Chapter 45 Chapter 45
ANNA’S POV
For a moment, neither of us moved.
Damon’s eyes were still locked on my naked body, and my breath refused to return to my lungs. The air between us felt hot—too hot—like something dangerous had been set loose and neither of us knew how to cage it again.
Then he smiled.
Damon's smile was something slow… dark…but sinful enough to make my knees weaken.
“You know,” he began quietly, his voice turning extremely deep and smooth, “you didn’t have to just stand there and let me stare at your sexy body, Anna.”
My cheeks burned so fast it felt like fire crawled under my skin. I finally managed to lift the towel and wrap it tightly around myself, even though it was far too late.
“I—I didn’t expect you to walk in...” I stammered.
“Didn’t you?” His head tilted slightly, his eyes glittering with playful danger. “Because you froze so well, I thought you wanted me to keep looking at those huge breasts.”
“Damon!” I hissed, horrified.
He chuckled under his breath, a soft, low sound that made my stomach twist. “Relax, Anna. I’m only teasing you.”
I felt too exposed—too flustered—and I backed up quickly, clutching the towel closer.
“I’m going out to prepare for the announcement.” I murmured, trying to walk past him.
But Damon stepped into the doorway and blocked me with his arm.
“Why are you running?” he asked softly.
“I’m not—”
“Yes, you are.”
He took a slow step closer, and my back brushed the wall behind me. His body stopped inches from mine, and I could already feel his breath against my cheek, his heat surrounding me like a force pulling me in.
“Damon…” I whispered.
He looked at me like he could see straight through the towel, through my skin, into my pulse.
“You blush too easily,” he murmured. “It’s cute.”
My breath stopped. “Stop teasing me!”
“But you react so beautifully. Why would I stop?”
His hand gently touched my waist—just his fingertips brushing my skin above the towel.
Slowly, he leaned forward, and his chest brushed mine. I tried to step to the side, but his arm came down, caging me in without touching me too much. It was just enough to make every nerve in my body spark.
“Tell me something, Anna,” he whispered. “When I walked into you coming out of the shower… did you want me to leave?”
My lips parted.
But words didn’t come out...
“Exactly!”
My heart almost jumped out of my chest.
I felt like he was swallowing all the air in the room. My knees trembled. I needed to get out of there. I needed to breathe. I needed—
I pushed lightly against his chest. It was not enough to hurt, but just enough to break the tension before I melted into it.
“I have to get dressed...” I added.
His eyes lowered to my lips for half a second before he stepped back, giving me space—but not too much.
It took every bit of strength in me to walk past him without stumbling. I rushed toward my maid gown, heart still pounding, and started dressing quickly. Every movement felt clumsy—my fingers fumbling, and my mind lost.
I didn’t even look at him.
But he definitely looked at me.
I could feel it.
When I finally slipped into my maid gown, I took a breath and turned toward him.
“I’ll meet you in the hall...” I told him calmly.
Damon leaned against the wall, his arms folded, and eyes unreadable now. Only the faintest smirk remained on his lips.
“I’ll be right behind you.”
I swallowed hard and left the room.
The hallway was alive with footsteps. Maids hurried in pairs and small groups, whispering loudly as they rushed toward the hall.
I joined them, my heart still racing from what happened inside Damon’s bathroom.
A maid named Clara, who usually ignored me unless she needed something, walked beside me with wide eyes.
“Did you hear?” she whispered.
“Hear what?” I asked quickly, hoping she had answers.
“We don’t know!” another answered replied from behind us. “But the guards said Elijah himself called the meeting. That never happens unless something’s wrong.”
My stomach twisted.
“That’s why I’m scared,” Clara continued. “What if someone broke a pack rule?”
A sharp pain stabbed in my chest.
My throat tightened, but I forced my voice to stay steady. “Do any of you really not know why he called that meeting? Does anyone know his announcement?” I asked, trying not to sound desperate.
They all shook their heads.
“No idea.”
“We’re just as confused as you.”
“I hope it’s nothing serious.”
The maids kept whispering and gossiping to each other. They even threw guesses at each other, but none of them knew for sure, and it made everything worse.
My heart beat faster because I knew something was coming.
The hall came into view, and it was wide and tall. Torchlight glowed on the walls, and the nobles were already there. Their robes were long and shiny, and they whispered to each other.
Some of them tried to guess why we were here, but none of them knew.
The warriors stood straight, and their armor gleamed. Their eyes were sharp, and they watched everything. They made me feel small, but I tried not to show it.
The Elder Council sat at the raised dais. Their faces were serious, and their eyes were heavy with meaning. They didn’t speak, but I could feel their judgment.
The maids moved to the back where we always stood, and I squeezed myself between Clara and Lyna.
I tried to calm my mind, but I couldn’t.
My hands shook slightly because he had seen us this morning.
Elijah had seen me with his brother, and the look in his eyes had been cold and dangerous.
Trouble was coming, and it was real trouble.
Now he was about to make an announcement, and I didn’t know what he would say.
I tried to breathe slowly, but my chest was tight. I told myself maybe it wouldn’t be so bad, yet I knew better. Whatever Elijah was going to say, it wasn’t going to be good.
I didn’t know the full truth yet, but I felt it in my bones.
It was bad, and it would be terrible.