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Chapter 242: Chapter 242 Don’t push me away
For a moment, Damon just stood there, the silence between them thick with unspoken words. The pride that had swelled in his chest moments ago began to waver, slowly eroded by a growing uncertainty. His gaze flickered to Kyra, searching her face for any hint of emotion, any sign that she understood what this place meant to him. He had brought her here with the hope that she would see it as he did.
More than anything, Damon wanted her to feel a connection to this place, and through it, a connection to him. But as the seconds stretched on, he felt doubt creeping in. Had he done enough? Did she feel the same sense of belonging here that he did? Or had he misjudged her feelings entirely?
He clenched his fists at his sides, the rough stone beneath his feet grounding him as his thoughts swirled. He had never been one to second-guess himself, but now, in this moment, he found himself questioning everything. All he wanted was for her to understand, to see beyond the surface and grasp the deeper meaning behind his actions. And now, as he stood there, he was left wondering if she did.
Kyra’s eyes widened in disbelief as she took in the sight before her. The treasure cave was more than she could have ever imagined—glittering piles of gold, shimmering silver, and sparkling gems that seemed to light up the entire space. She had never thought Damon would bring her to such a place. The sheer abundance of wealth here was overwhelming, especially considering the world she had come from.
If she had anything like this back in her world, she would have become an overnight billionaire. In her reality, these treasures had become all but extinct after the apocalypse. The catastrophic event had ravaged her world, leaving it a barren wasteland where resources were scarce, and wealth was measured in survival rather than riches. 𝖓𝔬𝔳𝔭𝖚𝖇.𝔠𝔬𝖒
The acidic rain that had fallen during the apocalypse had been lethal, containing high levels of metallic elements that reacted violently with precious metals like gold, silver, and jade. The once plentiful treasures had corroded and melted away, becoming nothing more than myths and legends. Each piece that survived had been sold at astronomical prices, far beyond the reach of ordinary people. Kyra had only ever seen such things in photos, relics of a time long past, when the world had been whole.
In her world, she had never owned real jewelry—only cheap, fake imitations that lacked the luster and weight of the real thing. Seeing this cavern filled with genuine treasures, treasures that would be priceless in her world, left her in awe.
"Little thing, you’ve finally accepted me as your mate..." Damon’s deep voice broke the silence, sending a shiver down her spine. She could feel his presence behind her, close enough that the air seemed to thicken between them.
’Oh my god! He doesn’t want to mate with you right here, does he?’ Her beast, Kaia, suddenly spoke up in her mind, her tone filled with excited anticipation. ’Oh my goodness, I want to experience mating!’
’Shut up,’ Kyra snapped back internally, trying to quell the rising panic.
When Kyra didn’t respond, Damon’s expression darkened with impatience. He stepped closer, wrapping his strong arms around her waist and pulling her back against his chest. His breath was hot and heavy against her neck, and she could feel the tension radiating from his body. His hold tightened, and she froze when she felt something hard and hot pressing into her back.
’Oh my god, he is so big and hot,’ Kaia practically squealed in her head, her excitement reaching new heights.
Kyra’s breath hitched as she tried to process what was happening. She instinctively grasped his arms around her stomach, wanting to break free, but her body betrayed her, locking up at the overwhelming sensation of his closeness. Every inch of her skin seemed to tingle where he touched, her mind torn between resisting and giving in to the emotions swirling inside her.
But then, the thought of Lucas flashed through her mind—his condition, his pain. Her expression darkened, a wave of guilt washing over her.
’Don’t be silly,’ Kaia’s voice echoed in her head, trying to soothe her. ’Luca and Vincent have had to fight like this whenever any male challenged them. Damon wasn’t at fault, okay?’
’Okay,’ Kyra agreed, realizing she had to accept reality, though the tension in her body remained. Kaia fell silent, her disbelief evident at Kyra’s acceptance.
Gathering her thoughts, Kyra turned around and pushed Damon away, creating distance between them. He looked down at her, his eyes hooded with desire, the intensity in his gaze nearly taking her breath away.
"Don’t push me away, little thing..." Damon’s voice was rough, tinged with the pain of her rejection. "I know you have feelings for me too. Don’t ignore me so much..."
His heart ached at her silence, each moment of her reluctance cutting deeper than any wound he’d ever received in battle.
Before she could respond, Damon moved swiftly, cornering her against the cool jade wall behind her. His movements were firm, yet there was a gentleness to the way he handled her, as if he was afraid of pushing her too far. He knew her well enough to sense when she might feel uncomfortable, so instead of pinning her against the wall, he pulled her toward him, close enough that their bodies were almost touching.
Kyra’s nose bumped lightly against his hard chest, the solid muscle beneath his shirt a stark reminder of his strength. The scent of him—earthy, with a hint of something wild—filled her senses, making her feel lightheaded. Her hands rested against his chest, feeling the steady thrum of his heartbeat beneath her fingers, a rhythm that seemed to match the erratic pace of her own heart.
For a moment, everything else faded away. It was just the two of them, standing so close that she could feel the heat radiating from his body, his breath mingling with hers in the small space between them.
Damon’s hand gently cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing softly against her skin as he tilted her face to meet his gaze. "You don’t have to deny your feelings for me, little thing," he whispered, his voice low and tender. "I’ll wait for you, no matter how long it takes. But please, don’t shut me out..."
