The sun began to dip toward the horizon, casting a golden glow over the estate as Ahicia concluded another grueling training session. Her muscles ached, and her clothes clung to her in uncomfortable dampness. She reeked of sweat, and even Lysandra couldn't resist a jab.
"If intimidation doesn't work, you could always weaponize that smell," Lysandra teased, smirking as she passed by with an armful of freshly laundered linens.
Ahicia rolled her eyes but couldn't help the faint smile tugging at her lips. "Your wit astounds me as always, Lysandra. Now leave before I decide to test my claws on you."
Lysandra merely chuckled, disappearing down the hallway. Ahicia sighed, her body longing for a refreshing bath. She made her way back to her chambers, forgetting momentarily that she now shared them with Damian.
The en suite bathroom was her first destination. Steam soon filled the room as she prepared the bath, the scent of lavender oils mingling with the warm air. She sank into the water, letting out a sigh of relief as the heat soothed her aching muscles. Time slipped away as she washed away the grime of the day, her thoughts drifting.
Damian's golden eyes flashed in her mind. His steady, unreadable gaze, the way he seemed to always anticipate her next move—it was infuriating yet fascinating. She shook her head, dismissing the thoughts as the ramblings of an exhausted mind.
Meanwhile, in the adjacent room, Damian entered silently. He carried a few documents under his arm, his mind preoccupied with matters of the pack. Setting the papers on the desk, he removed his jacket, tossing it over a nearby chair. He moved toward the bed, intending to rest briefly before his next meeting.
Unaware of Damian's presence, Ahicia stepped out of the bathroom, a towel draped loosely around her shoulders, her damp hair cascading down her back. She froze mid-step, her crimson eyes widening as she met Damian's amused golden gaze.
Damian leaned casually against the headboard, a small, knowing grin spreading across his lips. Behind him, his tail, sleek and white, wagged with a barely contained excitement. His entire expression lit up, betraying his emotions as he struggled to suppress a boyish enthusiasm. "Well, this is an unexpected development," he drawled, his tone laced with mischief.
Ahicia's face burned as she adjusted the towel around herself. Just as she opened her mouth to retort, the towel slipped, falling to the floor in an instant. Time seemed to stand still.
Damian's grin deepened, his golden eyes taking in the sight with a flash of unrestrained excitement. His tail wagged faster, and his entire posture exuded a thrill he could no longer hide. "Ah, now this is definitely intentional," he teased, his voice thick with amusement, his cheeks slightly flushed.
Ahicia's face turned scarlet as she scrambled to grab the towel, her claws instinctively extending in her flustered state. "Turn around!" she snapped, her tone a mix of mortification and anger.
Damian didn't move, his gaze fixed on her with a playful glint. "Why would I? This seems like the perfect example of your so-called 'unintentional seduction.'"
"Damian!" she barked, her crimson eyes blazing. Finally, he raised his hands in mock surrender and turned his back to her, though the grin on his face remained and his tail still wagged enthusiastically behind him.
"Relax, Ahicia. I'll behave… mostly," he added under his breath, earning a glare from her as she hastily wrapped herself again.
Once she was securely covered, she stormed over to the wardrobe and grabbed a robe, keeping her distance from Damian. Her heart pounded in her chest, a mix of rage and an unbidden thrill she couldn't shake.
Damian finally turned back around, his expression composed but his eyes still gleaming with mischief. His tail, now swishing lazily behind him, seemed to mock her even further. "You're amusing when you're flustered," he said casually, reclining against the headboard once more. "But perhaps next time, remember this is a shared room."
Ahicia huffed, glaring at him. "And perhaps you could learn to knock—or at least announce yourself."
He chuckled, clearly enjoying her reaction. "I'll consider it. But if this is the kind of greeting I can expect, I might just 'forget' again."
Her claws extended slightly, and he raised an eyebrow, clearly unfazed. She finally spun around, retreating to the far side of the room. Despite her irritation, a small part of her couldn't deny the electrifying tension lingering in the air. Sharing a room with Damian was proving to be far more complicated—and dangerous—than she had anticipated.