Evelyn
The castle door slowly opened and we stepped outside. Damian still held my hand, and I didn't even bother to pull back. Outside, the atmosphere wasn't anything better, but it wasn't as depressing as inside the castle either.
After a few steps, I spotted a horse tied to a post with a vampire standing beside it. He bowed to Damian as we reached them, and what shocked me most was the horse, it wagged its tail and let out a soft whimpering sound the moment it saw him.
Damian reached out and caressed the horse's head, and the animal looked very excited and it neighed loudly. Wow. I couldn't believe the way Damian was pampering him.
"He is my horse," Damian said, still stroking the horse's head.
"Ohh, okay. What is his name?" I asked.
"What could his name be? Horse, of course."
Goddess this man, "No, I mean his pet name."
Damian just shrugged. "I neither give pet names nor spoil names."
I narrowed my eyes. "Oh really? But you did with me, didn't you, Evelyn to little wolf?" I said sarcastically.
Damian chuckled, his fangs were visible too. He looked damn handsome when he smiled, and it warmed my heart.
"Why are you laughing? I told the truth," I said.
He came closer, took me in his arms, and kissed my cheek. I jolted and shivered. Eva, pacing inside my head, loved his cold lips on my skin. My face heated up.
"What could I do, little wolf? My rules break when it comes to you."
"Why did you bring me here anyway?" I asked, trying not to blush or feel flattered after hearing his sweet words.
"Did you ever go horse riding?" he asked.
I would rather ride Damian, Eva spoke up. I ignored her.
"No, I never did."
"Would you like to go horse riding with me?" he asked hesitantly. "I thought you were getting bored in the castle, so it would be better to take you outside."
"I never did it before, but yeah, I would love to experience this." With you, I didn't say that out loud.
"But what if he dropped us"?
"I would never let you fall," he said, and again pecked my cheek.
Goddess, this man always melted my heart and shattered every resolution I had made to stay away from him.
Damian took the horse's reins and settled into the saddle, then offered me his hand. I took it and sat in front of him. One hand held the reins as he urged the horse forward, and the other stayed firmly around me.
I felt so many emotions at once, excitement, because this was my first time riding a horse, and a warm, sparking feeling because my mate was this close to me.
Everything felt like a dream. Soon the horse broke into a run, the wind kissing my skin and my hair flying freely. I closed my eyes, basking in the feeling. I had run many times in my wolf form, but this was something else entirely.
After a long ride, Damian slowed the horse to a stop and dismounted, then helped me down.
The place was beautiful, but the most breathtaking thing was the majestic river flowing before us, it looked ancient. Not a single soul was around. Quiet, breathtaking, hauntingly beautiful. But Damian's presence beside me felt warm, especially with his arm settled around my waist.
"Wow. This really is a beautiful place," I said as dry leaves swirled around us in a gust of wind.
We settled onto a stone bench.
"Little wolf, this is my favourite place," he said. "It has been a long time since I came here. I thought I should show you. This place is sacred too, our god Zudious once walked here." He turned to look at me. "Did you like it?"
"Yes, it's a nice place," I said. And it was, though the special feeling had more to do with being so close to him than anything else.
We sat quietly for a while, neither of us saying anything.
"Oh yes, can I ask you something?" I remembered suddenly.
He turned to me. "Of course, little wolf. Just tell me what you want. Jewellery, gold coins, land, just say it."
I rolled my eyes. Why did men always think women could only want things like that?
"No. I just want an electricity supply in my room for basic things, such as a light and charging system. My phone, It's been dead since yesterday. I haven't been able to talk to my parents , they'll be worried about me."
Damian scowled but nodded. "How would that be arranged, though? I asked.
"Humans handle these things, they are quite useful in that field," he said almost cockily.
My eyes widened. "But how? They would find out about our world."
"I know a few humans who work for us," he shrugged, like it was nothing. "They would not dare speak about us, since they love their lives."
I felt anger rise inside me. "You threatened them?"
"What did you expect, little wolf? Without fear, humans can be a nuisance. I couldn't take the risk."
"But threatening people is wrong, Damian. Would you threaten me too?" I questioned.
His eyes turned red. The arm around me tightened. "Why would you compare yourself to others?" He paused, then added more quietly, "You must have heard about hunters, they are humans too. In the past, they killed many vampires and werewolves for greed and their so-called experiments."
He was right. It had happened in the past.
I didn't say anything more. I just sat there, lost in the moment. I didn't even realise when evening crept in around us. The wind grew colder and I shivered.
Damian quietly draped his coat over my shoulders. I turned to look at him.
"What about you?" I asked.
"Vampires don't feel cold, little wolf. Have you forgotten?"
"Ohh, right." I looked down at the coat, swallowing me whole. It was enormous, heavy and long, hanging well past my knees.
"Goddess, how bulky is this coat? Are you a giant?" I grumbled.
"I am perfectly normal. You, on the other hand, need to eat more. Look how thin you are."
"You are normal," I huffed. This man was far more than normal.
"Let's go," he said, taking my hand.
He helped me back onto the horse and soon we were making our way back to the castle. We headed straight to the dining table, and just like every evening, it was filled with food, mostly my favourites. That was still a mystery I hadn't solved.
After dinner, Damian walked me to my room, still holding my hand. Goddess, he was so clingy, especially today.
"Okay... goodnight," I said shyly.
He stared at me for a moment.
"Night, little wolf," he said, his voice low and husky. He came closer and pecked my cheek and was gone in a blur of vampire speed. He had stolen so many kisses today. But did I complain? Hell no.
I went into my room, freshened up, and lay down on the bed with a smile, replaying every single moment in my mind. The way he held me so gently, like I already belonged to him. Every touch had made me weak. His soft, attentive nature was messing with my head, and what made it more overwhelming was that he didn't even know we were mates, yet he was still so good to me.
I didn't know what the future held. But one thing I was sure of , I would treasure every single moment with Damian.
Soon, the darkness took over me.