Ahicia's gaze lingered on the grand chandelier as she sat alone in the spacious room Damian had escorted her to after dinner. The weight of the evening—his piercing golden eyes, the sharpness of his words—still pressed on her. She'd played her part well, maintaining an air of confidence despite her growing unease. Damian was dangerous, no doubt about it, but she had her own secrets to keep.
The soft knock on the door startled her, though she quickly masked her reaction. "Come in," she called, her voice steady.
Damian stepped inside, his presence filling the room as effortlessly as before. He carried himself with the same commanding air, though his expression was lighter this time, almost conversational.
"I trust the evening hasn't been too taxing for you," he began, his tone deceptively casual.
Ahicia raised a brow. "Are you asking out of concern, or are you gauging whether I'll be fit for whatever you have planned next?"
His lips curved into a faint smile. "Perhaps both."
She leaned back in her chair, folding her arms. "Well, I'm still here. What is it you want now?"
Damian's smile didn't falter as he crossed the room, stopping just a few feet away from her. "I thought you should know that my family has expressed interest in meeting you. They're quite... curious."
Ahicia's heartbeat quickened, though she kept her expression neutral. "Curious about what, exactly?"
"About you," Damian said simply, his golden eyes never leaving hers. "It's not every day someone like you shows up unannounced and manages to hold their own in my presence. They'll want to see if you're as intriguing as I find you to be."
Ahicia forced a smirk, though the news unsettled her. Meeting his family was the last thing she wanted. Whatever interest they had in her couldn't lead to anything good. She needed to regain control of the situation—and quickly.
"That sounds delightful," she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "When is this supposed to happen?"
Damian's smile widened slightly, as if he saw through her act. "Soon. For now, rest. You'll need your strength."
He turned to leave, but Ahicia's voice stopped him. "And what if I don't want to meet them?"
He glanced back at her, his expression unreadable. "Then I suppose we'll cross that bridge when we get to it. Goodnight, Ahicia."
Once the door clicked shut behind him, Ahicia exhaled, her calm facade slipping away. Her mind raced, weighing her options. Meeting his family could expose her in ways she wasn't prepared for. She couldn't let that happen.
Standing, she moved to the mirror, inspecting her reflection. The gown's flowing fabric concealed her bandaged leg, but she could feel the faint ache pulsing beneath. Closing her eyes, she placed a hand over the injury, focusing inward. The power she rarely used—the healing ability of an omega—stirred within her.
Heat spread through her palms as she directed her energy toward the wound. The ache intensified momentarily, then began to subside as the torn flesh knitted itself back together. When she opened her eyes, her leg was whole again, free of the injury that had slowed her down.
Ahicia flexed her leg experimentally, satisfaction blooming in her chest. Whatever Damian and his family had planned, she would face it on her own terms. She wouldn't be their pawn.
The sense of triumph was short-lived. The door swung open, and Damian stepped inside, his expression dark and knowing.
"Interesting," he said, his tone sharp. "I didn't take you for someone who hid so much power."
Ahicia's heart sank, though she kept her features composed. "I'm full of surprises."
Damian's golden eyes narrowed as he took a step closer. "Indeed. But don't mistake surprises for control. You're not as hidden as you think you are."
Her smirk returned, though it felt more like a shield than a weapon. "And what are you going to do about it?"
He studied her for a moment, his gaze piercing. "For now? Nothing. But know this, Ahicia: every move you make here is noticed."
With that, he turned and left once more, leaving Ahicia standing alone in the quiet room, her heart pounding. She'd made her move, but it seemed Damian was always one step ahead.