. My fist connected with flesh, causing Aila to double over, clutching her midsection, and inadvertently, I landed a punch squarely on her irritating face. Aila crumpled to the floor, unconscious. "Oops," I muttered to myself, "I need to learn to control my strength."

"That was well done. Tomorrow, we'll focus on refining your strength control. Now, go freshen up and have dinner," Renin advised. I made my way over to Aila briefly and then hurried back to mine and Damon's room. After a quick shower and getting dressed, I joined Damon in the cafeteria.

"Took you a while. How was your training?" Damon asked, pushing my tray of food toward me. I devoured my meal with haste, my hunger accentuated by the rigorous training session earlier. It had been three months since I arrived at the Blood Moon pack, and most of the residents had grown accustomed to me as their queen. I had even forged a few friendships here. Yet, there were still individuals like Aila who harbored animosity toward me, and after today's training, I was certain Aila would have it out for me.

"Training went well, although I struggled to land a punch on Aila. Renin was determined not to let me leave until I did. So, I adjusted my strategy and managed to not only land one but two punches on her. Knocked her out cold," I boasted, a sense of triumph in my voice. Damon chuckled at my enthusiasm.

"You seemed to have enjoyed that a bit too much," he teased.

"I definitely did," I admitted, a broad grin on my face.

"But let's shift the focus. How was your day?" I inquired, wanting to hear about his experiences.

Damon's gaze lingered on me for an extended moment. "What?" I asked, curious about his prolonged stare.

"Would you like to go on a date with me tonight?" He inquired, his unwavering gaze fixed on mine. Damon possessed striking white hair and captivating green eyes. His imposing stature and well-defined muscles made quite an impression. My cheeks flushed as our eyes locked, and I nervously took a sip of my drink.

"Yes," I replied with a smile.

***

Damon took me to the beach, where we watched the waves crash forcefully against the rugged rocks beneath the moon's gentle glow. We strolled along the shore, our bare feet sinking into the cool sand. Despite having been in this place for three months, we both had been preoccupied, leaving little time to truly understand each other. Moreover, I was still in the process of discovering my own identity now that I was no longer a part of my old pack.

"I'll have to leave soon to attend to some matters at another pack," Damon revealed as we walked. I halted in my tracks and gazed up at him.

"Can't I accompany you?" I asked, hopeful.

"It wouldn't be safe for you there. The relationship between this pack and me is far from friendly," Damon explained.

"How long will you be gone?" I inquired, a sense of longing already tugging at me, even though he hadn't departed yet.

"A week," he replied, capturing my hands in his and locking his gaze with my orange eyes.

"I haven't formally marked you as mine yet, and I don't want to be separated from you without doing so," he confessed, his words causing a blush to creep onto my cheeks. We had been taking things at a slow pace, and I wasn't quite prepared to take that step just yet. We hadn't even shared a kiss.

"I'll miss you too, and being apart for a week will be torture," Damon explained, his concern evident.

"Then take me with you," I urged, a sense of determination in my voice. Damon shook his head.

"I can't," he replied, his tone regretful.

"We don't have to go all the way; I just want to mark you, and you can mark me in return," he suggested, his eyes earnestly seeking my response.

"We haven't even shared our first kiss yet," I admitted, my eyes briefly darting away.

"We can change that," he suggested, his voice playful and a mischievous smile dancing across his lips. Damon closed the distance between us, eliminating any space that remained. My initial panic prompted a step backward, but he gently placed his hand on my back, drawing me nearer. Our eyes locked, and he slowly lowered his head toward my lips.

My heart raced within my chest, and a flurry of butterflies stirred in the pit of my stomach. His breath brushed against my lips as his mouth hovered mere inches from mine. I looked up at him, rooted in place. Then, his soft lips finally made contact with mine, coinciding with distant fireworks illuminating the night sky above us. Damon playfully nibbled at my bottom lip, and my lips parted willingly, granting him access.

As he fervently explored my mouth with his tongue, I followed his lead. My arms encircled his neck, my fingers tangling in his hair, and a soft moan escaped my lips as our passionate kiss intensified. He effortlessly lifted me into his arms, my legs wrapping around his waist, and he gently laid us down on the sandy shore by the ocean, our desire-infused kiss continuing to consume us.

Damon positioned himself above me, nestled between my bare legs. I was dressed in a sky-blue, flowing skirt paired with a white crop top, sans a bra. Damon gently lifted my skirt, his movements increasing the friction against my white hipster panties. His undeniable arousal strained against the confines of his jeans, pressing intimately against my clit. A sensual moan escaped my lips, and I deepened our kiss.

His hands, meanwhile, lifted my crop top slightly, and he took one of my nipples into his warm mouth. My head rolled back, and I couldn't help but moan loudly as my hips instinctively rocked against his.

"Millz, I can't hold back any longer," Damon confessed, locking eyes with me.

"Go for it," I whispered breathlessly. Damon leaned closer to my neck, his lips hovering over the spot where he would soon leave his mark. His hips moved sensually against mine, creating a tantalizing friction. His hands possessively gripped my breasts, and he gently bit my neck, sending a rush of sensations through me. Stars seemed to explode before my eyes as he marked me. He tenderly licked my neck to seal the wound before lowering his neck to offer it to me.

I reciprocated, my mouth finding the spot where I would leave my own mark. A low growl rumbled from Damon as he intensified his movements, rocking his hips against me with greater fervor. My panties were drenched with desire, and his skilled hands cupped me, expertly circling my clitoris. Then, he gently slid a finger inside me, maintaining eye contact. My eyes rolled back, and an uncontrollable moan escaped my lips as my hips rhythmically moved against his fingers. Stars danced before my eyes once more as I experienced my first orgasm.

We shared laughter, a shared intimacy, before Damon's lips found mine again in a passionate kiss.