Danielle moaned beneath me, her nails scraping along my back like she was trying to etch her name into my skin. Her legs wrapped tightly around my waist, her breath hot and fast in my ear.
But all I could see was Felicia.
The way she looked when I found her on the ground. Fragile, pale. The weight of her limp body in my arms had haunted me every night since. The image came back stronger now, cutting through the heat like icewater.
“Damien,” Danielle gasped, rocking her hips to pull me back in. “Baby…”
I blinked, trying to ground myself in the moment. Her skin was slick with sweat, her body arching, moving — but none of it stirred me. Not really.
She looked up suddenly, her expression darkening. “What the fuck is wrong this time?”
I paused, rolled off her slightly, one arm draped across my eyes. “I’m just tired.”
“Cut the crap,” she snapped, sitting up, fully naked and angry. “You’re thinking about her, aren’t you?”
Her words struck like a slap. I didn’t respond, didn’t have to. She already knew.
Danielle's face twisted, her voice rising with venom. “Why? Why are you still hung up on that bitch? She’s barren, Damien. She couldn’t even give you an heir. Why are you so stupid?”
The word barren shot through me like lightning.
I sat up slowly, my blood boiling beneath my skin. “What did you just say?” My voice was low, dangerous.
Danielle glared, unrepentant. “You heard me.”
I moved before I thought. My hand wrapped around her throat, not tight — yet — but enough to silence her with shock. Her eyes widened as I pushed her back against the bed, her bare body trembling beneath the weight of my fury.
“Watch your fucking mouth,” I growled, every syllable vibrating from my chest. “No one speaks to their Alpha like that. Not even you.”
Her lips parted, breath catching. “I’m sorry,” she choked out, voice thin with fear… and something else.
I saw the flicker in her eyes — not just apology, but arousal. She wasn't frightened. She was baiting me.
Her hands slid over my arms, nails raking lightly down as her voice softened to a purr. “You’re right,” she whispered. “I’m sorry, Alpha…”
She arched beneath me, pressing herself against my hips again. Her mouth brushed my ear as she whispered, “But I can give you an heir. I can make you a father.”
The words sank into me, dangerous and sweet.
Her body shifted, guiding me back into the heat of her. Her legs locked around me again, her mouth finding mine with a hunger that wasn’t love, it was victory.
I kissed her back, letting instinct take over.
But somewhere deep inside, Felicia’s face still hovered. Her voice, her scent, her stubborn fire — they weren’t gone.
I’ll take her home later. I’ll go back and take her home, I reminded myself as I drifted to sleep.