Chapter 87 Told them the deal’s off
Damian’s POV
I helped her straighten her dress before we got out of the car. Her legs were still shaking, and I had to steady her with my hand on her waist.
"Can you walk?" I asked, my voice rougher than I intended.
"I’m fine," she lied, but I could feel her trembling against me.
Rick was already gone when we entered the house. Smart man knew when to make himself scarce.
The moment we were in my bedroom, I had her against the wall, my mouth on hers.
"Damian—" she gasped between kisses. "We just—"
"I don’t care." I lifted her up, her legs wrapping around my waist. "I’m not done with you yet."
I carried her to the bed and stripped off what was left of her dress. She lay there, looking up at me with those green eyes that drove me fucking insane.
"You’re insatiable," she whispered.
"Only for you, baby." I crawled over her. "Only for you."
This time was slower, deeper. I wanted to savor every inch of her, memorize every sound she made. When she came apart beneath me, crying out my name, something in my chest tightened painfully.
Mine. She was mine.
Later, I carried her to the bathroom. The massive tub—similar to the one in the spa—was already filling with hot water.
"This is too much," she protested weakly as I lowered us both into the water.
"Nothing’s too much for you," I murmured against her neck, my hands already roaming her body again.
"Damian—I can’t—"
"You can." I positioned her on my lap, her back to my chest. "One more time, sweetheart. Give me one more."
I lost count of how many times I made her come that night. In the tub, against the marble countertop, back in bed. She was so perfect, so responsive, taking everything I gave her and begging for more.
When she finally passed out from exhaustion, I felt a brief stab of guilt. But seeing her sprawled across my sheets, marked and claimed, satisfied something primal in me.
I cleaned her carefully, wiping away the evidence of what we’d done. She didn’t even stir, completely knocked out.
Once she was tucked under the covers, I grabbed my phone and stepped out onto the balcony.
Rick answered on the first ring. "Alpha."
"Find out why Ethan Holt is in the capital," I said, keeping my voice low. "I want to know everything—who he’s meeting, what he’s planning."
"On it."
I lit a cigarette and stared out at the city lights. That piece of shit showing up at dinner wasn’t a coincidence. He wanted something.
Twenty minutes later, my phone buzzed.
"He’s trying to set up a meeting with Blackstone Corporation," Rick reported.
"Looks like he’s pitching some kind of partnership deal. Resource expansion, trade routes through Silver Creek territory."
I took a long drag. "Is that so."
"He’s been working on this for weeks apparently. Blackstone’s been considering it."
"Call them," I ordered. "Tell them the deal’s off. Make it clear they’re not to work with Silver Creek Pack. And Rick—"
"Yes, Alpha?"
"Don’t mention my name. Keep my identity out of it entirely."
"Understood."
I hung up and crushed the cigarette under my heel. Ethan thought he could hurt my mate and still crawl back to the top? Like hell.
The only reason I hadn’t taken him out myself was because Aria wanted her pound of flesh. I was more than happy to help her get it.
"Damian?" Aria’s sleepy voice drifted from inside. "Where are you?"
I walked back in to find her sitting up, the sheet barely covering her. She looked soft and rumpled and absolutely fucking perfect.
"Right here, baby." I climbed back into bed and pulled her against my chest. "Go back to sleep."
"What were you doing?" She yawned.
"Just handling some business." I kissed the top of her head. "Nothing for you to worry about."
She snuggled closer, her breathing already evening out. Within minutes, she was asleep again.
I held her tighter, my wolf stirring restlessly under my skin.
"Easy," I muttered to myself. "She’s right here."
But my wolf wasn’t satisfied with just holding her. It wanted to Mark her, Claim her properly, make it so every single person knew she belonged to us.
"Patience," I told it. "We’ll get there."
For now, having her in my arms, in my bed, smelling like me—that would have to be enough.
But not for much longer.