CHAPTER EIGHT.
748 Words
At one point,William excused himself to take a call, leaving Elysian and Damian alone. The silence returned.
"You are quiet," Damian said, voice softer now.
"I... I do not know what to say."
"Say what you are thinking."
Her eyes lifted to his, surprisingly direct. "You feel... familiar."
His chest tightened. His wolf surged forward. She knows. She feels it too.
Damian's voice was a whisper, rough edged. "Do I?"
"Yes." She frowned slightly. "It is strange. I do not even know you, but—" She cut herself off, shaking her head. "Forget it. I am so sorry"
"No, no, I do not want to forget it." His words came sharper than intended. He drew in a breath, trying to control himself. "Some things are not meant to be ignored, Elysian."
Her lips parted, a dozen questions in her head. But William footsteps echoed back into the room, breaking the moment.
By the time dessert arrived, Elysian's mind was a whirlwind. Damian was unlike anyone she had met. Powerful, yes, but there was something else. Something magnetic, almost dangerous.
As they stood to leave, Damian moved to her side. His hand brushed her arm lightly, barely a touch, yet it sent a shiver through her entire body.
"I will see you soon," he said, his voice low and certain.
Elysian swallowed, unable to form a reply.
William thanked the staff, ushering her toward the door. But as they left, she glanced back once more.
Damian stood in the doorway, silver-blue eyes glowing faintly in the dim light.
And in that moment, she knew one thing for certain, whatever this was, it was only the beginning.
The forest bent to his will, branches snapping beneath his paws as Damian tore through the night. His wolf had taken over the second the mansion doors closed behind Elysian, refusing to be caged by restraint.
The run should have calmed him. Usually, the wind in his fur, the earth beneath his claws, was enough. But tonight it was not enough, not even close.
Mate.
The word echoed in every beat of his pulse. His wolf snarled, enraged at the distance between them, demanding he turn back, and claim her now.
Damian forced control, sinking claws into the bark of a tree, until it split under his grip. His chest heaved heavily, eyes blazing like fire in the dark.
"No," he growled aloud, though there was no one to hear but the night. "She is not ready, not now."
His wolf snapped back, She will die before she is ready.
The words struck deep. Damian's jaw tightened, he remembered the prophecy. He knew her time was slipping like sand through fingers. But still, he could not afford to lose her by scaring or forcing her.
He lifted his head, letting out a howl. It tore through the forest, raw, aching, filled with a yearning no Alpha should ever have to endure.
Elysian sat on her balcony, in her robe, a wine glass resting on the side table beside her. The city glittered below, as she stared ahead.
Her thoughts circled back to him. Damian Blackwood.
She had met countless powerful men in her line of profession, directors, CEOs, royalty, but none of them stayed with her like he did. None of them left her skin tingling hours later, as if his presence still lingered.
She touched her arm where his hand had brushed earlier. Just a simple touch, but yet it had felt like an electric current beneath her skin.
"What is wrong with me?" she whispered.
The door creaked open. William stepped out, two mugs in hand. "No sleep?"
Elysian shook her head. He set the mug beside her and leaned on the railing, studying her.
"You have been off since dinner."
"I am fine."
"Do not lie to me, Ely." His voice softened, using the nickname he always used when they were kids. "Is it him?" He asked.
Her silence was enough. It gave the answer he needed.
Williams jaw tightened. "He is dangerous. I do not know why, but I feel it. You need to be careful."
Elysian laughed lightly, "You think every ma is dangerous Liam."
"I have never seen one look at you the way he did. I know you noticed it too." His gaze was sharp.
She gave a reassuring smile. "It is not like that."
But the truth was, she was not sure.
"Maybe this is a mistake" William whispered to himself, she barely heard.
- Writer
