Chapter Forty Eight - Run - Damian's POV

The second I pull back and our lips meet again, something inside of me snaps. It's raw, primal, like my wolf has finally gotten a taste of what I've been craving. No, yearning for. Now, there is no turning back. She gasps against my mouth, but doesn't pull away. Instead, she presses her body closer as her fingers tighten around my shirt as if she's afraid to let go. Her hesitance is there, lingering beneath the heat of the moment, but there is something else that has my attention. Her need. I deepen the kiss as one hand slides up to cup the back of her neck. The other slides down to rest against the curve of her waist. She trembles beneath my touch, leaning in until her body molds against mine. The sound that escapes her lips next almost destroys what is left of my very little control. Mine. My wolf is relentless now, pushing at the surface and demanding more. Mark her. Claim her. His cries in my mind don't go unheard, but I have to fight it back. Not yet. Not now. She has to accept all of this first, then I can have my way with her as I truly desire to. I pull back just enough to meet her gaze. My breath comes out in ragged gasps. Her eyes are wide, her lips parted, and her cheeks are flushed in a way that makes me want to devour her all over again. 'Maya," I whisper, my voice barely audible. It's a plea. A promise. She blinks up at me as if she just snapped back to reality. And then I see it. The flicker of fear returns and creeps back in. She lets go of my shirt and takes one slow, shaky breath. I know what she's going to say before she even whispers it. 'Damian, I need time to think," she mumbles, swallowing hard. My jaw clenches as my wolf fights for control and my eyes land on the spot I'd mark her as mine. 'Then think all you want. But don't pretend that you don't feel what is growing between us. At least accept that much." Her lips press together as if she's trying to find a way to deny it, but she doesn't. She can't. I reach up, my hand trembling as I brush my thumb over her swollen lips. 'You are mine, Maya Sinclair. No amount of thinking is going to change our fate." She lets out another shaky breath, her eyes darting toward the door as if she hears something I don't. 'Damian —" I exhale and force myself to take one step back, even though every fiber of my being is screaming at me to not remove myself. 'Go ahead. Run if you need to, but you won't get far. My wolf will find you and this time you will be claimed." Her gaze snaps to mine. 'What?" 'You heard me," I continue, my voice low and guttural. 'Run, little one. Run and I will find you, then claim you. I won't be able to stop myself." Her breath shudders and for a moment, neither of us moves. Maya stares at me, her chest rising and falling in quick, uneven breaths. Her fingers twitch at her sides like she's debating whether to run or stay here. But then she acts. She takes one step toward the door. Testing me. Testing herself. A low growl rumbles in my chest, warning her what is about to happen should she run. My wolf is starving for her and pushing me to make good on my promise. He wants to hunt her down and claim her. Mine. I force myself to take a slow breath through my nose and to rein in the primal instinct clawing at my control. If she opens that door, I don't know if I'll be able to stop myself there. Her pulse beats frantically. I can hear it, smell it. Her fear permeates the air, but underneath it all is something else. Desire. She's torn about what to feel and I can sense every bit of it. Then she does what I thought she wouldn't. Her hand shakes as she reaches for the door handle and lands on it. My eyes land on her hand. My body reacts before I can stop. In a single step, I have her pinned against the wooden frame, one hand braced beside her head while the other curls around her waist. My breath fans against her temple as I lean in, caging her between me and the door. 'Did you really think you could outrun me?" My voice is barely a whisper, but it's laced with something untamed. Maya shivers. 'I thought I'd at least make it out the door. You didn't even see if I was going to run or not. Maybe I wanted to go back for more food." I lean in a little further until our lips are mere inches apart. My fingers tighten at her waist. 'I see you, Maya. You don't really want to run. I can smell it. You want me to chase you?" Her breath catches. 'No, I don't. I don't really." Even as she speaks, I can smell desire in the air and it's only getting stronger. I move to the side of her head, my lips brushing against the shell of her ear. 'But when I catch you…" I drag my hand to her back and trace up her spine with my fingertips. 'You will be mine." Maya's hands land on my chest, pressing against me as if to push me away, but she doesn't. She just stays there, fingers curling back into the fabric of my shirt. For a moment, I'm certain she won't do anything. She's too scared I'll follow through. But then she surprises me. She shoves at me, knocking me back, and slips out the door. 'Oh, so you do want to be chased?" I let out a slow chuckle. 'Get ready. I'm coming for you."