Caged Between The Beta & Alpha
Chapter 74

TWO DAYS LATER

RAVEN

I had been discharged from the hospital the following day, thanks to Kia and Rayhan’s Kitty.

I still remember the look in Kiara’s eyes… The moment she told me that I should have told her what I was going through. The tears… The promises that we really won’t hide anything any longer.

Something I knew both of us would honour. I hated seeing her feel like a disappointment when it was my own doing that I hid it all from them, when I had so many chances to tell them.

She had spent the night with Liam, I could smell his scent from her when she had come to see me in the morning. I wasn’t able to ask her how he was, I didn’t know what to think.

She had spent the day with me, it frustrated me that because of me she was being torn like this, between me and him, but she had nothing but love and concern for me.

Her parting words still rang in my head, and despite the fact that I knew she meant them, it still hurt.

I will always be here for you, hun, no matter what you decide, do or want. I will be by your side, ok?

Damon had brought me to his house, although I had no idea what we were, remembering exactly what we were going to do before Liam had arrived. I was just glad things were still good between us and I knew that would always remain.

Damon didn’t leave my side; only for short moments to shower, check up on his mother, or if he had to do something, but for the most part he stayed by my side.

Aunty Red and Uncle El had visited me. I could see the pain in Aunty Red’s eyes as she had stared at my mark; the guilt and anguish that she was trying to hide, the beating of her heart, the way she hugged me tightly. Her whispered apology that she didn’t give me the chance to refute.

She had asked if I wanted to go to theirs, but.. I refused. I couldn’t go there.

It hit me hard, knowing Liam had renounced his Alpha title, and that he was in the cells. I could feel the pain Liam was going through, through the bond.

A bond that had become so strong that I felt restless.

I could feel his regret, his agony and his hopelessness. It hurt…

I was now on Damon’s sofa, a blanket over me and a mug of hot chocolate in my hands.

“‘Delsanra didn’t replace anything.” Damon said as he sat down on the edge of the sofa.

“She didn’t?” I said, sighing.

Delsanra and Kia had left last night, only after Delsanra had tried to see if she could replace anything, with her final words It seems even witches don’t have the power to probe into the works of gods.

She felt guilty she wasn’t able to help but we assured her we were grateful for it. I wish I could get to know her more, but we had exchanged numbers to keep in touch. Kia had started a group chat with Raihana too, for the four of us called ‘Queens, a title I don’t think really fitted me.

“No.” He said frowning slightly.

“You’re angry at him.'” I said softly.

He clenched his jaw, staring at the coffee table.

“What do you want, me to go give him a pat on the back?” He said, now turning those blue eyes to me.

I saw him rip your throat out, Raven. He was so f*****g blinded by his anger.

“I know… I’m not blaming you, what Liam did wasn’t right… ” I said, tracing my fingers over the mark on my neck, a mark that so suited the true Liam. My heart clenched painfully at the memory, it hurt me too. The look of hatred as he bit into me was so painfully… I know I could have died. I had never thought he’d be able to hurt me.. “I know that this curse hasn’t made things easier. Probably seeing us k!ss triggered his anger and in turn, the darkness took over.”

“Will you forgive him?” Damon asked quietly, his eyes flashing in anger.

I looked up at him, before staring at my mug of hot chocolate.

I was hurt, upset, angry, confused and broken in a way. But my inner mind was clashing, a part of me wanted to scream and shout. Why was it that all my life everyone took my decisions for me? I was choosing Liam, but what should have been a sweet moment of me telling him that I choose him has been taken from me by force. Then, a part of me wanted to comfort the broken man who until now remained in the cells, to tell him that it was ok. But… was it?

I loved him, so so much. Every time I think about him, I remember the young man he used to be; the loving, caring, thoughtful Liam who always paid attention to me. Probably the only person who ever came close to knowing the truth about my life… He used to ask me if everything was ok, if I’m happy and I always assured him I was fine.

The Liam without the darkness, I loved him too..

The way he remembered stuff, the way he did things, the attention to detail, my favourite colour, the cake… Even when we became int!mate, he always gave, still waiting. He was always waiting… He never took advantage of us or pushed me further… He was considerate.

But I also couldn’t just pretend this didn’t happen. I wasn’t something to be claimed, I had the right to make my own decision. What I didn’t get was that Damon and I were willing to give up everything for him… but then.. this..

“In time..I think I will.” I replied softly.

Time… He didn’t have much time… My heart squeezed painfully.

“He doesn’t deserve it.” He said icily.

I reached out, taking his hand. He had always put Liam first, I knew witnessing that must have been hard for him, and right now I knew both men needed me. Why did I feel like we were just making the curse stronger? Time was running out…

As for Damon, he had shown his love for me; the way his eyes filled with pain and love when I woke up in the hospital room, the way he whispered, “Thank the goddess you’re ok, I love you.. The way his heart thundered in his chest as he held me against it.

I wouldn’t forget.

“Have you talked to him? Have you seen him? He is probably regret-“

“Stop defending him, Raven! For goddess’s sake, you need to stop letting everyone take advantage of you.” He said frustrated, pulling his hand from my hold.

My ch3st tightened painfully; I wasn’t doing that… I just… I wanted everything to be ok.

“I’m not letting anyone take advantage of me.'” I said quietly.

“I hope not.” He said quietly, standing up, he walked over to the window staring out.

I looked down; no, this was an eye-opener. Now with everything that had happened, would I still choose Liam?

This was enough to show me my true feelings, I knew the three of us would never work together and I had given up on that a long time ago.

The ringing of the doorbell pulled me out of my reverie, and Damon gave me an apologetic smile.

“Sorry for getting irritated.”

“It’s ok, you’re angry. Now go get the door!”

“Going.” He replied with a small smile.

The look in Damon’s eyes when he had held me as I bled.. I still remembered it…

“Hey, beautiful girl.” Taylor’s voice came, his scent filling my nose as he came over and pulled me tightly into his arms.

“Taylor…” I whispered, hugging him back.

His scent had changed. I looked up at him sharply, noticing him looking at my mark. His eyes were filled with sadness and I wished they weren’t.. I really… I didn’t need sympathy… I knew the rumours had crossed through the pack, but there wasn’t much I could do about it.

“Hey, Raven.” Zack’s voice came just as he entered, holding a large bouquet of flowers, a teddy bear and a hamper. Totally from Taylor. “These are from Tay.

” He added, as if he did not want to be seen holding such pretty things.

Thanks, babe.” Taylor said, flashing him a smile, making me gasp.

“Babe?! You two are together!” I squealed, jumping up onto the sofa and hugging him tightly. Thanks to the sofa, our height was a lot more level.

Taylor chuckled.

“We are” He said softly,

Why didn’t you tell me when you mind linked me yesterday!” I shouted unhappily.

“I.. You had just got out of the hospital…” He said, I moved back wanting to see his mark.

“Show me it.”

The men exchanged looks and I rolled my eyes.

“Just because I was marked against my will, it does not mean I’m going to become a crying puddle every time I see a mark.”I said annoyed. “Besides… My mark isn’t dark or ugly, it’s beautiful… Like the real Liam that I know is in there. !”

Silence fell in the room, I realised that no one in this room held any faith in Liam anymore…