Chapter Twenty Two - Not Supposed to Happen - Maya's POV

Just as I take a step back toward the bed, a bang shakes the door, and it's hard. The force rattles the wooden frame, and I feel myself growing fearful. Something large must have hit it, but what? I freeze with my breath caught in my chest, unable to exhale it. As I listen for any sound beyond the furious pounding beyond my own heartbeat, it feels like the silence stretches on. The door rattles again, the hinges groaning as if something is testing its strength. It's pushing and waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Or at least, that is how it seems. My pulse grows frantic as it slams against my ribs. I turn toward the door, watching it more. A shudder works its way through me as the wood begins to splinter with the next hit. No, this isn't happening. What could break through a wooden door like this? The air in the room feels heavier, pressing down on me like an invisible weight. The silence that follows the impact is worse than the sound itself. I stand still, my muscles locked, waiting with bated breath to see if the door gives in. Then, from the other side, a low, guttural growl seeps through the cracks. I stumble backward, nearly tripping over my own feet as I rush to put distance between myself and whatever is on the other side of the door. A cold chill runs down my spine. The only thing I have to defend myself is one of the chairs near the fireplace, but that is too close to the doorway. Growling on the other side of the door brings me back to the present. Though I thought the wolf was a figment of my imagination, it's definitely real and not gone as I thought. My back hits the edge of the bed, and I drop onto it, my breath shuddering past my lips. I clutch the sheets as if that will somehow keep me grounded, keep me safe. 'This isn't real," I whisper, my voice barely audible. 'It can't be." But the deep clawing fear in my gut tells me otherwise. Another thud against the door makes me jerk. I squeeze my eyes shut, willing myself to wake up, willing the door to stay closed, willing the thing outside to just go away. But the truth slams into me just as hard as the sound against the door. This is real. And whatever is on the other side of that door probably isn't human. Suddenly, the door splinters with a deafening crack. Shards of wood fly inward as the force of the impact sends it swinging open off its hinges. The force of the blow sends the door swinging off its hinges, crashing against the wall with a final, resounding bang. I scream as I try to get away, but it looks like I'm trapped where I am. The massive wolf steps inside. Its dark fur bristles along its spine, and its glowing eyes lock onto me with an intensity that sends ice through my veins. My breath comes in short, panicked gasps as I press myself against the headboard. It growls low and deep, the sound vibrating through me. I can't think nor can I move. I'm trapped. The wolf takes a slow step forward, its claws clicking against the wooden floor. The sound alone is enough to send another wave of terror crashing over me. My fingers dig into the sheets as my entire body trembles. 'No, this isn't real. I'm just dreaming." But when I blink, the wolf is still there and standing in front of the bed. The wolf stalks closer, its breath heavy, hot, and far too real for this to be a dream. I press myself harder against the headboard as if that will save me. My heart hammers so loud I swear it's all I can hear. This is how I'm going to die. Then, just as I think the wolf will lunge for me and tear out my throat, it stops. It tilts its head, those glowing eyes watching me too closely. I should scream or run, but there's nowhere to go and my voice is trapped in my throat. The wolf lowers its head slightly, ears flicking back. For a moment, I can see something familiar in its gaze. It's something that almost seems human. The thought sends another wave of fear through me. No, this is impossible. But before I can process the thought, the air in the room shifts, charged with an energy that prickles against my skin. Other than that, there is nothing. Just silence. Bones begin cracking, flesh shifts, and a low, guttural snarl turns into something else entirely. I force my eyes open just in time to see what should be impossible. The wolf is changing. Its body twists, reshaping, contorting in ways that make my stomach churn. Dark fur melts away, limbs lengthen, and the beast in front of me is no longer a beast at all. It's a man. A man I recognize. Damian. I choke on a breath, my body frozen in place as he towers over me, bare-skinned, his eyes still glowing like fire in the dim light. His chest rises and falls in heavy, labored breaths. His hands are clenched into fists at his sides, muscles taut as if he's barely holding himself together. I'm in too much shock to move and a heavy silence falls between us. The silence between us is thick. The only sound is the lingering echo of my own ragged breathing. I don't even know if I can speak. My mouth falls open as I suck in a breath and try to say anything to break the silence, but I can't. This is too overwhelming. Then, his voice, rough and deep, shatters the silence. 'You were never supposed to find out like this."