Chapter Johnnie Walker
Diana
“Come on Diana! You can do it!” I could hear Eric’s voice in the background, but I couldn’t see him clearly in the stands.
My arms were beginning to shake as attempted to block incoming swings from Damian.
“Yah Diana, come get me.” Damian teased.
We circled each other with our hands raised, ready for one of us to make a next move. It was hard for me to concentrate when I was staring at him, nearly naked, covered in sweat and dirt.
I wanted to touch him all over. I wanted to touch his abs and trace my fingers all the way down to his hips. I wanted to run my hand through his dark hair and grab on his large shoulders like I was hanging onto a cliffs edge. There was so much I wanted to do-
SMACK!
Suddenly I felt my whole-body lift in the air, and in one fluid motion I was on the ground.
“Day dreaming?” Damian pinned me to the floor.
This couldn’t get any more distracting. Why couldn’t I spar with anyone else other than him? How was I supposed to learn anything when I was practically drooling over him the whole time? I felt my core heating up as his body was pressed up on mine.
“No.” I breathed heavily, “You caught me off guard is all. I used to train with my brother when I was younger. I guess you can say I’m out of practice.” I tried making excuses for myself, but I knew that Damian and Eric saw through that. They both thought I should be training regularly so I was able to better protect myself.
Who knows what the future would hold, especially with Holden running around looking for me. I’m sure he could sense our lack of connection, especially now that I was marked for the second time.
“Do you mind?” I tried pushing Damian’s large body off, but he wouldn’t budge.
“What will you do for me?” He playfully winked.
Suddenly, a rush of anxiety entered my body, sending my nerves into overdrive. Damian reminded me of Holden when he said those words. I was having a flashback; I could hear Holden’s voice and it scared me to death.
“What will you do for me Diana?”
I was freaking out inside. Damian was NOTHING like Holden, but sometimes I couldn’t control my emotions. The fear took over when I had flashbacks, sending my body physically and mentally into a crazy hurricane that I couldn’t contain.
I needed air, the walls in my mind were caving in and I needed to breathe.
It was so damn hard to breathe!
“Damian, get off! I need to go; I need to get out of here!” I started wiggling my body to hopefully loosen myself from his grip.
Damian instantly released himself and got to his feet.
“What is it Diana? Are you ok?” He put his arm out to help me up as my legs struggled to balance.
“No…No I’m fine.” I stumbled my way out of the ring.
I could hear Eric in the background. “Is she going to ok? What happened?”
He grabbed my arm and pulled me back, “Diana, wait, will you stop!? Please, what’s wrong? Was it something I said?”
I held my head with my fingertips, trying to focus my blurred vision, “Damian, ever since I came here, it’s been amazing and I couldn’t be happier, but at the same time... I’ve been getting these anxiety attacks. And to be honest, I’m scared. I’m scared of Holden; I’m scared of losing you and my new home.” I started choking up. “I’m sorry, it’s not you, it’s never been you.” I fell into his chest and he hugged me tightly.
My heart continued to race as visions of Holden filled my mind. I wanted to run away from him, but it was like he was always there, watching me, waiting for the perfect time to strike.
The thought alone scared me to death.
“You never told me about your time with Holden, but you don’t need to. You need to heal, and I’ll be here to support you Diana. I would never let him take you Diana, I would die a thousand times over before he even thinks about taking you.” He kissed the top of my head, “please don’t shut yourself off from me, I’m only here to listen.” He grabbed onto my shoulders and we both locked eyes.
“Just breathe Diana,” He pursed his lips and inhaled deeply, encouraging me to do the same.
I nodded and joined in the same breathing pattern, taking in the oxygen slowly and releasing it at a steady pace.
A minute past.
I pursed my lips, allowing for more air to escape. My mind solely focused on my breaths.
There was silence.
My lungs moved steadily to Damian’s breathing.
Taking in the air.
And out.
Repeating the same pattern over.
Taking in the air.
And out again.
Slowly but surely, my pounding heart began to slow, and my trembling body started to relax.
“Its not a cure for anxiety, but it helps.” He carefully pulled a strand of hair from my face and tucked it behind my ear.
“Sorry... I’ve been sort of emotional the past few days.”
His eye brows furrowed with concern, “Don’t be sorry Diana. Never be sorry for something that is out of your control. We all have our moments. No one can run away from thoughts and memories.”
“So true.” I wiped the remaining tears from my face.
“Hey, I’ve got an idea, well, if your up for it.”
“Ok, what’s that?” I sniffed.
His face lit up as I asked, “We’re going out, I’ll show you how a Fenrir wolf lets loose.”
I clunked the 4th or 5th shot glass down hard onto the bar top.
I’ve officially lost count.
My face was flushed with drunkenness, and by the looks of it, everyone in the pub was way a head of me, including Damian and Eric who both sat on either side of me at the bar.
“Youu-know Diana, I could tell you—uuh, so many stories about Damian and his father. They are undefeated and they don’t even want to admit it.” Eric was slurring his words as he gulped down his shot glass full of whisky.
The bar was full of pack Warriors and Omegas, all mingling together, socializing like one big family. It was refreshing and I was enjoying every minute of it.
“Eric you speak too highly of me. It’s nothing.” Damian gulped down his shot and placed it on the bar.
I playfully squeezed his thigh without anyone noticing and Damian instantly shot me a look that sent shivers down my spine. We were both drunk and we both wanted each other, but I would have to wait until we got home.
I tried to refocus my attention to Eric to avoid embarrassing myself.
“So, Eric! What about you’re love life? Arrrre there a-a-any lucky she-wolves in your life?” I was beginning to slur my words like an idiot, but I could care less. I knew I could be myself around Damian and this whole pack. For the first time since leaving my old home, I felt like I belonged to something. It wasn’t a lavish lifestyle, but everyone was family and that’s the only thing that mattered.
“Well…” He placed his hands around the fresh beer the bartender served him.
“What he’s trying to say Diana, is that he has no one. He’s too busy trying to help me all the time. I’m constantly bugging him to find a mate.”
“Look who’s talking, before you found Diana you were worse than me!” Eric blurted out.
Damian erupted in laughter. If someone joked like that with Holden, he would have their head on a platter.
“Here Alpha, this one is from the group in the back.” The brown-haired waitress clunked a large double shot glass filled to the brim with a dark substance.
“Johnnie Walker, my favourite.” Damian inhaled the liquid and peered to the back of the bar where a large group of men sat. All of them were circled around a table with red faces, looking just as drunk as I felt.
“Cheers.” Damian held his glass up in the air and the whole room went silent.
“CHEERS!” Everyone held their drinks up and drank in unison.
After they sipped their drinks the room filled back with laughter and talking. I was stunned how everyone mingled so closely. It was a vast difference to Crimson pack.
“To family,” Eric drunkenly held his beer up to me.
“To family,” I held a fresh shot in my hand and put it against his glass.
“To our new family,” Damian smiled at me as he joined in.
I gave a quick smile “To our pack.”
“Yeaa, what she said.” Eric burped.
“Bottoms up.” Damian finished his drink in no time, prompting me to drink the rest of mine.
The warm and bitter taste of the whiskey left a burning trail down my throat but filled my stomach with a pleasant warmth that eased my mind and body from all the stresses of the past few days.
The only thing that was missing now was my brother and father. I missed hearing their voices, even if it were to lecture or yell at me. I yearned for their presence, but being with Damian made the grief easier to handle.
Damian gave me purpose, to help those who needed help and to do what was right. I knew he still had to straighten up the odd pack member here and there, but that’s what the Alpha was supposed to do. Without it there would only be chaos among the wolves.
Just then Damian stood up on the bar, with another glass in his hand.
“Ladies and Gents. As you know, we have been in the presence of this god-send of an angel.” His hand lowered to me as I shy fully peered around the room. “And seeing how this night is going… Why the hell not?!” Damian was drunk, but it looked like he could handle his alcohol better then all of us.
His hand shook to signal me to stand up with him.
To be honest, I was always shy in front of big crowds, but I couldn’t let him down. I took his hand and he pulled me up to stand with him on the bar. I looked at all the faces that were looking back at me. I felt connected to each and every one of them, and I knew they felt the same connection, but Damian hasn’t officially announced it yet.
I was too shy, and I wanted to slowly introduce myself to everyone. Damian was fine with it, but tonight I suppose all our confidences were drunkenly boosted.
“This beautiful she-wolf is you’re new Luna!” Damian pulled my hair to the side and revealed my mark on my neck.
My eyes widened and I felt the blood rush to my face. Hearing him say Luna in front of all of them was surreal, and it felt AMAZING.
The room erupted in howls and roars. The tables felt like they were shaking from the amount of noise booming through the bar. It brought goosebumps to my skin, seeing them so happy, so proud of their Alpha finding his mate.
Suddenly, Damian planted his lips on mine, locking on as the howling continued. Our kiss lasted several seconds, and the more time he had his lips on mine, the louder the room became.
As he released his lips, he interlocked our fingers and held my hand high with his.
“You do not serve your Alpha first; YOU SERVE YOUR LUNA ABOVE ANYTHING ELSE!” Damian roared.
I felt the butterflies dance in my stomach as he finished his short speech.
My face lit up as he squeezed my hand. Looking into his eyes felt euphoric, almost like I was dreaming. Not too long ago I was unsure of my life and now, it’s never been clearer.
I wanted him. He was always there, either it was in my dreams or in my thoughts. The electrical sparks that flowed through our bodies reminded us of how lucky we were to have each other.
It was a terrible journey to get here, but thankfully, my journey has ended with this man. The man that was standing beside me, embracing me instead of pushing me down. Nothing could make me happier than to just be in his presence. He uncovered the blinders from my eyes and now, everything was clear.
I gasped in excitement as my feet lifted from the bar and into Damian’s arms. I wrapped my hands around his neck for support while the rest of the pack continued their roaring howls.
“I love you Diana.” His smiled lit up as we narrowed our gaze once again.
It was so refreshing to be able to mind link with him and the rest of the pack. Although I was still new to everyone, their thoughts and connections felt so familiar, like a long-lost family I’ve rekindled with.
“I love you Damian.” I pulled him in and planted my lips on his.
The same sparks coursed through our bodies as we locked onto each other, making our kiss just as unique as the last.
This will never get old and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Sorry about that little display back there. I wasn’t sure if you wanted me officially say anything yet, and I don’t want to put pressure on you, its just...I’m so damn happy.” Damian tightened his hand on mine as we walked home.
The stars were a sight to see, their brightness illuminated the dark sky like grains of salt scattered on black marble. I’ve never seen them so bright; it was almost like tonight was made for us, lighting a path home, twinkling down, showing us there is more to this life then just the tiny moments, but those were the moments I cherished the most. Especially when I was with Damian. Walking home, sharing new experiences, just having a drink, and laughing at the silly jokes passed around by the pack.
Those were the little moments I would never forget.
“Damian, fate brought us together in this messed up world, and some way, some how, I found you. I always envisioned you in my dreams, even before I laid eyes on you. You aren’t pressuring me at all. I made a mistake the first time, but I know I’m not making the same mistake again.”
“I get angry thinking about it. That you had another before me. He took you’re-"
“Virginity?” I blurted out.
“I want to kill him.” Damian’s voice turned cold as the topic changed to Holden.
“I’m sure if he knew where I was, he would have been here by now.”
“Never think like that Diana. Never underestimate you’re enemy.”
Damian was right. His mark is probably gone just like mine, but I know his rage would only get worse until he found me. It was a topic I would prefer not to think about.
“Please,” I placed my hand on his arm, “for now, let’s enjoy the moment.”
“You know Diana. While we are on the topic of living in the moment, I want to show you something Holden probably never thought of doing.” Damian smirked.
“What do you mean?” I gave a small smile.
“Oh, you will see my little Diana. Just you wait.”
My heart started to race, my legs trembled, and my face began to flush. I knew exactly what he wanted, and I wanted it just as bad.
He started to pick up the pace, pulling my hand along with him, “Come, I’ll show you.”