WARNING: +18 SCENE

The car moved smoothly through the night, but Damien’s mind wasn’t on the road. His father’s voice still rang in his head, heavy and sharp.

“You’re nearly twenty-seven. A Lycan prince without a bride is a weakness. You’ll be married before the year ends, whether you like it or not.”

The words burned like fire. Marriage. As if a wife could be chosen like a soldier or bought like land. Damien’s jaw tightened. Every woman his father pushed at him felt fake, pretty faces hiding schemes. Sweet words that stank of lies.

He pressed a hand against his temple and sighed. Maybe he was paranoid, but it had kept him alive this long.

The car jolted to a sudden stop.

“My lord,” his driver said, fear sharp in his voice, “we’re under atta—”

The words cut off as a blade burst through his throat. Blood splattered across the glass.

Damien didn’t think. He shoved the door open and rolled into the dirt just as arrows whistled past, their tips glowing faintly. Wolfsbane.

Pain exploded through him as two arrows sank into his flesh, one in his shoulder, the other slicing across his ribs. His legs almost gave out. The poison burned fast, spreading, slowing his wolf, and choking his strength.

“Damn it,” he growled, forcing himself forward.

The woods stretched ahead. His vision blurred, but then he saw it, the soft light of a lake through the trees.

He stumbled toward it, blood trailing behind him. His knees hit the ground by the shore, and that’s when he saw her.

A girl.

She stood at the water’s edge, pale hair glimmering under the moon like spun silver. Her wide blue eyes met his, filled with shock. For a moment, they just stared.

Enemy? Spy? Assassin? His suspicion rose at once, hard and cold. He forced out a sneer, even with blood dripping from his lips.

“You?” His voice was harsh. “Too ugly to be an enemy.”

For a split second, her eyes flickered with something, hurt, maybe, but she didn’t answer. She only moved.

Before he could react, her hand gripped his wrist and yanked him toward the lake.

“What the hell?”

The words drowned deep in the icy water.

She pulled him under, holding him there. His wounds burned worse in the cold, his chest tightened, and his lungs Then he felt it, her nails slicing across her own skin. Blood spread into the water, mixing with his, hiding his scent from those above.

The rogues. Damien could hear them stomping nearby, growling as they searched.

His vision swam. His wolf panicked inside him, red eyes glowing faintly under the water. He turned his gaze on her. Surely she’d drown. No one could last this long.

But she held steady. Her bright blue eyes opened, calm, sharp, and unshaken. Her wolf was strong, too strong for an ordinary beta. She was hiding her strength. Hiding herself.

Damien was stunned.

At last, she tugged him upward. They broke the surface, gasping. Her soft voice reached him.

“They’re gone.”

They dragged themselves onto the shore, dripping wet. The moonlight caught her face as she pushed her wet hair back. Damien froze. She wasn’t plain at all; she was… breathtaking. Beautiful in a wild, unpolished way. And she clearly tried to hide it. Why?

He forced his voice steady. “You could’ve left me. Why didn’t you?”

She crouched beside him, already reaching for the wound at his side. “You’re welcome,” she muttered. “Now stop moving.”

He hissed as her fingers pressed the gash, but her touch was gentle and practiced.

“I don’t take favors,” he snapped. “I’ll pay you.”

She gave a short laugh, almost mocking. “Do you pay everyone who helps you? Is that how you live?”

His eyes narrowed. No one ever spoke to him like that.

She kept working, fast and sure. She smelled of herbs, water, and something pure, not the fake perfumes of court women.

“You don’t even know who I am,” he said carefully.

She shrugged. “Does it matter?”

The words hit harder than he expected.

She helped him up and led him to a cabin hidden among the trees. It was small but warm, firelight glowing against the wood. He sank into a chair, watching as she moved around the place with quiet confidence.

“No family?” he asked.

Her eyes lowered for a moment before she answered. “I’m an orphan. So, no. You don’t need to worry about anyone finding out you’re here.”

That stirred his curiosity even more.

She pulled out a kit, holding up a syringe filled with faintly glowing green liquid. “This will hurt,” she said calmly. “It’ll push the wolfsbane out of your system.”

He didn’t flinch when the needle pierced his skin, though fire spread through him. Seconds later, his wolf stirred again, free and strong. He let out a breath, his body finally relaxing.

And then he studied her. Really studied her. She was strange. Brave enough to save him. Clever enough to mask his scent. Strong enough to stand against fear. And yet… she hid here, in the woods. Alone.

“You shouldn’t be out at night,” she teased suddenly, breaking his thoughts. Her lips curved into a small smile. “There are rogues around.”

Damien smirked faintly. “And you? Healer or bait?”

She laughed, the sound soft but real.

For the first time in a long time, Damien felt something loosen in his chest.

“Do you save everyone you meet?” he asked.

Her eyes softened. “No. Only the ones who seem worth saving.”

Something in his chest shifted at that.

She stood then, brushing her hands on her skirt. “You need food. I’ll make something.”

She went into the small kitchen, humming under her breath.

“Wait,” he whispered, already too close, running his hand through her hair; the drug had a side effect, making him desire her. “You are injured. Damien muttered, pointing at the scratch mark on her legs and the cuts around her hand.

“Where are the herbs and kit?” He asked, fighting the drugs' effect. Ivy swallowed hard before going to bring it.

Damien's fingers trembled as he packed the herbs into her wounds, his heart pounding in his chest. He couldn't lose her. Not after everything.

As he worked, his gaze drifted over her body, the soft curves, the way her breath hitched with each touch. Desire stirred inside him, hot and urgent, but he pushed it down. This wasn't the time.

Ivy studied him, his eyes compelling; she knew what she wanted and wouldn’t mind giving it to him, no matter the cost; her goal was revenge.

She looked up at him, blue eyes bright and knowing. "You're not the only one who wants this," she whispered, her hand sliding over his.

Damien's breath caught. He hesitated only a moment before leaning down to capture her lips in a kiss, soft and searching. She responded instantly, pulling him closer, her mouth opening under his.

He kissed her deeper, tasting her, his hands roaming over her body, mapping every dip and curve. She gasped as he touched her, arching into his touch.

"Damien," she breathed, and the sound of his name on her lips sent fire through his veins.

He didn't need any more encouragement. He tugged at her clothes, desperate to feel her skin against his. She helped him, tearing at fabric until they were both naked. Damien paused for a moment, taking in the sight of her. She was perfection, all smooth skin and full breasts, curving hips and strong thighs. And she wanted him. He could see it in her eyes and feel it in the way she touched him.

“I think it would be perfect to say I am still a virgin.” She whispered, feeling embarrassed. Damien grinned, and his tongue ran down the back of her ear, making her body tense up more. “That's not a problem, my love.” He whispered, his tone husky, his hands slowly fingering her, smirking anytime her tightness pushed him away.

"Please," she whispered, and he didn't hesitate.

He moved over her, kissing her deeply as he entered her in one smooth thrust. She cried out, nails digging into his back, and he swallowed the sound, starting to move.

They fit together perfectly, like two halves of a whole. He lost himself in her, in the way she moved and bent around; she urged him on with breathy moans and gasps.

He felt her tighten around him, her body tensing as she reached her peak. And then he was coming too, pleasuring her and crashing over her in waves, his name on her lips.

They collapsed together, breath mingling, hearts pounding in sync. Damien rolled to the side, gathering her close.

"That was..." he started, but she just laughed softly, pressing a finger to his lips.

"Amazing," she finished for him. "Perfect."

He smiled, kissing her slowly. "It was. You are."

She grinned up at him, eyes sparkling. "I think you saved my life twice today."

"I'll save it as many times as I have to," he promised fiercely.

And he meant it. He would do whatever it took to keep this woman safe. To keep her by his side.

No matter what happened next.

“I don’t want you to go,” Ivy confessed, with Damen wanting the same thing. She stood up, dizzy as he helped her just at the right time to stand straight. “Go and have your bath.” He whispered his instruction, escorting her to the bathroom and watching her go in as he kept watch.

His phone buzzed. Damien glanced at the screen, his face hardening. Urgent.

He stood, moving silently to the door. He couldn’t stay. Duty pulled at him, heavy and sharp.

But as the forest swallowed him once more, one thought cut deep.

He didn’t even know her name.

And that unsettled him more than anything else.

"Let's hurry this up?" He groaned, his mind still fixed on her, the mystery girl whose name he didn't know.

"I want to find her and thank her properly," he muttered. But by the time he returned, after rushing his task, the cabin was empty and roughly scattered, and his heart raced, wondering if something had gone wrong.