Dark Moon Rising

Chapter 6 - Damien's POV

Leading my mate through a cramped underground tunnel while her supposed savior followed behind us wasn't exactly how I'd imagined meeting her. But then again, nothing about this situation was normal.

The tunnel was barely tall enough for me to stand upright, and more than once I had to duck to avoid low-hanging support beams that looked like they might collapse if someone sneezed too hard. Megan moved ahead of me with surprising grace, her small frame navigating the tight space effortlessly.

When we finally emerged into the forest, I took my first full breath in what felt like hours. The fresh air was a relief after the stale, musty atmosphere of the underground prison.

"My truck is parked about two miles north," I told them, pulling out my phone to check our location.

"Two miles?" Megan looked exhausted, and I realized she'd probably been running for months. When was the last time she'd had a proper meal or a safe place to sleep?

Without thinking, I moved closer to her. "I can carry you."

She stepped back so quickly she almost tripped over a fallen log. "I can walk."

"I didn't say you couldn't. I said I could carry you."

"I don't need—"

"Megan." Her name felt right on my tongue. "You're dead on your feet. Let me help."

For a moment, she looked like she might actually accept. Then her walls slammed back up, and she lifted her chin in defiance.

"I've been taking care of myself for months. I think I can manage a two-mile walk."

Stubborn. James was practically purring with approval, and I had to bite back a smile.

"Fine," I said. "But if you collapse, I'm carrying you whether you like it or not."

"Fair enough."

We walked in relative silence for the first mile, with Max keeping watch behind us and me fighting the urge to sweep Megan off her feet every time she stumbled. She was clearly exhausted, but her pride wouldn't let her show weakness. I could respect that, even if it frustrated the hell out of me.

"Why do you think I'm your mate?" she asked suddenly.

I glanced at her, noting the way she kept her eyes focused straight ahead. "Because you are."

"That's not an answer."

"What do you want me to say? That I can smell it on you? That every instinct I have is screaming at me to claim you and never let you out of my sight again?" I saw her steps falter slightly. "Because that's the truth."

"But I can't feel any of that."

There was such pain in her voice that I had to stop walking. She continued for a few steps before realizing I wasn't beside her anymore.

"Damien?"

"Come here."

She hesitated, then slowly walked back to where I stood. When she was close enough, I reached out and gently took her hand. The spark that shot up my arm was immediate and electric.

Her gasp told me she felt it too.

"You do feel it," I said softly. "You just don't know what it is."

She stared down at our joined hands, and I could practically see the wheels turning in her head.

"This is crazy," she whispered.

"Yeah," I agreed. "It is."

But crazy or not, she was mine. And I was going to keep her safe, even if I had to fight every wolf in the state to do it.

Including Samuel.