31 Hot and Bothered

Amber POV

The three of us finished up breakfast in silence, Damien, Todd, and I. I really had no clue what to say after going at Todd's throat like I did. I shouldn't have, but seriously knowing that I have had family out there all this time, it is aggravating and infuriating!

Through my thoughts I heard someone clearing their throat. Realizing it was Todd that cleared his throat, I lifted my eyes to look at him. I could see sympathy written all over his face. "Amber, I … uh… just wanted to apologize. I know we haven't known each other long, and obviously I realize now that you never even knew about me. But I just want you to know that I'm here if you ever need anything. I have known about you my whole life, and now that you are finally here, even under the circumstances, I am excited to finally have my cousin." Todd said sympathetically.

I stared at him for a moment trying to process his words. I could tell he was being genuine, and he really did mean what he was saying to me. I gathered my emotions collectively, feeling Damien put his protective arm around my shoulders as if it would shield me from all the emotions coursing through my body. I then answered him very calmly. "Todd look, " I started, "I know you mean well. I can honestly sense the fact that you are being genuine with your words. Just give me a little bit of time to process all of this, to understand it. I'm not saying I don't care and that I don't want to know you, I just need time to figure out what I want. I thought my dad was dead or kidnapped sitting as a prisoner somewhere for over a decade. I had no clue I had any family other than a hateful, spiteful bitch of a mother and her equally evil boyfriend who beat the shit out of me for years."

Todd's face immediately got red, and I saw his eyes flicker between blue and purple. " They did WHAT?!" he growled out clenching his fists at the table. I felt Damien's arm leave my shoulders as he stood up quicker than I could blink and in his Alpha voice he commanded, "You WILL NOT raise your voice or growl at my MATE!"

Todd got to his feet quickly with a smug look on his face. "I wasn't growling AT her. What she said made me beyond pissed dude. And just for future reference "Alpha Damien" (Todd used air quotes while saying this) your Alpha commands don't work on me, I am of royal blood. No if you will excuse me, I have an uncle to go speak to."

I was up out of my seat faster than lightning and in front of Todd. "You WILL NOT say anything to my father! Not about me, it is not your place!" I said placing my hands on his shoulders.

Todd took a step back with a look of shock on his face. "My place is as your cousin, and being your cousin it is my job to look out for you!"

Damien came to my side in quick strides, pulling me behind him protectively. "MY place is to protect her, don't ever assume that is your job. You will stay away from her until she wants you around her, cousin or not."

Todd rolled his eyes at Damien's possessiveness. "Dude, I already told you that Alpha commands don't work on me. I also could care less to feed into your caveman attitude," in a mocking voice, Todd started beating on his chest as he said, "Me Alpha…Me Protect…All Men…Stay Away…Mine…Hmmm".

Ok this got me. I love Damien to death, but I could not hold back the giggles that escaped. Damien shot a look over to me before he gave death glare to Todd. "You may be a royal little shit, but you will not disrespect me again!" he growled.

I placed my hands on the small of Damien's back and started rubbing circles. "Todd, I think you should leave us alone. Please don't go talk to my father, and you and I will sit down and talk some point soon." I said to him with a pleading look. I think he knew that he had crossed a line with Damien, and that I too had when I laughed at his joke. He sheepishly smiled at me and nodded his head in acknowledgement before walking away.

Damien quickly turned to me. His eyes were a deep shade of green, and his breathing was just staring to calm. "You like laughing at me little mate?" he said in a deep voice, filled with anger this time and not lust.

I shrugged my shoulders as I looked at him with a devilish grin. "Only when it's warranted."

He took a step closer as his arms encircled my waist and he pulled me to him. "And what made it warranted this time? Hmmmm? I think maybe I should punish you." His warm breath hitting just below my ear, making me all hot and bothered.

"You would like that too much Sir," I replied back in a seductive tone running my hands up and down his chest.

"OH you know it Princess." He said as he placed a kiss on my mark as he pulled me into him, letting me feel how aroused he was. "And even though I would love to continue this, we have business with your father to deal with."

Highly disappointed at the turn this conversation just made, I whined looking at him with puppy dog eyes, "But do we have to?"

Throwing his head back and groaning, he rubbed his forehead as he said, "Sadly yes, baby girl, but that doesn't mean I won't punish that perfect little pussy as soon as we are done."

Feeling my wetness build at his words, I groaned internally as I winked at him and said "you better."