Chapter Thirty Nine - In Danger - Damian's POV

All night I was restless. My mind had been consumed by the memory of her warmth and the kiss we shared. It was so infiltrating that I ended up in my office sometime earlier this morning. I still can smell her on me and I can't stand the thought of changing clothes. For one split moment, she had stopped running from me and now I'm left to wonder if it means she won't ever try again. The window has given me a little reprieve. I've never been one to let my emotions cloud my judgment, but she's becoming an exception. Now she's in my office and we're alone. My wolf is stirring to life at the mere sight of her, but I try to keep my expression neutral so she doesn't notice. I can't let anyone see how she gets me worked up. Not yet. Word of our kiss has already spread and I've heard the rumors circulating. They highly suspect she's my mate and the key to the prophecy, even though I've been tight lipped. I'm still not going to tell them or clear up the rumors just yet. My eyes land on her lips, taking in the details of how they are still slightly puffy. She shifts to the right, her gaze darting off to one of the various bookshelves in my office as she waits for an answer. Then she has the audacity to huff this morning. Oh, she's feisty this morning. 'Well, I'm sure something can be arranged so you can take care of showering and other duties." Her gaze lands on me. 'You can't be serious." I lean back against the window, crossing my arms over my chest. Her frustration delights me. 'Well, I don't make jokes about your safety. I thought we were past that." Her gaze narrows and I can see now she isn't going to back down easily. 'Are you going to follow me to the bathroom? Are you going to be a shadow that never leaves me?" I push off the window and come around the desk, closer to her. 'If that is what it takes to keep you safe, then I will." We stand toe-to-toe, and the heat between us starts again. When she looks up, I can tell she's on to me. I think she's finally connected the dots that her frustration brings me joy. She straightens her spine and stares up at me in defiance. Then she closes the gap and nearly steps on my toes with her bare feet. 'Fine, I hope you like waiting outside the bathroom door because that is all you will get to do." I smirk. She can think she has won this, but in reality, this is only the beginning. Before either of us can say anything, a knock on the door breaks the tension. Simon enters, his gaze flicking between us and quickly assessing the situation. 'Alpha, there has been another issue near the eastern border. The patrol just came back and they are hurt." My entire mood sours as my gaze lands on Maya. I told her today would start staying with me, but I can't take her to the eastern border to see what happened or even start investigating. 'Stay here and eat your breakfast. I will be back soon." Maya bristles as I take a step and start toward the door. 'I thought I was supposed to stay by your side." I hesitate near the doorway, but quickly shake my head, dismissing the thought of taking her with me. 'No, you can't go." Her expression changes and I know she doesn't like it, but I don't have time to ask why. This shouldn't bother her. She should be happy that she's getting a little break from me and not having to do this. My gaze narrows as I study her face. 'I'll be fine." 'I'm not worried about you," she snaps as she crosses her arms over her chest. But that's just it. Why would she look like this if she wasn't worried? I smile as I slip out of the room and head to the eastern border with Simon. It doesn't take long to arrive. The air is too till and my wolf's hackle rises. Something is very wrong here. As I search for any sign of the attacker, all I find is blood. Plenty of it and it's my men's. Not theirs. The ground is saturated with it and all I see is red. 'They went to the infirmary, correct?" Simon nods. 'Yes, they went straight to the infirmary after talking to me. I told them we'd check it out and assign a new patrol." 'This is getting out of hand already," I whisper. 'Only their blood is here. It looks like they didn't even get a swipe at their attacker." I breathe out a heavy sigh. 'No, they didn't. There's not a trace of whoever did this and that concerns me." We search high and low for several minutes, but one thing remains the same. No scent trail. No tracks and no bodies. There's not a single clue as to who did this. 'Whoever did this just wants to send a message." Simon chuckles low under his breath, but not because this is funny. 'They want you to know that they can reach you." 'That's exactly what it is." 'We better head back and send someone else out," Simon whispers as we take one last look around. 'Maybe they won't attack again for a while." I'm not too sure about that, but nod in agreement. 'Let's head back." As we make our way to the estate, I wonder what Maya has been doing. Then I think of all the things I'm sure she will ask. I breathe out a heavy sigh that Simon doesn't miss. 'You're wondering about her again, aren't you?" 'Always. I'm sure she'll have more questions for me and I can't answer any of it yet." He nods, but doesn't say anything else. Once we reach the estate, we both walk inside and he departs for the dining hall while I return to the office. Oddly, Maya is still there waiting for me. She turns as soon as I step inside, her eyes wide with fear until she sees it's me. 'What happened?" I hesitate. She doesn't need to know. Not yet. 'It's nothing you need to worry about for now. No one is dead and there is a new patrol heading there now once Simon gets them." Her eyes flash with frustration as she abruptly stands from the chair. 'I deserve to know if I'm in danger." 'That's just it, Maya. You're always in danger and so are we."