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Chapter 235: Chapter 235 Counsil meeting (1)
Kyra tried to steady her breathing, her heart racing as she looked up at him. There was something different about him tonight-something darker, more intense. She could see the storm brewing behind his eyes, the conflict tearing him apart inside.
"Damon," she whispered, feeling her own confusion mix with concern. She wasn’t sure what had happened to her, but when Damon hadn’t shown up for dinner, she felt a gnawing worry that she couldn’t ignore. Without thinking twice, she brought him some food, hoping it would help.
But Damon’s expression didn’t soften. If anything, it became more resolute, as if he had made a decision he couldn’t turn back from. He leaned in closer, so close that she could feel the warmth of his breath against her cheek. His gaze locked onto hers, and she saw something raw flickering behind his eyes- possessiveness, desperation, and something deeper, something primal.
He leaned in even closer, his lips brushing against the shell of her ear as he whispered, "You have no idea how much you mean to me, little thing. But I’ll show you. I’ll make you understand."
Kyra’s heart pounded in her chest, her emotions a whirlwind of fear, excitement, and something she couldn’t quite name. She knew she should push him away, make him see reason, but the way he looked at her-the way he spoke to her-made it impossible to think clearly.
"I..." she began, her voice faltering as she tried to find the right words.
But before she could say anything more, Damon’s lips were on hers, the kiss fierce and possessive. It wasn’t gentle or soft-it was a kiss that claimed, a kiss that demanded her surrender. Kyra gasped against his mouth, her hands instinctively reaching up to grab onto his robe, holding on for dear life as he poured all of his emotions into that kiss.
When he finally pulled back, his breathing was ragged, and his eyes were dark with desire. He rested his forehead against hers, his voice rough as he whispered, "You’re mine, little thing. And I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure everyone knows it."
"I’m not going to lose you," Damon continued, his voice trembling with emotion. "Not to Lucas, not to Vincent, not to anyone."
Kyra swallowed hard, her hands still clutching his blue robe as she looked up at him. She could see the pain in his eyes, the fear of losing her that drove him to this point. And despite everything-despite the darkness that seemed to consume him-she couldn’t deny that there was something about his touch that stirred something deep inside her. She didn’t dislike it. In fact, she felt an unexpected urge to have him closer, and she noticed changes in her body that she wasn’t sure how to interpret.
Damon’s intense gaze softened just a fraction as he looked at her, waiting for her to say something, anything. But all Kyra could manage was a quiet, "Please, Damon, don’t forget to eat." She released his robe and stepped back, turning to leave. When she reached the door, she paused, her hand resting on the frame. "You can come and sleep in the room. It’s your house," she added softly, before walking away.
Damon watched her retreating figure, her words echoing in his mind. Suddenly, a laugh escaped his lips-short, almost bitter. "Our... our house," he repeated, the concept foreign yet strangely comforting.
Kyra’s ears, now more sensitive after her shifting, caught the sound of his voice, even as she walked away. It made her pause, her heart skipping a beat at the faint trace of vulnerability in his laughter. She hesitated for a moment longer before continuing walking down the stairs, her thoughts swirling as she tried to make sense of what had just happened between them.
****
The next day, the council meeting was held in the open ground near the largest cedar tree. Every important member of the tribes was present, along with the people from Spirit City. The crowd was vast, filling the space with murmurs of anticipation.
Kyra stood out in a knee-length green dress, paired with a cozy sweater and a cap. She looked around, taking in the scene, while Lucas and Damon flanked her.
Tribe leader Marc stood at the front, next to the healer and priest, both of whom had serious expressions. The gravity of the situation was clear in their eyes.
"Is everyone gathered?" Marc’s voice boomed across the ground, loud and clear, silencing the crowd as all eyes turned toward him.
As Marc’s voice echoed through the crowd, a few people suddenly shouted, "Wait!" One of them, a tall male from the back, called out urgently, "My mate is still not here!"
The murmurs grew louder, some people anxiously scanning the crowd, hoping to catch sight of those who hadn’t arrived yet. The gathering momentarily became chaotic, the tension in the air thickening as everyone waited for the missing members to join them.
Just then, Billi arrived with her mate, casting a brief glance at Kyra before quickly looking away, her expression unreadable. The tension in the air seemed to thicken as she took her place in the crowd.
"So, everyone is present?" Marc asked once more, his voice carrying over the murmurs of the crowd. A chorus of affirmations followed, and he nodded at the healer.
Healer Angelo stepped forward, his gaze sweeping across the gathered townspeople. "As we all know," he began, his voice solemn, "we recently faced a grave threat on the day of the beauty contest. Many of us have already lost loved ones. I hope their souls may rest in peace." His words hung heavily in the air, a stark reminder of the recent losses and the danger still looming over them all.
Healer Angelo continued, his tone growing more somber. "Beyond the loss of life, we’re now facing severe challenges. The sudden attack has disrupted our supplies, and with winter already upon us, our food stores are running dangerously low. The cold has made it even harder to gather or hunt for what we need, and our people are starting to feel the strain."
