Chapter Seventy Two - What Happened To You - Damian's POV

As the water pours down over my head, I can't help but think about how Evelyn stared at me. She was concerned, though she never said a word. I wanted to tell her I was fine, but we both knew that was a lie. After the discussion with the pack, Simon waited until the very end to start his fight with me. It was quick, and I put it to rest, but now there was tension between us that hadn't been before. Sure, wolves get into scuffles and fight, but this was different. He had been mad at me. Though I understand some of his issues, some I still don't. This is good for the pack and I should be moving forward with Maya. It's not like I can just claim her and that will be the end of it. Even if I do somehow claim her quickly, the threats are still going to be there. The vampires won't stop attacking until we're all dead. That's what they want most. A ragged sigh escapes me as I reach up, scrubbing my fingers through my shaggy hair. I'm way past due for a haircut, but I don't care. I don't have time to worry about it nor do I have time to worry about the scruff growing across my chin. As I finish scrubbing my head and washing my face, I start working on my body. The soaps get into the fresh cuts and sting, but it's only for a moment. They'll be healed by the time I get out of the shower, so it's only temporary. I groan as I stretch my back, wondering about Maya. What if she wants to stay in her room instead of with me? The thought haunts me for a moment as I lean down to wash my legs. It's true I'd let her stay in the room next to mine, though I can't guarantee I won't be sleeping outside her door by morning. It's just that I don't want that. Not after what I experienced last night. Now I'm a spoiled man who wants nothing more than to have her in my bed every night. It calms the wolf as well, at least enough that he doesn't want to sink his fangs into her immediately. I close my eyes, letting the water wash away the rest of the suds. When I turn off the water, I hear someone shuffling around my room. I know it's her and don't worry about it. I take my time getting out and drying off, even as I hear the bed creak and settle. She's getting comfortable, and I don't want her to feel uncomfortable. Eventually, after I'm dry, and the towel is slung low around my waist, I open the bathroom door. The room is dimly lit with only the lamp on my nightstand turned on. She is safely tucked under the dark covers with her back facing my side. I know she's awake by the way she's breathing. It's slightly unsteady and almost shaky. I try not to pay attention to it as I make my way to my closet. The clothes she wore last night are lying in my dirty laundry pile in the corner. Right after she met me at the door, I took them and quickly threw them in here without so much as a second thought. But now I can smell her. I walk toward the basket, my eyes locked onto the top where they lay. As soon as I'm close enough, I reach for the shirt she was wearing and bring it up to my nose, inhaling deeply. Oh, so good. The way she smells brings me in and makes me want more. I'd rather smell her, but this will have to do until I can have her in my arms. I quickly take a few more breaths before laying the shirt somewhere on one of the shelves. My entire closet will smell like her eventually, but I don't care. I want her scent ingrained in all of my clothing until it lies on my skin. I take a new shirt off the stack and find a loose pair of shorts to put on. Instead of going back to the bathroom, I get dressed in the closet, leaving my towel on top of the dirty clothes. When I come out, I check the bed, only to find her sitting there, looking back at me. 'Your scratches are healed." I look down at my arms, noticing that they have healed up nicely and are only little pink welts now. 'Yes, they have." 'I thought they might still be bleeding, so I was going to help you clean them." 'It's okay," I say in a low voice. 'Showering helped clean them and then they finished healing. It was nothing but a little scuff." 'Who did it to you?" She asks, almost sounding hesitant. 'My beta. Sometimes we don't see eye to eye and this is how we get it out of our systems," I say, knowing that it is partially the truth. 'Should he be attacking you? You are the alpha." 'Yes," I say as I slowly walk toward the bed. 'I am, but that doesn't mean they all agree with me every time I open my mouth. It is something I will deal with. You shouldn't worry about it." 'Okay." That one word sounds weak, like she doesn't believe it either. But I'm not going to tell her what is really going on. Not yet. I climb in on the other side of the bed and reach over to turn off the lamp. As I slip under the covers and get settled, she doesn't. Her body is rigid as she sits there, almost as if she can't get comfortable. 'Lay down," I say, hoping that it sounded more endearing than a demand. 'Are you telling me what to do?" She snaps. 'No, but I think you'll be more comfortable if you lay down. Aren't we going to sleep?" She huffs out a breath, but then finally caves, slipping under the covers with me. Of course, her body goes as still as a statue when she's settled in next to me. It's almost as if she fears touching me, though I wouldn't mind a bit.