Damien's POV
Something inside me snapped.
I felt it happen, like a wire pulled too tight, finally breaking with a sharp, metallic snap that echoed through my entire body. The rage that had been simmering beneath my skin all day, that I'd learned to control and tone down and swallow like bitter medicine, suddenly boiled over.
The beast in me hadn't left. It had just been sleeping.
And Vanessa's slap woke it up.
My hand shot out before I could think, closing around her throat. I slammed her against the wall with enough force that a picture frame rattled and fell, glass shattering on the hardwood floor. The sound was sharp and final.
Her eyes went wide with shock and fear. Her hands immediately flew to my wrist, clawing at my fingers, trying to pry them away. But I was stronger, and
