DAMIEN’S POV
We were still in the car, parked outside the campus gates.
The engine was off, but the morning sun was already pouring through the windows, lighting up Rose’s face as she stared at her reflection in the visor mirror.
She smoothed her hair for the tenth time, fingers trembling just a little.
“I can’t believe this is really happening,” she whispered, eyes wide and shining. “It’s like a dream come true.”
Her first day of college. Human college.
My mate was stepping into a world that wasn’t mine to control.
My chest tightened-pride, love, and a cold knot of worry all tangled together.
I chuckled, trying to keep my voice light. “Relax, baby.
You’re going to be fine.”
She glanced at me, eyes wide. “Do I look stupid?”
That question hit harder than it should have.
“You look incredible,” I said firmly. “Smart. Beautiful. And completely out of everyone’s league.”
Her lips curved into a shy smile. “You’re biased.”.”Damn right l am.”
She gave me that nervous little smile that always wrecked me. She grabbed her new backpack from the back seat-simple, black, filled with notebooks and pens.
“Wish me luck?” she asked, hand already on the door handle.
“Hey, hey,” I said, catching her wrist before she could open it. “Are you forgetting something?”
She blinked. “What?”
I tapped my lips once, slow and deliberate.
Her cheeks went pink, but she leaned over the console without hesitation, pressing a quick, soft kiss to my mouth.
I wasn’t letting her get away that easily.
My hand slid to the back of her neck, holding her there as I deepened it-slow, hungry, pouring every bit of “be safe, come back to me” into it that I couldn’t say out loud.
When we finally pulled apart, her eyes were a little glassy, lips swollen.
I rubbed my thumb over her bottom lip, voice low. “Be a good girl today.”
“Yes,” she breathed, smiling shyly.She climbed out, backpack stung over one shoulder, and t watched her rush up the wide stone steps of the main building. Students streamed around her-laughing, talking, normal human chaos.
Halfway up, she stopped.
A guy-tall, blond, wearing a university hoodie-approached her. He said something, gesturing around the campus.
With my wolf hearing, even from the car, I caught pieces.
student president… happy to show you around…”
Rose nodded, smiling politely and followed him toward one of the buildings.
My hands tightened on the steering wheel until my knuckles went white.
A low growl rumbled in my chest before I could stop it.
Relax, Damien. She’s just getting a tour. He’s just being heipful.
That land wasn’t for sale. It would never be for sale. It was pack land—ours, protected, hidden. Humans weren’t allowed anywhere near it.
And this bitch thought she could waltz in here and ask me to hand it over?
I took one slow, threatening step toward her.
“Get the fuck out of my office.”
She sighed, dramatic, like I was being unreasonable. ” Damien, think about it. Think about the money it would bring. A high-end resort there—private villas, exclusive access. We could make billions. Why not just help us secure the property?”
My wolf surged forward, claws pricking at my fingertips. I leaned in, voice low and lethal.
“If you didn’t hear me the first time, I’ll say it again. It’s not for sale. Now fuck off.”Scarlett held my stare for a second, then shrugged, picking up her handbag.
She started walking toward the elevator, heels clicking.
But she stopped at the doors, glancing back over her shoulder.
“By now you should know Mr. Salvatore,” she said, voice sweet and poisonous. “He always gets what he wants.”
The elevator doors closed on her smile.
I stood there, file still in my hand, rage boiling under my skin.
Salvatore.
A human who thought money could buy anything-even secrets he had no business knowing.
This wasn’t just business.
This was a threat.

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