Chapter Fifty - Interruptions - Maya's POV

I force myself to push against his chest, even though it won't do any good. He's too close and I know this is it for me. But oddly, he lets me move him back. His fingers linger a second longer before he finally steps back, but only enough for me to catch my breath. My body is still on fire from his touch and part of me wants to finish what we started. Instead, I pull my hands back and cross them over my chest. 'So, you're not going to mark me?" Damian's gaze flicks to mine, once again glowing and wild. 'I want to so badly." My stomach clenches. I don't understand what is stopping him. He has me right here in front of him and I can't go anywhere. 'Then do it already and get it over with." He shakes his head as if he is clearing his thoughts. 'I want you to want this too." 'Alpha!" Someone yells as they come down the hallway. 'What is it?" Damian asks as he cuts his eyes to the right to look at them. I look over, only to see a man panting for breath. 'There was another attack at the border. This time, both of our patrols were taken." 'What?" Damian's voice becomes angry and guttural again. 'They're gone. We can't find them. They took both of them." Damian pushes off from the wall and almost heads toward the other man, but stops. 'Go back to your room and stay there. Do not roam the halls and do not go outside." 'Wait, what happened to claiming me if I ran from you? What happened to me not leaving your sight?" He lets out a low growl as his gaze flicks at my throat. 'All of it, sadly, has to wait. I need to see where they have taken them or if there are any clues before the trail gets cold. Evelyn is going to keep an eye on you." As if she's been summoned, she comes down the opposite end of the hallway and shoots me a straight look. I can tell now she's assessing the situation and realizes that Damian lost the battle to his wolf. I don't know much about it all, but she looks exasperated. 'Come along, dear. Let's get you cleaned up." Some small part of me wants to go with Damian, so I step away from the wall. 'Take me with you." He doesn't say a word. Instead, he looks at me as if memorizing my face before reaching out to brush a stray strand of hair behind my ear. I freeze, trying to catch my breath. He's so tender and sweet, which is surprising considering how he was moments ago. 'I'll find you later. Go with Evelyn and stay out of trouble. When I come back, maybe we can discuss our next steps and finish what we started." And just like that, he turns and walks away from me, leaving me behind with my heart still racing. The part that hurts the most is I know next time I won't run from him. I stand frozen, staring after him as his footsteps fade down the turn of the next hallway and Evelyn comes closer. My breath is still uneven. She looks at me when I turn to face her. 'What happened now and why was he naked?" 'I ran," I admit solemnly. 'So, you ran and provoked the wolf. Do you have any idea how close you came to getting claimed?" She asks as her brows raise. 'Yes, I do. I felt his lips against my throat and realized I was about to be claimed." She just rolls her eyes. 'Well, you're going to learn, eventually. Now, come along and do as he says before he loses his wolf completely. If you keep pushing, his wolf may take completely over and the man will be gone. Then what are you going to do?" 'I don't know. What happens then?" Evelyn just shakes her head as we begin walking down the hallway. 'Well, he could claim and mate with you right there. It won't matter where you end up. He won't be able to stop himself until he knows you're his. So, let's behave, shall we?" My jaw falls open, almost not wanting to believe her words. Would he really do that? 'We're animals. At least, our wolves are. What do you expect?" It's almost as if she can hear my innermost thoughts, which scares me. We make it back to my room and she comes in with me. I don't know what to do to pass the time, but I know staying in here is going to become boring. Evelyn takes one look around, ensuring everything is in order. 'Why don't you make this room more you while I get someone to bring you something to snack on? We can chat and hope that all things go well." I only nod. She quickly leaves the room, but doesn't stray far. I hear her outside the door while I fumble around with a few things they moved in here. Eventually, she comes back inside and shuts the door. 'Our snack will be here soon. One of the others is going to take care of it since I've been told not to leave you." 'When were you told that?" She just smiles as she taps one finger to her head. 'He can bark out orders through the pack bonds. It comes in handy." 'Has he told you when he'll be back?" Evelyn shakes her head as she plops down in one of the chairs near the fireplace. 'It could be hours or days. It just depends on what he finds and if there is a trail. He's growing restless. This is the most action we've ever had, but time is drawing to a close." 'What does that mean?" I ask as I walk to the other chair and sit down with her. 'Is something going to happen soon?" She just glances over at me. 'Maybe, but that is all I can tell you."