Chapter Forty - Vampires - Damian's POV

For a moment, neither of us says anything. It's as if we both are afraid to speak, but then she takes one single step forward. 'You're pushing me away," she says, her eyes locking with mine. My jaw tightens. 'No, I'm keeping you safe." Something shifts between us, and I feel the tension growing again. I have the urge to kiss her, but refrain until I see her gaze drop to my lips for a half a second too long. My control snaps. I close the distance between us, my arm wrapping around her, pulling her closer until she is flush against me. As I lean down, her breath shudders. Our lips are mere inches apart and I'm so ready to devour her. I want her more than anything, but I know I shouldn't be trying to claim her right now. Then someone knocks on the door, and I freeze. A low growl escapes from my throat. 'What is it?" I ask without turning around. 'Alpha, I have news," Ethan says. 'I thought you were supposed to be sleeping. Why are you here and what news could you possibly have?" 'Look, you'll want to see this, so can I please come inside your office?" He asks, his hand gently twisting the knob, but not entering. I pull away from Maya and let her straighten her shirt before I tell him to come in. Ethan walks inside, hesitant and looking just as tired as early. He has something in his hand. 'I went by the infirmary on my way to my room and one of the guys brought something back." 'What did he bring back? There was nothing at the eastern border." He holds out his hand and presents a bloody scrap of fabric. I can tell instantly that it's not one of ours. 'What is that?" 'It's a piece of one of their shirts. It's the only thing he could grab before he got away," Ethan says as he comes closer and hands it to me. I take it in my hand, turning it over slowly to get a good look. None of the blood on this fabric was on the ground at the border. I take a deep inhale, trying to place where I've smelled it before. 'Vampires," I whisper. 'But it's during the day. I don't understand." 'Roy doesn't understand either, but swears they had fangs." My heart sinks to my stomach as I sniff it again to confirm. 'It smells like one of them." Though I want to dismiss this and say I'm just dreaming, my instincts scream that this is only going to get worse now that they are involved. Other packs are one thing. More supernaturals getting into this is another. Ethan takes a step back, and I feel my resolve falter. 'Is it okay if I rest now?" 'Yes, go rest," I whisper as I look down at the bloody fabric. 'There is nothing more you can do right now." He leaves and I slowly turn to Maya. She comes closer, almost reaching out to touch the fabric, but pulls back at the last minute. 'What is this? Why did you say vampires? Do they really exist as well?" 'Not now, Maya," I say, my voice sounding pained. She reaches out, grabbing my arm and pulling my attention back to her. 'You told me I'm always in danger, but now you won't tell me about the vampires? This isn't fair, Damian. I need to know what is going on." Her scent wraps around me, testing my control. And it's slipping again quickly. My wolf urges me to drop the fabric and pull her to me again. But I fight it until I can step back and get away from her. 'I can't tell you much about them. Vampires are elusive and stay hidden. It's odd for them to attack a pack of wolves." I walk back toward my desk with her hot on my heels. 'Okay, so what does this mean? Why are they bothering your pack now?" A low growl rumbles in my chest as I find my chair and plop down heavily, still clutching the bloody fabric. 'My men were attacked at the eastern border and left bloody. They came back, which you are aware of. I couldn't find a single trace of who attacked them until Ethan brought me this. We're fortunate that one of them was able to grab this before they got away. I'm lucky they are even alive. It's all just a message." 'Is it about me? Is that why they are suddenly attacking the pack?" She asks, her eyes widening with worry. 'No," I lie. 'It has nothing to do with you." Maya's shoulders slump as if she detects the lie. If she wasn't entirely human, I'd question it more, but I dismiss it. 'Then what is it? How can I help you?" 'You are human and there is nothing you can do," I whisper as I glance down at the cloth. 'The only thing I can do is tighten security." 'That's your answer, then. You're going to lock me away again, aren't you?" I debate my choices, but locking her away is the only thing that makes sense. It's not like I can be right with her all the time like I thought I might be able to do. They're closing in and everyone is attacking from all sides. There is something happening somewhere along the border almost every single day. 'I may not have a choice," I say, keeping my voice low. 'No, you always have a choice," she argues. 'Not when it comes to you." I look up at her and try to remain calm. 'Your safety is above everything else." Silence fills the air and everything I can't say hangs between us. Once again, my wolf pushes closer to the surface and causes my control to be dangerously close to slipping. She's too close to me and challenging everything I say. He likes it. 'Then tell me what you are really afraid of," she whispers.