Chapter Thirty Three - You Don't See It Yet - Maya's POV

I should be afraid, or at least furious. Maybe part of me is. But there is something else, too. Something unsettling and unspoken crackling between us, just waiting to explode. 'Do you really think you can keep me here forever? I may just try to run away again and hope that I die." As I tilt my head back in defiance, he only looks down at me and smirks. 'Try, little one. Just try," he says, his voice barely audible. 'What's in the woods won't be the only thing hunting you. And I will find you first." His confidence is infuriating, but the worst part is I believe him. I know he'll catch me as soon as I run again, if I get a chance to do this again and actually make it out. I grit my teeth together, refusing to let the warmth of his body persuade me in any direction or let his gaze shake me. My hands press against his chest, trying to force us apart. 'You don't own me." His smirk vanishes and is quickly replaced by something darker. Something more primal. 'No, I don't, but you belong here whether you want to or not." 'I don't belong here or to you," I say, hoping to get this through his thick skull. For a moment, neither of us moves. The air between us is thick with unspoken tension. It's a silent battle of wills because neither of us is willing to lose. Finally, Damian releases me and steps back. The absence of his touch leaves my skin cold and part of me wants it back immediately. 'Fight me all you want, but the truth doesn't change. You are safer here and you are important. Too important to let go." I cross my arms over my chest, a hollow laugh escaping me instantly. 'Safe? You bought me from my father and threw me to the wolves. Literally. I'm trapped here like a prison." His jaw tightens. 'If I hadn't bought you, someone else would have. And trust me when I say this, they don't care if you live or die. I do." His words hit me like a punch to the gut, but I don't show him any emotions. Instead, I force myself to meet his gaze. 'So I'm supposed to thank you for saving me from some people I don't even know about?" 'No," he murmurs. 'I don't expect you to thank me for anything. But I do expect you to stop running. From here on out, you stay on the estate grounds, inside the manor. There will be a guard assigned to you to ensure that you don't even try or think about it." The urge to argue returns. I want to demand my freedom. Another part of me says not to try, because he's telling the truth and is serious about me never leaving. Death is all that waits for me in the woods. But inside these walls? I don't know what will happen from within and that is just as terrifying. Damian watches me come to the realization that I can never leave. His expression is unreadable and his presence looms over me. It's a force I can't ignore, no matter how much I want to. Every word he speaks sinks into me, filling me with a frustrating mix of anger and uncertainty. I want to lash out. I want to fight back. But what good will it do? I exhale, my hands balling into fists at my sides as I stare back at him. 'So, that's it? I'm supposed to just accept that I've been bought by a werewolf and that I'm his mate? You expect me to accept that my life isn't my own anymore?" His gaze darkens, but he thankfully doesn't approach me. 'Your life is still your own, Maya. But your survival is my responsibility now. You'll see soon enough that I take it very seriously." I shake my head, refusing to accept his words anymore. 'I never asked for this. Why me?" Damian steps closer, his voice dropping into something dangerously soft. 'I never asked for this either. But fate doesn't care what we want. The sooner you accept it, the easier it will become." There is that word again and I'm beginning to hate it. It's supposed to justify everything in their world, apparently, and it doesn't work for me. It doesn't make being sold and owned better. I lift my chin defiantly. 'As I've told you before, I don't believe in fate." Something flickers in his expression and causes him to stall. 'You will soon enough." The certainty of his tone sends a chill down my spine. I refuse to let him see it, so I turn away from him. My shoulders tense, knowing he's right behind me. My mind races. It seems like every door I thought was open has been slammed shut, making me feel even more trapped here. No matter how much I want to fight, the reality of the situation is undeniable. I'm stuck here. The weight of his presence behind me seems to thicken. My breath hitches and I force myself to take a slow breath. Finally, he speaks. 'I'm not trying to control you, and I never will. All that matters is that you are protected." I turn back to face him, the hurt in my chest threatening to spill out, though I don't want it to. 'What are you protecting me from? Why can't you tell me anything? You already revealed you're a werewolf, so what else is there? You even said I'm your mate and then vaguely mentioned a prophecy, which you won't speak about. So what is it, Damian?" His gaze softens, but only a little. 'You don't see it yet, but you will understand soon. That is all I can tell you. Can we please stop repeating this same conversation?" His words hang in the air between us. I want to fight him on this and keep asking, but something stops me. I'm not sure if it's because of the way he's looking at me with quiet intensity or if it's the hint of vulnerability in his voice.