Chapter Eighty One - Terrifying - Damian's POV

The tension doesn't leave after they vanish. I don't move, listening to the quiet, to the sound of my own heartbeat in my ears. Beside me, Maya lets out a long breath. 'They left. What does it mean?" I nod, not saying anything, because I don't know what to tell her. It wasn't a retreat, but a warning of what is to come. The air feels heavier now, thick with the weight of everything left unsaid. I stare at the empty space where my father once stood, the echo of his words lingering in my mind. Lorcan will come. And I have to be ready for when he does. I clench my fist at my sides, forcing down all the emotions crawling up my spine. Maya shifts beside me. 'Damian? Talk to me." I finally look at her and notice how she eyes me carefully, waiting for an answer I don't have. 'It means we don't have much time until they attack," I finally say, my voice low. 'They weren't here for a fight this time because Lorcan isn't with them. They just want to make sure I know it's coming." Maya frowns. 'You think they're really going to wait for him?" I nod. 'He should have been here. This is his fight, not my father's, according to what they said all those years ago when he tried to kill me. That means there is something big coming." The realization of what it all means settles deep in my chest like a cold weight. My father wouldn't have left so easily unless he had confidence in what my brother is planning. Maya crosses her arms, glancing toward the tree line. 'So, what do we do now? Do you really think you can take them or should I prepare to die now?" I glance at her again, unsure of what to say. 'Why are you talking like that?" 'Look, I'm just accepting what I've learned about you, the wolf shifters, and my role in this. My mind can only take so much before it cracks and I'm at the breaking point. I know I've been back and forth. We have kissed, then I'm cold, but I'm scared to death and I want to know what is happening." I look at some of the others standing nearby who heard every word. This is not the place for this kind of conversation. 'Let's go back to the estate to my room and we can talk about this." Maya looks up at me, her eyes lined with unshed tears. Her breathing is uneven, her chest rising and falling just a little too fast. Her eyes are so wide with fear, reflecting everything she's been holding back. She's only human. I've known that and this is why I didn't want to dump everything on her. The others nearby are still watching, earning them a low growl from me. She hugs her arms around herself, her fingers digging into the fabric of her shirt like she's holding herself together. The wind picks up, rustling the leaves, sending a shiver down my spine that has nothing to do with the temperature. I exhale slowly, forcing down the immediate instinct to shut this down. But I can see it in her eyes. She's unraveling at the seams. After a moment of waiting for her to respond, I refuse to give her a chance to not comply. Gently, I place a hand on the small of her back and guide her back through the woods. The others stay where they are, still unsure of whether they should leave the border or not. I quietly send a message through the pack bond to keep watch, answering their questions. The woods seem quieter now, as if the trees know the storm brewing inside her. She doesn't speak and keeps her gaze focused on the ground ahead of her. The crunch of our footsteps blend with the rustle of leaves as I guide her back home. Her silence hangs heavily in the air. I can feel the tension radiating down her back. The way she's pulling back just enough that even though I'm touching her, I'm touching more of her shirt than her actual back. After a few steps, I glance at her again, but I don't say anything. I can't help her if she's not willing to open up. But there's also nothing I can say to make this easier for her. This isn't a moment for reassurance. It's a moment for understanding. A deep breath fills my lungs as I wait. Finally, a ripple through the pack bonds lets me know they all heard, and it's a silent confirmation that they'll keep watch as I've asked. No one asks about Maya. My attention is pulled back to her when her hand brushes against mine. It's just a light touch as she reaches around to remove my hand from her back and then she laces her fingers through mine. 'Maya?" I ask softly. She doesn't meet my eyes. Instead, she presses her lips together as her jaw tightens. It's like she's building a wall, brick by brick, but she also isn't wanting to let go of me. "You don't have to say anything right now," I murmur. 'But when we get back to the estate, I want you to talk to me. Let me help you through this." She swallows hard, but doesn't answer. She doesn't need to. I can feel the storm inside her, and it's only a matter of time before it breaks. 'Maya," I repeat, a little firmer this time. This time, she flinches. Her shoulders visibly tense, but her head doesn't turn. I know the silence is eating away at her, but I can't make her open up if she is unwilling. I want to be the one to take away the weight on her shoulders, but all I can do is stand beside her. We continue through the woods in silence, the sound of our footsteps the only thing filling the space between us. It feels like hours, though it's only been minutes. But it's too long for silence to go on. Finally, we reach the estate, and she finally speaks. "I'm scared, Damian. More scared than any other time. This is downright terrifying."