The Things He Never Noticed

Damian’s POV

I stayed with her until she finally fell asleep.

Even then, her breathing remained uneven.

Like her body still expected pain even in rest.

I stood near the window quietly, watching the city lights outside the penthouse while my wolf remained restless inside me.

Angry.

Every word Maddison said replayed in my head repeatedly.

“I changed everything about myself for him.”

The sentence wouldn’t leave me alone.

I had seen broken wolves before.

But Maddison was different.

She wasn’t just hurt.

She had been slowly stripped apart piece by piece until she no longer knew who she was without pain attached to her.

A knock came at the door.

I stepped outside quietly before closing it behind me.

Rowan was waiting.

“Alpha.”

“What is it?”

“We got another report from Crescent Pack.”

My expression hardened instantly.

“Talk.”

Rowan handed me a file. “Things are getting worse internally.”

I opened it immediately while walking toward my office.

Henry was already there.

“You look murderous,” he muttered.

I ignored him and continued reading.

My jaw tightened harder with every page.

Emma had practically taken over the Luna duties already.

Public appearances.

Pack meetings.

Events.

And Fernando was allowing it openly.

But that wasn’t the part that angered me most.

Liam.

The reports mentioned Liam constantly clinging to Emma now.

My grip tightened on the file.

Henry noticed immediately.

“That bad?”

“He’s replacing Maddison publicly.”

Rowan nodded slowly. “Pack members are already talking.”

I shut the file sharply.

Something cold settled inside my chest.

Not rage.

Something worse.

Decision.

Henry leaned forward slightly. “What are you thinking?”

I looked up slowly.

“We move closer.”

Rowan stiffened. “Closer to Crescent territory?”

“Yes.”

“That could trigger confrontation.”

“Good.”

The single word silenced the room.

Because I meant it.

Fernando had hidden behind distance long enough.

Henry rubbed his jaw slowly. “This is becoming personal.”

“It already is.”

Neither of them argued after that.

Because they already knew.

The moment I carried Maddison bleeding from that road…

This stopped being temporary.

Maddison’s POV

I woke up slowly the next morning.

For the first time in a long time…

I didn’t wake up afraid.

The realization felt strange.

I blinked at the ceiling quietly before slowly sitting up.

My body still hurt, but not as badly as before.

The room was quiet.

Too quiet.

I looked around before realizing Damian wasn’t there.

For some reason, disappointment settled in my chest instantly.

I hated that feeling.

I shouldn’t be getting attached to him.

Not when my life was already such a mess.

I pushed the blanket away carefully and stood up slowly from the bed.

My legs were weak but steady enough.

I walked toward the mirror near the wall and froze slightly when I saw myself properly.

I looked horrible.

My bruises had faded slightly, but they were still visible across my neck and arms.

My eyes looked tired.

Broken.

I stared at myself silently.

Then suddenly…

I remembered something.

Emma’s face.

Her smile when she looked at me standing there heartbroken.

“Liam feels safer with her.”

Fernando’s voice echoed painfully inside my head.

My throat tightened instantly.

“No…” I whispered shakily.

I gripped the edge of the table harder.

Was that true?

Did Liam really feel safer around Emma?

The thought crushed me slowly.

Before I could stop myself, tears filled my eyes again.

I quickly looked away from the mirror.

I hated crying now.

Because Damian was right.

I apologized for it every single time.

A soft knock came at the door before it opened slowly.

Katie walked in carefully carrying a tray.

She paused when she saw me standing.

“Oh thank goodness,” she sighed in relief. “You’re finally out of bed.”

I blinked slightly.

Katie smiled warmly as she placed the tray down.

“I’m Katie by the way.”

“Maddison.”

“I know,” she laughed softly. “Alpha Damian nearly tore the hospital apart trying to keep you alive. Everyone knows you.”

My cheeks warmed instantly.

“He did not.”

Katie gave me a look. “Trust me, he did.”

I looked down quickly.

That strange warmth returned to my chest again.

Dangerous.

Confusing.

Katie moved closer carefully before glancing at the fading bruises on my arm.

Her smile disappeared instantly.

“That bastard did this to you?”

I froze.

The anger in her voice shocked me.

I quickly adjusted my sleeve. “It’s okay.”

“No it isn’t.”

The firmness in her tone caught me off guard.

I stayed silent.

Katie sighed softly before speaking again.

“You know… the first thing Damian did after bringing you here was order every camera near the accident site checked.”

My eyes widened slightly.

“He barely slept for days.”

I looked at her quickly.

“Why?”

Katie stared at me like the answer was obvious.

“Because he was scared you’d die.”

My chest tightened painfully.

I didn’t know what to say to that.

Nobody had ever been scared of losing me before.

Not even Fernando.

Katie smiled softly again. “Eat something before Damian starts glaring at everyone again.”

I laughed quietly before I could stop myself.

The sound startled me slightly.

Because I couldn’t remember the last time I laughed naturally.

Katie noticed too.

“There she is,” she said softly.

I frowned slightly. “What?”

“The real you.”

Her words stayed with me even after she left.

The real me.

I wasn’t even sure I remembered who that was anymore.