Chapter Seventy Three - Running Out of Time - Damian's POV

I try to relax, though she is stiff beside me. Minutes tick by and I feel as if she may never go to sleep. Of course, I can't either with her so tense beside me. It only takes a few more minutes before I start twisting and turning because I become restless. She notices instantly and huffs out a breath. 'Are you going to toss like that all night?" I laugh under my breath as I settle on my side facing her. 'No, but it may help if you wouldn't be so tense and stiff. It's like sleeping next to a log." She chuckles under her breath. 'This is still new to me. I'm used to sleeping alone." 'Me too," I admit. 'But I'm sure we will get used to this." 'Maybe," she says, her voice cracking. 'I don't know. Right now, everything feels like it's about to blow." I hate to admit she's right. Things are peaceful for the most part so far, but it could erupt at any moment, leaving us scrambling. The attacks are random and happen at any moment. 'We just need to sleep and everything will look better in the morning." She breathes out a deep breath then allows her body to relax. I try to do the same. And eventually we both fall asleep next to each other. When I wake the next morning, she is nuzzled against my side again. Her arm is thrown over my stomach and I'm certain there is drool on my chest where she's sleeping. I don't care and run my fingers through her hair, running across a few tangles. She doesn't budge and is still in a deep sleep. I try to get my mind of what today will be like and instead focus on her waking up. Breakfast will be served soon, though, so I know we'll have to make an appearance before someone comes here looking for us. More than likely it will be Simon, since he's been a pain lately. It isn't three seconds after that thought crosses my mind that there is a quiet knock on the door. Maya wakes and raises up slightly to look at me. Her eyes are wide with shock. 'I am so sorry," she says as she finds her drool spot on my shirt. 'It's fine. A little drool won't kill me. I'm a wolf." It's a little ironic and funny, but I don't have time to think about it since someone knocks again. 'Who is it?" 'Evelyn." I breathe out a sigh, thankful that it isn't Simon already. 'What do you need?" 'I just came to check on Maya because I thought she might need a woman's company instead of your furry tail," she says with a laugh. 'I thought you all might need breakfast in your room this morning." I sigh. She thinks of everything and I'm so glad, but I know that I won't get away with it. I will have to go to the dining hall, even if Maya stays here to eat. 'Thank you." I glance at Maya and hate to do this. 'I'll have to go, but you can stay and eat with Maya, if you have time." 'Yes, I do. Can I come in? Is everyone dressed?" I let out a laugh at her unexpected comment. 'Yes, we are definitely dressed." Maya quickly sits up and pulls away from me, wiping the drool from her face. I sit up and look down at the wet spot on my shirt. Evelyn comes in, her eyes scanning the room as if she doesn't believe me, but then she sees we are dressed. She lets out a sigh, but her eyes lock on the wet spot on my shirt. It doesn't take her a second to figure out what happened, and she gives me a knowing smile before taking the silver tray full of food over to the table near the fireplace. I slip out of the bed and almost start for the door, but quickly turn and head for the closet instead to get a new t-shirt. Once I've changed shirts, I don't bother with anything else and slip out of the room as quickly as I can. Even as Maya eyes me, I just smile and keep going. When I close the bedroom door, I can hear her asking Evelyn about why I'm off in such a rush, but I don't stick around to hear the explanation. I head straight for the dining hall, where I know most will be waiting for me. My steps are light and quick as I practically run to get breakfast. The quicker I can get in there, the quicker I can get out. My bare feet barely make a sound against the rug as I keep moving, passing by several of the pack who just stare at me like I've lost my mind. And maybe I have. I'd definitely rather spend time with Maya in bed than be around them. As I reach the dining hall, I look around the room and head for my usual seat at the end of the first table. All eyes are on me. Then they look behind me as if they're searching for her. I almost laugh when they realize that she's not coming. I take my seat and plop down hard, not thinking about how it looks or how it might make anyone else feel. Simon is sitting in his usual seat, a couple down from mine on the right side. He glances at me once, then at the chair to my left. 'She's not coming?" 'No, she's having breakfast with Evelyn in my room. I'm here, though. That should be enough." He only nods. 'The pack will demand her to be around them more, so they can get to know her. You can't keep hiding her away like this." 'Well, we will cross that bridge when we get to it," I mumble as I reach over to the platter in the middle of the table and grab a few pieces of bacon. 'Right now, everyone seems fine with how it is as long as I show up." 'They're not voicing their thoughts through the pack bonds, but you can see it on their faces. She will be their luna." 'Yes, and she will when she's ready. I can't rush this and you know that." It seems like I've said that way too many times and I'm not sure if it's for their benefit or mine. I have to remind myself of it often because it's not how we normally do things. Mating is fairly easy. We find the one and then we exchange bites, but this with her is different. 'It's coming faster than you're willing to admit. We could be attacked any day. The quicker you fulfill the prophecy, the better," he snaps, shaking his head. 'You're dragging this out."