Chapter Fifty Nine - Belongs to Me - Damian's POV

I turn back to Maya and notice she hasn't moved an inch. She's just staring at me, her expression a mix of confusion and fear. 'Maya -" 'Take me back," she interrupts, cutting me off. I hesitate. 'Maya, I-" 'Take me back, Damian." She grips the dagger I gave her tightly as she stands, but I can tell that her entire body is tense just by those few movements. Her body shakes, not just from fear, but from everything. The fight. The near-death experience and from me. I know I should say something to comfort her, but I don't really know how. Humans are different from shifters. What is normal for me isn't for her. So instead, I nod. 'Let's go." The walk back to the estate is silent. I stay close to her, keeping an eye on things around us, but I don't touch her or try to speak. In ways, I feel like I don't deserve to because I scared her. She's been through enough as it is. When we finally reach the mansion, Evelyn rushes forward, her eyes darting between us. Her nostrils flare when she scents blood. Honestly, she's not in much better shape than me from the looks of it, but she's still worried. 'What happened?" I shake my head, not wanting to answer her. 'Not now." Her jaw tightens, but she doesn't argue with me. Instead, her attention moves to Maya. 'Come on. Let's get you cleaned up." Maya hesitates as her eyes drag up Evelyn. 'Don't you need to get cleaned up?" She looks down at the various scratches on her arms and laughs. 'This will heal. It's nothing." Maya's eyes widen. 'You took on two huge wolves and you're telling me that it's just a scratch." Now it's my turn. My eyes open wide. 'Two?" Evelyn looks at me, grimacing. 'Yes. There were two rogue wolves and a vampire inside. A woman for the vampire." 'That's the one I killed." Evelyn glances at Maya, then back at me. 'There are two dead rogues in her room. It looks like Maya will need a new room." 'Put her in mine," I say before anyone can stop me. 'I will keep her safe." Evelyn nods, but that isn't who I'm looking at. Maya is staring at me, like she can't believe I just said that. But oh, I'm dead serious and did. Eventually, she caves and follows Evelyn inside, leaving me outside to my thoughts. I exhale as I run a hand through my tangled and matted hair. It isn't a second later, Simon is coming up behind me from the woods, probably confused about why I took off so suddenly. When I turn, I find him eyeing me. He hasn't said a word yet, but I can feel the confusion even from here. 'Your room? What happened?" 'It was a trap. We were drawn away so they could come onto the estate. There were two rogues and a vampire in Maya's room. The vampire is dead in the woods and the wolves are dead in her room. That is why she's going into my room and staying." Simon chuckles low in his throat, but not because it's funny. 'You're running out of time. If you don't claim her soon, they're going to take her." A low growl rumbles in my chest. Simon just smirks. 'That's what I thought. Your wolf is ticked." Then he walks off, brushing past me to go inside. I tilt my head back, staring at the bright blue sky overhead. My fists are clenched at my sides and I keep replaying his words over in my mind. He's right, and I hate it, but there is nothing that can be done today. The only thing I can do is stop letting the attacks at the border draw me away and stay put, where I can keep an eye on her. War is coming quickly. Maya is too terrified of me in ways. And now I'm sure that one vampire will let them all know she's mine just based on what he saw today. I glance back at the house and, through the window, I see a flicker of movement. Evelyn is leading Maya down the hallway to the side of the house where bedrooms are located. I can see the glint of the dagger, but only a little. Every second that passes, I feel like the enemy is closing in and here we are, unprepared. Every moment I hesitate, I'm giving them an advantage. They were inside the estate and in her room. They got past everyone. That fact alone is enough to drive my wolf into a frenzy. I should go inside and check on her, but I stay out for a few more minutes before heading inside. Of course, I want nothing more than to go to her, but instead, I head for the other side of the estate and find the training grounds. Several wolves pause their sparring as I approach, sensing the tension rolling off me. The younger ones avert their gazes, their instincts probably telling them to submit now before I get even more ticked than I am. The more experienced fighters hold their ground, but even they look wary. Good. I need someone to fight with to get the tension worked out. My skin is still coated in blood and some is mine, though I don't care. 'Who wants to take me on?" My voice comes out like a growl. They all hesitate as they take in my naked form and notice the blood. Then one of my best warriors, Casey, steps forward. He's broad-shouldered, nearly my height, with a soft gaze that gleams with curiosity. He knows better than to think he can win against me, but that won't stop him from trying to beat me in something. I nod once at him. 'Shift." He doesn't hesitate. His body contorts as he shrugs out of his clothes and throws them to the ground. His bones crack as fur spreads across his skin. A massive white wolf stands before me, snarling low in its throat before a minute has passed. I don't shift. I want to feel the pain because I need to feel something. Casey lunges first, fangs bared. I sidestep at the last second and grab the scruff of his neck, using his momentum against him. He slams into the ground but recovers quickly, twisting midair to lunge again at me. This time, I let him land a blow. His claws rake against my ribs, tearing fresh wounds into my skin. The sting fuels the fire already burning within me. Good. This is what I need. I throw a punch, landing it on his jaw, and it sends him skidding across the dirt. He shakes himself off and growls at me, his bright green gaze locking on mine. He attacks again. I dodge. Strike him on the back. Then move. The fight last longer than I expected, but eventually, I take him down with one brutal kick to the ribs. He collapses onto his side, panting heavily from exertion. The rest of the pack watches us in silence. I meet their gazes one by one. 'We are out of time. The attacks are getting bolder and closer. They got inside the estate. If we don't end this soon, they will keep coming. From now on, everyone is training frequently. No one goes anywhere alone." A few wolves nod in agreement, while others lower their heads in submission. I roll my shoulders, trying to ease the pain in my shoulders. It doesn't work well. Because in the end, no matter how hard I fight, no matter how much blood I spill, I still want her. 'Again." I fight with several more until night has fallen, then head inside. The estate is quiet, but I know better than to think we are truly safe. I head straight to my room and sigh as I open the door. She's inside. I can feel her. My wolf, for once, is silent as I step inside and hear her soft breathing. It's steady, but not completely relaxed, so she's awake. I find her sitting on the edge of the bed. It looks like she's showered and in a robe, but also holding the dagger close to her chest. 'You're still covered in blood," she says. I glance down at myself. The wounds from the vampire healed, but there are fresh ones from fighting. My skin is streaked with dirt and crimson. 'Some blood is mine, but it's dried. Some is new, but some is from the others." 'That doesn't really make it better," she says, tightening her grip on the blade. I step closer, but this time she doesn't flinch. It's progress and I'll take it. 'I need to shower. You can go to bed if you want." She snorts. 'Like I can sleep in your bed." I watch her for a long moment, not sure what to say. 'You're safe in this room, Maya. I'll just be in the attached bathroom." I turn away, heading for the bathroom. As I reach the door, I take one long glance at her, only to find her watching me. Our eyes meet for a moment before she quickly looks away. I smirk. She's fighting this, but it won't be long. Time is running out and I have to act now. And soon, she'll have no choice but to accept what she already knows deep down. She belongs to me.