Mia
Damon didn’t say a single word-no warnings, no dramatic threats. He just moved like a goddamn bullet and decked Aaron right in the face. Full-force, no hesitation.
Aaron stumbled back, clutching his jaw, and I swear I heard his teeth rattle. “You fucking bastard,” Damon snarled, rolling his shoulders. “How dare you mess with my mate?”
Aaron grins, wiping his lips. “I told you I’d take your girl. Warned you, didn’t I?”
“Take my girl? You must be fucking stupid.” His voice is calm-too calm, the kind that makes you rethink all your life choices. “Maybe if I beat the fuck outta you, you’ll get your senses back.”
Aaron snorts. “Let me see you try. You forget…I’m an Alpha.” He puffs his chest like that’s supposed to be intimidating. “And you’re what… just Damon?”
I rush forward and grab Damon’s arm before he can lunge. “Babe, he’s not worth it.”
Damon yanks away. “Let me go, Mia. I’m gonna kick his fucking ass.”
And then he launches at Aaron, fists flying. It’s brutal. At first, Damon’s taking more hits than he’s giving, and I’m actually considering jumping in because, hello, I can throw hands too.
But then? Ohhh, then Damon snaps. He slams Aaron to the ground, straddles him, and just goes to town on his face. Punch after punch…dude’s getting wrecked.
I let him get his anger out for a solid minute before stepping in, because if I don’t, Damon is definitely catching a murder charge today.
“Damon, please stop,” I grunt, struggling to pull him off. “Or you’ll fucking regret it.”
He freezes mid-punch, his breath ragged, fists still clenched. Then, finally, his shoulders sag and he stands up, towering over Aaron’s crumpled ass.
Damon exhales sharply. “I’ve apologized a hundred times for fucking your high school crush. But you already got your revenge by screwing half of my exes-what more do you want?” He runs a hand through his hair, pissed but done. “I don’t care if you forgive me, but if I ever catch you breathing near Mia again, I’ll fucking kill you.”
With that, he grabs my hand and starts pulling me away.
But, of course, because Aaron hasn’t been hit enough today, he has to open his damn mouth.
“Wait…” he croaks.
Damon and I both pause, turning back.
Aaron wipes more blood off his lip, swaying slightly. “I’m not done talking.”
Damon rolls his eyes. “Yeah? Well, I am.”
“You think you’re better than me, huh?” Aaron lets out a weak laugh. “Well, guess what? I let you win.”
Damon snorts. “Yeah? Whatever helps you sleep at night.”
“You didn’t win, Damon.” He grins, eyes flicking to me. “I won… because your girlfriend was the one who fucking kissed me.”
The world stops.
“What?” I blurt out, eyes widening. “Are you out of your damn mind?” I jab a finger at his sorry-ass face. “You kissed me, you bastard!”
Aaron smirks, ignoring the fact that his nose is probably broken. “Don’t lie, Mia. You enjoyed it.” His voice drops into some pathetic, wannabe-sexy tone. “You and I… we have something special. Don’t deny it just because Damon’s here.”
My jaw drops. “Oh, you have lost your goddamn mind.”
Damon glares daggers at Aaron, his whole body practically vibrating with rage. “Just stop, Aaron. I’m not a fucking idiot.” His grip on my hand tightens. “You think I don’t know you and Max set this up? You knew we were almost home, so you brought Mia here. Then you had Max tell me she was waiting, just so I’d walk in and see that bullshit.”
Aaron doesn’t even deny it.
Damon steps forward, voice dark. “I’m warning you again, leave Mia the fuck alone.”
That’s when it clicks for me.
I let out a short, bitter laugh. “Ohhh, this is what this is about.” I cross my arms, raising an eyebrow. “You’re trying to use me to get to Damon. To ruin our relationship because some ex.”
Aaron scoffs. “Don’t act like you weren’t begging for that kiss.”
That’s it.
I snap.
I rip my hand out of Damon’s and march straight up to Aaron. He barely has time to process before I kick him hard, right in the dick.
He screams, immediately crumpling over, hands flying to his crotch.
“Fuck you,” I sneer. “And if you ever mess with me again, I’ll fucking chop your dick off.”
Damon lets out a low whistle. “Damn, babe.”
I turn back to him. “Let’s get the fuck outta here.”
We leave the storage house and start heading back to the main building. I’m fuming. I swear if I see Max, I’m gonna punch his stupid fucking face so hard his future grandkids will feel it.
When we finally get to Damon’s room, I don’t even sit down. I just turn to face him, arms crossed.
“Alright.” I huff. “Hit me with it. I know you’re mad at me. And honestly?” I throw my hands up. “I fucking deserve it.”
“Mia, I’m not mad at you,” he says, his voice softer now. “I know what Aaron’s capable of. I just think you should be more careful around him.”
I cross my arms, rolling my eyes. “I was careful. It was Max. He told me you were back and waiting in that room. How the fuck was I supposed to know I was walking straight into a setup?”
Damon exhales sharply, his jaw clenching. “Yeah… it’s why I don’t like my cousins.” He reaches for my hands, squeezing them gently. “I’m so sorry, Mia. I didn’t want this to happen.”
I shrug, trying to act unbothered, even though my blood is still boiling. “It’s fine. I mean, I probably should’ve told you that bastard’s been making moves on me. But I didn’t want you to murder him or something.”
His lips twitch into a smirk. “I would’ve actually killed him.”
I snort. “I know.” I lean into him, tracing circles on his chest. “And you were strong, babe. Aaron’s an alpha, and you still beat his ass.”
Damon tilts his head, a lazy, cocky smile spreading across his face. “All because of you,” he murmurs. “I can do anything when it comes to you.” He cups my chin and kisses me-slow, deep, like he’s trying to erase the bullshit of the last few hours.
Goddess, I missed this.
I wrap my arms around his waist, burying my face in his chest. “You have no idea how much I missed you,” I mumble against him. “I was losing my fucking mind.”
Damon chuckles, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “I’m sorry, baby. My dad had to meet some old friends, and it took longer than expected.”
I pull back slightly, raising a brow. “It’s fine. I mean, it wasn’t that bad. I did learn something very special about you from your mom.”
His whole body tenses. “Oh fuck. Like what?” He looks genuinely horrified.
I bite my lip, dragging out the suspense. “Well… apparently, you refused to sleep without closing the curtains every night because of some monster.” I burst out laughing at the way his eyes widen.
“Oh my Goddess.” Damon groans and covers his face, absolutely mortified. “I cannot believe she told you that.”
“It’s adorable,” I tease, nudging his side. “But don’t worry, baby. I’ll protect you from the scary monster.” I throw in a wink for good measure.
He huffs, shaking his head, but I catch the small smile forming. “You’re unbelievable.” Then, in one swift motion, he pulls me into his arms again, holding me close. “I’m glad I have you, baby.”
I sigh happily, resting my forehead against his. “Me too.” I tilt my head up and kiss him slowly, savoring the warmth of his lips. When I pull away, I whisper, “Thank you, Damon.”
“For what?”
“For believing me. For trusting me, even after what that asshole pulled.”
His eyes darken with something intense. “Come here.” He tugs me closer, lips just inches from mine, and I know exactly where this is going. My pulse spikes.
But then, because the universe hates me-a knock sounds at the door.
“Master Damon, dinner is ready.”
I groan loudly. “Are you kidding me?”
Damon sighs, resting his forehead against mine for a second before pulling away. “Guess we should go.”
I grab his hand and drag him toward the door. “Come on. I’m fucking starving.”
Christmas Day
Finally, Christmas day. And honestly? It was amazing.
Dinner was perfect, peaceful, and best of all…that bastard Aaron was gone. His father had been so pissed about the whole disaster that he sent him home to “reflect on his behavior.” Yeah, sure. More like “reflect on how badly Damon kicked his ass.”
Either way? Good fucking riddance.
Damon’s uncles and aunts were surprisingly respectful to my parents, which was a huge relief. Honestly, best Christmas ever, and the day wasn’t even over yet.
I step outside for some air, leaning against the balcony, when I feel warm hands wrap around my waist. I smirk.
“You found me,” I say, tilting my head back against his chest.
Damon hums, kissing the side of my neck. “You disappeared.”
“I was on the phone with Aria,” I reply. “She and Lucas called to wish us a Merry Christmas.”
“Haven’t heard from them in days,” Damon mutters.
“Yeah, well, they’ve been busy with each other.” I wiggle my brows suggestively.
He groans. “Ugh.”
I laugh, turning in his arms. “What’s wrong now?”
“I mean…” He sighs dramatically. “Aria and Lucas are off having alone time. Theo and his mate are doing their thing… and we can’t do shit.”
I snort. “Damon, we can’t fuck in the room. You know I’m a screamer.”
He loses it, throwing his head back in laughter. “You’re so fucking shameless.” His hands grip my waist tighter, and then his voice drops, turning into a low, dangerous whisper. “But I miss you, Mia. I miss fucking you so hard you’re screaming my name.”
Oh, fuck.
A shiver runs down my spine, and yep my panties are wet already.
I swallow, forcing myself to think. “You know what?” I grin. “I have an idea.”
Damon’s eyes immediately light up. “What is it?”
I nod toward the storage shed at the far end of the garden. “That storehouse or whatever it is… we could go there.”
His smirk is pure sin. “Mia, you’re a lifesaver.”
And before I can blink, he picks me up bridal style and runs out of the balcony, my laughter echoing in the night.
Goddess, I love this man.
And I will forever be grateful I gave him a chance.