Chapter 268 You taste like sugar

Chapter 268: Chapter 268 You taste like sugar

Damian’s POV

I moved to stand—too fast—and pain lanced through my back where the wounds were still healing. My jaw clenched, but before I could fully rise, Rick was there, offering a hand.

I didn’t need it.

But then she was crossing the room, her footsteps quick and purposeful, and suddenly she was right there, settling onto the sofa beside me.

"Don’t move," she said firmly, her hand pressing gently against my shoulder. "You’ll tear your stitches."

Her scent hit me all at once,my wolf surged forward, desperate to touch her, to confirm she was real and here and *safe.*

I shrugged off Rick’s hand and reached for her instead, my fingers threading through her hair, cupping the side of her face.

God, I’d missed her.

"Why didn’t you tell me you were coming back?" I asked, my voice softer than I’d intended.

Around us, the room had gone utterly silent. Every wolf was doing their best to look anywhere but at us—ceiling, floor, walls—but I could feel their stolen glances anyway.

I didn’t care.

Let them look.

Let them see exactly who held my heart.

Aria leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a whisper meant only for me. "I thought you were supposed to be resting. Who said you could hold a meeting?"

There was concern in her tone, but also a hint of reproach that made my lips twitch.

"I am resting," I murmured back. "I’m just sitting here reviewing numbers. Hardly strenuous."

"You looked like you were about to execute someone."

"That wasn’t because of the numbers."

Her brow furrowed, confusion flickering across her face, and I couldn’t help myself—I leaned in, closing the distance between us until my nose brushed hers.

My hand slid to the back of her head, fingers tangling in her hair as I pressed my lips to the corner of her mouth.

"It’s because you didn’t answer my messages," I breathed against her skin.

Her cheeks flushed pink. "I was—"

"Driving back to see me. I know." My thumb traced the line of her jaw. "But you didn’t tell me that."

"I got a call on the way. I forgot." She pressed her palm against my chest, her heartbeat quickening beneath my touch. "I’m sorry."

*’She came back for us,’* my wolf purred, smug and satisfied.

*Yes. She did.*

"You were in a hurry?" I asked, unable to keep the edge of satisfaction out of my voice.

She bit her lip, her gaze dropping. "I... I missed you."

The admission hit me like a physical blow.

Heat surged through my veins, my wolf howling in triumph, and for a moment I forgot we weren’t alone.

I glanced sideways at the others, and they immediately snapped their attention away, several of them nearly colliding with each other in their haste to look busy.

"Meeting’s over," I said simply.

No summary. No follow-up directives.

Just three words and a faint smile I couldn’t quite suppress.

The wolves exchanged nervous glances, clearly uncertain whether they were being dismissed or condemned.

Rick, bless him, found the courage to speak. "Your Majesty... about the project—"

"It’s not unsalvageable," I said evenly. "Don’t make the same mistake twice. Everyone submits a review report by tomorrow."

The room froze.

They’d expected blood. I’d given them mercy.

Aria glanced at them, then back at me, her expression softening. "Is a review report really that hard to write?"

She didn’t know the details of the project—didn’t need to. But she knew people. Knew how to lead without breaking them.

"If it’s not a major error," she added gently, "don’t be too hard on them. I saw how scared they looked."

The wolves immediately straightened, relief flooding their faces.

"Not at all, Luna! We can handle it!"

I watched her for a moment, the way she advocated for them without even knowing the full story, and something in my chest tightened.

"Forget the reports," I said quietly. "My queen has spoken. Don’t let it happen again."

The room erupted in barely-contained gratitude.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"Luna, you’re a blessing!"

Rick coughed pointedly, and the wolves scrambled toward the door, tripping over themselves to leave.

Finally, we were alone.

The second the door clicked shut, I pulled Aria into my lap, my mouth finding hers with a desperation I hadn’t realized I’d been holding back.

She made a small sound of protest, her hands pushing weakly against my chest. "Rick’s still—"

"Gone," I murmured against her lips.

I heard him flee—literally flee—documents scattering in his wake as he bolted from the penthouse.

Good man.

I kissed her deeper, slower, savoring the taste of her, the warmth of her body pressed against mine.

My wolf was purring, content for the first time all day.

*’Mate. Ours. Safe.’*

*Yes. Ours.*

When she finally pulled back, her lips were swollen, her breathing uneven, and the city lights outside had begun to flicker on one by one.

I shifted us both so we were lying together on the sofa, her back against my chest, my arms wrapped around her waist.

We watched the skyline in silence, the glow of the city stretching out before us like a living thing.

"I think I’m going to miss this place," Aria said softly.

I pressed a kiss to her temple. "It’s your apartment, sweetheart. There’s nothing to miss."

"Once we move, we probably won’t come back here."

Her voice was wistful, tinged with something I recognized all too well.

Loss. Even in happiness, the fear of losing it.

I tightened my hold on her. "We won’t come back here. But there will be better views. Better memories."

I paused, brushing my thumb across her cheek. "Moving forward doesn’t guarantee perfection. But right now? This moment? This is already the best."

She turned in my arms, her eyes bright. "When did you get so good with words, Damian Blackwood?"

"Probably around the time I met you."

It was the truth.

Loving her had opened something in me I hadn’t known existed. I could feel her emotions as clearly as my own now, her joys and fears threading through me like a second heartbeat.

She was my fated mate. My second chance. My entire world.

She leaned up and kissed me, soft and sweet. "Did you eat candy? You taste like sugar."

I caught her mouth again before she could pull away, this time gentler, more playful.

"Then you should taste me more often," I murmured.

Her laugh was soft and breathy, and I swore I’d never heard a more beautiful sound.

*’Keep her forever,’* my wolf whispered.

*I intend to.*