Damien’s POV
The mont I heard Sera was coming ho, I couldn’t think about anything else. I’d been checking my phone every few minutes, my wolf Alex pacing restlessly under my skin. I couldn’t focus on work at all.
Anna had cornered just as I was heading for the door.
"Damien, we really need to go over these quarterly reports," she said, spreading papers across my desk with that clingy smile of hers. "The numbers don’t add up, and the board eting is tomorrow."
"It can wait," I said, already reaching for my jacket.
"But this is important business," Anna insisted, pressing closer than necessary. "Surely more important than whatever dostic issue is calling you away?"
"The reports can wait until morning."
She kept talking, batting her eyelashes and leaning closer every ti she made a point about the reports. Her perfectly manicured fingers would "accidentally" brush against my arm as she reached for docunts, and she kept tilting her head in that calculated way that made her blonde hair cascade over one shoulder.
"You work so hard, Damien," she purred, her voice dropping to what she probably thought was a seductive whisper. "You deserve soone who truly appreciates your dedication to the company." Her hand lingered on my desk, fingertips drumming in a pattern designed to draw attention to her expensive manicure.
By the ti I finally escaped the office, brushing past her with barely contained irritation, I was wound tight as a spring. Every instinct scread at to get ho, to make sure Sera was safe, to wash the cloying scent of Anna’s desperation from my mory.
Now, climbing the stairs to her apartnt, I could sll her familiar scent of lavender and vanilla growing stronger. But there was sothing else mixed in. My wolf imdiately went on high alert.
I could hear laughter through the door as I reached her floor. Adrian’s delighted giggle, Sera’s warm laugh, and another voice—deeper, unfamiliar, male.
I knocked, maybe harder than I ant to.
"In the kitchen!" Sera called out, her voice bright and happy in a way that made my chest tight.
I followed the sound of voices down the hallway. Adrian was chattering about dinosaurs, but the responses were coming from whoever this stranger was.
The sight that hit in the kitchen doorway stopped cold.
Sera stood at the stove stirring pasta sauce, her dark hair falling around her shoulders. But right next to her, close enough that they almost touched, stood a man I’d never seen before. Tall, sandy hair, easy smile, holding a dish towel like he belonged there.
The dostic scene hit like a punch to the gut.
I let my alpha aura unfurl, filling the kitchen with dominance and barely contained aggression.
The unknown male straightened imdiately, his nostrils flaring as he caught my scent. His eyes sharpened with recognition of what I was, but he didn’t back down.
"Who is this?" I asked, my voice deceptively calm.
The stranger stepped forward with surprising confidence, extending his hand. "I’m Caleb Morrison," he said steadily. "I’m an old friend of Sera’s. We just drove down from the northern territories together."
I ignored his offered handshake, my eyes fixed on his face. "And what exactly is your relationship with Sera?"
Sothing flickered in Caleb’s eyes. "We grew up together," he said simply. "Our fathers were friends. Sera and I have been friends since we were children."
"Damien," Sera’s voice cut through my dark thoughts. I saw concern in her green eyes. "Caleb helped learn about my family, about my heritage. He’s been incredibly kind."
"How thoughtful," I said carefully. "And you said he’s your...?"
Caleb t my eyes steadily, and I saw sothing there that made my wolf snarl.
"We’re childhood friends," Caleb repeated.
Adrian, completely oblivious to the tension, chose that mont to pipe up.
"Damien!" he called out, his face lighting up as he noticed . "Look, this is my mommy’s friend Caleb! He knows all about dinosaurs, and he’s staying for dinner!"
I moved into the kitchen with predatory grace, every line of my body radiating territorial aggression. "Is that so?" I said. “How... dostic," I said, the word dripping with hostility.
Caleb’s jaw tightened, and I saw his hands clench at his sides. Good. He was getting the ssage.
"Damien," Sera said, her voice carrying a warning. "Caleb has been nothing but helpful. He and his parents opened their ho to when I needed sowhere safe to stay."
"Of course," I said, forcing my voice level. "How fortunate you had such... comprehensive assistance."
"You should be grateful," Sera continued, her green eyes flashing with anger. "Caleb went out of his way to help , to keep safe, to help find answers."
"And I’m sure he was more than happy to help," I replied, staring at Caleb as I emphasized the word in a way that made its double aning clear.
That was the final straw. Caleb stepped forward, eting my hostile stare with steel in his own eyes.
"You’re right," he said calmly. "I was happy to help Sera. She’s one of the most important people in my life, and has been since we were children. When soone I care about is in trouble, I don’t hesitate to protect them."
The possessive undertones made Alex roar with rage. This male was laying claim to my mate, making it clear he considered himself to have prior rights.
"Gentlen," Sera interjected, her voice sharp as glass. "That’s quite enough. Caleb is a guest in my ho, and Damien, you’re being incredibly rude."
Adrian, sensing the tension, moved closer and slipped his hand into mine. “Are you mad?"
Looking down at my son’s worried face, seeing the confusion in those silver-blue eyes that marked him as mine, I forced myself to breathe.
"I’m not mad at you, buddy," I said gently, crouching to his level. "I was just... surprised to et your mommy’s friend."
Caleb stepped closer, his eyes narrowing as he studied my face. The kitchen had gone dead quiet except for the sound of pasta sauce bubbling on the stove.
"And please, you are...?" Caleb asked, his voice carefully controlled but with an edge that hadn’t been there before. His posture shifted slightly, squaring his shoulders as he waited for my answer.
I stepped forward, closing the distance between us until we were nearly chest to chest. My alpha aura filled the small space, making the air itself feel heavy with dominance and barely leashed power. When I spoke, my voice was low and deadly certain, carrying the kind of authority that made lesser wolves bare their throats in submission.
"I’m Adrian’s father."
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