Chapter Fifty Eight - Threats - Damian's POV

The moment her scent hits me, all I can think of is how it smells like fear laced with the sharp tang of blood. My vision turns black and I don't think. I just act. My wolf takes over, running at full speed, and we don't feel the burn of my muscles as I bound in her direction. The world blurs around me as I tear through the trees, around bushes, and over logs. My muscles are coiled and ready. The scent of rogues and vampires thickens in the air, turning my rage into something primal. Feral. I should have never left her. I should have stayed and told Simon that no one was going to the border. Every second I've been away, I've known something is wrong. The prophecy, the packs, and the vampires could all burn in the pits for all I cared. Maya is mine and now she's in danger. I push harder, my paws slamming into the dirt and claws digging deeper. A furious snarl rumbles in my chest, vibrating through my entire body. My vision returns to normal, and I see her. She's sprawled out on the ground, her dark hair spilling across the dirt. The dagger is not in her hands, which means someone knocked it out of her grasp. Above her, a vampire crouches, her lips pulled into a wicked grin. She thinks she's won and is playing with her. Toying with what is mine. A sound rips from me. It's a guttural, deadly roar that shakes the air. The vampire turns just as I launch myself into the air. I slam into her, the force sending us both crashing into the dirt on the other side of Maya. Her hiss of surprise is short-lived. I tear into her throat before she can even react. My fangs slice through muscle all the way down to the bone. The scent of her rotten blood fills the air, causing me to gag, but I don't stop. I won't. Not until I know she's gone. I rip and tear, lost in the blood lust, in the need to destroy anyone who dares to threaten her. The vampire lets out a long shriek as she tries to rake her claws down my side. The pain barely registers, even when she digs into my flesh. I snap my jaws around her throat and tear it out. Her body instantly crumbles. She's dead. I whirl around, my golden gaze locking onto Maya. She's pushing herself up on shaky arms, her chest heaving. I can hear her heartbeat, which is too fast. The look on her face says she's afraid, but it's not because of the vampire. It's me that her eyes are locked on. I take a step forward, my massive paws sinking into the dirt. She stiffens and backs away, her wide eyes flicking down to my mouth, where my fangs still drip with blood. Maya is shaking. She almost stands, but collapses onto her knees and stays. Finally, she lifts her chin in stubborn defiance that I'm growing fond of. The dagger is now in her grip, her knuckles white from how tightly she's holding it. 'Damian?" Her voice is barely above a whisper. I don't answer because I can't speak in a way she'll understand. My wolf is still in control, still raging and still clawing to stay in control, though the threat is dead. I need to shift back. With a deep, shuddering breath, I force my will over the wolf and make him let go. My body shatters and rebuilds, bones breaking and reforming, while muscles twist and skin stretches. The shift is brutal, but I welcome the pain. When I stand, I'm human again. Bare. Breathless. But still dangerous. She stares at me, her dagger trembling in her grip. 'Are you hurt?" My voice sounds rough and barely human. I reach for her to help her stand, but she flinches. The motion is small, yet it shatters everything within me. 'They wanted to take you, but I won't let that happen. You're safe with me." She exhales. 'I figured that out the moment you killed her." I step closer, just enough to see the way her pulse jumps. Every shred of my being demands I touch her. At least her arm, but she's still shaky. 'You can't run from this, Maya. You won't make it out alive." Her lips part, but before she can say anything, a new scent hits me. Whoever I just killed wasn't alone. They're too close. I turn, facing behind me. My body is tense and ready. And then from the woods, a voice drifts toward me. 'You can't save her forever, wolf." A figure steps forward, his movements slow and deliberate. The vampire is tall, elegant, and like he's sculpted from marble. His eyes gleam like polished sapphires. 'Damian," he purrs. 'I was wondering if you'd show up." I bare my teeth, my claws itching to shift again. 'You have only a second to leave before I rip you apart like your friend." His eyes flick down to her body and he shrugs. 'Bold words. But tell me, Alpha, how long do you think you can keep her safe from everyone who wants to see you fall?" I position myself between them, which makes him laugh. His grin then widens, revealing two sharp fangs. 'She smells good. No wonder you keep her hidden away. But we both know you can't protect her forever. Someone is going to get her." 'I can, and I will," I say with a growl. The vampire seems amused as he tilts his head. 'Even from yourself? Look at you, barely in control. He could mark her and kill her for all you know. You really should get a grip." My body goes rigid. I don't know why he's saying that, but I don't care. That won't happen. Right as I lunge to kill him, he vanishes. 'Temper, temper, wolf," he chides. 'We'll see each other very soon. This isn't nowhere near over with, and you won't survive what is planned." His words echo from somewhere nearby before he's gone. The silence that follows is thick with tension. My heart is pounding as my wolf tries to take over again.