Chapter Thirty One - Fate Brought You Here - Damian's POV

As everyone gives her a nod of greeting, they soon turn and go back to their business once they see the introductions are over. It's not like I'm going to introduce them one by one to her. It would take entirely too long and be too overwhelming. I take my seat once more, looking over at Simon, who is grinning mischievously. He keeps looking at Maya, but not saying anything. When he notices me looking, he shoots over a look and his smile fades. 'Is that all?" 'Is what all?" I ask, feeling confused by his question. 'Is that how you are going to introduce her?" Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Maya watching the interaction. She is probably wondering the same thing, but I don't plan to tell the pack what she is just yet. Right now, she's just a visitor, a human in our midst, and that is all. I won't dare say she is the key to the prophecy, not when I don't know who raided my office. 'For now, that is all I'm going to say." Silence stretches between us, and it becomes uncomfortable. He thinks I should be more honest with the pack, but I can't. Not yet. Maya is watching, her eyes flicking back and forth between us. I know she feels it, too. The tension and silence are suffocating and I can't pretend it's not here. Eventually, I turn and look at her. Her eyes widen as we lock gazes. 'You are being quiet," I say, keeping my voice low. She hesitates for a moment, then shakes her head, offering a small, warm smile. 'I'm just thinking." 'What about?" I ask, hoping to get the attention moved elsewhere. Anything just so I don't have to say it out loud to everyone. They're all listening, hoping for a scrap of information about the human among them. Maya shifts in her seat, her gaze darting to Serena before settling on the middle of the table. 'I guess I expected more questions or for them to want to know more." 'They trust me," I say, knowing good and well that they have questions. I can feel their tension through the pack bonds. 'If I bring someone here, they know there is a reason for it. But they won't ask out loud just yet." Simon snorts. 'Or they're just waiting to see if she'll run. Then they'll go ask the questions they are dying to know about." 'Maya tenses at his words, and I shoot him a warning glare. He holds up in his hands in defeat, but the smirk on his face isn't fading. I know he'll be back at it in a few minutes, offering unwanted commentary. 'Relax," I whisper. 'No one will hurt you. You are under my care and they won't dare bring harm to a guest." She nods, but doesn't seem too convinced. I don't blame her. It's a lot to take in and even they are still adjusting. It's not like we have humans here every day. The tension seems to linger as silence falls between us. Simon taps his fingers against the table, clearly still wanting to say something, but for once, he's keeping his mouth shut. It's definitely odd for him. Maya looks at me again, and I catch her out of the corner of my eye. 'Something you want to ask?" 'What exactly is the reason for my being here?" She cuts straight to the tough question that I can't answer. At least not yet. Even though I know she is the one who is part of the prophecy, I can't tell anyone until we find out what is going on. 'You are here because I need you to be." It's not a lie, but it's not exactly the fully truth. Those listening will think I'm still determining if she is the one. It'll work for now, but as time passes, it will get worse. They'll start demanding to know if she is it or not. Our attacks will probably increase, as well as those outside the territory will want to get their hands on her. She exhales sharply, like she was expecting more of an answer than that. But I can't give her what she wants. 'Well, I think I'm going to find something less awkward to do. This has been fun, though," Simon says as he pushes back from the table. I look over at him, but notice him looking directly at Maya. He offers her a wink before he heads off, out of the dining hall. 'I don't think he likes me much," Maya says, keeping her voice down. 'If he didn't like you, you would know, because he sure wouldn't be winking at you," I add, laughing. She huffs, crossing her arms over her chest as she looks at the doorway where he just went through. 'So, winking at me means he likes me?" I shake my head. 'That is Simon being Simon. He likes to get under people's skin, especially when he knows they are on edge and ready to run. Don't dig too much into it." I watch as her shoulders relax. She seems to be thinking things over. Simon has always had a way of reading people, like most wolf shifters do, but it always seems to go deeper than others. He likes to push buttons, but I also know him well enough to see the curiosity behind his actions and teasing. He's trying to gauge Maya, to figure out if she really is what they think she is. Eventually, she will become my luna, and that affects all of them. Maya shifts her gaze back to mine, searching for answers. 'You still haven't answered my question from earlier." 'Which one?" 'Why I'm here," she says, voice quiet but firm. 'Why did you bring me here? And don't tell me it's because you need me." 'It's because of what you could be, Maya. That is all I can say, so please don't push it any further." She studies me, gauging my reaction and trying to see if I'll crack. It amuses me. 'I hate this," Maya whispers as she finally looks away. 'You are important to many people and fate brought you here." 'I don't believe in fate," she adds, still looking at some random spot on the opposite wall. 'You should, because without fate, you wouldn't be here."