Damon's POV:
I feel like many misunderstand my actions. I was brought up in this community, always dominating those considered below me. It was all I had ever known. Elena was a variable I did not expect to be so out of my control. My other wives had never given me such a hard time. Both Rebekah and Caroline enjoyed when I slept with them for the first time. Elena, however, had left me no choice but to force it on her. What choice had she left me with? I could not allow her time when we were being watched by the Committee. I could not beg her to let me do it when she refused. She was my wife and she was just supposed to do what I said. I had never known any differently and it would be shameful to judge me so quickly for what I did to Elena.
There were things Elena was unaware of about our community. There were things I was not supposed to tell her. Many would feel my actions were unforgivable, but in that community, I had been left no choice. I had a duty and I needed to fulfill it...with or without her permission. I feel regret everyday, but in time, Elena would learn that my actions were brought upon others. What would you do if your wife refused you? Would you wait until she wanted to? Two or three years later...the Prophet asking you every week at church why your wife isn't pregnant yet. What choice was I left with? Answer me that.
After the church service, I watched as Elena's family refused to even acknowledge her presence. I could see her father's face still full of pure disgust. I kept my promise to Mikael, never telling anyone what she did the night of our wedding. I could see Elena's misery as she sat through the three hour service, her face drooped in humiliation from her wedding day. People whispered behind her, my own self trying to ignore it all.
After the service, I saw Elena's brother walk up to her and speak. I felt someone suddenly tap me on my shoulder, causing me to spin around to view them. It was the Prophet, his forehead sweaty as always.
"Mr. Salvatore! Can I please speak to you in my office?" Mosiah asked and he headed toward his room. I followed behind, smiling at those I knew in the process.
We finally reached his office, where he shut the door behind us and pointed to the leather sofa. I sat down while he found his way to his desk, which faced the sofa I was patiently waiting on.
"How is your new marriage, Damon?" He implored, wiping his forehead lightly.
"It is very well, sir." I could feel myself growing warm. I had lied to his face.
"Has she been submissive? She has been known to be headstrong in the past," He conceded, folding his hands on his desk.
"She is a wonderful wife," I replied, pushing my fingers through my hair nervously.
"You know we can always have the men bring her out to the woods if needed. I will not stand for female disobedience in this community," He retorted, the spit from his mouth spraying me.
I did not respond, hoping he would dismiss me, but his words persisted.
"Damon, we know you are lying. I understand you are trying to cover up for her, but you know
we see more than we admit to," He said, a small smirk appearing on his face.
"When will the camera be removed from her room?" I asked, petrified knowing he had been watching her every day.
"Until you can prove to me that she is submissive. Most new brides will have the camera removed after a week with their new husband, but Elena has showed nothing but resistance. Her disobedience is revolting. I feel if she does not improve, we will be forced to drag her to the woods. She must learn. I commend you for what you have done. You have tried everything and I can see you have, but your methods are not getting through," He countered as he bowed his head.
"Just give me another week. I've finally gotten through to her last night. She is improving, I promise," I maintained.
I cared about Elena, but she didn't see what was truly going on. She didn't know we were being watched. She didn't know that I had no choice but to do those things to her. Things I would have never done. She was a person, a wonderful person that deserved better.
"I am so sorry about this arrangement, Damon. You were put with a very insubordinate girl, but you have done your best to help her learn her place. I wish you the best. I will see you after church next Sunday," He finished, rising from his seat and leading me toward the door.
I said goodbye to our leader before finding my wives in the pews. Every day I felt the guilt of being one of the few to know about the Prophet's secrets. He watched the new brides to make sure they were submissive, to make sure the men took control, to make sure we did not show remorse.
Later that night, I found Elena in her room, just lying there, staring at the ceiling. I walked into the doorframe before speaking.
"Elena, it's Caroline's night, but I will come see you tomorrow. Is that understood?" I asked sternly, knowing I had to continue to be harsh with her, the camera still in her room.
"Y-yes Damon," She whimpered, my eyes staring intently at her.
"Good girl," I whispered loudly before shutting the door behind me.
I sauntered up to Caroline's room where she was reading her book on the bed. She smiled at me as I entered. She loved to snuggle on her bed for hours while I held her close. I stepped over to her before sliding beside her on the mattress. I pulled her into my arms while she giggled, kissing her hair softly.
"What am I doing wrong, Damon?," She whispered quietly, her expression suddenly turning sad.
"We will try again soon," I stated simply.
"I'm sorry I haven't been a good wife," She turned to me finally, her eyes brimming with tears.
"I love you too much to care," I whispered into her ear, leaning down until my lips reached hers.
She put the book down when she kissed me back, her arms clinging around my neck. I rolled on top of her, her tears continuing to stream. I suddenly pulled back.
"What's wrong?" I whispered into her ear seductively. She looked me straight in the eyes before opening her mouth to respond.
"Why do you treat her so bad? You never did anything like that to me," She sobbed quietly.
I wanted her to know the truth, but Caroline was unaware of the cameras, of the spying. She would not, could not understand.
"You knew your place in this house the night you arrived. You listened and I rewarded you for that. Elena has a problem with authority and I cannot go into the community with a wife that will not listen. She needs to learn, Care," I commented, kissing her neck gently.
"I can't carry your babies," She sobbed against me.
"That doesn't make you any less perfect," I declared, squeezing her tighter against me.
The next morning, I went down to Elena's room as I had promised. When I arrived, I saw she was not in her room. I slid down the hall to the bathroom, seeing that the door was shut. I opened it, unsure of what I would find. There she was, just sitting on the floor sobbing.
"Elena? Elena, look at me," I demanded, "Tell me what is wrong immediately."
She picked her face up long enough to look at me before she responded.
"I had my b-bleeding this month. I'm not pregnant," She whimpered, tucking herself into a ball.
I didn't even know how to respond to her.
I could only imagine how she felt, but I had to maintain my sternness in order to save her from being taken out to the woods by the Committee. If by next Sunday she did not improve in her subordination, the Prophet would bring in 'back up'. To her, I may have appeared to have been a total ass, but to those who truly knew the situation, I was saving her.
"I guess you haven't been a good girl. Only good girls get pregnant the first time," I barked, glaring at her.
"You are a-" she started to say, but I waved my finger and interjected.
"Uh uh uh! Do not say something you will regret, Elena."
"I will try harder next t-time," She sobbed and I began to tug at the corners of lips to form a smirk of approval.
"Much better choice of words," I retorted, walking back toward the bathroom door.
I closed it behind me, heading toward the smells arising from the kitchen. I saw Rebekah preparing eggs, humming something to herself.
"Damon, I made your favorite eggs! Can I get you a drink?" She asked eagerly.
Rebekah truly loved me, but almost so much that it became overwhelming. Jealousy was her biggest problem in this house. She tried to please me everyday, which I loved, but she was possessive over me.
"Rebekah, I'm fine! Thank you for making me breakfast, but you really don't have to try so hard. I appreciate you," I responded, trying not to hurt her feelings.
"I have needs, too. It's not fair that they hog you. I love you, Damon," She responded, her eyes filling with tears.
"Rebekah, this is no time to start this. I promised we would later. Stop this," I growled just as Elena stepped into the kitchen, and I could see her freeze in fear.
"She doesn't deserve-" Rebekah started to say, but I interjected quickly.
"Rebekah...room...now," I yelled, trying to stop her from continuing. She turned off the stove before following me upstairs. I shut the door behind us before speaking.
"I am aware of your needs. You need to learn to share Rebekah," I hissed at her, crossing my arms in front of my chest.
"You expect me to share your body with a bunch of nobodies? You deserve to be loved, Damon!" She exclaimed loudly.
"Don't start. I am still your husband and I will not stand for your disrespect toward my other wives," I hollered, understanding what Rebekah was saying.
"Prove you love me, Damon," She replied, her face full of longing.
"You don't get to make any demands," I scolded, exiting the room loudly.
Since visiting with the Prophet, I had learned that all my wives suffered with their imperfections, each needing a different way of addressing it. That didn't make me a bad person or a bad husband.
All my wives were unique, each with their own problems, but Elena's were far greater than I could have imagined. Until I could prove to the Prophet that she was submissive, she was at risk of finding out what the Committee was truly capable of.
"Get on with your chores," I hissed at Elena, her cheeks still stained with tears.