Chapter 78
Damian’s POV
The moment I saw the concern flash across her face, something twisted in my chest.
Her green eyes were wide, focused entirely on the blood staining her palm, and for the first time since I’d stormed into that bar, she wasn’t trying to push me away.
I could work with this.
“It’s nothing,” I said again, but I let my voice come out rougher than necessary. Let her see the tension in my shoulders, the way I was holding myself too carefully. “Just a scratch p>
“A scratch?” Her voice pitched higher. “Damian, there’s blood everywhere p>
“We need to get you to the hospital.” She was already looking around frantically. “You’re bleeding through the bandages p>
“I’m fine.” I started walking toward the car, still carrying her.
Truth was, the wound felt like someone was dragging a hot blade through my side with every step, but I’d be damned if I let her know that.
Not when she was finally looking at me like I mattered.
“You’re not fine!” She squirmed in my arms. “Put me down so we can p>
“If I put you down, you’ll run.” I kept my stride steady even though each step sent a fresh jolt of agony through my ribs. “And I’m not letting you out of my sight tonight p>
“You’re impossible!” But she stopped struggling, her hands gripping my shoulders instead. “At least let me see how bad it is p>
“In the car p>
I carried her to where I’d parked—a sleek black SUV that Rick had the good sense to bring around front.
My Beta took one look at us and wisely kept his mouth shut, though I caught the knowing glint in his eyes as he opened the back door.
“Alpha,” he said simply.
“Drive,” I ordered, settling into the back seat with Aria still in my lap. She tried to slide off immediately, but I tightened my hold.
“Damian p>
“Just stay still for a second.” I caught her wrist as she reached for my shirt. “Please p>
That single word made her freeze. I never said please. We both knew it.
Her fingers hesitated at the hem of my shirt before she carefully lifted it, peeling the blood-soaked fabric away from my side. I hissed through my teeth as the material stuck to the reopened wound.
“Oh God.” Her voice went soft, and I felt her breath catch. “Damian, the stitches—they’re completely torn. You need to get this restitched immediately p>
“I’ve had worse p>
“That’s not the point!” She pressed against the wound and I couldn’t stop the sharp intake of breath. “Does this hurt p>
“Yes,” I admitted through gritted teeth. “So please stop pressing on it p>
“Then why the hell were you fighting them?” Her green eyes snapped up to meet mine, blazing with anger. And concern. Definitely concern. “In your condition? Are you insane p>
“Probably.” I couldn’t help the slight smile. “But you’re worth it p>
She made a frustrated sound and adjusted her hand, applying gentler pressure. I sucked in a sharp breath, and her expression immediately softened.
“Sorry, sorry.” Her other hand came up to brace against my chest. “I’m trying not to hurt you p>
“I know.” The words came out rougher than I intended. Having her hands on me, even like this, was doing things to my self-control. “Aria p>
“Rick,” she called to the front, completely ignoring me. “Take us to the hospital. Now p>
“Yes, Luna,” Rick responded, and I caught the hint of amusement in his voice.
“I’m not—” Aria started to protest, but I cut her off.
“Don’t argue with him. He’s been calling you that in his head since the day we met p>
She glared at me. “Because you told him to p>
“Because it’s what you are.” I shifted slightly, trying to find a position that didn’t make me want to curse. “Whether you accept it or not p>
“What I am is sitting in a car with a stubborn, bleeding Alpha who thinks he’s invincible p>
She grabbed something from the side compartment—looked like an emergency kit—and pulled out fresh gauze. “Hold this p>
She pressed the gauze against my side, and I couldn’t stop the low growl that rumbled through my chest. Not from pain.
From the intimacy of it. Her scent surrounding me. Her hands on my skin. The way she was taking care of me without even realizing it.
“Did I hurt you?” She started to pull back.
“No.” I caught her hand, keeping it pressed against the wound. Against me. “Don’t stop p>
Something flickered in her eyes—heat, awareness, something that made my wolf preen with satisfaction.
“You’re bleeding all over your expensive suit,” she said quietly, but she didn’t move her hand.
“I don’t give a damn about the suit.” I leaned my head back against the seat, suddenly exhausted. The adrenaline from the fight was wearing off, leaving behind a bone-deep weariness. “I only care that you’re safe p>
“Damian p>
“I know you’re angry with me.” I forced myself to meet her gaze. “For keeping things from you. But I just didn’t want you to worry. I swear, I won’t hide anything from you again p>
“Really?” She let out a disbelieving laugh.
“Yes.” The words escaped before I could stop them. “I can swear it on the Moon Goddess herself p>
The car fell silent except for the sound of tires on pavement.
Aria was staring at me with an expression I couldn’t quite read. Her hand was still pressed against my side, warm through the gauze.
“Fine, then I’ll be watching,” she said finally.
“But there’s something I need to tell you. Your body is the most important thing. You need to take care of yourself first. I don’t want to see you hurt yourself for any reason, because p>
She stopped mid-sentence.
“Because what?” My voice came out softer than I intended, and I found myself leaning closer. “Tell me p>