Chapter 1: The Beast Within
Damien Blackwood stood on the balcony of his penthouse, his eyes scanning the city that glittered beneath the night sky. His fingers brushed the scar on his wrist—an ancient mark, a curse that bound him to something far darker than he could ever admit. With every full moon, he became something else—something monstrous.
But tonight, the moon hung low in the sky, casting its silvery glow over the city, and he could already feel it—the pull. The beast stirring inside him, demanding to be freed. He had no control over it, and it terrified him. Every time, he hoped it would be the last, that the curse would break, that the monster inside him would finally be tamed.
But there was Elena now.
The woman who had somehow slipped past the walls he'd so carefully built around his heart. The woman who, despite his warnings, kept finding ways into his life, into his soul.
She was everything he didn't deserve—innocent, strong, full of life. She wasn't like the others. She didn't care about his wealth, his status, or the secrets he hid. And that scared him more than anything.
Her voice echoed in his mind, soft and certain: "I'm not afraid of you, Damien. I want to be with you. All of you."
But could she truly love him, knowing what he was? Could she accept the beast?
A soft knock on the door interrupted his thoughts, followed by Elena's voice—gentle but persistent.
"Damien?"
He cursed under his breath. He couldn't let her in. Not tonight.
Panic set in, a familiar sensation that made his heart race and his palms sweat. He had to protect her—from him.
"Go home, Elena," he called out hoarsely, willing his voice to remain steady. "It's not safe here tonight."
But she wasn't listening.
"I'm not going anywhere." Her voice was calm, unwavering. "I'm not afraid of you, Damien."
The words hit him like a punch to the gut. He could feel his body temperature rising, his heart hammering in his chest. The full moon was almost at its peak, and the transformation was coming. It was only a matter of time.
He slammed his fist against the wall in frustration, trying to hold back the tide of change threatening to overtake him. The claws, the fur, the primal rage—all of it would be unleashed if he didn't get away from her.
But Elena wouldn't leave. She never did.
"I can't lose you," she said softly, her words cutting through the chaos in his mind. "I'm not afraid of the beast, Damien. I'm afraid of losing you."
Damien's eyes closed for a moment, and for the first time in years, he allowed himself to hope.
Could it be possible? Could love truly tame the beast within?
With a heavy sigh, he opened the door, revealing her standing there, her eyes full of warmth and determination. She stepped forward, not hesitating, not running.
"Elena," he breathed, his voice thick with emotion. "You have no idea what you're asking for."
She placed a hand on his chest, right over his heart. "I know exactly what I'm asking for, Damien. I want all of you. Even the beast."