Page 46 of Knocked Up By My Fated Alpha
“Damien, what are you—”
I fell silent as Alpha Damien ushered me right into the fully occupied lunch breakroom that fell eerily silent at our entry. I froze as their curious gazes fell on me, literally cradled in Alpha Damien’s arms.
When I’d insisted on keeping our personal and work lives separate after Alpha Damien and I made our arrangement, it was precisely because I’d wanted to avoid a situation like this. I started to pull away, but Alpha Damien didn’t let me. His hold was steadfast.
“I am engaged to Raven Caine,” he announced suddenly, and my mind went blank. “If any staff here thinks this is grounds to ostracize and bully her, you can follow Wendy Falcon out the door right now because if I have to single you out myself for inappropriate behavior, the consequences will be dire.”
With his arm still around my waist, he escorted me out of the lunchroom and straight into the privacy of his office, where he finally let go of me. I felt a sudden, inexplicable chill in the absence of his touch.
“You didn’t have to do that,” I scrabbled for control, my voice thin and reedy.
Alpha Damien’s jaw clenched, his golden gaze a study in brutal beauty before he looked away sharply, his hands in fists at his sides.
“No one is allowed to treat you like that,” he swore bitterly. “No one.”
Something shifted in me at his words. I’d never had anyone defend me like that. Openly. Boldly. Fiercely. Without a trace of shame. Like I was theirs. Wholly. My heart thudded in my chest, and I found I was lost for words.
“I...thank you.”
Alpha Damien’s gaze softened, and he took a hesitant step towards me.
“Raven, I…”
He was still speaking, but his words sounded like they came from underwater. I took an unsteady step forward to better hear him, and my ankles gave way beneath me, and I went down. My vision went hazy around the edges.
“Raven!”
My world went dark.
Chapter Fifteen
Damien
Having Raven in my bed did little to erase the apprehension that had a steel grip on my heart since she’d collapsed at the office.
Stirring between my sheets, Raven slept fitfully, a tiny frown between her eyebrows and a small whimper escaping her lips. My fingers twitched as I burned with the need to hold her as though my touch would magically ease all her aches.
As I clenched my fingers into a fist, pushing against the insane urges of my wolf, I had to admit to myself that placing Raven in my rooms instead of the numerous vacant ones in the pack house might not have been the most logical decision. Raven let out another whimper, and my illusion of control shattered.
Reaching out, I smoothed a lock of hair away from her heartbreakingly beautiful face and behind her ear. Letting out a breath, Raven sleepily leaned into my touch, her anxious expression immediately easing. That singular motion sparked a depth of protectiveness within me that I didn’t dare examine.
Frowning, I pulled away. What on earth was wrong with me?
Raven and I had built an unexpectedly solid partnership over thepast month from getting stuck in the elevator to talking her through the ultrasound to all those many hours working and training together.
But it didn’t explain the intensity of my feelings. Raven stirred, emerald green eyes fluttering open and slowly focusing on me.
“Damien?” Her voice was husky with sleep as she cast a confused glance around my room. “What happened?”
Unclenching my fist that burned with the heat from touching her, I didn’t bother with any pleasantries.
“You will not be going back to work.”
Raven’s confusion cleared instantly, indignation sparking in her gaze.
“You can’t just dictate—”
I cut her off. “Nor will you be going back to that cubicle you call a home. It’s not safe.”
