Damien's POV

　　The urge to make Red mine unsettled me endlessly; I had only just met her, nevertheless, I knew with every fibre of my being that I wanted her! I had never felt this way about anyone, yet this angel of light and dark had brought out emotions and desires that felt incredibly foreign and utterly out of character. I was used to being alone and cherished the solitude that my work afforded me. Until now, I had never minded it, enjoyed it, even! But the idea of her up and leaving this town now that I had caught sight of her, heard her sweet laugh and inhaled her beautifully unique scent was driving me insane.

　　I couldn't understand it; how could someone I had just met have such an effect on me? I felt like I had known her my whole life, not just the last 72 hours. Not having a partner meant I had no one to run things by, no one to explain myself to or consider… besides my family. I am unsure if that's what I want from Red, for her to be someone I rely on and trust. But I do know that I don't want her to be that person for anyone else, either. Especially not the pathetic wolf who keeps hanging around her like a bad smell.

　　I do not want to risk being caught here. The last thing I wanted was for Red to come back and get the wrong idea and think I was some crazy stalker who wanted to invade her privacy and sneak a glance at her panty drawer just for kicks. I could only hope she would understand if she ever found out I had been here! This was more than that; this was about protection and her safety!

　　Walking through her apartment one last time, ensuring I hadn't missed any important details, I smiled, looking into the bathroom and seeing the fish swimming around her bathtub. She had such a nurturing nature that it was clear to anyone seeing her with Lizzy. Without meaning to, I pictured her with a belly full of arms and legs, growing her own little mini-me! Someone with her red curls and sass, I knew she would make a fantastic mother! She would no doubt devote herself to her children! I could sense the beast I kept hidden in the dark crevices of my mind stirring, sharing obscene images of her carrying a child, my child. Forcing my beast and the realisation that I wanted that with her back into the black abyss they had crept from! 

　　Closing my eyes with a deep inhale of her vanilla scent, I quickly transported back to my new 'home.' Her luscious scent was replaced by the stench of this apartment's filth. Looking around the apartment, I prayed I would not be here too much longer and that I could get Red to see sense and move! Even if I had to force her hand a little.

　　Looking back to the window, hearing a commotion outside, I could not sense my angel, but I wouldn't take the risk that she was not in danger somehow. Casting my eyes to her apartment, I sighed with relief seeing it just as I had left it- empty. Following the sound of the chaos, my eyes fell on the human scum from last night, getting rowdy with someone trying to put their bins out. 

　　Pawing at their cheap clothes, trying to get their attention, when that didn't work, he started pulling at the bin bag, splitting it. The sidewalk exploded in a mass of rubbish and spoiled food. It took seconds for the drunken fool to start grabbing at food scraps, shovelling the remnants of the neighbour's bin inside his sleeping bag. Shaking my head disgusted, I pulled myself from the window, sitting down on the bed. I had to get her out of here before I committed mass murder! 

　　"You deserve better than this, Red!" I sighed, pulling my phone off the bed; I decided I would text her to find out where she had gone and if she was ok, if nothing else then to force the beast to relax.

　　TEXT: Red, what are your plans for lunch? I'm starving… I can clear a room in my schedule if you want to grab lunch.

　　Hitting send before I talked myself out of sending it; minutes passed, and she had not answered; I could feel myself getting annoyed. What was taking her so long? After ten minutes, I decided to check in with work. I knew my father would be at his desk, and I'd be put directly through to him if I called the main office. I seriously couldn't be arsed with his shit today. 

　　Deciding to reach out to my PA on her mobile, I found distraction in her babbling. As always, she turned into a lovesick teenager around me, something I used to find amusing- now it just irritated me. She was hopelessly trying to explain how she had moved my appointments to fit my schedule today but wanted confirmation I would be back tomorrow. I could see her sitting on her desk, swirling her blonde hair around her finger and chewing her bottom lip- Pitiful human! Hearing the chime to alert me of a text, I disconnected the call without a second thought, cutting my PA off mid-flow; it wasn't important, well, not as important as Red. 

　　TEXT: Hey, I can't. I'm out with Lizzy, sorry. I bumped into the guy from the town hall; he is treating us to lunch to apologise for yesterday. He isn't so bad, you know! Another time? It sounds like you have your hands full anyway. x 

　　Feeling the first prickles of jealousy eat at my gut, my fingers moved across my phone before I could really consider what I was doing. Anger eating at me from the inside out, unable to bare the idea of the weasel shit anywhere near my beautiful angel. Although I am hardly surprised. He has spent the last ten years screwing with me and trying to take my toys! Why should it be any different this time? Although now, I would fight for what is mine!

　　TEXT: What? The prick that shouted at us? How did you bump into him? Where are you? 

　　TEXT: Red, answer me, please. Are you ok? 

　　TEXT: Where are you? Red, let me meet you; I don't trust him. 

　　Walking to the door, after an hour and still no reply, I pulled it open fiercely, unable to wait any longer. The muffled screams from the bedroom made me pause at the door; I knew I had to deal with that, or people would start asking questions. Opening the bedroom door, my eyes fell on the young male restrained to the radiator pipe, tape covering his mouth. 

　　"Look, I know you're not impressed, but do you think I want to be in this shit hole spying on some girl. No! I want to be... anywhere other than this flea-ridden apartment. So do us both a favour and shut the fuck up! Before I shut you up! Comprendo?" Slamming the door shut behind me, I opened the apartment door, the usual dirty communal corridor replaced by the main street in town.

　　Red was not answering, and the beast that lurked inside me was tormenting me with thoughts of her and the wannabe alpha. I had to see her with my own eyes and know she was ok!