Chapter Forty Two - Another Kiss - Damian's POV

Maya looks so scared that I find myself watching her more than the pack. I'm sure they have questions, but I don't miss the way she is trembling, as if she's terrified of something other than the vampires, which are the true threat. 'Despite this attack," I say, never taking my eyes off her. 'We are still strong and will persevere." 'Who is she to be standing beside you, alpha?" The snarky woman, who won't stop staring at Maya, says. I have to turn and look at her again just to remember her name. 'Luce, she is under my protection. That is all you need to know." Luce doesn't seem to be accepting my words as an answer and takes a few steps forward. 'That isn't an answer. You need to clarify what that human is doing here. She is probably why the vampires are at our borders in the first place." 'They were there long before she arrived, so it is best if you shut your mouth," I say as my voice grows louder. 'My decisions will not be questioned." Maya takes a couple of steps back and I barely see it out of the corner of my eye. She's about to run, but I can't let her or they will see her as weaker than she is. I move to her side, wrapping my arm around her shoulders. 'If anyone wants to ask again, do so at your own risk. She is by my side and will remain that way." 'You can't seriously–" Luce begins, but one of the other girls steps forward and wraps her hand around her mouth as she pulls her back a few steps. 'Thank you, Tiffany." I watch the rest of the back, waiting to see who else will speak up, but none of them do. They all just watch and look at my arm around Maya's shoulders. Some sniff and when their eyes widen, I realize they have gotten the point. It may not be a direct answer, yet it's enough of one to know that their alpha has been all over her. 'Any questions about the attack or are you finished with sniffing in our direction?" I ask as I drag my gaze over the pack. When silence fills the air, most at the back leave, then the others follow. Slowly, but surely, everyone leaves the dining hall and only Maya and I remain at the end. She looks up at me, still nestled under my arm. 'You didn't really answer them." I smirk. 'They aren't quite ready for the truth, but most noticed." 'They could smell me, right?" I only nod and she grimaces. The trembling still hasn't stopped and I try to pull her closer, hoping that my scent and embrace will help her, but that seems to make things worse. She pulls away, which causes my wolf to snarl. The pack is at fault for this reaction. They were all staring at her, silently judging and doubting her, even though my scent is all over her. It makes my blood boil. When we have our next meeting, hopefully Maya and I will be further along so I can tell them more. Well, that is if I find out who broke into my office and get that resolved first. Until then, I can't outright tell them what she is to me, to us. 'Why did you put your arm around me?" She finally asks. It's not that I didn't know it was coming, but I hate the uncertainty in her voice. 'If I didn't wrap my arm around you, they would have kept at it until you broke or I killed someone. Is that what you want?" She doesn't answer. 'You knew what bringing me here would do, Damian. Not only that, but I'm pretty sure that one girl wants you and would be a better match than me." Maya starts to walk off with her arms crossed over her chest, but I don't let her get away. I close the distance between us, my hand gently closing around her upper arm before spinning her around to face me. 'I don't want Luce." 'Do you really think they want me with you? They were all staring at me as if I was an intruder. I'm sure they would prefer if you were with her and they probably care that you are trying to be with a human, if that is what you can call it." 'I don't care what they think," I retort as my jaw clenches. 'This is just the start of everything. We need more time." She takes a step back, trying to escape my hold. I step forward and don't let her get too far. 'Does it really bother you that much?" I ask, trying to understand where this is coming from. Her breath hitches and she goes slack as she looks away. That reaction tells me everything. My wolf pushes forward, urging me to take her here and now, but it's too soon. I can't do this. Not yet. Silence stretches between them. I take a few steps so that I'm facing her and can see her reaction. My gaze then drops to her lips again. Oh, how I want to kiss her. I want a repeat of the night before. She notices and looks up at me. Her eyes land on my lips. 'Damian –" I lean in, unable to stop myself. My heart pounds loudly in my ears the closer my lips get to hers. For once, she doesn't pull away. She tilts her chin up slightly, her eyes sliding closed. That's all the invitation I need. I press my lips to hers, slow but firm, claiming her. The kiss starts soft, but heat coils in my chest, making it hard for me to hold back from her. Maya lets out a shaky breath against my mouth before melting into me. My hand lands on her side and slowly trails all the way up her back until I'm cupping the back of her neck, pulling her even closer. A deep growl rumbles in my chest, my wolf pushing to take more. When I tilt my head, she deepens the kiss before I get a chance to. Her hand lands on my chest, her fingers curling into my shirt as she grips onto me. The air around us crackles with something electric, something inevitable as our fate pulls us together. I pull back slightly, gently nibbling at her bottom lift, causing her to gasp. The sound threatens to be my undoing. I pull back more before I do something stupid. We need air. I rest my forehead against hers, breathing hard as I try to get myself under control. My hand stays at the back of her neck, unwilling to let her go just yet. Maya's eyes are hazy and her lips are slightly swollen from our kiss. Then she blinks and blinks again, as if she is realizing what just happened. I wait to see her reaction. Have I crossed a line? Does she even want me to kiss her? But then her fingers lightly brush against my chest, like she's still holding onto the moment. My wolf purrs in satisfaction.