DAMON'S POV
Velara clearly believes she can push me away and that I’ll simply walk off and let her go. That won’t happen. I don’t back down from what I want, and I want her. The idea of being paired with another she-wolf out of obligation makes my stomach turn when the Moon Goddess herself matched me with Velara. Unwilling or not, she’s mine. My father would probably have a stroke if he found out my mate was a rogue, but his approval has never factored into my decisions. If fate has made her mine, I trust in that judgment. I don’t believe the Goddess makes mistakes.Velara might resist me now, but everyone has a point where they crack. I intend to find hers.I sat casually in my car, parked across the road from her modest little hotel, a smirk tugging at my lips as the tow truck rumbled into view. My earlier call to the health and safety office had already set things in motion; their inspector's vehicle sat quietly in the hotel’s small parking area, a dullDAMON'S POVVelara clearly believes she can push me away and that I’ll simply walk off and let her go. That won’t happen. I don’t back down from what I want, and I want her. The idea of being paired with another she-wolf out of obligation makes my stomach turn when the Moon Goddess herself matched me with Velara. Unwilling or not, she’s mine. My father would probably have a stroke if he found out my mate was a rogue, but his approval has never factored into my decisions. If fate has made her mine, I trust in that judgment. I don’t believe the Goddess makes mistakes.Velara might resist me now, but everyone has a point where they crack. I intend to find hers.I sat casually in my car, parked across the road from her modest little hotel, a smirk tugging at my lips as the tow truck rumbled into view. My earlier call to the health and safety office had already set things in motion; their inspector's vehicle sat quietly in the hotel’s small parking area, a dull
DAMON'S POVVelara’s hand trembled in my grip, but I didn’t let go. I could feel her fingers slowly relaxing, her resistance wavering as I stepped even closer. Her frame melted ever so slightly against mine, her breath becoming quicker, more erratic, almost desperate. I tilted my head, brushing my nose gently along the slope of her neck up to the shell of her ear. Her skin radiated warmth, her scent intoxicating, making my restraint crumble.The beat of her heart thundered in my ears, fierce and frantic, matching the storm building in my chest. Her free hand clutched the front of my shirt weakly, as though part of her didn’t want to push me away, but I knew better. She was fighting with everything she had to stay in control, to resist the pull of the bond trying to drag her under, urging her to submit, to yield to me, her Alpha.A low growl built in my throat and spilled out as a deep, vibrating purr, echoing through my chest. I couldn’t help it anymore. I
VELARA'S POVThe morning crept in with a hush that felt almost sacred, as though the slightest movement would crack the stillness like thin ice. My feet met the cold kitchen floor with quiet steps, the tiles biting against my soles while my sleeves draped past my hands. The oversized sweater I wore sagged at the cuffs, hanging loosely on my frame, and carried with it a faded scent, something soft and warm, touched by vanilla and the ache of memories I had no strength to revisit. Outside, the misty air cloaked the city in a shroud of pale gray light, making everything seem gentler, quieter, as if the world had decided to pause just long enough for me to finally exhale.Without conscious thought, my hands moved with familiar purpose. I pulled the small saucepan from the cupboard and set it gently atop the stove, careful not to break the silence. The wooden spoon waited where it always did, resting against the tiled wall. I retrieved it and pressed my thumb along its handle. The surface
VELARA'S POVDamon’s voice sliced through the tension between us, sharp and accusing. “So you admit it then? Titles do matter to you. You just said you need to mark me, not out of love but because of some duty to your pack. Like I’m nothing more than a vessel to bear your heir. All because your father ordered it.” My tone trembled, not from fear, but from fury.His eyes darkened, and a low growl vibrated from his chest as he stepped toward me, eyes blazing with indignation. “You don’t know a damn thing about my father, Velara, so don’t you dare speak of him like that. He built this city from the ground up. Show some respect.”“Respect?” I repeated, the word curling with disdain. “Your father might have founded this place, but what did it cost him, or rather, who? How many lives did he crush underfoot to secure his power? Alphas only care about land and status. Meanwhile, the rest of us? We’re cast aside. Forgotten. And you expect me to thank him for that?” My voice was rising now, thi
VELARA'S POVDamon’s voice came low, husky with possessiveness as his hand trailed across my side, settling with authority. “Why are you acting surprised? I’m only touching what already belongs to me. If I feel like putting my hands on you, I will, and no one can stop me, Velara. That’s a fact you should remember,” he murmured darkly, his arm wrapping around my waist with a pull so sudden it pressed me tightly against the solid wall of his chest.The contact sent heat crawling across my skin, but I pushed against him with both hands, determined not to let him trap me with his dominance.“Let go of me, Damon,” I said firmly, trying to create distance between us.“And if I refuse?” he countered, not loosening his hold.“Then I’ll make you.” My voice dropped to a growl, though the uncertainty behind my words betrayed the confidence I tried to project. Still, a sharp knee to a man’s groin, Alpha or not, usually changed the outcome of such situations. I didn’t want to resort to that, but I
VELARA'S POV“I have my reasons,” I muttered as I leaned down to open the drawer beneath my desk. My fingers brushed against the familiar surfaces of two wooden coasters tucked neatly inside. I always kept them there—Kael occasionally came by, and I made a habit of being prepared. With a sigh, I pulled them out and handed one to Damon, who watched me carefully. He accepted it without comment and immediately placed his mug on it before lowering himself back into the chair.He exhaled loudly, a trace of irritation in the breath. “And what exactly are those reasons?” he asked, as though he hadn’t just nearly unraveled over a simple coaster.I glanced up at him, temporarily distracted by how intensely aware I was of his presence. His energy filled the room like static before a storm. It frustrated me, the way I responded to him so easily. I hated how my chest tightened just because he was near.“What are you talking about?” I asked, blinking to break