Chapter 219: Chapter 219

She ran, I followed, and the thunder above us seemed like nothing compared to the thunder in my chest.

Minutes passed like that, chasing, catching, letting her slip away, only to drag her back. Every sound she made melted something inside me I didn’t even know could melt.

Finally, I caught her again, and this time I didn’t let go. I lifted her in my arms. "Enough," I said, my voice rough but soft. "That’s enough, Lisa."

Her breath was shaky from laughter, her cheeks flushed pink. She opened her mouth to protest, but then...

A small sound, almost delicate. But to me, it was like a knife.

I froze. My hold tightened around her. "Lisa," I said sharply. "You’ve caught a cold. This is exactly what I was avoiding."

She blinked, then smiled up at me with mischief in her eyes. "I’m fine. It’s just one sneeze."

"Just one sneeze?" I echoed, my voice harsh. "No. I told you this was dangerous. Now look."

She touched my cheek with her wet hand. "Damon, don’t worry. I’m okay. Really."

But I wasn’t listening. My chest tightened at the thought of her getting sick, of anything happening to her, or to the child inside her. I adjusted my grip on her, holding her bridal-style.

"We’re going inside," I said firmly.

Her eyes widened. "What? No, put me down!" She glanced at the maids and guards standing back awkwardly. Her cheeks flamed red. "They’re watching us!"

"Let them watch," I growled. "I don’t care. You’re not walking a single step in this rain."

"Damon," she hissed, embarrassed, her hands pressing lightly against my chest. "Please, let me down. I can walk."

I shook my head. "No. Stop fighting me, Lisa."

Her mouth opened, but no sound came out. Finally, she sighed and lay her head against my shoulder, defeated but smiling softly. "You’re impossible."

"And you’re reckless," I shot back, carrying her through the corridor as the storm howled outside.

When we entered her chambers, I laid her gently on the bed. She looked up at me, rain still dripping from her hair onto the pillow.

I grabbed a clean cloth from a maid who rushed forward and began carefully wiping her arms, her neck, her hair, every drop I could.

"Damon, I can do it myself," she whispered, her cheeks burning.

"No." My voice was final. "You’ll sit still and let me."

She giggled, her eyes softening as she watched me fuss over her. "You act like I’m fragile."

"You are fragile," I muttered, wringing the cloth and wiping her again. "You’re carrying the most important thing in this world."

Her smile grew gentler, but she didn’t argue again.

Soon she changed into a dry gown, with the maids helping, and I stripped off my soaked clothes, tossing them aside for a clean tunic. My hair dripped down my back, but I didn’t care.

Then I heard it, another sneeze.

"Lisa." My voice cracked like thunder. "You’ve caught it. I knew it."

She waved a hand dismissively. "It’s nothing, Damon. Really..."

I snapped my fingers at a maid. "Go. Bring the doctor. Now."

The maid bowed quickly and ran off.

Lisa sat up, looking at me with a pout. "Damon, you’re overreacting."

"Overreacting?" I repeated, staring at her. "Lisa, you sneezed again. You’re cold. You’re pregnant. And you think I’ll sit here and do nothing?"

She smiled softly, her eyes glimmering with something I couldn’t name. "You care too much."

I sat beside her, my hand brushing over her hair. "I don’t care too much. I care just enough. And I won’t let anything happen to you."

The doctor finally came in, bowing low before walking toward the bed where Lisa lay. Her cheeks were pink, her hair damp, and she sniffled softly. My chest tightened as I watched her try to smile at him like nothing was wrong.

The doctor placed his bag down and started checking her pulse, then her temperature. He hummed quietly, nodding to himself. Follow current novels on 𝗇𝗈𝗏𝖾𝗅✦𝖿𝗂𝗋𝖾✦𝗇𝖾𝗍

"She’s only caught a small cold," he said at last, reaching for some herbs from his pouch. "No need to worry, Alpha. Give her this to drink throughout the day, and she will be fine by tomorrow. Just make sure she rests and stays warm."

He handed the herbs to one of the maids, bowed again, and left. The room felt quieter when the door shut, only the sound of rain outside filling the air.

I turned to her slowly, my jaw tight. "You see?" My voice was low but firm. "Didn’t I tell you? Didn’t I warn you not to play in the rain?"

She bit her lip, her eyes soft, almost guilty. "Damon, I just wanted to feel it... the fresh air, the sound of it. It made me remember my father. I didn’t think it would be this bad."

Her words were gentle, but they didn’t ease the fire inside me. I leaned closer, eyes locked on hers. "You never listen. You always push me until something happens. And now look, sick, lying here."

She opened her mouth to reply, maybe to explain again, but I didn’t let her. I grabbed her face in my hands and pressed my lips hard against hers.

She gasped softly into the kiss, her hands clutching at the blanket beneath her. I didn’t kiss her sweetly. No, I kissed her with all the frustration, all the anger, and all the fear that had clawed inside me since I saw her standing in the rain.

When I finally pulled back, I whispered against her lips, my breath hot. "That’s your punishment. For making me worry. For making me angry."

Her eyes blinked open, wide and dazed, her lips red from the force of it. Then slowly, she smiled, a faint curve, soft and warm. "If that’s punishment... then I don’t mind it, Damon."

Her voice cut through me, disarming me in ways she didn’t even know. I sighed and shook my head, brushing her wet strands of hair from her face. "You’ll be the death of me, woman."

I reached for a towel and carefully wiped her hands, her arms, her neck, making sure no dampness was left. She watched me the whole time, her eyes following my every move.

"You don’t have to do all this," she whispered.

"I do," I said sharply, though my touch was gentle. "Because you don’t know how to take care of yourself. So I’ll do it. Always."

She sneezed again, small and soft, making me sigh loudly. "See? You’re proving me right every second."

Lisa giggled weakly, tucking the blanket up to her chin. "You sound like an old man scolding me."

I narrowed my eyes but couldn’t stop the corner of my lips from twitching. "If that’s what it takes to keep you safe, then so be it."

I tucked her in properly, brushing my hand against her cheek one last time. She caught my wrist lightly, her touch warm despite her cold. "Stay with me," she whispered.

"As if I’d leave," I muttered, lying down beside her. My arm went around her waist, pulling her close until her head rested on my chest.

Her breathing slowed, her body relaxed, and soon her eyes closed. I stayed awake a little longer, listening to the rain, feeling her warmth against me, and letting my anger fade into quiet relief.

And then, slowly, even I drifted into sleep.