Alpha Damon (Sienna) novel Chapter 304

Carter:

It was dark again. And for a moment the damp cell did not feel as damp anymore.

That same darkness that wrapped around my throat like chains, choking, suffocating, cold. But this time… she was clearer.

Tatiana.

It was cold, dark and I tried to move but I couldn’t.

She stood at the edge of my dream like a flame in smoke, her body glistening like she was made of mist and memory. Her eyes burned into me. Not angry. Not pleading. Her arms crossed over her chest as she walked towards me.

Commanding.

Really cool and void of any emotions. Just testing, waiting, even tempted.

“You are mine, Carter. You seem to be forgetting that, but it’s time for me to be able to remind you. You know you refuse to allow me in your head. You refuse to listen to order. It’s time for me to repeat and go back to that order.”

I tried to move. My limbs wouldn’t answer.

“You opened the door. You brought me in. You knew what you were doing. You were well aware of your emotions. You might have been under my control, but you could have stopped me.”

“No,” I rasped. “You’re lying. I wouldn’t have been able to stop you. You know that. Once I let you in, it is you. It is not you and me.”

“That might be true, but it doesn’t mean that you didn’t want it. Look at yourself now, stuck in this cell. I can let you out. I can help. All you have to do is let me in.” Her voice was cruel, despite the gentleness in it. It held more darkness, sending shivers down my spine as I tried to control myself, as I tried to open my mouth to scream.

Her fingers extended, brushing the edge of my mind. I felt my body turn in the dream, walk toward her like I didn’t have control. Like I was hers.

“I’m not…”

“You were always weak. You just needed a reason. And I was that reason I helped you. I stood by your side when no one did. You see what they’re doing to you. All you have to do is allow me to set you free. And trust me, they’re all going to be afraid of you. They’re all going to bend the knee to you. Don’t tell me that you don’t want that.”

My breath hitched. The air turned thick. My chest tightened.

“No!”

I gasped as I bolted up, drenched in sweat, the cell spinning like it was collapsing in on itself. My hands gripped my hair. The scream that left my mouth was raw-guttural. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t breathe…

“Carter.”

I didn’t hear the door open.

I didn’t even know how long it’s been open.

Damon’s voice cut through the haze.

I barely registered his hand on my shoulder before I flinched back like he burned.

“Don’t touch me!” I gasped. “Get the hell away from me!”

I shook my head. “I opened the gate. I let her in. This is all my fault…”

“It doesn’t matter anymore.” He cupped the back of my neck and pulled me in until my forehead rested against his shoulder. ” You’re fighting now. That’s what counts. That’s what makes you mine. That’s what makes you my beta. My friend and brother.”

I let go then.

The sobs tore out of me, helpless and raw. I didn’t care anymore. I wasn’t the Beta, or the second-in-command. I was just a man shattered by something that still lingered. I was just a man who didn’t even know how he was going to be able to get out of this alone. I didn’t know. I wanted to, but I couldn’t.

And Damon didn’t move.

He let me fall apart right there on his shoulder.

“Help me,” I said, the words barely audible. “Please help me.”

“I will.” He whispered. “Even if it is the last thing that I’m going to do, I’m going to help you, Carter.”

He didn’t promise it would be easy. He didn’t lie and say it would all disappear.

But he held me tighter.

“I give you my word, you’re not going to endure it alone.”