Chapter 40
Damian’s POV
Aria passed out completely during the drive.
I brought her back to my estate and had the staff prepare a guest room in advance. Once we arrived, I called in two of the female housekeepers to help her clean up and change.
Only after she was settled and sleeping soundly did I retreat to my study to wait for Rick.
“It’s done?” I asked when he finally arrived.
“Yes, Your Majesty. Handled completely p>
Rick’s voice was low and respectful.
I nodded, thinking for a moment. “How much funding was Aria asking for p>
“Around 150 million. The three contracts she signed tonight totaled that amount p>
I leaned back in my chair.
million.
She’d endured two hours of harassment and forced drinks for 150 million.
“Rick p>
“Yes, Your Majesty p>
“Have one of my investment subsidiaries participate in this project. Triple the investment—make sure she has plenty of capital to work with p>
Rick raised an eyebrow. “Triple, Your Majesty p>
“Tell them we reviewed her proposal and found it promising. We want to invest proactively.” My voice was calm, betraying nothing.
“And from now on, I want someone monitoring any business meetings she attends. Discreetly. If anyone so much as looks at her wrong, I want to know immediately p>
“Of course p>
Rick bowed and left.
I sat alone in the study, my mind replaying the way Aria had looked at me in that hotel room. Exhausted, vulnerable, but still fighting.
“With you here, I knew nobody could hurt me anymore p>
Her words echoed in my head.
My wolf purred with satisfaction.
She was starting to understand. She belonged to me now.
And I’d burn down anyone who tried to take her away.
Aria’s POV
I woke up with a pounding headache that made me want to crawl back under the covers and never emerge.
My mouth felt like cotton, and every muscle in my body ached like I’d run a marathon. Classic hangover symptoms. I groaned and pressed my palms against my temples, trying to will the pain away.
That’s when I noticed something was off.
The sheets beneath me were far too soft, the mattress too firm, and the faint scent of cedarwood lingering in the air was definitely not from my cramped apartment. My eyes snapped open.
This wasn’t my bedroom.
Panic surged through me as I sat up too quickly, making my head spin even worse.
I clutched the edge of the unfamiliar bed, forcing myself to take slow breaths while fragments of last night came flooding back.
The investors. The drinks they’d forced down my throat. The contracts I’d signed. And then… Damian.
Oh God, Damian had shown up.
My face burned as more memories surfaced—me clinging to his collar like a lifeline, barely able to keep my eyes open, mumbling incoherent things while pressed against his chest in the back seat of his car.
What the hell did I say to him?
I buried my face in my hands, mortified. This was exactly the kind of mess I never wanted anyone to see, especially not the Alpha King himself.
A soft knock on the door made me look up. One of the housekeepers entered, her expression kind and professional.
“Miss Smith, you’re awake. His Majesty asked me to check on you. How are you feeling p>
“I’m… okay,” I managed, my voice hoarse. “Where am I p>
“The Alpha King’s palace in the city.. His Majesty brought you here last night after your business meeting. He only escorted you to this guest room, then left you in our care. We helped you change and made sure you were comfortable p>
Relief washed over me so intensely I almost sagged back onto the bed. At least I hadn’t done anything more embarrassing than pass out drunk in his car.
“Thank you,” I said quietly. “I appreciate your help p>
She smiled and gestured toward a set of fresh clothes laid out on a nearby chair. “There’s a bathroom through that door. Take your time. Breakfast will be ready when you are p>
The moment she left, I grabbed my phone and immediately called Jennifer.
She picked up on the first ring. “Aria! I’ve been worried sick all night because the Alpha King took you away! Oh thank God you answered! Are you okay? What happened p>
“I’m fine, Jennifer. I’m so sorry I didn’t call sooner.” I quickly filled her in on the contracts, Damian’s timely arrival, and waking up at his estate.
“Jesus, Aria. You scared the hell out of me.” Her voice was thick with relief. “But you got all three contracts signed p>
“Yes. They’re done p>
“That’s… that’s amazing.” Jennifer let out a shaky laugh. “Then at least the nightmare was worth it p>
The pressure that had been crushing my chest for weeks lifted just a little. We still had a mountain of work ahead, but securing that funding meant we could actually move forward instead of drowning.
“Yeah,” I agreed softly. “It was worth it p>
“Okay, well, get some rest and I’ll see you at the office later. “
“Deal. I’ll see you later p>
I hung up and stared at the phone for a moment, then decided to go downstairs and join him for breakfast.