Chapter Sixty Eight - She is the Key - Damian's POV

I'm bombarded with the pack's thoughts as they see how I am with her. They knew there was a chance she was the answer to the prophecy, which meant she'd become my mate. But now that they've seen me kiss her, they're more than certain of what she is. She is the key. That thought echoes in my mind as I glance over the top of her head at them. There is no way I can hide it any longer, and I will have to admit she's it. 'They're looking at us," she whispers. I can tell she doesn't like the way they stare, and it's making her nervous. She's slightly trembling, her fingers twirl into my shirt, and when she looks away, she bites her lower lip and chews. 'Let's go inside. I think you've had enough training today." She only nods and glances up at me, still chewing her bottom lip. 'Okay." Our arms slowly slip from each other, and we turn to walk inside. All eyes are on us, waiting and watching. I guess they hoped I'd address it all here and now, but I'm not going to do that. I let out a command, telling them we will have a discussion later once she's in bed. There is no way I'm going to make it worse for her, just for their sake. She is very precious. And mine. Not only that, but she's a flight risk. I already have a hard time getting her this far, and saying something in front of them would just make her run again. I don't want that. We make it to the door, and I open it for her, allowing her to go first. She goes inside and doesn't wait for me. With how tense she's walking, I know she's already regretting what happened out there. 'Are you okay?" I ask as I catch up to her. 'Yes, I'm fine," she says, her tone neutral. 'You don't sound fine," I mutter. 'Well, I am," she says again. Her gaze never meets mine as she stays focused on the long hallway ahead. It doesn't even look like she knows where to turn to go to the bedrooms, as her eyes are locked on a spot that continues across the mansion. 'Do you want me to lead the way?" She doesn't say anything. 'Maya, what is going on?" That gets her to stop in her tracks. 'Going on? There is so much swirling in my mind and I don't know what to think. I like it when you kiss me and I like sleeping next to you. But you're the one who bought me from my father. I'm your captive and know nothing really about this world. I shouldn't feel safe with you or want to stay near you, but here I am. Do you know how confusing that is?" Her eyes water with unshed tears as her gaze finally finds mine. There are so many raw emotions swirling there that I almost tear up myself. 'It doesn't have to be that complicated. Yes, I technically bought you, but that doesn't mean you're my captive." She rolls her eyes. 'Really? I have to do everything you say." 'And that is because you're living in a den of wolves," I mumble. 'It is for your safety." 'Yes, but those on the outside found their way in when you were gone," she adds. 'It's not keeping me safe." Though she has a point, I hate to admit it. They got inside and that bothers me. I don't know how they got past the guards or the other wolves to get into her room, which is next to mine. It's too close for comfort. Someone on the inside is working against me, but who? 'It will be taken care of," I say, my voice low. 'There is an investigation into how they got past our security measures." 'Good, but that still doesn't mean I'm safe within these walls. That is why I asked to train. You can't be with me all the time, even though you've said I won't leave your sight and that I'll stay with you everywhere." Also, another good point. I can't take her to the border or to any of the dangerous spots. That means leaving her here without me, though it pains me to do so. 'I know that." 'And now they are questioning everything," she whispers as she looks back to where we came from. I follow her gaze and grimace. 'Do you mean the pack? Well, yes, they are." 'Did they say something? I never heard anything." I just grin and shrug. 'It's a wolf thing." All that earns me is a nod and another eye roll. 'There are too many things I don't know, and it's driving me insane. You want me in your world, but how can I be?" My lips pull into a frown as I debate what I can tell her without going too much into the prophecy. Now is not the time to talk about it, not when we are both tense and everything feels like a mess. 'You will learn in time. While we train, maybe I can tell you more." This seems to satisfy her for now as her shoulders relax. 'Fine, you will tell me something every day we train. I want to know more. If I'm supposed to survive in this world, then you need to give me something to go on." 'Agreed," I say with a nod. With that said, I reach down and grab her hand in mine. Her eyes lock on to it, staring. 'Should we really do this in front of them?" I just laugh. 'It's too late to worry about what they think. They just saw us out there and our lips were pretty much glued to each other." Her cheeks flush a deep red. 'Oh. Right." Right as we start to walk again, Simon comes in through the door down the hallway. He's sweating and wiping his forehead, but when he sees our hands joined together, he pauses. There is something that crosses his features that I can't explain. It's like he hates us together, but I don't understand why. They all should be happy. With her being the key, then we are saved. But why do I feel like something is going on with him? He shakes his head and starts toward us again, a smile replacing his earlier expression. 'You know how to get them talking out there. They'll want a meeting," he calls out. 'I know, but that will be later," I state as I stare at him. He seems to understand what I mean and only nods as he catches up to us.