Semua Bab The Beast's Bride: surrendering to the beast within : Bab 31 - Bab 40

The courthouse doors swung open as Damien and Sofia stepped outside, the cool breeze brushing against them. The weight of the trial still lingered in the air, but it was over—Jake was sentenced, and justice had been served.As they walked toward the car, hand in hand, someone suddenly bumped into them.Sofia stumbled slightly, but Damien’s grip on her tightened, steadying her instantly.When she looked up, her stomach twisted.It was her—the woman she had found with Jake that night.The woman’s eyes were red and puffy, as if she had been crying for hours. She wrung her hands together, her gaze desperate as she looked at Sofia.“Please,” the woman choked out. “Please, Sofia, I need to talk to you.”Sofia stiffened, her heart pounding.Damien’s golden eyes darkened as he stepped slightly in front of Sofia, his presence a silent warning. “You have five seconds to explain yourself before I remove you from

The soft hum of the IV filled the quiet room. The moon had long since disappeared behind the horizon, leaving only the dim glow of the bedside lamp to cast golden shadows across Sofia’s face.Damien hadn’t moved from his spot. He sat beside the bed, one hand wrapped around hers, his thumb slowly stroking her skin.She had been unconscious for hours, her body still weak from the shift. He hated seeing her like this—so still, so vulnerable.A low growl rumbled in his throat. He had prepared her for this, but nothing could have prepared him for the way it felt to watch her collapse in his arms.The doctor had assured him she would be fine. That this was normal.But patience had never been Damien’s strength.Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he felt her fingers twitch in his grasp.His golden eyes snapped to her face.“Sofia.”Her eyelashes fluttered, her breath hitching as she slowly ope

(Damien’s POV)The moment Sofia’s body went limp in my arms, the world stopped.“Sofia?” My voice was sharp, edged with something raw. I shook her lightly, but she didn’t respond. Her head lolled against my chest, her lips parted, her breathing uneven.No. No.My pulse roared in my ears as panic surged through me—a rare, unfamiliar sensation that I didn’t welcome. I pressed my fingers to her neck, feeling the sluggish beat of her heart. Too slow. Too weak.I snapped my head toward the restaurant staff, my voice dark and laced with fury.“Call an ambulance. Now.”The hostess froze, eyes wide in terror, before fumbling for her phone. The other guests had started murmuring, sensing the shift in the air, but I didn’t give a damn about them.All I cared about was the woman in my arms.I scooped her up, holding her close as I stormed out of the restaurant. The second I stepped outside, my driver was alre

(Damien’s POV)I drove back to the penthouse, gripping the steering wheel so tightly it was a miracle I hadn’t ripped it apart.My wolf was restless—fur bristling, claws extended, teeth bared. It wanted blood. It wanted a hunt.But I couldn’t act blindly. Not yet.Someone had planned this. Someone wanted Sofia dead.And I was going to find out who.The moment I stepped into the penthouse, my Beta, Ethan, was already waiting for me. He was leaning against the bar, arms crossed, his sharp blue eyes scanning me the second I entered.“You look like you’re about to tear someone’s throat out,” he remarked.I ignored him. “I need a team on surveillance. Now.”Ethan’s expression darkened. “The poisoning?”I nodded, tossing the flash drive with the restaurant footage onto the table. “Pull the full security tapes. I want every angle analyzed.”Ethan grabbed the drive, already moving toward the laptop. “You got a face?”“Partial,” I said, pacing the room. “But I’ve seen him before.”Ethan’s fing

(Damien’s POV) I stayed by Sofia’s side for as long as I could, watching the slow, steady rhythm of her breathing, listening to the soft beeping of the heart monitor. But she didn’t move. Didn’t stir. Didn’t give me the relief of opening those silver eyes that always managed to steal my breath. I traced my fingers over the back of her hand, my thumb running absentminded circles against her skin. It was warm, alive—but too still. I had never felt so helpless. I had built an empire, commanded a pack, made men tremble in my presence. But sitting here, waiting for her to wake up, waiting for a sign that she was still with me—it was unbearable. I leaned forward, pressing my lips to her knuckles. “I need you to wake up, sweetheart.” My voice was quiet, rough around the edges. “Because I’m not used to waiting.” Silence. I let out a slow breath, my grip tightening slightly. “But you already know that, don’t you?” Nothing. I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to stand. I needed to m