Damian's POV
I stepped out of the shower with steam curling around my skin as I reached for a towel. The mirror in front of me was all fogged up, but I could still see the sharp lines of my body. Strong. Powerful. Unfuckwithable.
I dragged the towel down my chest, soaking up the water clinging to my muscles. Every inch of me was sculpted from years of training, perfected like a weapon meant to destroy. My abs flexed slightly as I moved. I had lost count of the number of deadly missions I had executed to get a body sculpted like this one.
I wiped a hand over the mirror, clearing it just enough to see my face. Piercing blue eyes stared back at me, framed by long dark lashes. My jawline was sharp enough to cut glass, and my lips curved into that signature smirk that drove she-wolves crazy.
The only hitch was the scars, one ran across my arm. The other at my back. Wasn't much of a hitch though. Just made me look rugged.
I tilted my head. "Damn, I'd fuck me."
Chuckling, I grabbed my cream and spread it over my body, the fresh scent mixing with the lingering steam.
Then I reached for my suit. Dark blue. Three-piece. It had tiny specks of glitter woven into the fabric, subtle but effective. Not that I needed a suit to stand out, but tonight was important.
I shrugged on the jacket, adjusting the collar before picking up a comb. Running it through the sides of my hair, I made sure every strand was perfect. Then I turned to the mirror again, blowing myself a cocky kiss.
"Try not to break hearts tonight, Damian."
I smirked, then walked out.
Outside my room, I found Axel leaning against the wall, arms crossed. He was one of my subordinates, technically. But we had grown up together, so he was more like a friend.
"Finally ready?" Axel drawled, pushing off the wall. His sharp brown eyes scanned my outfit before he let out a low whistle. "Damn, Alpha. You're really bringing the fireworks tonight."
I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, yeah. What do you want?"
"Just reminding you that the whole pack is downstairs waiting." He smirked. "Your father's getting impatient. So are the other Alphas and Betas. You know, since tonight's the night you find your fated mate and all."
The thought of my dad darkened my mood. I had to find an exceptional mate. Someone to make me recognized.
I scoffed. "Right. Like it's that easy."
"Never know. You know how it is with your dad. Let's hope you find some gorgeous high-ranking she-wolf just waiting for you to claim her."
I snorted but started walking down the stairs anyway.
The moment I reached the last flight, I stopped to observe.
The hall stretched out before me, grand and elegant, filled with wolves from different packs. Soft golden lights flickered from the chandeliers, casting everything in a warm glow. The scent of wine, perfume, and wolf pheromones filled the air.
So many girls.
Some I recognized. Some I didn't.
And then there was Lyra.
Daughter of Beta Kade. Beautiful as hell. Exceptionally beautiful.
Dark wavy hair cascaded down her back, framing a delicate but confident face. Her dress was black and clung to every perfect curve, her skin flawless under the candlelight. She had always been one of the best options, a high-ranking mate, one that would please my father.
But as I stared at her… I felt nothing.
No pull. No hunger.
I exhaled, slightly disappointed. If not Lyra, then who?
My eyes drifted toward the entrance just as another family walked in.
Gamma Lawrence. Dressed in deep red, his daughter on his arm, Miriam, I think her name was. She was beautiful, no doubt. Dark hair, sultry eyes, lips painted a tempting shade of red. But the way her father practically shoved her in the face of every high-ranking wolf in the room made me sick.
I was about to look away…until I saw her.
And fuck, I felt it.
A shock of heat slammed through my body, so sudden and raw it made my breathing hitch.
There she was.
A girl in a silver gown, walking slowly behind Gamma Lawrence's group
Fucking hell.
My throat went dry as I took her in.
Soft brown hair cascaded over delicate shoulders, curling slightly at the ends. Her skin was smooth—
,so smooth, a soft, fair glow under the lights. The silver dress clung to her frame just enough to tease, a slit along her thigh revealing way too much, yet not enough.
My cock twitched. Shit.
My hands curled into fists at my sides.
She hadn't even seen me yet. She was just standing there, looking around, lonely. Unwanted.
And that, that, made something primal snap inside me.
My wolf snarled.
"Mine."
My jaw clenched as heat ran through my veins, pooling low in my stomach.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
I felt an uncontrollable urge to grab her. To pull her close. To drag my tongue over the soft curve of her neck and taste her.
What would she taste like?
The thought alone made my body flare up.
Desire punched through me, hot and merciless. My fingers twitched with the need to run them over her thighs, those fucking thighs.
I bit my lip hard, stifling a groan.
Damn, I wanted to feel them.
"Shit."
I was losing control. This wasn't normal.
I forced myself to look away from her legs but my gaze landed right on her chest instead.
A small opening in the fabric revealed the soft swell of her cleavage, just enough to tempt.
I inhaled sharply. Big mistake.
Heat shot through me like wildfire, my entire body burning with the need to claim her. My fangs ached, desperate to stretch, to sink into that perfect skin and mark her as mine.
"Damian?"
Axel's voice snapped me out of my trance.
I turned sharply, but the hunger in my eyes must have been obvious because his expression shifted.
"Oh, fuck," he muttered. Then he smirked. "You found her. Where is she? Who?"
I didn't answer. I just clenched my jaw, my body tense.
Then suddenly, she moved.
She turned and walked outside.
My wolf howled in frustration, clawing at my insides.
But I exhaled slowly. All good.
Because now… I was going to follow her.