~Elara~
Damon sat behind a desk of black volcanic glass, backlit by the panoramic windows. Everything about his posture screamed alpha predator—from the relaxed confidence of his shoulders to the calculating assessment in his eyes. I observed him like it was our first meeting. He wasn't conventionally handsome like Caleb, with his rugged features and intense presence. Damon was polished, precise, every movement economical and deliberate.
"Your designs exceed expectations," he said, gesturing to the holographic model floating above his desk—my interface schematics rotating slowly in blue light. "Though I'm curious about some of your choices in the limbic connection points."
Direct challenge. My pulse quickened, but I kept my expression neutral.
"Efficiency," I replied smoothly. "The tra
