The room was dim, lit only by the glow of a single lantern on the wall. Damien shut the door behind us with more force than necessary, his jaw tight, his body still thrumming with rage.
He ran a hand down his face, pausing at his jaw, eyes closed for a beat before he finally exhaled.
"I'm sorry," he said, voice hoarse. "On behalf of him. Of this whole damn pack."
I sat down slowly on the edge of the bed, arm still stinging, fingers curled around the bruise forming there. He knelt before me, not meeting my gaze.
I watched him for a moment.
This man—Alpha, legend, untouchable in everyone's eyes—looked tired.
"You did that for me?" I asked quietly, my voice barely a whisper.
He looked up then, meeting my eyes. "Yeah," he said, without hesitation. Then scoffed under his breath. "What a fool."
I stared at him, stunned. That… wasn't what I expected.
"You knew?" I asked softly. "About Xavier… liking Selene?"
Damien gave a dry laugh, standing slowly. "It was obvious. The way he looked at her like she was the moon and bled every time she ignored him." He paused, his expression darkening. "I warned her not to use it against him. I guess she never really listened."
I stayed quiet, unsure what to say. I wasn't used to this version of him—unguarded, raw.
He turned to face me again, eyes dragging down to the bruise on my arm.
"Let me see it."
I hesitated, but then slowly stretched out my arm. He took it in his hand, gently this time, his thumb brushing against the spot Xavier had gripped.
"I hate that he touched you," he murmured.
My breath hitched. "Are you drunk too?"
"I'm angry," he corrected, gaze flicking up to mine. "The whiskey just makes it louder."
His hand didn't leave mine.
"I don't know what this is between us," I whispered, eyes searching his. "I don't even know what I'm supposed to feel."
His hand slid up my arm slowly, fingers ghosting over my skin. My heart pounded.
"Then stop trying to figure it out," he said quietly. "Just feel."
His face was close again, so close I could feel his breath brush my cheek. Everything in me screamed to step back.
But I didn't. I didn't move. My wolf yelled at me to not move from him. Just to get lost in his scent.
His forehead rested against mine, and for a long moment, we just stood there—sharing the same breath, lost in something neither of us knew how to name.
The storm could come tomorrow.
–––⸻✧⸻–––
The smell of eggs and burnt toast clung to the air as I stood in the massive kitchen, stirring a mug of tea I wasn't even planning to drink. My thoughts were all over the place—still stuck in that almost-moment from last night.
The way Damien's forehead rested against mine.
The way he left without saying another word.
And now, I was here… trying to act like none of it mattered.
"You always did have a habit of showing up where you don't belong."
The voice behind me was smooth. Snake-like.
I turned around slowly.
And there she was.
Selene.
Looking like a goddess dipped in gold. No sling. No signs of pain. Just perfectly brushed waves and an even more perfect smirk.
I blinked. "Wow. Miracle recovery?"
She arched a brow.
"I mean," I added mockingly, tilting my head, "You were practically crying in a sling yesterday, but today? Not even a bandage. Didn't know you had healing powers. Or was that whole thing just… dramatic flair?"
Her lips curved into a slow, venomous smile. "It's cute that you think being mouthy will save you."
I snorted. "And it's cute that you think faking an injury to frame me would work."
Selene stepped forward, her heels clicking sharply against the tile floor, her voice dipping into a hiss just for me.
"You think Damien protecting you means anything?" she said, leaning in. "You think that makes you safe?"
"I think it means I'm not the one looking pathetic right now," I replied coolly.
Her smile dropped for a split second before returning, sharper this time.
"I will ruin you, Eva," she whispered, eyes glinting with cruel certainty. "You won't even see it coming. I'll make your life in this pack a living nightmare—and no one will stop me. Not even him."
I didn't flinch.
Instead, I leaned in too, matching her tone, letting my own words slice with calm precision.
"Oh honey," I whispered, "You might've fooled everyone else—but I see you. And if you want to play this game… just know I don't lose."
Our eyes locked, tension so thick I could taste it. This wasn't about love. This wasn't even about Damien anymore.
This was war.
A sudden rush of footsteps echoed through the halls, too many to be just a servant or two. I frowned, turning my head toward the sound as a flurry of maids hurried past the kitchen.
Something was happening.
Something big.
I glanced at Selene, who hadn't even flinched. She simply smoothed her dress with elegant fingers, her lips curling upward.
"They're here," she said sweetly.
"Who?" I asked warily.
She turned to me slowly, her expression that of someone who just pulled the winning card in a deadly game.
"The Elder Alpha and Elder Luna," she purred. "Or as you know them… Damien and Xavier's parents."
My stomach twisted.
Selene gave me one last icy glance before walking out with a sway in her hips like she owned the damn place.
I quickly turned off the stove and followed the trail of whispers and wide eyes toward the front of the estate.
There they stood, in the wide open double doorway.
A man and woman, both regal and intimidating—tall, powerful, ageless. The former Alpha and Luna of the Shadowfang Pack.
I didn't need an introduction. I knew them. Every pack did.
Their presence sucked the air from the room.
Damien's mother was the first to move—rushing past the guards with her arms wide open. Straight to Selene.
"My sweet girl!" she cried, clutching Selene in a warm embrace.
Selene immediately began to sob into her shoulder, loud enough for everyone to hear. "I missed you so much," she whimpered, voice cracking perfectly. "You have no idea what I've been through while you were away…"
My jaw slackened. She was really doing this.
The tears. The theatrics. Right on cue.
"My sweet girl," the Elder Luna cooed, cupping Selene's face and brushing her tears away. "Look at you—you've lost weight. Has no one been taking care of you?"
Just then, Damien and Xavier appeared looking at me, then Selene, before bowing to their parents. The former Alpha looked at his son sharply.
"Why is she crying like that?" he asked Damien. "What did you do?"
Damien said nothing.
His jaw was tight, his eyes narrowed—staring at Selene, who looked back with those glassy, perfect eyes.
"I didn't say anything," she murmured to the former Luna. "I didn't want to cause trouble. I've tried to be strong… for the sake of the pack. But…"
Then her eyes flicked directly to me.