The first rays of sunlight filtered into the room, painting the walls with a soft golden hue. Damian stirred, the warmth of the morning tugging him from the edge of sleep. His arm tightened instinctively around Ahicia's waist, pulling her closer before his eyes fluttered open.
Ahicia lay nestled against him, her breathing soft and even. Her tail was draped lazily over his thigh, twitching slightly in her sleep. Damian watched her for a moment, his heart swelling with an unfamiliar emotion that left him both exhilarated and unsettled.
She shifted, her eyes slowly blinking open to meet his. A blush crept up her cheeks as their gazes locked, and she quickly averted her eyes. "Good morning," she murmured, her voice still heavy with sleep.
"Good morning," he replied, his voice softer than usual.
Ahicia tried to move, but his grip on her waist didn't loosen. "Damian, I need to—"
"Stay," he interrupted, his tone more commanding than he intended. He cleared his throat, softening his expression. "Just a little longer."
Her blush deepened, but she relaxed against him, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the scars on his chest. "You're different this morning," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Different how?" he asked, genuinely curious.
"Less... guarded."
His lips quirked into a small smile. "Maybe you're just seeing a side of me no one else has."
She raised an eyebrow, a hint of her usual sass returning. "Should I feel special, then?"
"You should," he said, his tone serious despite the playful glint in his eyes.
The moment lingered, the air between them charged with unspoken words. Damian finally released her, sitting up and running a hand through his hair. "We have things to discuss."
Ahicia frowned, pulling the blanket around her. "This feels ominous."
"It's not," he assured her, though his tone carried a weight that suggested otherwise. "But last night... it changes things."
"For better or worse?" she asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
"For better," he said without hesitation. "But it also complicates things."
Ahicia sat up, her gaze steady. "Then let's face it together. I'm not running anymore, Damian."
Her words hit him like a punch to the gut—not because they hurt, but because they were raw and true. He reached out, his hand cupping her cheek. "You're stronger than anyone gives you credit for, Ahicia."
She smiled, leaning into his touch. "Maybe, but I still need you."
Damian leaned in, brushing his lips against her forehead before pulling away. "And I'll always be here."
*After a while*
She sat at the edge of the bed, her knees pulled to her chest, tail curling around her ankles as if trying to shield herself from the emotions threatening to consume her.
She could still hear their voices from the dinner party, sharp and accusing."You were supposed to be the perfect omega.""You failed us.""You're a disgrace."
The words replayed in her mind, each one cutting deeper than the last. Her chest felt tight, and her breath hitched as tears pricked at the corners of her eyes.
"Ahicia?" Damian's voice was a quiet rumble from behind her.
She stiffened, quickly brushing away the tears and forcing herself to face him. "I'm fine."
He frowned, his piercing gaze seeing through her façade. Without a word, he crossed the room, kneeling in front of her. His hands found hers, gently prying them from where they clutched at her knees.
"You don't have to lie to me," he said softly. "Not here. Not with me."
Her resolve cracked, and she looked away, her voice trembling as she spoke. "I'm sorry."
"For what?" he asked, his tone laced with confusion and concern.
"For not being... what they wanted me to be," she admitted, the words spilling out before she could stop them. "For not being the perfect experiment, the perfect omega. For—"
"Stop," Damian interrupted, his voice firm but not unkind. He tilted her chin up, forcing her to meet his gaze. "You don't owe them anything. Not your perfection, not your obedience, not your guilt. They're the ones who failed, not you."
Her lower lip trembled, and a single tear slipped down her cheek. "But I'm broken," she whispered. "I don't fit anywhere. Not with them, not even in my own skin."
Damian's expression softened, and he reached out to cup her face. "You're not broken, Ahicia. You're extraordinary. Everything they tried to take from you—your strength, your will, your heart—you've reclaimed it. That makes you more than they could ever understand."
His words wrapped around her like a balm, soothing the ache she had carried for so long. Her tears flowed freely now, and she didn't resist when Damian pulled her into his arms, holding her as though she were the most precious thing in the world.
"You don't have to be perfect," he murmured against her hair. "You just have to be you. And that's more than enough."
For the first time in years, Ahicia allowed herself to believe it might be true.