Chapter 12
Tanin sat at her desk, completely absorbed in the intricate details of the designs she was sketching. Her pencil moved swiftly, translating her vision onto the blank page. Each line, each curve, carried a piece of her passion. She wanted the design to be perfect—something Damian would appreciate and see her true potential in. Hours slipped by unnoticed, the world outside her small office fading as she focused entirely on her task.
The soft hum of the air conditioning and the faint ticking of the wall clock were the only sounds accompanying her. At some point, her exhaustion caught up to her. Her eyelids grew heavier with each passing minute, and her pencil fell from her hand as she slumped forward, resting her head on the desk.
---
Damian had just wrapped up his final meeting for the day. The office was unusually quiet as most of the staff had already left. He decided to check on Tanin, curious to see how she was faring with the designs she had confidently promised him earlier.
When he stepped into her office, the sight before him stopped him in his tracks. Tanin was fast asleep, her head resting on her folded arms atop the desk. The soft glow from the desk lamp illuminated her peaceful face, her slightly parted lips and gentle breathing giving her an almost childlike innocence.
But what truly caught his attention were the sketches sprawled across the desk. Damian's eyes widened as he took in the intricate and elegant designs. Each one was unique, detailed, and brimming with creativity. True to her words, Tanin wasn't just talented—she was exceptional.
He stepped closer, careful not to wake her, and examined the sketches. They weren't just good; they were professional-grade, the kind of designs that could elevate any brand. He felt a surge of pride, mixed with surprise. How had he not known about this side of her?
Deciding not to disturb her, Damian carefully gathered the sketches and placed them in the drawer of her desk. He tidied up her workspace, stacking papers neatly and capping her pens. As he moved around quietly, he couldn't help but glance at her sleeping form.
A faint knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. Damian opened it to find Leila standing there, looking slightly nervous.
"High Luna has been working hard all day," Leila said softly. "I wanted to let her know I'm leaving now since it's quite late."
Damian nodded. "It is late. You should go. I'll make sure Tanin gets home safely."
Leila hesitated for a moment. "Thank you, Lycan Damian. She worked so hard on those designs today. I think she wanted to impress you."
Damian's lips curled into a small smile, though he quickly masked it. "I noticed. She's more talented than I gave her credit for."
Leila's face lit up at his acknowledgment, and she left the office after Damian assured her he'd arrange for one of his guards to escort her home.
---
With Leila gone, the office was eerily quiet. Damian turned back to Tanin, who remained fast asleep, now slightly shifted in her position. He approached her desk and gently crouched down beside her.
"Tanin," he called softly, but there was no response.
She stirred slightly, a faint pout forming on her lips. Damian found his gaze lingering there longer than he intended. The small pout looked so tempting, so natural, it stirred something unfamiliar within him. He shook his head to clear his thoughts.
Deciding not to wake her, Damian slid one arm under her legs and the other around her back, carefully lifting her into his arms. She instinctively snuggled closer to him, resting her head against his chest and curling up against his warmth.
A soft sigh escaped her lips, and Damian froze for a moment, glancing down at her. The sight of her so vulnerable, so trusting, tugged at something deep within him. He shook the thought away again and carried her out of the office.
As he walked through the dimly lit corridors, the guards stationed at various points straightened up, their eyes widening slightly at the sight of their Alpha carrying the High Luna so tenderly. Damian ignored their curious gazes, focusing instead on the steady rhythm of Tanin's breathing.
When they reached the car, the driver quickly opened the door for him. Damian gently settled Tanin into the back seat, adjusting her so she was comfortable. She stirred again, this time mumbling something incoherent.
He leaned closer, his sharp hearing picking up fragments of her sleepy words. "Damian… designs… must be perfect…"
A faint smile tugged at his lips. Even in her sleep, she was thinking about her work.
The drive home was quiet, the soft hum of the engine lulling Tanin deeper into sleep. Damian couldn't help but glance at her occasionally, his mind racing with thoughts. He had underestimated her for far too long. She wasn't just a figurehead or a trophy wife; she had layers, talents, and a depth he hadn't fully appreciated until now.
---
When they arrived at the palace, Damian carried her inside, ignoring the surprised glances of the staff. He took her straight to their room, carefully laying her down on the bed.
As he adjusted the blankets around her, she stirred once more, her eyes fluttering open briefly.
"Damian?" she murmured sleepily.
"I'm here," he replied softly, brushing a strand of hair away from her face.
She smiled faintly, her eyes already closing again. "You're warm…"
He chuckled quietly, watching as she drifted back to sleep. For a moment, he stood there, simply observing her peaceful form.
"Tanin," he whispered, though she couldn't hear him. "You're full of surprises."
Shaking his head, he turned off the bedside lamp and left the room, his mind still preoccupied with the talented, determined, and surprisingly endearing woman he called his wife.
•••••••••
Tanin jolted awake, her heart racing as she realized she was no longer in the office. Instead, she was lying in the comfort of her bedroom, the soft glow of the bedside lamp illuminating the room. Confused, she sat up slowly, glancing around. The last thing she remembered was working late into the night, her focus entirely on the designs for Damian.
"Wait…" she murmured, her brow furrowing as she tried to piece together how she had ended up back here.
Her gaze shifted to the other side of the bed, and her breath caught. Damian was there, lying on his side, his chest rising and falling steadily as he slept. His face looked softer in sleep, the usual sharpness of his features replaced with a rare tranquility.
Her lips curled into a small smile as the realization hit her. He must have come to the office, found her asleep, and brought her back home. The thought warmed her heart, a gentle flutter stirring in her chest.
She leaned back against the pillows, watching him for a moment. Even in his sleep, he exuded a kind of quiet strength, his presence grounding her in a way she hadn't expected.
Unable to resist, she scooted closer, carefully lifting the blanket to slip underneath it. She nestled against him, her small frame fitting perfectly against his larger one. His warmth enveloped her, and she sighed contentedly, resting her head against his chest.
Damian stirred slightly, his arm instinctively wrapping around her as if protecting her even in his sleep. She smiled again, feeling safe and cherished in a way she hadn't in a long time.
Her fingers traced small circles on his chest, her mind wandering. *How many times had she dreamed of moments like this in her past life? How many nights had she longed for even a fraction of his attention, only to be met with indifference? Yet here he was, unknowingly giving her a glimpse of the life she'd always wanted.*
She tilted her head up to look at him, her heart swelling with an unfamiliar mix of emotions. "You're full of surprises, Lycan Damian," she whispered softly, her voice barely audible.
He didn't respond, of course, still lost in the depths of sleep. But his hold on her tightened slightly, as if he could hear her even in his dreams.
Tanin closed her eyes, her smile lingering as she allowed herself to relax. For the first time in a long time, she felt a flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, things could be different this time around. She wasn't the same naive girl from her past life, and Damian wasn't the cold, distant husband she remembered.
She would do everything in her power to make this second chance count, not just for herself but for them both.
Her thoughts began to fade as the steady rhythm of his heartbeat lulled her back into a peaceful slumber, her small frame nestled securely in the arms of the man she was determined to win over, one step at a time.