Wolves of Betrayal

Chapter : 16. Shadows and solace..

Amara’s resolve crumbled at Darius’s words, and she broke down, tears streaming down her face as she let out a sob she had been holding in for far too long. “I don’t know how to make it stop,” she whispered, her voice breaking with raw emotion. “I don’t know how to escape it. I feel like it’s always there, just waiting to pull me back.”

Darius held her tighter, his hand cupping the back of her head as he pressed his lips to her temple. “You’re not alone,” he murmured. “You don’t have to face it by yourself. I’m here, Amara. I’m not going anywhere.”

His words broke through the walls she had built around herself, and she clung to him even harder, her sobs wracking her body as she finally let herself feel the weight of her fear and guilt. “I’m so scared,” she whispered again, her voice barely audible. “What if you hate me when you know everything? What if you can’t forgive me?”

Darius pulled back slightly, his eyes locking onto hers with a fierce intensity. “Listen to me,” he said, his voice firm but gentle. “I could never hate you. I don’t care what happened in the past. I care about you—who you are now, right here, with me.”

His words sank into her like a lifeline, something to cling to in the storm. She felt a surge of gratitude, a warmth that spread through her chest, pushing back the cold shadows of her memories. She didn’t know what she had done to deserve someone like Darius, but she wasn’t going to question it. She needed him more than she had ever needed anyone.

“Thank you,” she whispered, her breath shaky. “For being here… for believing in me.”

He smiled softly, his hand moving to gently tilt her chin up, his thumb brushing over her lower lip. “Always,” he murmured, his voice a low, soothing rumble. “I believe in you, Amara. And I always will.”

Their eyes met, and for a moment, the world seemed to fall away. She could see the sincerity in his gaze, the way he looked at her like she was the only person in the world. It sent a shiver down her spine, but it wasn’t fear—it was something else, something deeper and more intense.

Before she could think, before she could stop herself, she leaned in, closing the distance between them. Her lips met his in a soft, tentative kiss, testing the waters. Darius responded immediately, his hand moving to cradle her face as he deepened the kiss, his lips warm and inviting against hers.

A spark ignited between them, a heat that spread like wildfire through her veins. She felt herself being pulled closer, her body pressing against his, and she let out a soft, breathless sigh. She could feel his heart pounding against her chest, matching the frantic beat of her own.

The kiss grew hungrier, more desperate, as if they were both searching for something—solace, comfort, a way to forget the darkness that surrounded them. Darius’s hands slid down her back, pulling her even closer, and she melted into him, letting go of everything but the feel of his lips on hers.

“Darius,” she whispered against his mouth, her voice a soft, pleading breath.

He responded with a low growl, his lips moving to her neck, kissing a trail of fire along her skin. She shivered, her body arching into him, her hands gripping his shoulders as if he were the only thing keeping her grounded. “Amara,” he murmured, his voice rough with emotion and desire. “Are you sure?”

She nodded, her breath coming in short, ragged gasps. “Yes,” she whispered. “I need this. I need you.”

Darius pulled back slightly, his eyes searching hers, making sure she was certain. When he saw the resolve in her gaze, he nodded, a small, almost relieved smile touching his lips. He leaned in again, capturing her lips in a deeper, more passionate kiss, his hands exploring her body with a gentle but insistent touch.

Amara’s fears melted away under his touch, replaced by a burning need that made her head spin. She hadn’t realized how much she needed this—how much she needed him. His warmth, his strength, his unwavering belief in her. She felt safe with him, truly safe, for the first time in a long while.

She tugged at his shirt, pulling it over his head, her fingers tracing the hard lines of his chest. He groaned softly against her lips, his hands slipping under her nightgown, his touch setting her skin on fire. She arched into him, her body pressing closer, seeking more of his warmth, his comfort, his everything.

They moved together, their bodies finding a rhythm, the heat between them building to a fever pitch. Amara’s breath hitched as his lips traveled down her neck, his hands gripping her waist as if anchoring her to him. She felt a rush of emotions—fear, desire, relief—all blending into one overwhelming need.

“Amara,” Darius breathed, his voice strained, his forehead resting against hers. “Tell me if you want to stop. I’ll stop, I promise.”

She shook her head, her hands framing his face as she looked into his eyes. “I don’t want to stop,” she said softly, her voice steady. “Not with you.”

A groan escaped his lips, and he pulled her closer, their bodies pressing together in a way that left no room for doubt. She could feel his breath against her skin, warm and heavy, and it sent a thrill through her. She wasn’t afraid anymore. She wasn’t thinking about the past, about Marcus, about Killian. All she could think about was Darius and the way he made her feel—alive, safe, cherished.

They moved together, losing themselves in each other, the world outside fading into nothingness. She could feel his strength, his need, his love in every touch, every kiss. And for the first time in a long time, she allowed herself to be vulnerable, to let someone in completely.

The room was filled with the soft, breathy sounds of their desperate kisses, the heat between them building with every touch, every whisper. Amara clung to Darius, her body pressed tightly against his, their heartbeats pounding in unison. She had never felt so connected, so safe in the arms of another. Here, with Darius, she felt alive. The darkness of her past seemed to fade away, replaced by the warmth of his embrace.

She could feel his breath on her skin, warm and steady, and it sent a thrill through her that made her shiver. His hands moved over her body, exploring, caressing, pulling her closer as if he couldn’t get enough. She arched into him, a soft sigh escaping her lips as his mouth moved down to her neck, igniting a fire under her skin.

“Darius…” she breathed, her voice a soft, urgent plea. She wanted this, needed this. She needed to forget the fear, the guilt, and the pain. She needed to feel alive again.

He groaned against her neck, his hands gripping her waist with a possessive tenderness that made her feel wanted, cherished. “Amara, you’re everything,” he whispered, his voice rough with desire. “I want you. Only you.”

His words sent a jolt of emotion through her, and she pulled him closer, their lips crashing together in a heated kiss. She could feel his need, his desire, and it matched her own. She was ready to give herself to him completely, to let him in, to find solace in his arms.

But then, in the midst of their passion, something changed.

As his hand moved down her body, a sudden, jarring image flashed in her mind. It was like a lightning strike, a violent intrusion that shattered the warmth of the moment. She saw the dark, damp walls of the dungeon, smelled the mildew and blood, felt the cold stone floor beneath her. She heard the echo of heavy footsteps, and her heart began to race with a familiar, suffocating panic.

“No…” she whispered, but it wasn’t directed at Darius. It was an involuntary reaction, a plea against the memories that began flooding back.

She remembered the feeling of utter helplessness, of being trapped in that dark, unforgiving cell for days on end. She saw herself lying on the cold floor, her body bruised and weak from the relentless beatings. And then she saw him—Killian. His face twisted with rage, his eyes dark with a sick, twisted obsession.

She remembered the sound of his cruel laughter as he loomed over her, her body too weak to resist. “You think you can just kill my brother and get away with it?” he had snarled, his breath hot and rancid against her skin. “You belong to me, Amara. And I will make sure you suffer.”

She remembered him hitting her, again and again, until she could barely see through the blood and tears. She had been too weak, too broken to fight back when he forced himself on her. His hands rough and punishing while he gripped her body and rammed himself inside her. Her spirit had shattered in that moment, replaced by a terror so deep it had been burned into her very soul. And it wasn’t just once..