Chapter Sixty Four - I'm Not Going Anywhere - Damian's POV

The next morning comes entirely too early. As soon as I open my eyes, I realize the situation I'm in though. The first thing I feel is the warmth of her body pressed against mine. Her arm is laid over my stomach as she nuzzles closer. I don't even have to look to know she's there, wrapped around me like she belongs. Her breath is soft and even against my skin. Her legs are tangled with mine, and I can feel every shift as she stirs in her sleep. I shouldn't be this comfortable or content. But I can't seem to stop myself from pulling her closer, my fingers brushing through her dark locks as I breathe in the familiar scent of her. It's still early, but I'm not ready to move yet. I don't want to let go of this moment. I let my hand glide down her back, savoring the feel of her pressed so completely against me. The way she fits beside me is like she was made for it. I could stay like this forever. But I know I can't. The weight of everything that happened recently comes to the forefront of my mind. The attacks, the prophecy, the constant pressure of time running out. My wolf growls from within, demanding that I do more, that I take what is mine before someone else takes it right from under me. But Maya, she's not something I can claim like a random object. She's a person, a human who is terrified and confused by everything that has been thrown at her. And she's demanding I train her. She moves again, this time more awake. Her face nuzzles into my chest as her breath hitches. I feel panic shoot through me, not knowing what she is thinking or what she feels. When she doesn't pull away, I let out a slow breath. For that moment, I forget about everything else. All I can focus on is the feeling of her against me and the steady rhythm of her heartbeat. This won't last long. It's fleeting because as soon as she fully wakes up, she'll move. She doesn't belong to me yet and the thought of someone else taking her from me makes my wolf snarl with fury. He wants to claim her right this second, to make her his, but I won't do it like this. I try to slow my breathing and calm the chaos swirling inside of me. She's still asleep and for now I can enjoy the moment. Then she freezes. I can feel the moment she stiffens and know that she is wide awake. Her breath stutters and her muscles are just too tight. I smirk as my wolf comes out to play. 'Mmm, stop moving. I like you right here." She tenses even more. 'Stop holding me." 'Can't," I say simply. 'You feel too good this close. It's also early, so you can go back to sleep." She starts to turn her head upward, but it only makes me laugh. When she finally twists enough to look at me, her gaze is piercing. 'Let go." 'No." 'Damian," she huffs. I can feel the resistance in her muscles as if she's about to push me away, but then her gaze softens just a little. She might be trying to act tough, but her breathing gives her away. 'I told you, you're not going anywhere." A ragged sigh escapes her, but I catch the way her chest rises and falls beside me. It's steady and calm, despite her protests. She opens her mouth, clearly ready to argue, but then I press the softest kiss against her forehead. It's almost too gentle of a gesture, but it's enough to silence her for a moment. I hold her tighter, pulling her even closer and flush against me. 'You're mine now. There's no running from it." Her breath catches as she slowly looks down, but I already see it. Pink blooms across her cheeks. 'I never agreed to that or this," she whispers. 'You will," I murmur. 'You're already halfway there considering you slept like this for some of the night." Her eyes narrow into slits, but I see a flicker of vulnerability in her gaze. She shifts slightly, but doesn't fully pull away. 'I can take care of myself." 'And I never said you couldn't," I chuckle. 'You are mine, though." She grumbles softly, clearly still not comfortable with this new reality, but her shoulders finally relax. I continue tracing lazy patterns across her back. 'You don't have to be scared of it. I won't force you into anything, but you need to understand what's coming." Her body goes stiff again at the mention of it. Then I feel her pulse race. Though she's trying to hide it, I can tell she's already processing what I've said, and it might scare her a little. I can't say that I blame her, not entirely. This is all still new to her. I've been in this world so long that it feels natural to me, but for Maya, it's a terrifying plunge into something she never knew existed. I give her a moment to breathe, to process my words, and before I speak, I let out a soft breath. 'You're not alone in this and I won't let anything happen to you." She's quiet at first, then caves. 'You keep saying that, but how do you expect me to just trust you so openly?" The question stings, but I know it's not personal. 'I'm not asking you to trust me all at once. But you have seen that I will protect you. No matter what." Silence falls between us, and it feels uncomfortable. It's like she's building walls between us again. I don't want to push her, but the ticking clock is getting louder, and I know I'm running out of time. 'I don't know if I can just give up control like that," she admits, her voice barely above a whisper. 'It feels like I'll lose myself if I do." 'You don't have to give up control," I say, keeping my voice low. 'It's not like I'll take it from you, but I am –" The words trail off. I can't rush her. Not like this.