Whispers of Shadows, 85

Mason woke up in a tangle of disheveled cushions, a solitary corner on the large sofa, which, in his dazed mind, seemed more like a ship lost in turbulent waters than a place of rest. The uncomfortable position of his body, contorted like a forgotten castaway, was interrupted only by the subtle hum of scattered thoughts.

The half-light of the room highlighted his solitary figure, while Mason, still groggy, tried to make sense of the surrounding landscape. The sofa, more of a temporary refuge than a resting place, became the epicenter of his return to consciousness. 

Sitting quietly in his corner, Mason felt like an intruder in the depths of the night, his fragmented memories floating adrift in his mind. It was a slow awakening, punctuated by the sensation of having been thrown into an unknown journey.

Emeline and Damián, silent observers of his resurgence, waited, knowing that the next words would shape the contours of a new chapter in the intricate plot of their intertwined lives.

Noticing the marks on Mason's face, Emeline felt a shiver run down her spine. His face, now marked by visible traces of a recent fight, was a landscape that aroused both curiosity and compassion.

The evidence of a recent assault was noticeable and disturbing, and the vulnerability of his current condition revealed a shocking divergence from the figure she had known. The marks weren't there when she lost consciousness, which meant that Mason faced something terrible while she was helpless.

Emeline; despite being Mason's victim, couldn't help but feel a twinge of concern for the fragile figure he presented. The complexity of emotions arose from the duality between the aggressor and the victim, who now seemed vulnerable. It was difficult to reconcile the brutality she had experienced with the sight of Mason wounded in front of her.

Damián, carefully observing the interaction, realized the ambiguity of the moment. The marks on Mason's face were not just physical scars; they were silent witnesses to a deeper narrative, full of nuances that defied the simplified definitions of victim and aggressor.

Emeline, noticing the recent marks on Mason's face, turned her gaze to Damián with a questioning expression.

Her eyes reveal a thirst for answers, as if they were searching Damián's eyes for an explanation of what had happened. The silence between them speaks volumes, and Emeline's gaze is a silent question hanging in the air.

Damián, for his part, notices the questioning in Emeline's eyes and, for a moment, feels speechless. His gestures become restless, and he runs his hand through his hair in a gesture of discomfort, as if he were struggling to find the right words.

Finally, when he meets Emeline's gaze again, Damián sighs and, with sincerity, says, "I'm sorry."

His apology carries with it the weight of understanding the complexity of the situation, while he strives to express compassion and a willingness to explain, even if it's not ready to happen yet.

The day was about to dawn when Damián, running his hand through his hair with a tired expression, turned to Emeline. Snuggled in the corner of the sofa, she looked at Damián with an expectant expression.

Damián (gently, but clearly tired): Emeline, I don't think you should work today. The day has only just begun, so it's imperative that you recover. I ask for just one day. I promise, just one day.

Emeline (curious and worried): What about him?

Damián, after a moment's silence, looked at Mason before answering sincerely.

Damián: I'm taking him with me. I need to get home; I'm going to look after him. But I promise, I'll explain everything tomorrow. Just one day.

A silence hangs in the room, and Damián, feeling the need to reinforce his words, repeats them with determination:

Damián: "I'll explain tomorrow. Just one day!

I promise to explain everything tomorrow, and... I'm sorry."

Emeline, trying to decipher between the lines of the situation, nodded silently, recognizing the complexity of the moment. Damián walked away, feeling that words were insufficient to convey the whole truth.

After the brief farewell, Damián turned to Mason, whose figure still bore the traces of a tumultuous night. With a firm gesture, Damián took Mason's arm, his eyes fixed on his.

Damián: "You're coming with me!"

Mason, still groping through the shadows of his newly recovered consciousness, looked at Damián with a mixture of confusion and acceptance.

In the car, the silence was only interrupted by the roar of the engine as Damián drove with dizzying speed and palpable determination. The tense atmosphere, laden with the weight of recent events, was almost palpable. Mason, sitting next to Damián, watched the rapidly changing landscape through the window, his mind still adjusting to wakefulness.

Damián, lost in his own thoughts, finally broke the silence, talking to himself…

Damián (whispering): This is my fault…

Immediately afterward, Damián, consumed by a wave of frustration, struck the steering wheel several times. Each blow echoed inside the vehicle, revealing the intensity of his emotions.

Damián's gestures were visible to Mason, who watched the scene with a mixture of surprise and caution. The speed of the car, the abrupt turns, and Damián's intense expression all contributed to a tense atmosphere. Mason could sense Damián's agitation and self-criticism, but Aster's words still reverberated in his mind.

Before arriving at the estate, Damián decided to stop the car a few meters before the main gate.

He switches off the engine and turns to Mason, holding him tightly by the arm. His eyes reflect intense determination as he utters threatening words:

Damián (in a low, threatening tone): Listen to me, Mason. When we get into that mansion, you're just a friend. A friend was rescued after being attacked by an alpha. If you dare open your mouth to tell the truth about me, I'll end it. And, you know, there are many ways to do that. I'm not like Spencer (Aster), the good guy who follows the rules. I'm a man of the underworld, a very, very dangerous mercenary. Think carefully before you say anything.

Damián then continues walking, holding Mason by the arm, walking towards the mansion with slow, calculated steps. Mason, stunned by the revelation that Damián is the mercenary, feels his legs weaken. Josh Smith, not the CIA agent he imagined, feels his legs weaken.

As they approach the majestic entrance to the Kadman Mansion, Damián whispers menacingly in Mason's ear, his words fraught with danger.

Damián (whispering): Don't you dare say anything, or I'll finish you off. We've come to my house, and here I'm the only one who makes the rules. Understand?

Mason, now aware of Damian's true nature, feels a chill run down his spine as he faces the imminent threat in front of the imposing Kadman residence.

Damian arrives at Kadman Manor, and as he enters, he notices the presence of Lady Elizabeth, Adam, and even Lord Malcolm, the patriarch of the family, who has decided to join in.

On noticing Mason's condition, expressions of surprise and concern appear on the faces of the family members. Lady Elizabeth; as a compassionate and understanding woman, immediately realizes the need to act. She approaches Damián and Mason, assessing the situation with a critical but warm gaze.

Lady Elizabeth (with compassion): Damián, what has happened? And who is this young man? He looks like he needs help.

Damián, although initially reluctant, briefly explains the situation, minimizing some details to protect himself. Lady Elizabeth, however, realizes the seriousness of the situation, and her maternal instinct prompts her to act.

Lady Elizabeth (gently): Bring him inside. I'll call the doctor immediately. She asks a nearby employee to help Damian find a more comfortable place.

As Lady Elizabeth takes charge of the situation, Lord Malcolm, knowing full well the challenges faced by the Omegas, joins the scene with a serious expression. He immediately realizes that this is the reality for many omegas.

Lord Malcolm (with authority): Damián, we'll talk about what happened later. Right now, Mason's well-being is our priority.

The tension in the bedroom is almost palpable when Adam starts talking to Damian, expressing his dissatisfaction at the lack of warning about the situation with Mason.

The dialog takes on a more personal and heated tone, becoming a kind of couple's fight. The body language, gestures, and expressions are intense, accentuating the depth of the discussion.

Adam (seriously): Damián, we need to talk. It's not about the fact that you helped someone; it's about the fact that you didn't warn me. It seems that my role in your life doesn't matter to you at all.

Damián (defensive): Adam, things were complicated. I didn't have time to…

Adam (interrupting): Complicated or not, we're connected, Damián. You just disappeared without saying a word, as if I didn't deserve to know. That's not respect.

Adam continues to raise the tension:

Adam: You're just over twenty-five; you live in Markarian, and you may have experienced a few bad relationships. And some omegas fall into the arms of many alphas who are willing or able to give them a little attention. But that's not her life anymore.

Damián, visibly affected, turns red; even though he can't see himself, his face heats up. At forty-eight and having had the life he's had, Adam's provocation ignites old flames.

 Damián turns quickly and throws something against the wall; the object crashes. He retorts angrily:

 Damián: Are you talking about my life of lust?

 Damián's words resonate in Adam's mind as he stands his ground:

 Adam: Are you talking about "Mister always yours"? And who is "always yours"?

 Damián continues sarcastically:

 Damián: Someone who no longer matters… Did you go through my things, Adam? Are you investigating me?

 Damián continues, his sarcastic tone turning to anger.

 Damián: Thank you very much for reminding me why I've refused to get married all my life!

 And provocatively:

Damián: And while we're on the subject, what's wrong with having someone? You've had several relationships, Adam, I'm sure… (a pause in his voice), and many people have experienced it. After all, doesn't "Miss, I'm in love with the boss" live here, in this house?

Adam, firm in his position, replies:

 Adam: Taylor is different.

 Damián cuts him off.

 Damián: Different why? Is it because she's going to marry you, or because she expects me to die so she can marry you?

 Adam, incredulous: "You think Taylor wants you dead"!

Adam, with a fake smile, tries to hide the hurt he feels at Damián's actions. His eyes, however, reveal a complexity of emotions, from possession to restrained tenderness.

 You awaken my feelings. "He replies in a lower voice."

 On hearing Adam's words about awakening feelings in him, Damián frowns, puzzled by the ambiguity of the answer.

 Damián: What kind of feelings?

 Adam, with a sigh, replies in a softer voice but charged with emotion.

 Adam: All kinds, Damián.

 Adam's irritated expression reveals the internal struggle he is facing in the face of conflicting feelings. Damián, sensing the tension, decides to question him more directly.

 Damián: Is that bad?

 Adam's response is full of frustration.

 Adam: Yes, when you don't know how to deal with them.

 Adam, exhaling heavily, adds a touch of desperation to his voice.

 Adam: (Curses) I need you.

 And, like a declaration of possession, he affirms it:

 Adam: And I want you to always need me, Damián.

 The veiled threat in Adam's words is palpable. He sets out to bring some "common sense" into Damián's head, revealing his determination to shape their relationship.

Adam defiantly asks Damián to confess his desires.

Adam: Tell me you want me, Damián.

 Damián, gathering his strength, offers a decent smile to the beast in front of him. The tension between them is high as Damián prepares to answer.

Damián repeats the question to himself: What do I want from you?

 Adam eagerly embraces Damián, letting out a satisfied moan. The physical gesture adds a tactile layer to the emotional intensity of the scene.

 Adam, however, is not satisfied. He continues to challenge Damián, seeking a deeper confession.

 Adam: Tell me you need me, Damián.

 Damián, keeping his smile, gathers his strength to reply, the complexity of his emotions reflected in his eyes.

Damián: I require you; is that what you want to hear?

 Adam begins to massage the tense muscles in Damián's shoulders with his hands. The sensation is divine, and Damián shakes his head in thanks, while a soft sigh escapes my lips. 

The pressure increases, and Damián follows the delicious movements of those hands, while he feels the warm scent and strength of Adam's pheromones coming strongly towards the tip of his nose. 

 He begins to feel a tremor, moving his face towards the source of his desire. He realizes it's an invitation, but now he's lost his mind. E… I'd like more!

 Adam whispers, sending shockwaves through Damián's body, which is shaking out of his mind.

 For a moment, he loses his breath and lets out a scream that remains stuck in his throat.

 Damián: I don't want you to stop.

 His voice is inexplicable. However, in the back of his mind, he doesn't understand how Adam can grab him like this. He doesn't understand how he can accept it.