barely slept since last night, the images of shadows, the growl, and Damon's piercing gaze haunted me. Yet I had no choice but

was

g at the head of the table, his presence impossible to ignore. Even dressed in a tailored suit, even in the st

d to rise, colleagues pretending to be busy, but all attention inevitably turned toward him

even but edged with a tension t

way he moved, the way he watched, that made it impossible to act like I belo

had been in countless boardroom meetings like this before. But today, the air was different. Eve

, and the room stiffened. This time, I did not need to see t

ed my fists under the table. Keep calm, I told my

w of a smile tugging at his lips. He knew. He always knew. Even without scent, eve

nct screamed for me to act. But in a room full of humans, any sudden movement w

nt cold that traveled up my spine. Then, in one flui

ked, voice smooth, casual, but with the

yself to meet his gaze.

n hardened, as if deciding whether I was bluffing or hiding s

red to life, displaying a map of the city and markings I had never

ed supernatural activity. Rogue elements moving within our jurisdiction. I want full c

elements he mentioned, the shadow, the growls, they were not isola

y move, every possibility, every risk. I had survived this long by anticipating da

verwhelming, impossible to ignore. The thread between us, invisible yet unbreakable, pulsed with ten

But there is more out there. And soon, you will ha

en the man who seemed drawn to me in ways that defied logic. And yet, I could n

d, voice barely

n the corners where shadows lingered. Then, he leaned closer, so close tha

ot just human. And sooner or later, you will have to choose, a

ture, the part of me I had fought to conceal, was awakening. And with it,

as attacking, testing the limits of the office as if daring me to act. Papers flew, and a chill that w

personal. He did not need scent to know I was bound to him. He did not need recognition to unders

not fully shield me from wha

enacing, and impossible to ignore. It had taken form, and for the

s hand shot out, grabbing my wri

d, taut and undeniable, and

The predator was here, the Alpha was here, and I, hidden, tethered,

of this battle was