5.

Catherine's POV

“C'mon dad, don't act like you don't know what I am talking about? Or if you forgot, then I should be the bravest and responsible son that I am, and remind you what happened last night at dinner.” Damon's voice was laced with sarcasm and I pushed back my chair and stood up. Ready to leave this suffocating place. It's better to leave this then be the target of this all, whatever this was.

“Sit the heck down.” Damon's voice commands me and I wanted to ignore it but when Lyna pulls my hand and actually sits me down. I pull out my hand from her grip and stairs at my plate. Warm tears cascade down my cheeks as Damon begins his next words.

“Last night mom said quote-unquote, “I truly never understood why I gave birth to a runt.” and you should have defined your daughter but you didn't. Instead we all continue to eat the meal as if it was a casual evening, but it was not. A mother questioning her own child's existence proves that how much she hates her not only this but we failed her, too.” My mother's face reddens and she chastises him.

“Damon!” Her eyes widened as she shifted uncomfortably in her chair.

Damon was the same as them, and I won't let him act as if he knows me or pities me or he wants to help me. I was dumb to not stand up for myself, because I thought they were my family. I always chose to cave in, because I was scared that they would disown me. But not anymore, when Lucian could build his own empire by a scratch then I could definitely take a stand for myself.

“Damon,”

I call out to my brother and blink back the tears in my eyes.

“It would have been good if you acted a little more earlier, but not only you— everyone was living in an oblivion. I don't know what's going on in your head, but know one thing that I don't want you to fight for me.” My heart rapidly beats and a sane part of me tells me to cave in back quietly and eat my meal as my parents glare at me.

“Catherine, behave!” My father warns me with his cold voice and my confidence almost wavers.

But before anyone could say anything, my father's man reached the entrance of the dining area and a grave voice told me that something was not right.

My father walks out of the dining room and Damon turns to me, anger lying in his eyes.

“Why would you do this?” He questions me angrily, his voice echoing in the dining room as I stare at my plate, tears earning their way back into my eyes.

“What do you mean by that?” my voice came out ragged as I stared at him with a frown plastered on my face.

“I was fighting for you.” He says with his greeted voice and throws his plate in the ground. I should have flinched but I didn’t, Lyna flinched and emptied her seat going beside mother.

“Now, you don't fight for me. I don't want you to fight for me. Where were you when I needed you the most? Right now, I accepted that you were not there for me, and will not be there for me. Then why are you here now?” My voice heaves up and down with heavy emotions making it harder for me to talk. My mother leaves the dining room without any further comments and Lyna stays out of our argument.

“I wanted to fight for you now. I wanted to be there for you now.” He sighs and plops back on his seat.

“Damon, don't you think it's a little late to save me?” I question softly feeling all the energy leaving my body.

“No, it's not. I am sorry for not being there for you, but I want to now.” He says softly as he nears me.

“I realised last night that you deserve our love, too and I am really sorry to not be there for you. That's why Lyna and I decided to be there for you.” He says and nears me, cautiously.

I burst into tears with only one question slipping through my throat.

“Why now?”

“I am sorry, I am really very, very sorry.” Lyna says for the first time, with guilt glistening in her eyes.

No, I can't just let them do this.

Damon steps forward, but instead of letting him hug I step backward, breathing heavily.

“I need time.” The words feel empty as I said them.

“You have all the time in the world.” Damon says and pulls his hand back.

Before he or I could say anything the commotion out of the packhouse grew louder, gathering our attention, and we all three ran outside. My heart thuds in my chest as I almost skips the last stair and almost falls on the floor, but Damon doesn't let me and a familiar voice echoes from the pack ground.

“I am here for my mate.” My eyes widened and a breathless gasp escaped from my lips as I hastily straightened my spine. My eyes fell on his eyes and everything stopped for a moment.

His eyes silently convey the words and I don't even waste another second to not comprehend them.

“I am here.”

Hot butterflies swarm into the stomach making me feel all giddy and my face heats up. A strong wave of possessiveness crawls on my spine as his eyes wander on Damon's hand which is around my waist.

“You don't have to make it obvious everybody is looking at you.” Damon's voice rings in my ears and I was instantly pulled out of my reverie and shook my head, to erase every thought.

“I want my mate.” Lucian sticks to his words and walks in front of my father who stares at the enemy in front of him. Then it strikes my mind.

He shouldn't have been here, what if my pack hurts him?