Chapter 7: Mine.
1075 Words
Tyler showed up at sunset.
Lila was in the gardens with Maya, helping plant roses. It was the first time she’d felt normal in days.
Then the alarms went off.
Maya dropped the shovel. “Stay here.”
But Lila was already running toward the gate.
Because she felt it. The bond pulling. Danger.
At the main gates, 6 guards had their weapons drawn.
And on the other side: Alpha Tyler.
He looked the same. Tall. Blond. Perfect. Cruel smile.
Next to him were 4 River Pack wolves.
“Alpha Blackthorn!” Tyler called. “I’m here to collect what’s mine.”
Damon appeared out of nowhere.
He was in black. No jacket. Veins popping in his arms. Silver eyes locked on Tyler like he wanted to tear him apart.
“You’re trespassing,” Damon said. Low. Deadly. “State your business or leave.”
Tyler grinned. “I’m here for Lila Carter. She’s my mate. We have unfinished business.”
The words hit Lila like ice.
Damon didn’t even look at her. “She’s not yours.”
“She was,” Tyler said. “And bonds don’t just disappear because you put her in your house, Blackthorn. She belongs to River Pack.”
Lila stepped forward before she could stop herself. “I don’t belong to anyone.”
Tyler’s eyes lit up when he saw her. “Lila. Baby. Come on. You miss me, don’t you? We were good together.”
Lila felt sick.
Damon moved so fast no one saw it. One second he was 10 feet away. The next he was standing in front of Lila, blocking her completely.
“Don’t talk to her,” Damon growled.
Tyler laughed. “Possessive already? She rejected me once, Alpha. What makes you think she won’t do it to you too?”
Damon’s shoulders went rigid.
“Last warning,” Damon said. “Leave. Now.”
Tyler didn’t. Instead he looked past Damon, right at Lila.
“3 days, Lila. Then I’m coming in to get you. You remember what happens when you defy an Alpha.”
Threat.
Damon snapped.
He shifted.
Not fully. Just his claws. His eyes. His teeth.
Alpha power rolled off him in waves. The ground shook.
“Get off my land,” Damon snarled. “Before I remove you from it.”
Tyler raised his hands. “Relax. I’m leaving.” He looked at Lila one last time. “3 days.”
Then he and his wolves turned and walked away.
The second they were gone, Damon shifted back.
He turned to Lila.
His chest was heaving. His eyes were still glowing.
“Inside,” he said.
Lila nodded and followed.
---
Back in his office, Damon slammed the door.
He paced. Like a caged animal.
Lila stood by the door. “Damon, I’m sorry, I didn’t—”
“Stop apologizing,” he snapped. Then he stopped pacing and looked at her.
Really looked at her.
“You’re shaking,” he said.
Lila wrapped her arms around herself. “He scared me.”
Damon crossed the room in 2 steps.
He didn’t touch her. Yet.
“Lila,” he said. His voice was rough. “Look at me.”
She did.
Damon’s silver eyes were swirling. Anger. Fear. Something else.
“He’s not taking you,” Damon said. “Do you understand me? No one is taking you.”
Lila nodded. Tears were falling now. “I’m scared.”
Damon’s mask cracked.
“Shh,” he whispered. And then he did it.
He pulled her into his arms.
Lila froze for half a second, then melted into him.
He was warm. Solid. He smelled like cedar and rage and safety.
Damon’s arms came around her back. One hand came up and cupped the back of her head.
He held her like she might break. Like she might disappear.
“I’ve got you,” Damon murmured into her hair. “I’ve got you. He can’t touch you.”
Lila cried. Not loud. Just quiet shaking sobs.
Damon rubbed her back. Slow circles.
“I’m sorry,” Lila whispered. “For bringing this to your pack—”
“Don’t,” Damon cut her off. He pulled back just enough to see her face. His thumbs came up and wiped her tears. “This isn’t your fault.”
His hands lingered on her cheeks.
“Lila,” he said.
“Yeah?”
“You smell like fear right now.”
Lila nodded.
Damon leaned down.
And pressed his nose to the side of her neck.
He inhaled. Deep.
His scent wrapped around her. Cedar. Snow. Him.
It chased the fear away.
“What are you doing?” Lila whispered.
“Marking you,” Damon said honestly. “With my scent. So every wolf in this territory knows you’re under my protection.”
It wasn’t a bite. Not yet. Just scent.
But it felt like more.
Damon pulled back. His eyes were dark.
“Mine,” he said quietly.
Lila’s heart stopped.
“What?”
Damon looked like he regretted it immediately. He stepped back.
“Nothing. Forget I said that.”
“Damon—”
“I need to go handle the border,” he said quickly. “Stay in the house. With guards.”
He walked out before she could answer.
---
That night, Lila couldn’t sleep.
At midnight, there was a knock.
Damon.
He had a cut on his cheek. Blood on his shirt.
“Border’s secure,” he said. “Tyler won’t cross it.”
Lila nodded. “You’re hurt.”
“It’s nothing.”
Damon looked at her. Really looked.
Then he sighed and sat on the floor, back against her door.
“What are you doing?” Lila asked.
“Guarding you,” he said simply. “So you can sleep.”
Lila’s chest hurt.
She opened the door and sat next to him on the floor. Their shoulders touched.
They didn’t talk.
Damon reached over and took her hand.
And this time, he didn’t let go.
“3 days,” Damon whispered. “I won’t let him near you.”
Lila leaned her head on his shoulder.
“For the first time,” she whispered back, “I believe someone.”
Damon squeezed her hand.
Outside, the moon was full.
And inside, the Alpha who swore he’d never claim anyone... was holding a human girl like she was the only thing in the world.
---
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