17 — Tamed Fire

Aria’s POV

Hating Damon was simpler when he was absent.

When the halls were empty and his scent had disappeared, I almost convinced myself that my feelings were nothing more...simply guilt, confusion, or some cruel twist of fate. Yet, each time I saw him, when those sharp grey eyes met mine across the room, that illusion shattered.

The bond felt like a quiet ache inside, humming beneath my skin like a spark on the verge of igniting. I hated it because it made me feel so exposed. I told myself I didn’t want him...even after he responded coldly when I shared the news about my brother. But deep down, my heart couldn’t accept that. My body refused to follow that reasoning either.

Over time, the silence between us grew. He spoke only rarely and kept his distance, yet somehow I always felt close to him. I would catch little glimpses of him in the training fields or the council chamber, his face a mystery and his presence unmistakable. The pack both admired and eyed him cautiously...yet they’d whisper behind his back. About me. About us.

Then one morning, he summoned me.

I stepped into his office, anticipating the usual cold indifference. He was by the window, bathed in sunlight, with his black shirt casually rolled up to his elbows, and a jaw that looked sharply defined, like steel.

“Alpha,” I said softly, trying to keep my voice steady.

He turned, and the weight of his gaze almost stole my breath. “You’re late.”

“Only by a minute,” I replied, forcing a slight smile that didn’t reach my eyes.

His lips twitched, but he said nothing. Instead, he gestured toward the desk. “Sit.”

I did, though the tension in the room made it hard to breathe.

“I’ve been reviewing pack operations,” he began, his tone clipped. “We’re short on someone to oversee the supply rotations and the omega quarters. I’m assigning you.”

My heart stumbled. “Me?”

He nodded. “You’ve lived as an omega your whole life. You know how they think. You’ll ensure they’re properly cared for and report directly to me.”

I frowned. “So I’m to be your spy now?”

His eyes flicked up, sharp and unreadable. “You’ll call it whatever you wish. Consider it... a way for me to monitor your loyalty.”

The words stung, even though I’d expected them. “You still don’t trust me.”

He leaned back against the desk, crossing his arms. “Trust is earned, Aria. And you’ve given me reasons to question it.”

My hands clenched in my lap. “Because I told you the truth?”

“Because you hid it,” he countered. “You made me believe...” He stopped himself, jaw tightening. “You should go. You start tomorrow.”

I stood, anger flaring in my chest. “You think this will fix things? Are you giving me work to keep me close? You don’t have to pretend you care, Damon.”

His name slipped out before I could stop it. The sound of it in my voice made something flicker in his eyes...heat, confusion, something darker.

“Care?” he repeated, his tone soft but dangerous. “You think I don’t care?”

I froze. “You’ve done nothing but push me away.”

He took a step forward, closing the distance between us. “Because every time I don’t, I forget who I am.”

The air thickened. My pulse thundered. I could smell his scent...pine, smoke, and something warm that made my knees weak.

“You should stay away from me,” I whispered, though my body leaned toward him. “You said it yourself. You don’t trust me.”

“And yet,” he murmured, “I can’t seem to keep my distance.”

He was now very close, close enough that I could feel his breath softly brushing my skin and see the tension in his jaw. My wolf inside stirred restlessly, clawing at my control. I took a shaky breath. “You’re my Alpha.” 

“And you’re my...” he paused again, eyes burning. “You’re under my protection. Don’t confuse that with anything else.” “Too late,” I whispered. He quickly reached out and grabbed my wrist before I could look away, and the instant our skin touched, it sent a jolt through both of us. His fingers gently tightened, making me shiver.

“Let me go,” I whispered, feeling a bit nervous, though neither of us moved. 

I could see he was staring at me, as if trying to memorize every detail of my face. “You drive me crazy, Aria,” he said softly.

“Then stop looking at me like that,” I snapped.

“Like what?” His voice dropped lower, rougher.

“Like you...” My words died when he stepped forward, gently pinning me against the wall. The tension between us surged. His chest moved quickly, breaths mixing with mine. His eyes searched mine, wild and conflicted.

“Like you want me,” I finished softly.

His lips parted, but no sound emerged. For a moment, everything froze. I could hear my heartbeat, feel the slight tremor in his grip on the wall beside my head.

“Maybe I do,” he said hoarsely. I took a sharp breath, my nerves flaring. He moved closer, so near I could smell the air between us, so close his words almost brushed my lips. 

“But if I touch you now,” he whispered, “I won’t stop.” Something inside me broke. “Then don’t.” The words slipped out before I could stop them, hanging between us, trembling, dangerous.

Damon’s eyes darkened, and for a moment, I thought he’d give in ... the tension almost breaking like a storm ready to strike. His hand moved up and brushed my jaw, leaving me gasping for breath. Suddenly, he froze. 

The struggle in his eyes shifted to pain, then fury ... not at me, but at himself. With a low growl, he tore himself away and paced the room like someone escaping his own body. 

“Leave,” he commanded sharply. I blinked, heart pounding. “Damon...” 

“Leave, Aria.” His voice cracked sharply. I swallowed hard, feeling my throat close up. 

“You can’t keep avoiding this.” He turned, face hard as stone. “You think I’m running? I’m trying to protect you. Because if I lose control again, if I touch you like I want to…” He exhaled unevenly, running a hand through his hair.”

My eyes itched with tears, yet I kept them from falling. “I already have.”

For a moment, he just looked at me, a flicker of raw pain and vulnerability in his eyes. Then he looked away.

“Go,” he said softly, his voice almost unrecognizable now. “Before I do something I’ll regret.”

I stood there, caught between anger and heartbreak, torn between shouting and reaching out to him. But I obeyed. I turned and walked to the door, each step feeling heavier.

Just as I was about to leave, his voice interrupted me.

“Aria.”

I turned around, hope foolishly flickering in my chest. He remained still, neither looking up nor moving, but his words sliced through the silence. 

“You don’t understand what you’re doing to me.” I swallowed hard. 

“Then explain it.” He looked up, eyes wild, jaw tight. “If I do, I won’t be able to stop.” Our eyes locked in a long, shattering gaze. 

Then I walked away, the echo of his restraint burning against my skin like fire. For the first time, I understood the truth... 

I wasn’t the only one losing control.