Alpha Damon.

oice kept her rooted in place. The calm authority in his tone was unsettlingly convincing, and the way h

said, her voice firmer than she

ou don't have to trust me, Elena. But you need to un

ood it would do if any of this-werewolves, packs, threats-were

u're-" He stopped himself and took a step back, his jaw tightening. "There's more to this than y

er heart raced. "I'm inside my

the still-open front door,

inst someone like Magnus," h

a punch, and she found herself steppi

ency in his voice. "You're important to him for reasons I can't fu

wasn't real. But the intensity in Damon's eyes-the

u?" she asked, her voice

ife," Damon replied. "And be

ught. "What d

short, as if sensing her discomfort. "Magnus was here tonight. His wolves were at y

e me? If this Magnus wants me so badly, why not

into a faint, humorless smile. "Because that's not who I am. And because I don't believe

damsel, but the weight of the moment kept her silent. She

his," she said slowly

ou come with me. My pack's territor

f I sa

hing dangerous. "Then Magnus finds you. And tru

his screamed insanity, but she couldn't deny what she'

ou," she said again,

on said, his voice gentler now. "But right now, t

down on her. "Fine," she said finally. "But if this is so

at might have been the ghos

nd gestured toward the door. "Grab wh

e. It had been her sanctuary, her connection to a mo

ling as she packed a small bag. As she stuffed in clothes and her

le

m standing there, his

you safe.

nd. Then, she nodded, clutchin

rk SUV parked near the edge of the woods, Elena couldn't shake the feeling that