LOGINSERENA.By the time Serena finished her breakfast, she had come to a rather important conclusion.Damian was a terrible cook, an even worse tea enthusiast, and a man who appeared to believe that following a simple recipe required the same level of concentration as leading an entire pack.Unfortunately, he was also incredibly handsome when he was being ridiculous, which made it difficult for her to express her complaints with the seriousness they deserved."Why are you looking at me like that?" Damian asked.They were standing in the kitchen of the lakeside cabin, where he had insisted on demonstrating the proper way to prepare tea.Serena leaned against the counter, watching him measure the tea leaves with an expression of exaggerated concentration."I'm trying to understand something.""And what might that be?""How a man who can manage hundreds of people struggles to boil water without looking as though he's preparing for war."Damian slowly turned his head."Would you like to make
SERENA.And she wanted to spend that time with Damian.She lifted her head and found him watching her."What?" she asked."Nothing.""You're staring.""I'm allowed to stare at my own happiness."Her heart skipped.She tried to look away, but he caught her hand and pressed another kiss against her knuckles."Come away with me," he said softly. "Not because I think I can fix everything that's happened to you. Not because I want to hide you from the world. Just because I'd like to spend a little time with the woman I love."Serena felt her smile grow before she could stop it."All right."His eyes brightened. "All right?""Yes, Damian. I'll go with you.""Good.""But I have conditions."He groaned and dropped his head back against the pillow. "I knew there was a catch.""First, you are not allowed to spend the entire trip talking about pack business.""Agreed.""Second, you have to let me explore the lake and the forest.""I'll come with you.""That's not what I said. I said you have to
SERENA.Heaven...Yes, she must have died and gone to heaven.That was the first thing Serena thought as soon as she woke up from sleep.She felt the warmth of his embrace well before she saw his face and stared at the dark hair that fell across his forehead.Serena smiled, biting her lower lip as she studied him. Her hand moved to his face, caressing his cheek gently, and he shifted in his sleep.She stopped moving immediately and waited until she was certain he was still asleep.Then she continued.There was something incredibly satisfying about seeing Damian like this. The mighty Alpha of Silvercrest, the man whose mere presence could silence a room full of stubborn elders, was lying beside her with his face relaxed and his arms wrapped around her as though she were the only thing he wanted to hold on to.He looked younger in his sleep. Less intimidating. Almost harmless.Almost.Serena smiled to herself.She had seen many sides of Damian since coming to Silvercrest. She had seen h
DAMIAN.Damian took a step closer, then another. He couldn't take his eyes away from the sight in front of him.He had fantasized about this for a long time; ever since he started having feelings for her, he had pictured her naked, standing in front of him, offering herself to him, but nothing... nothing at all ever prepared him for what he saw.Her creamy, almost glass-like skin stared back at him; her hips were more voluminous than he had ever thought. He found himself thinking that clothes did nothing at all to showcase her beautiful figure.Her breasts looked full and round; they literally beckoned to him, with her nipples pointed out like a beacon in a lighthouse.His eyes finally went down there, to the place that sat between her thighs and her hips. The place that he imagined entering a dozen million times.He looked up at her, and Serena stared back at him. He could see the indecisiveness in her, the doubt and everything. Suddenly, he felt like he couldn't do it. If Serena was
DAMIAN.Just a day, it took just 24 hours away from the stress of figuring out her identity, from the stress of the pack, and every other thing, for Serena to finally open up to Damian.He never thought he'd see this part of her, her being so comfortable and playful around him like she had known him for years and not just a few months.She teased him in a way no other person would ever be able to, not because he didn't have anyone who could do that, but because no one would ever feel free enough to tease him without fear of him getting mad at them or anything.He watched as she walked out of the bathroom, her wet hair dancing around her shoulders with a bathrobe tied around her body.It was the first time he had ever seen her this way, so casual and comfortable around him, and he definitely wasn't complaining.Back at the Alpha's residence, he couldn't sneak in to see her even if he wanted to because he didn't want any conversation or gossip spreading around about her, especially sinc
SERENA. Serena wasn't sure how long she had been resting against Damian's shoulder when she finally opened her eyes. The fire had burned lower, filling the cabin with a comfortable warmth, and the room had grown quieter than before. She lifted her head slightly and looked at Damian. He was staring at the fire, one arm still wrapped around her shoulders. “Are you asleep?” she whispered. His gaze shifted to her. “Would I answer you if I were?” She smiled. “You could be dreaming.” “About what?” “Me, perhaps.” Damian's eyebrows rose. “Is that what you think about when you're sitting beside me?” Her smile disappeared. “No!” He chuckled. “Interesting.” “Damian!” “What? I'm only asking.” She tried to pull away, but his arm tightened just enough to make her pause. “Where are you going?” “Somewhere you aren't.” “That's unfortunate. I was enjoying the view.” Serena stared at him. Then she realized what he meant. Her cheeks warmed. “You can't keep saying things like tha







