Maya's POV
The black car arrived at noon, interrupting my spiral of fear and impossible theories.
I'd spent the morning packing and repacking my single duffel bag, trying not to think about wolves the size of horses or Damon's cryptic text about accepting what he was.
My phone buzzed. Damon: I'm downstairs. We're going shopping.
I typed back: I have clothes.
Not the right ones. Five minutes.
I grabbed my jacket and headed down, finding Damon leaning against a sleek black car that probably cost more than my annual salary.
He looked different today. Less businessman, more predator. Dark jeans, black shirt, leather jacket. His golden eyes tracked my approach with unnerving focus.
Shopping wasn't part of the contract, I said.
Consider it a bonus. You can't attend the Summit in bargain store clearance. His gaze swept over my outfit—jeans and a sweater—with obvious disapproval. Get in.
I don't need your charity
It's not charity. It's necessity. He opened the passenger door. You're playing my partner. You need to look the part. Unless you want to stand out as an obvious fraud?
He had a point. Damn him.
I got in the car.
The boutique was the kind of place I'd never dared enter, all glass and marble, with dresses that didn't have price tags because if you had to ask, you couldn't afford them.
The sales associates recognized Damon immediately, greeting him like royalty.
Mr. Blackridge! So wonderful to see you again. And who is this lovely companion?
My partner, Damon said smoothly, his hand settling possessively on my lower back. She needs a complete wardrobe for a two-week business trip. Cocktail dresses, casual elegance, evening wear. Spare no expense.
The woman's eyes gleamed. Of course! Right this way.
For the next hour, I was poked, measured, and dressed like a doll while Damon watched from a leather chair, sipping champagne the staff provided.
Every dress I tried on, he evaluated with brutal honesty.
Too modest. Next.
The color's wrong. Next.
Better. But not quite right.
I emerged from the dressing room in a emerald green silk dress that probably cost more than my car had.
Damon's eyes darkened. His jaw tightened.
That one, he said, his voice rough. Definitely that one.
Heat flooded my cheeks under his intense stare. It wasn't quite human, that look. Too focused. Too predatory. Like he was seeing through the dress to something deeper.
I turned to check myself in the mirror and caught his reflection. He was watching me with an expression I couldn't name—hunger mixed with something almost painful.
Our eyes met in the mirror, and the air between us crackled.
Try the silver next, the sales associate suggested, breaking the moment.
She brought out a stunning silver gown, all elegant lines and shimmering fabric.
The moment I stepped out wearing it, Damon's expression transformed. All warmth vanished, replaced by something cold and almost... fearful?
No. His voice was sharp, commanding. Not silver. Take it off.
But it's beautiful
I said no. He stood abruptly. Choose anything else. Any color. Not silver.
The sales associate quickly whisked the dress away, sensing his mood.
I stood there in the dressing room, shaken by his reaction. Why would the color matter? Why did he look almost in pain?
Unless...
Silver bullets. Werewolf legends. Silver burning supernatural creatures.
No. I was being ridiculous.
I tried on a deep blue gown next, midnight blue that made my eyes look darker, my skin glow.
Damon's approval was immediate and obvious. He stood, moving closer, his hand reaching out to touch the fabric at my waist.
Perfect, he murmured. This one too.
His thumb traced along my ribs, and I felt the touch through the thin silk like fire.
Damon, I whispered, barely breathing.
You look like you belong in my world wearing that, he said quietly. Like you were made for it.
The sales associate appeared with more options, breaking the spell. But Damon's hand lingered on my waist a moment longer before he stepped back.
By the time we finished, I had eight dresses, three casual outfits, shoes, and accessories I'd never wear again after two weeks.
The total had to be astronomical.
Damon paid without blinking.
Dinner, Damon said as we loaded the bags into his car. There's a restaurant nearby. We need to talk before tomorrow.
We could talk in the car
I want to talk over food. Like normal people. A slight smile touched his lips. Humor me, Maya. One normal evening before everything changes.
The restaurant was intimate, quiet, expensive. The kind of place Richard had taken me once for our anniversary, where I'd felt out of place and underdressed.
But with Damon, I felt... seen. Like I belonged.
We ordered wine and appetizers, falling into surprisingly easy conversation.
Tell me about your family, I said, sipping wine that probably cost more than my weekly grocery budget.
Damon's expression shadowed. My father died when I was twenty-five. Killed in a... business dispute. I inherited everything—the company, the responsibilities, the enemies. I've been fighting to hold it together ever since.
That's young to take over a business empire.
Too young. But there was no choice. My world doesn't allow weakness. You lead or you die. He met my eyes. Sometimes both.
And your mother?
Died when I was young. It's just been me and my obligations for a long time.
That sounds lonely.
It is. Something vulnerable flickered in his golden eyes. Which is why loyalty matters more than anything to me. In my world, trust is rare. Betrayal is common. Finding someone genuinely loyal is... priceless.
I thought of Richard's betrayal, Lauren's lies, the colleagues who'd abandoned me.
I understand that, I said quietly.
I know you do. Damon reached across the table, his hand covering mine. Why do you think I chose you, Maya? You're loyal to a fault. You fought for my life when I was a nameless patient. You're fighting to clear your name even though everyone's against you. That kind of stubborn loyalty, it's exactly what I need beside me.
Why me? I asked again, the question that haunted me. Really. There have to be dozens of women who'd play this role better.
None of them saved my life. His thumb traced circles on my palm, sending shivers up my arm. None of them saw me at my absolute worst and refused to give up. When I woke up in your ER, barely alive, the first thing I saw was your face. Determined. Fierce. Fighting for me like I mattered.
Every patient matters.
Not to everyone. But to you, they do. That's who you are. His eyes held mine. From that moment, I knew you were different. Special. Someone worth knowing. Worth trusting.
My heart hammered. You're very good at making me feel important.
I'm not trying to manipulate you, Maya. I'm telling you the truth. His hand tightened on mine. You are important. To this job. To... He paused. To me.
The confession hung between us, heavy with meaning.
Damon
I know this situation is insane. I know you're scared. But I need you to know—I will protect you. Whatever happens at that Summit, whatever you see, whatever you learn—I will keep you safe. I swear it.
Why do I need protection at a business summit?
Because powerful people are dangerous. And I'm bringing you into a world where one wrong move can be fatal. He released my hand, leaning back. But you're strong enough to handle it. Brave enough. That's why I chose you.
We finished dinner talking about safer topics—medical school, favorite books, places we'd like to travel. For a few hours, I could almost forget the impossible photos and cryptic warnings.
Almost pretend this was a real date with a real man who might actually care about me.
Damon walked me to my apartment door, carrying my shopping bags like they weighed nothing.
Dawn comes early tomorrow, he said, setting the bags inside my doorway. Be ready at five AM. Dress comfortably for travel.
Damon, I still don't know what I'm really walking into
You'll find out soon enough. He stepped closer, his hand cupping my face with surprising gentleness. But know this—at the Summit, you'll be mine. In every way that matters. My partner. My equal. Mine to protect.
The possessiveness in his voice should have terrified me. Should have sent me running.
Instead, heat flooded through my body. His thumb traced my cheekbone, and I found myself leaning into his touch like I'd been starving for it.
Try to remember that, he murmured, his golden eyes intense. When things get complicated. When you're scared. When nothing makes sense. Remember you're mine, and I don't let go of what's mine.
I'm not your property
For the next two weeks, you are. He leaned in, his lips brushing my forehead in a gesture so tender it made my breath catch. Get used to it.
He pulled away, heading for the stairs.
Damon, wait
He turned back, and in that moment, I could have sworn his eyes flashed brighter. More gold. Almost glowing.
What are you? I whispered.
His smile was sad, almost resigned. Tomorrow, you'll find out. And then you'll have to decide if you can handle the truth, or if you'll run screaming. He started down the stairs again. Sleep well, Maya. It's the last normal night you'll have for a while.
He disappeared, leaving me standing in my doorway with expensive dresses and impossible questions.
I closed the door and leaned against it, my heart racing.
I'd spent the evening falling for him. Falling for his intensity, his protectiveness, his rare vulnerability.
But what was I falling for? A man? Or something else entirely?
I touched my cheek where his hand had been, remembering the heat of his skin. The inhuman focus in his eyes. The way he'd reacted to silver like it could hurt him.
My phone buzzed. One final text from Damon: Five AM. Don't be late. And Maya? Pack the blue dress. You'll wear it the first night. I want everyone to see you belong with me.
I stared at the message, something clicking into place.
Everyone to see you belong with me.
Not together.
With me.
Like he was claiming ownership. Marking territory.
Like an animal.
No. Not an animal.
A wolf.
And tomorrow, I was walking into his world.
The world where massive wolves ran through forests and golden-eyed men spoke of territories and loyalty and survival.
I was either about to discover the truth.
Or walk straight into a nightmare I'd never escape.