A damn wonder

RAPHAEL

I stepped out through the front doors just as the black limousine glided through the final security checkpoint and rolled to a smooth stop on the circular drive. 

The evening air carried the faint scent of the gardens—night-blooming jasmine and damp earth after a brief afternoon rain—and I drew a deeper breath than I needed to hold the restless pace of my pulse.

Finally, she was here, within reach, and this was just the first part of whatever plan it was that Roman and I had. Kane killed the engine and stepped out first, moving around to open the rear door. Then she emerged.

Fuck.

She wore faded blue jeans that clung softly to her hips and a simple shirt. The fabric was a little washed-out, yet still bright against the rich golden-bronze of her skin. 

The contrast made my chest tighten. I made a quick mental note to take her shopping. We could do that tomorrow. From what I could see, she didn’t come with anything. She would need clothes. Lots of it.

Her dark hair fell in a long, slightly tousled cascade down her back, catching the warm glow of the estate lights. Even from here, I could see the way it framed her face, the natural waves still holding the shape of the day. 

She looked around as she stepped fully into the driveway. Her eyes swept through the façade of the house, the lit windows, and the quiet expanse of manicured grounds, before her gaze settled on me.

She began to walk toward me. My breath stopped. She was a damn wonder, a little smaller than the memory I had of her, yet somehow more vivid under the open sky. 

The familiar heat of my wolf rose quickly, pressing against my ribs with a low, possessive rumble I forced down. Every step she took seemed to pull the air thinner around me.

When she drew within speaking distance, I saw the marks. There was a patch of reddened, tender skin along one side of her face and the upper curve of her neck. My jaw tightened for half a second before I smoothed the expression away.

Kane was already right behind her. “Welcome, Miss Alina,” he said professionally before he gestured gently toward the open doors. “Please, come inside.”

“Welcome, Alina,” I simply said because if I tried saying more than that, I’d grab her right there and join our lips.

She gave an almost shy nod and let Kane usher her forward.

Kane led the way through the grand entrance, up the sweeping staircase, and into the formal hall that opened onto the wide balcony. He led her to the long table set near the open French doors so that the night air could drift in. Candlelight flickered across polished wood and crystal. 

I nodded once to Kane. “Tell the kitchen to begin serving.”

He inclined his head and disappeared toward the staff wing.

I pulled out a chair for her myself. “Sit, Alina. Please.”

She did, careful and quiet, resting her hands lightly in her lap. I took the seat across from her rather than at the head of the table, just to put a little less distance between us.

“How are you feeling?” I started a soft conversation. “I hope the drive wasn’t too long.”

“I’m fine,” she answered. The words were soft. Her eyes flicked once to my face, then quickly drifted away. “The drive was okay.”

“What happened to your face?” I asked without thinking. I silently cursed myself for the way I threw the question at her, but it was already out.

“I… got hot soup splashed on me earlier. That’s all.”

I studied the burn for a moment longer, filing the excuse away without calling it out because it didn’t sound right. “We’ll have something for that, maybe tomorrow. Something that will help it sting less and heal quickly.”

She gave a faint nod. Nothing more.

I poured water for her first, then for myself. “And the divorce? Did everything go as you needed it to?”

She hesitated only a second. “He signed. It’s done.”

No details or elaboration. I didn’t push her. The tightness around her mouth told me enough.

The first course arrived on silver trays before the others: light consommé, warm bread still steaming, and a delicate salad of greens and citrus. 

Alina’s eyes kept widening at the volume of food that continued to appear after that: roasted vegetables glazed with herbs, tender cuts of meat, a fragrant rice dish, and fresh fruit arranged like jewels. She sat very still with her hands in her lap again, simply looking.

I frowned. “Alina. Why aren’t you eating?”

She glanced up, almost startled. “Can I… eat?”

The question hit me like a slap. I frowned, and the muscle in my jaw ticked. “Of course you can. Everything on this table is for you. Eat as much or as little as you want.”

Colour rose faintly beneath the bronze of her cheeks. She reached for her fork with careful fingers and began to eat.

I ate slowly, mostly so I could steal glances without making her self-conscious. The candlelight caught in her dark hair every time she bent her head. My wolf paced restlessly inside me, and I realised with a quiet jolt that I was releasing pheromones. My body wouldn’t settle.

I kept looking at marks on her face, and picturing the bruises I had glimpsed on her knees and thighs the last time. Then I watched the way she moved, as though certain parts of her body still ached. 

I made another silent promise while she carefully cut a piece of meat: she would not be slipping on glass or pouring hot soup on herself under this roof.

When the plates had been cleared, and only dessert remained, she set her spoon down and looked at me directly for the first time since she sat.

“Do I… start pleasing you tonight? And when do I sign the contract?”

Good Goddess, how did she make her sincere questions and actions hurt so much? I mean, yes, that was the reason she was here, but could we take some time to enjoy ourselves first?

I set my spoon aside and leaned forward slightly so she could see me clearly. “No,” I said. “You won’t be pleasing me tonight. You’re not here only for that, Alina. I want you to feel at home. To feel safe and to know that this house is yours for the next four months in every way that matters. You’ll rest tonight. Tomorrow we’ll go shopping to get whatever you need, and then we can talk about that contract.”

Something flickered in her warm brown eyes. Surprise, maybe, or the first fragile edge of relief. She just nodded once and went back to the fruits we were having for dessert. 

Kane reappeared as soon as she was done, as if summoned by the shift in atmosphere. I stood and offered her my hand to help her rise. She took it for only a second before letting go.

“Kane will show you to your room,” I told her. “If you need anything, anything at all, there’s a phone by the bed that connects directly to the staff. You can call them or me.”

She followed Kane down the hall without looking back. I watched until the corner took them from sight, then turned and climbed the opposite staircase to the private wing.

Roman was already waiting in my sitting room with his arms crossed, and his emerald eyes bright with barely leashed impatience.

“Well?” he demanded the moment the door shut. “How is she? Did she settle? When do we—”

“She’s exhausted,” I cut in quietly. “Kane’s settling her into the east suite.”

Roman’s gaze sharpened. “So we should go to her then. One after the other. She’s under our roof now—”

“Go to bed, Roman. It isn’t happening tonight. She needs time to rest.”

He left, muttering under his breath. The moment he was out of the door, I took my clothes off and crept into bed, smiling to myself. Alina’s face kept flashing in my mind, and within minutes, I slept.

I didn’t know how many hours passed. When my eyes opened again, soft morning sunlight was streaming through the half-drawn curtains, painting long gold bars across the floor. Roman sat in the armchair by the window, looking like a grumpy old man.

“We have things to do,” he mumbled. “And you’re just sleeping like a fucking log of wood.”

“Someone woke up grumpy.” I pushed up on one elbow, chuckling. I hadn’t slept this deeply and peacefully in years. 

I wanted to tell him about my plan to take her out shopping, but the scream that tore through the building yanked the peace right from my chest.

Alina!

We both dashed for the door at the same time.

“Roman, stay back!” I yelled over my shoulder, slamming the door shut behind me.