Chapter Seventy Seven - Together - Damian's POV

'All I need to know is if you are willing to try," I say quietly, though my chest tightens at the meaning of her words. Her eyes flicker with something that seems like hesitation. 'I don't know," she admits. 'I'm afraid of what happens if we do." I swallow hard, a lump forming in my throat. 'But look at what happens if we don't." Silence fills the air once more as she shifts in my lap. I know she's fighting her inner turmoil and I don't know what to think. After a moment, she exhales softly as she turns to face me fully. 'I don't want to lose myself while figuring things out. This prophecy is a lot to take in, but I'm still human. That is how I've always been." My grip on the chair loosens. 'You're not going to lose yourself because of the prophecy. It just means you're going to become who you were always meant to be." She studies me, her gaze searching mine for something. 'And what if I don't like who I will become?" I reach up, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. 'Then we can figure it out together. You're not alone. That is what a mate means." She swallows hard as she reaches out, her fingers curling slightly into the fabric of my t-shirt. 'That is what scares me the most. If I let myself believe in all of this, it means I have something to lose at the end. Not only that, as you said, the prophecy will come for me as well, even though I'm human because I'm the one bound by fate. There is no running from it." I take a slow breath, my fingers lingering near her cheek. 'No, there isn't," I admit. 'Running has never been the answer, has it?" It has a double meaning and we both know it. I ran from my brother so he didn't kill me and it worked out. But I still have that problem looming. Though her gaze shows her uncertainty, she doesn't pull away. 'Maybe not. Sometimes running helps you find another place to call home while you figure it out. Then again, the problem never leaves, so running just prolongs it, right? I'm just not ready to face it all." I nod in understanding. 'You'll always have me." She exhales heavily as her grip tightens on my shirt. 'What if fate decides to take you from me? What if the darkness takes over before I'm ready?" I let out a chuckle. 'Then fate will have to fight me for it. I won't let it take me." She searches my face, her expression between fear and something else. 'You say that now, but I don't know much about fate. Is it cruel and uncaring?" I cup her cheek gently, my thumb brushing over her jaw. 'Fate can be cruel, but it can be kind. I will fight against anything that tries to take me from you." Her breath hitches, and for a moment, the weight of my words settles over us both. 'I don't know how to stop being afraid of this," she admits. 'Then I will be brave for both of us until you're ready." 'And what if I'm never ready?" She asks in a whisper. 'Then I'll wait," I promise. 'I'll wait as long as it takes because what we have is worth it. Fate didn't place you with me just because of the prophecy. You were designed to be mine." Her eyes glisten with unshed tears, and for the first time, I can see that she is falling for me. She leans toward me in slow motion. My breath catches as she closes the distance between us, her lips brushing against mine with a hesitant, delicate touch. It's soft at first, as if she is testing the water, but then she presses in deeper. I don't rush her and let her set the pace, my hands settling gently on her waist as I pull her a little closer. Her fingers tighten in my shirt, as if she's afraid to let go, but also afraid of getting too close. When she finally pulls back, her forehead rests against mine. 'I don't know what happens next, but I know I want to be here with you." I brush my thumb over her cheek, my heart pounding. 'Then stay." She closes her eyes as if she's deciding, then opens them again with a newfound determination. 'I'll stay, but promise me that I won't change too much." I tilt her chin up gently, my gaze locking onto hers. 'I promise that this won't change who you are at the core. You'll always be you." She nods, and at that moment, I know no matter what comes our way, we'll face it together. All is quiet for a moment. She doesn't move away, and I think I'm finally getting closer to her. But before either of us can say another word, a deep, resounding howl cuts through the night. My body tenses instantly because I'd recognize that howl anywhere. That wasn't a call to gather, either. It was a warning from my own family. Maya stiffens in my arms, her fingers tightening on my shirt again. 'What is it? Who is it?" Another howl follows, this one closer, and I can feel the hairs on my neck bristle. My blood almost runs cold. 'It's them." Her eyes widen with understanding, but she doesn't flinch. She shifts and stands. 'Do you need to go to them? Patrol the border?" 'No, they are at the territory line and just doing this to give a warning. It's nothing for now." Maya doesn't seem reassured, her gaze lingering on me. 'Then what do you need to do?" I run a hand through my hair and stand from the chair as I try to clear my thoughts. As I pace a few steps, my thoughts become worse instead of clearing. The howls echo in the distance, growing further away. The air feels suffocating. 'The first thing I need to know is who is in the estate that is working with them. If they are calling out in warning at the border, it was probably more for whoever is in here with us than us." Maya's brows furrow as she takes in my words. 'Someone here is working with them?" I stop pacing and turn to look at her. 'My office was broken into. They were in here searching for something and knew when I wouldn't be in the office. Not only that, I wasn't here when the attack happened to you. Someone has to be telling them when I'm not here. Her gaze narrows slightly. 'So, you're saying that someone in your pack is helping them? Doesn't that mean not everyone is an outcast like you think?" I nod slowly. 'That's the only thing that makes sense at this point. And I can't ignore it."