Instant Enemies. - Emily Zimmerman. (graded readers TXT) 📗

is almost completely healed.” He murmured suggestively against my lips.

I pulled back laughing. “You are impossible.”

He smiled. “Hey, I might be impossible but I am your mate, and you have to deal with me.”

I kissed him again. “You know, I’ve never gotten to ride on your motorcycle. When you’re healed, do you think you could take me for a ride?” I asked him.

“I think that could be arranged.” he murmured.

I kissed him once more and closed my eyes. I smiled as I felt his hand on my cheek, the tips of his fingers grazing my hairline. “I love you.” He told me.

“I love you too.” I whispered.
Part Seventeen: Dying.

I awoke when screaming filled the quiet air; it took a few seconds of gaining consciousness to realize that it was me.
Damian sat up and grabbed my face in his, making me look at him. “What’s wrong?” He growled.
“They’re here!” I gasped, scrambling across the bed. Ignoring him as he called after me, I sprung from the bed, running full speed down the stairs and barreling outside. Only to find that it was quiet, very peaceful, nothing but crickets chirping, most pausing their peaceful music at my unexpected arrival. I looked around, unable to speak for a few seconds, before falling to my knees in the soft grass. This was the second time this week I’d had a nightmare. It’d seemed so real! They came marching into the field and snuck into the house, slaughtering my family without a second thought, leaving me to wake up and see the horror.
What was happening to me?
‘We’re under too much stress.’ Lorry said, as way of explanation.
‘No. We’re under too much pressure. The Wolven Goddess can’t possibly expect me to train these people on my own, can she?’
‘I don’t know.’ She whispered.
“The dream again?” Gabriel asked, startling me. “Sorry. I was on watch, I heard the scream. Saw you come running out. I put two and two together.” He said, sinking down on the grass beside me.
“I just don’t understand!” I whispered. “The dreams are so…real! I expect them to be there when I wake up…it just makes it so much worse that I’m worrying everyone for nothing.”
He slung and arm around my shoulder, pulling me into his side in an offer of comfort. “Don’t worry, kid.” He teased, trying to lighten the mood, but sobered when I didn’t smile. “It’ll be alright.”
I smiled slightly, weakly. “I’m sure you’re right. But while we’re outnumbered…I just can’t see the fate in my dreams being very far off from the truth.” I admitted softly.
“Hey.” He admonished, giving my shoulder a squeeze. “Don’t talk like that. We’ll figure something out. Besides, I heard that the packs in the surrounding territories are contemplating joining us in fighting. If they join us, there is no way we can lose.” He smiled slightly, giving me a wink.
I sighed heavily. “This is all on me, Gabriel. It’s my responsibility to kill the leader. Mine. No other pack can get involved. They’ll die.” I was sure of this. The feeling that twisted in nauseating patterns in my stomach; that dread that settled like a virus in the pit of my stomach every time I heard of the other packs, I knew it was a mistake.
Gabriel sighed as well. “Then…what?”
The answer was simple, too simple to be easy, “I kill Paul. If I kill Paul, then the vampires will stop their attack. No matter what.”
Gabriel shook his head slowly. “How do you know this? You can’t know that they won’t try to avenge-“
“You don’t know who-“ I paused, no, not who, “What, Paul is, do you?” I asked him.
Gabriel’s blank stare gave her the answer she needed. “He’s something that all vampires fear, and dread. When I was trapped in that cave, I saw the fear in each coven’s eyes as they passed the thresh-hold of that damp doorway that Paul called home. They weren’t given a choice to join his army; they were forced- threatened by Paul with who-knows what. He is their lord, more powerful than the Wolven Goddess herself, which is why she needs me to stop him. I’ve denied the truth for too long, and now is the time to accept it. I’m going to die.
“The Wolven Goddess chose me because I am the only one that will die for her pack, for her mate. She has not said it, but dread pulls at my thoughts. This is the reason for these nightmares. This is the reason I pull away from Damian’s comfort each night. My fate has been chosen, and nothing can pull me from its dark, cold fingers.”
Gabriel’s arm slowly slipped from my shoulders as I let this sink in, and his eyes stared, glasslike, into mine. “You mean to tell me that-“
Breaking the calm silence of the dark night, right behind us, was a voice, hard, and full of anger. “What?”
My eyes slowly drifted closed as pain clenched my heart. I hadn’t wanted him to know.

Part eighteen: Proposal.

‘Good going.’ Lorry said, but it was only a whisper, marring her sarcastic tone. She could feel the anger from both him and his wolf, and it weakened both of us.
I stood slowly, and turned around, meeting his blue eyes with my regretful, sorrow-filled green ones. “Damian.” I whispered, my voice just as weak as Lorry’s.
Gabriel pat my shoulder. “You’ll want to talk to him alone.”
I smiled weakly at him and watched as he walked away. Going back to take watch.
I turned back to Damian, grimacing at his angry look.
I sank to my knees, watching as he stared out at the forest, his expression brooding. He stood like that for seconds that seemed like hours, before finally speaking,
“You won’t die.” His voice was determined, his decision had been made.
“You don’t know that.” I whispered.
He growled, turning sharply to face me. “You won’t!”
I flinched at his furious tone, looking away from him. “Look. I don’t know what is going to happen. The Wolven Goddess hasn’t confirmed anything yet…but I have a terrible feeling that…this is how it’s going to be.” I whispered.
“She won’t take you away from me, I promise you, she won’t. If I have to lock you in the basement I swear I will!” He shouted.
I was about to open my mouth to argue, but the door slid open, and we both looked back to see Mom and Riley looking out. “Is there something wrong?” Mom asked softly.
I stood quickly, shaking my head. “Nothing is wrong, Mom. Go back to bed.” I told her softly.
“Why was Damian yelling?” Riley asked.
I sighed heavily. “No reason. Go on back to bed, guys.”
They both looked dubious, but obeyed. I waited until their footsteps faded before turning back to Damian. “I understand you are angry…maybe…maybe I don’t have to die. Like I said, the Wolven Goddess hasn’t confirmed anything yet.” I said, setting my hands on both of his arms.
He furrowed his eyebrows, lifting his hands to set on both sides of my face. “But what if you’re right?” He whispered.
I blinked hard, tears welling in my eyes. “Then I’m sorry. For everything I ever said to you. I love you more than anything in this world, and I can’t imagine you out of my life.” I had to catch my breath in a little gasp as I held back a sob. “God, I’m so scared, Damian. I don’t want to lose you!”
He grabbed me around my waist and pulled me into him, rubbing my back comfortingly as I sobbed into his chest. “I know, sweetheart. I know.” He said, burying his face in my hair and taking a deep breath.
He pulled his arm down to the back of my legs and swept my feet out from under me, pressing a kiss to the top of my head.
As he walked upstairs, my cries quieted, soothed by the soft, rocking movements of his arms, and his quiet voice whispering comforting words in my ear. Hiccups were the only thing that escaped my lips now as we entered his room; he sat down on the bed with me still cradled in his lap. His knuckles rubbed my back as he pressed kisses to every part of my face, ending with my lips. “Don’t cry, sweetheart, we’ll figure this out.” He said softly.
“I just wish she would tell me something. I feel like I’m waiting for results from a doctor.” I said, sniffing.
“Then what am I to do? I’m going to get your mind off of it.” Damian said, kissing my forehead again.
I looked up at him, wiping the tears from my cheeks. “What?”
He laughed nervously. “You know, I can’t imagine my life without you either. And, though I wanted to do this a little more…officially, I guess it doesn’t matter where I ask you, as long as you say yes.” He said, stroking my cheek with the tip of his finger.
I sat up in his lap slowly, raising my eyebrows. “Ask me what?”
His eyes bored into mine, and he smiled, He leaned forward and captured my lips in his, kissing me softly for what seemed like a full five minutes. When he pulled back, I didn’t notice he was holding something until he took my hand and set a small satin box in my palm. “Catalina Grace Harington,” He started.
“Oh my God!” I gasped as he kissed the top of my other hand.
“I love you more than life itself. Will you do me the most wonderful honor I can think of, and be my wife?” He asked softly.
Now tears ran down my cheeks for a different reason, as he opened the box in my shaking hand, I heard an involuntary gasp escape my lips. The band was encrusted with jewels, the centerpiece of the ring being a beautiful round diamond, shining even in the moonlight. “Damian…I-I….I mean….” I gave up trying to form words and finally nodded my head with a laugh. “Yes!”
He let out a deep breath and pulled me into him, pressing his lips to mine. He kissed me with abandon, caressing my cheek with gentleness only he could give. “Thank God. For