Chapter Ninety Six - Admissions - Maya's POV

When we finally pull apart, my forehead rests against his, our breath mingling between us. His eyes look glassy, but he seems pleased. I also feel a little less fearful after hearing what the mate bond means. Then behind us, I hear a door open and Ethan's voice ringing out from the other side of the grounds. 'Okay, now I want to run away. I leave for a few minutes and what do you two do? You're on top of each other on the training grounds where anyone can see you. And you humans call us animals." I can't control my laughter and fall off to the side of Damian. 'Back to training, lover boy. We might just gross out your pack." He sits up, still chuckling under his breath. 'You started it when you called me a good boy. I think I've earned that title now." We stare at each other for a moment, but then I take in the lights above us. The lamps at the corners of the training grounds are on, lighting up the entire yard. It's night now and the stars are just starting to shine. 'We better go inside. It's late and you haven't had dinner." I glance at him, suddenly pulled back to the moment. 'Oh, right." My stomach chooses that moment to growl, and I laugh. It hadn't occurred to me that I was even hungry until now. He stands and offers me his hand, which I gladly take. As he pulls me on my feet, I look over at Ethan, who is watching us. He doesn't say anything or make another joke. It's just the way his eyes are looking at us. It's almost as if he is happy about his alpha having someone. If only they all felt like that. Damian leads me to the side door, allowing me to go inside first. He still has a goofy grin planted on his face, as if that kiss is the best thing that has ever happened to him. I find it odd, considering he's a wolf shifter and probably had experiences before me. A sudden pang of jealousy sweeps through me. I don't like the thought of his lips being on anyone else. 'Are you okay?" He asks, as he joins me down the hallway. 'Just thinking," I say, trying to hide my emotions better. The last thing this possessive fur ball needs is to know that I'm jealous. 'Out there, that kiss was…" he begins, but his voice trails off. 'Good?" He huffs out a laugh. 'I was going to say perfect, but yes. We can pretend I have standards." His words catch me off guard. I turn toward him, stopping abruptly in the middle of the hallway. The lights are dim, casting a soft glow over his features. His eyes roam over my face, mostly out of confusion. 'What do you mean by that?" He blinks a few times, still confused. 'It's not like I have anything to compare to, Maya." 'You don't have –" It all hits me in one quick rush. 'You've never kissed anyone before me?" Damian blinks again, as if the question still catches him off guard. He shifts his weight from one foot to the other, his eyes darting to the ground between us. 'Does it surprise you that much?" 'Well, yes," I admit, voice softer now. 'You're handsome and everything a woman could want. I'm sure the wolf shifter women love you, especially from what I've seen. Considering your age, I would have thought you would have at least dated." His brows lift, amused. 'And what does that mean? Are you calling me old? How could that be what every woman wants?" 'You're strong, intimidating, and you love your pack so much. I just assumed…" I trail off, realizing how dumb I must sound. 'That I would have several flings or women lined up at all times?" He asks, finishing my sentence. 'Yes, I know most men have a reputation, at least human men, from what I've learned. But no, wolf shifters do things a little differently. You are my first and will be my only." The weight of those words land between us and I don't know what to say, really. 'You never wanted to kiss anyone before? Or have anyone? You're a grown man." 'Yes, I'm a grown man of thirty. I have desires like anyone else, but no, I want my fated mate." He looks away again, down the hallway as if watching for someone. 'Plus, there was never any time. I ran right after reaching adulthood and then I had a pack to lead. Others may cave to their whims, but I haven't." 'Why? Because of the prophecy?" 'I want it to matter," he says simply. 'And nothing ever felt right. Nothing felt like you, so no, I didn't want anything else." I blink. It wasn't that I expected some long history, but I definitely wasn't expecting that answer or that kind of honesty from him. Damian is an alpha and I don't know that I've ever seen him truly let his guard down. Well, except he seems to around me a little. 'I don't know what I'm doing, Maya," he continues. 'But when we kiss, it is like my entire world stops. Like my instincts finally shut up and listen." My breath catches in my throat. 'This isn't just fun or desire," he adds. 'It's a choice." I step in close enough to feel his breath blow out on my face. 'I'm sorry for my distance or when I get scared. You're…" 'It's okay," he interrupts. 'You got thrown to the wolves, so I understand your hesitation and your fear. Normally, I'd say I'd wait forever, but with the prophecy looming over our heads, you have no idea how badly I need you to choose this. I'm trying to give you time and space, though. I want you to have that and make a choice you are happy with, regardless of what happens to the wolves." I reach up, tenderly cupping his cheek. 'Though I'm nervous and still not ready to say I want to become like you, I know I'm not going to run from you." 'I guess we are both in new territory, then," he whispers. 'Alright, my fierce little warrior. I need to get you to dinner before someone else stops us." He switches topics so fast that I nearly get whiplash. I almost thought he was going to kiss me, but now he's stepping back and maintaining a small space.