Chapter Sixty Three - Never Undo - Damian's POV

I lay still, staring at the ceiling. She never responds, so I know she's finally fallen asleep. Her presence is so close, her warmth mere inches away, but it's not her closeness that is making my chest tight. It's the words she just spoke and the request she made. Teach her to fight? I guess I knew it was coming, and I should have known the moment I laid eyes on her that she'd be a fighter. She is human and fragile, but in the last few days something has shifted inside of her, growing into a quiet resolve. She has a determination that she didn't have before and I can't deny that part of me respects it. I'm glad she isn't running anymore and is facing the truth. This might mean she'll accept our connection soon. But still, teaching her to fight? Can I really do that? I shift slightly, glancing over at her. Her breathing is steady, but I can feel the restlessness in her movements. She hasn't fully relaxed yet, but neither have I. The thought of bringing her deeper into my world, of teaching her how to fight and defend herself, unsettles me more than I want to admit. I know what it takes to survive in their world. Violence and brutality come with it and I'm not sure she can handle that side of me. I think she has accepted the fact that I have money and power, but that other part is rough. My fingers flex, remembering the sensation of my claws. She'll never be able to match that, and I know it. But there's something else too. I don't want to drag her further into the abyss, even if she insists on diving headfirst into it. I close my eyes, trying to push the thoughts away. All these years, I've had control and never allowed my emotions to cloud my judgment. I've also never let anyone get close. But now she's here. I've been waiting for her for so long. So, fine. I'll teach her to fight. The words feel final, like I might just be sending her to an early grave. Uncertainty lingers in the pit of my stomach. I'll do it, of course, despite my feelings. I know I can never deny her. But this won't be easy for me. For either of us. As I turn my head to the side, I watch her. I feel so guilty because I don't want to see her get hurt. One thing's for certain. There's no turning back now, not when I've told her I will. I watch her sleep, my eyes noticing the way her chest rises and falls. Her body is curled to the side, toward me, oddly. It's adorable. She's been thrown into a world she never asked for and though she fights me, her body being like that in her sleep tells me exactly what I need to know. She's at peace with me, even if she won't admit it. Part of me wants to pull her closer and shield her from all the dangers in this life that will eventually come for her. But I know that I can't protect her forever because they're closing in. This world, my world, will only continue to come for her just because of what she is to me. The sooner she learns to protect herself, the better. I clench my jaw, feeling the weight of my own thoughts settling over me. I'm not sure if I'm doing the right thing, and I'm probably not. There are things about this life that can't be unlearned, lessons that will break her and strip her of the last remaining pieces of who she was before this life. But maybe that is just what she needs. My fingers trace the edge of the blanket between us. The soft fabric does little to soothe the raging storm in my mind. Even in her sleep, I can feel the pull between us. I turn my attention back to the ceiling and let out a slow breath. It's too quiet, except for the occasional creak of the house or one of the pack members passing by the door. She's going to need me and probably need me in ways that I'm not even sure I'm ready for. The implication of that thought presses on me as I lie still, trying to quieten the raging thoughts. Those moments, those needs she'll have, will reveal themselves as we go along down this path. I'm not sure how I'll handle them yet, but I know they're coming. I try to push all the thoughts aside so I can sleep because tomorrow will be a new beginning for us. A new chapter. Tomorrow, I'll teach her everything or at least begin to. But for now, we both need to sleep. Not only that, but there is also a storm brewing inside of me that I don't want to let her see yet. The wolf inside of me is stirring. He is restless and wants to be free to have what is his, but I can't. Not yet. I glance back at her again. Even in sleep, she has a quiet strength that I can't ignore. She's going to survive this and come out stronger in the end. She has to. And then, for a moment, I let my guard down just enough to allow myself a small instance of relief. Maybe, just maybe, I can rest for a few moments with her by my side. For now, I just need to be here. I just need to stay. As I listen to the sounds of the room, I settle deeper into the bed. The tension that had gripped me for hours is now loosening, but only slightly. I shift again, adjusting my position. Her warmth gets a little closer as if she is moving too. It's oddly comforting. I close my eyes as exhaustion finally settles in. Tomorrow is coming too fast, and I know that what we face will be more difficult from here on out. I can't afford to think about that now, though. I take a deep breath again, letting the sound of her breathing lull me into peace. Slowly, my mind quietens and as I drift off, one final thought crosses my mind. Tomorrow will be the start of something we can never undo.