Chapter 8
Damian walked into the bedroom after a long day, his exhaustion evident in the way his shoulders sagged slightly. His gaze immediately fell on Tanin, who had fallen asleep in the most uncomfortable position imaginable. She was sprawled across the bed diagonally, her head hanging slightly off one side, and one arm draped over her stomach while her legs were twisted awkwardly beneath her.
He sighed deeply, shaking his head. **How can someone sleep like this?** he thought, stepping closer. The sight stirred something unidentifiable in his chest—a mix of exasperation and something softer.
Carefully, he leaned down and scooped her up, mindful not to wake her. Her petite frame fit easily in his arms, and as he laid her gently on the bed, he adjusted her into a more comfortable position. Once he had tucked her in properly, he sat on the edge of the bed, watching her serene face.
"Why did you have to pull that stunt at dinner?" he asked quietly, more to himself than to her. "You know how to get under everyone's skin, don't you?"
Receiving no answer, he sighed again and stood, making his way to the bathroom. The hot water from the shower did little to ease the tension in his muscles, but by the time he emerged minutes later, dressed in a black robe and toweling his damp hair, he felt marginally better.
As he crossed the room to pour himself a glass of water, a soft sound caught his attention. At first, he thought it was the wind, but then he heard it again—a muffled sob. He turned sharply, his eyes narrowing as he focused on Tanin.
She was tossing slightly in her sleep, her face contorted in distress. "Why, Damian?" she murmured, her voice cracking. "Why did you cheat on me? I'm pregnant, and you still… with Kitana?"
Damian froze, the glass in his hand forgotten. His heart clenched painfully at her words. A dream, he realized. A horrible, cruel dream.
Setting the glass down, he moved back to the bed and sat beside her. She whimpered again, tears sliding down her cheeks.
"Tanin," he murmured, brushing a strand of hair away from her damp face. "It's just a dream."
She didn't wake, but her breathing hitched as though she could hear him.
He leaned closer, his voice low and firm. "I would never leave you, under any circumstances. Especially not for Kitana." His jaw tightened at the very mention of the woman's name. "You're my Luna. No one else."
The gentle reassurance seemed to reach her; her breathing evened out, and her expression softened. He stayed beside her, whispering soft promises until her tears stopped and her body relaxed into a peaceful slumber. Only then did Damian allow himself to lie beside her, his hand resting lightly on her arm.
For the first time in what felt like ages, sleep came easily to both of them.
---
The next morning, Tanin stirred at the sound of a low, velvety voice murmuring near her ear.
"Good morning," Damian said, his tone warm but firm.
She groaned softly, burying her face deeper into the pillow. "Five more minutes," she mumbled, her voice muffled.
Damian chuckled, a rare sound that startled her awake. She opened one eye to glare at him. "I'm serious. Let me sleep."
"You've slept enough," he replied, crossing his arms as he loomed over her. "Everyone's waiting downstairs for breakfast. Get up."
With an exaggerated groan, Tanin pushed herself upright. She eyed him with mild irritation but complied, muttering under her breath about insistent Lycan husbands. Noticing his immaculate suit and polished appearance, she huffed. "You look ready for a board meeting. Meanwhile, I'm still in my pajamas."
He smirked, raising an eyebrow. "Whose fault is that? You had time to get dressed."
Choosing to ignore his teasing, she slid out of bed and grabbed a pink pajama top and matching bottoms. "I'm not bothering to dress up just for breakfast," she said stubbornly.
Damian said nothing, only shaking his head as she made her way downstairs, still rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
The sight that greeted her in the dining room was a comforting one. Dowager Amelia sat at the head of the table, her regal demeanor softened by a warm smile as she saw Tanin enter. The twins, Lyra and Antara, were already seated, chatting animatedly.
Tanin beamed as she crossed the room, heading straight for Dowager Amelia. Without hesitation, she threw herself into the older woman's arms like a child seeking comfort. "Good morning," she said, her voice sweet and playful.
Dowager Amelia laughed, patting Tanin's head. "Good morning, my dear. You seem unusually clingy today. What's the matter?"
Tanin pouted, pointing a finger accusingly at Damian. "He doesn't let me sleep properly. He woke me up too early."
Lyra and Antara immediately turned their attention to Damian, who was just entering the room.
"Seriously?" Antara said, glaring at him. "Can't you let her rest?"
"She needs her beauty sleep," Lyra added, her tone scolding.
Damian sighed, rubbing his temples. "You're all overreacting. She's perfectly fine."
Tanin smirked at his exasperation but quickly hid it behind an innocent expression.
As everyone settled in for breakfast, Damian turned to Tanin. "Are you coming to the company with me today?"
She looked up from her plate, tilting her head thoughtfully. "I'll go," she said, her tone firm, "but only if you promise not to ignore me like you did yesterday."
He hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Fine."
True to her word, Tanin ate quickly and excused herself, racing upstairs to get ready. She was determined to prove herself at the company, to show Damian—and everyone else—that she was more than just his Luna.
As she dressed in a smart blouse and pencil skirt, she smiled at her reflection. Today was a new day, and she was ready to make her mark. She only prays for situation where she can prove herself comes in. But come to think of it, Kitana claimed that she's into computer hacking, just because she discovered her certificate at home, just to her get her parents attention. If she can be able to get Kitana in the company, then she can actually use her to create a problem then defend it as if helping a sister.
A sinister smile, appeared on her lips, at her own thoughts.
After checking herself out in the mirror, she left the room heading downstairs.