A triumphant smirk played on Selene's lips. "That's right," she murmured, nipping softly at his skin. "Stop fighting me. You don't have to pretend anymore."
Then, suddenly—
A strong wind blew through the garden, carrying a new scent. It was intense and reminded me of someone. It reminded him of… Evelina.
The moment her scent reached him, the thick haze clouding his mind shattered—as if a tight string had suddenly been severed.
Reality snapped back into focus.
The unnatural heat in his body disappeared, and the overwhelming pull toward Selene was gone.
What the hell?
Damian jerked back sharply, breathing heavily as clarity returned. His silver eyes widened, suddenly seeing everything as it was—not through the distorted lens of whatever Selene had done to him.
And then, he saw the look on her face.
Panic.
Desperation.
She knew. She knew it had failed.
His hands dropped away from her, his pulse thundering in his ears as the weight of what had just happened settled over him.
