Chapter 7

Lana’s POV

The night was still, the soft hum of crickets blending with the faint rustle of trees. A cool breeze slipped through the window, swaying the curtains gently. Sleep had claimed me fast, pulling me deep until I felt it.

A feather-light touch against my inner thigh. Warm. Deliberate. My breath hitched, my body arching instinctively as heat spread like wildfire beneath my skin.

My lashes fluttered open, catching the faint silhouette leaning over me. Then the moonlight shifted, and I saw him.

Damon.

His brown hair glimmered under the silver light, temptation carved into every sharp line of his face. My chest rose and fell in uneven waves as his eyes, stormy, burning silver-gray locked on mine.

“Hello, mi amor,” he murmured, his husky voice melting into the silence before his lips pressed a slow, teasing kiss inside my thigh.

“D-Damon…” I whispered, trembling, but he didn’t answer. His hand slid up, brushing away a loose strand of hair, lingering at my cheek. Then his mouth found mine, stealing a kiss I wasn’t ready for.

I froze, yet my body betrayed me, leaning into him as reason dissolved, leaving only heat, only him.

The closeness was unbearable. His scent, wild pine and storm surrounded me, intoxicating my senses. My heart pounded so hard it echoed in my ears, drowning out reason itself.

“Damon…” I tried again, but his lips claimed mine, soft at first, then hungrier, deeper, until the world spun out of control.

The heat of his mouth was too much, stealing my breath, leaving me dizzy and weak. His hand slid behind my neck, pulling me closer as though he wanted to fuse me into him. The kiss grew rougher, desperate, tangled with unspoken longing.

And then, without warning, he shifted, pressing me against the headboard, his body pinning mine beneath his. My hands shot up instinctively, gripping his shoulders for balance, but instead of pushing him away, I pulled him closer.

His lips moved against mine like he was drinking every breath I had. I gasped softly into his mouth, and that sound seemed to ignite something darker in him.

He broke the kiss just enough to look down at me, his eyes wild but steady. “Tell me,” he murmured, his voice deep and raw, “did you miss me, Lana?”

I swallowed hard, trying to steady my shaky breathing. “No…” I stuttered, though the tremor in my voice betrayed me.

He smirked, brushing his thumb lightly across my lips, his gaze burning into mine. “Liar,” he whispered, his tone low and teasing.

I turned my face slightly, forcing out, “I didn’t miss you.”

The corner of his mouth curved into something dark and wicked, a smile that screamed trouble. “Then why,” he said softly, his voice curling like smoke, “are you trembling under me?”

Before I could answer, his head dipped lower, his lips tracing a slow, heated path along my jaw, down to the sensitive curve of my neck. I gasped when he nuzzled there, his warm breath brushing against my skin before he sucked softly, drawing shivers through me.

His lips trailed lower, slow and intently, brushing just beneath my chest. His hands slid down, firm and demanding, cupping my breasts through the thin fabric. My back arched involuntarily as a soft moan escaped me.

“D… Damien…” My voice broke, his name a breathless plea I couldn’t contain.

A wicked smile curved his lips, one that made my stomach clench and heat bloom under my skin. He was enjoying this, enjoying how undone I was beneath his touch, how every shiver and moan of mine fed something dark and hungry inside him.

His hand drifted lower, fingertips grazing the side of my waist, ruffling up my nightwear as though he owned every inch of me. My breath grew ragged, my heart pounding against my ribs like a wild drum.

He leaned close, his voice low and sensual, warm against my ear. “Do you know,” he murmured, inhaling softly, “how much I’ve missed your scent… this… you?”

My body trembled at the confession, the intimacy of his words sinking deeper than his touch.

Then his gaze lowered, dark and intense, and I jolted when his fingers brushed the delicate strap of my panties, sliding it slightly, adjusting it with deliberate slowness. His smile deepened, sinful and knowing.

“Mmm,” he whispered, voice dripping with desire. “I’ve always loved how perfect you are… right here.”

My lips parted, but no sound came. I wanted to scream at him to leave, to push him away, yet my throat betrayed me, trembling with unspoken words.

He tilted his head, studying me with eyes that seemed to read every secret I couldn’t voice. “If you want me gone,” he said softly, his tone laced with challenge, “say the word… and I’ll stop.”

I nodded weakly, but the words refused to form.

That was all he needed. A slow, dangerous smirk played on his lips before he lowered his head, his mouth tracing a molten path downward. My body twitched when I felt his breath where I was most sensitive, every nerve sparking alive beneath his touch.

Then – Goddess – his tongue flicked, sending a violent shiver up my spine. My legs trembled, my fingers gripping the sheets helplessly as I tried to breathe, but the air left me in shaky gasps.

“Da - mon…” I whispered again, my voice breaking this time, somewhere between pleading and surrendering.

He didn’t relent. He teased, slow and relentless, dragging me higher, closer, until every sensation blurred into a dizzying, delicious ache.

I was trembling. Shaking. Teetering at the edge of something I wasn’t sure I could come back from.

And then…

I shot upright, gasping, my chest rising and falling as though I’d just surfaced from drowning. My hand pressed against my pounding heart while the silence of my room mocked the wild storm inside me.

It had been a dream.

Just a dream.

But the heat in my skin, the lingering throb in my chest, and the racing of my pulse… they betrayed me. I buried my face in my hands, embarrassed, ashamed, yet unable to stop my mind from replaying every detail. His voice. His touch. That look in his eyes.

I didn’t sleep for the rest of the night.

By the time dawn arrived, my nerves were frayed, and before I knew it, the evening had crept up faster than I wanted. I had to get ready for Liam’s family gathering, though every part of me dreaded it.

“Damn the party,” I muttered under my breath as I slipped into my dress and grabbed my bag.

But the moment I stepped out of my apartment, I froze.

Damon was there.

Leaning casually against his car, one hand in his pocket, the other tapping lightly on the roof as though he’d been waiting all day. When his silver eyes locked with mine, something sharp and unspoken passed between us.

He lifted his hand in a lazy wave, a half-smirk tugging at his lips.

I exhaled slowly, forcing my expression into something neutral. I turned, locking my door before spinning back toward him.

“I don’t have time for this, Damon,” I said sharply, rolling my eyes as I approached. “I’m already late for Liam’s family party.”

He didn’t move, just opened the car door smoothly, his voice low and commanding. “Get in. I’m going too.”

My brows shot up. “You’re what?”

Before I could argue further, headlights flared behind us, and Liam’s car unexpectedly pulled up. He stepped out, his usual warm smile faltering slightly as his gaze landed on Damon.

“Alpha Damon,” Liam greeted politely, extending his hand. “It’s good to see you again.”

Damon didn’t take his hand. He didn’t even glance at it. His gaze was fixed on me, sharp and heavy, his expression unreadable but dark.

Then, quietly, his words cut through the tension like a blade.

“Choose,” he said softly, but the weight behind it was unmistakable. His eyes burned, a flicker of his wolf flashing amber. “Him… or me.”

My breath caught, my chest tightening painfully.

And without another word, I turned toward Liam’s car, forcing my legs to move despite the storm inside me.

Sliding into the passenger seat, I risked one last glance in the rearview mirror. Damon was still standing there, perfectly still, exuding that quiet, dangerous Alpha pressure that made the air feel heavier.

Watching me leave.

And he didn’t follow.

During the drive, Liam's voice cut through the quiet. “Remember, Lana… act more affectionately at the party tonight,” he said, his tone clipped, as if I needed reminding. Then he grumbled, rubbing his temple. “I suffered heavy losses on my last investment. I’ll have to ask my father for money tonight.”

My lips parted, but no words came. So, that was it. I had held onto the foolish thought that he had come to pick me up personally, that maybe for once, I mattered enough to him.

I swallowed the bitter taste rising in my throat and managed a small nod.

“Fine,” I whispered, “but only if you agree to free over half of my pack members who are slaves in your pack.”

He snapped his gaze toward me, brows furrowed. “Lana…” A short pause. A sigh. “Fine. I accept.”

I turned to the window, pretending to focus on the lights when my chest was tightening with quiet disappointment.

Then his voice sharpened suddenly. “Why was Alpha Damon at your house today?”

I blinked, caught off guard. My breath hitched before I steadied my tone. “It… it was just a coincidence,” I replied softly.

The car finally rolled to a slow stop, the soft hum of the engine fading as we pulled into Liam’s family estate. My breath caught in my throat.

The mansion stood like a silent giant in the appearing moonlight, its gray stone walls exuding cold strength and centuries of power. Tall spires pierced the sky, their tips crowned with silver ornaments that gleamed faintly under the last rays. Intricate carvings twisted along the grand gates, telling silent stories of an ancient bloodline. The entire place radiated wealth and authority so overwhelming that for a moment, I felt small.

Insignificant even.