Mia
We’re finally here…Damon’s family house. And by house, I mean giant-ass mansion. Seriously, this place is straight out of a movie. It’s tucked away inside Alpha Marcus’s private estate, right in the middle of the Shadow Pang pack territory. Damon’s family invited me over for the holidays, and of course, I said yes. I mean, spending Christmas in a mansion with my super-hot mate? Yeah, no brainer.
The car comes to a stop, and before I can even reach for the handle, Jerry-the family chauffeur…jumps out and opens the door for me like I’m royalty or something.
I step out, smoothing down my coat, and flash him a smile. “Thanks, Jerry.”
He gives me this wide, charming grin. “You’re welcome, Miss Mia.” Jerry’s probably around thirty…. lanky, sandy-haired, and honestly kind of adorable. Damon told me he’s been working for the family for over five years.
Damon climbs out of the car behind me, raising an eyebrow as he watches us. “Wow. Just… wow. Totally ignored me, huh? Guess I’m invisible now.”
I smirk, watching Jerry shrug dramatically. “What can I say, Master Damon? She’s simply irresistible.”
I snort, covering my mouth as I try not to laugh. Damon, however, crosses his arms, pretending to pout.
“Alright, alright, we’re going in.” He huffs, waving Jerry off. “Bring our bags inside, loverboy.”
Jerry and I both crack up, and Damon shoots us both a playful glare as he leads me toward the massive front doors.
I nudge him with my elbow. “Don’t tell me you’re actually jealous of Jerry.”
He scoffs, but there’s this little grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Pfft. Me? Jealous? Nooo. I just-” He glances at me sideways. “Okay, maybe a little.”
I laugh, reaching up to ruffle his already messy hair. “You’re such a dork.”
We step into the house, and it’s even more gorgeous inside. The living room is huge…like, I-could-do-cartwheels-in-here huge. White marble walls, white tiled floors, and this insane high ceiling. It’s like a winter wonderland… minus the snow. The only pop of color comes from the sleek black and red couches scattered around.
Before I can take it all in, Damon’s mom, Anna, comes sweeping toward us. She’s a tall woman with elegant features and warm brown eyes.
“Mia! Damon!” Anna practically floats over, her brown hair pulled into a classy bun. She heads straight for me, pulling me into a tight, mom-level hug before I can even react.
“Welcome, Mia! I’m so glad you made it.”
I smile, hugging her back. “Thanks so much, Mom.” Yeah, she told me to call her that, and honestly? It feels kinda nice.
She pulls back, still holding onto my arms, her eyes full of that mom sparkle. “And your parents? They’re coming too, right?”
“They’re good. They’ll be here on Christmas Day.” I smile, and she beams before turning to Damon.
“Hey, Mom.” Damon wraps her in a quick hug, and she pecks his cheek.
“Hello, my munchkin,” she coos, and I swear I almost choke trying not to laugh.
“Mom,” Damon groans, his face turning slightly red.
Anna and I both crack up. “Oh, come on, Damon,” I tease. “There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. I mean, you are her munchkin.”
Anna wipes tears from her eyes, still laughing. “Exactly! And besides, Mia’s your mate. She should know all your nicknames.”
Damon groans louder, but I catch the little smile he’s trying to hide.
“Alright,” Anna says, waving her hand, “Damon, take Mia to her room.”
“Her room?” Damon raises a brow, grabbing my hand. “She’s staying in my room.”
Anna shakes her head, but she’s still smiling. “Damon, my goddess…”
“C’mon, Mom. She’s my mate, remember?” He smirks, giving my hand a squeeze.
Anna sighs, but there’s no real protest. “Fine, just get her settled. Your father’s on his way back from the airport with your cousins.”
At that, Damon visibly winces. “Oh, joy.”
“Damon, please behave,” Anna pleads. “I want this to be fun for Mia.”
He rolls his eyes, but I can tell he’s softening. “Yeah, yeah. I’ll be good.”
Anna waves us off, and Damon tugs me upstairs. “See ya later, Mom!” I call, giving her a little wave.
She grins and winks at me before we disappear up the massive staircase.
We finally reach Damon’s room, and without even thinking, I kick off my shoes and launch myself onto his bed. “Ahhh!” I stretch out, sprawling across the mattress like I own the place. “Goddess, I love this bed.”
Damon chuckles, leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed. His eyes darken slightly as he watches me roll around like a five-year-old. “You know,” he says, pushing off the wall, “I was planning to be a gentleman… but seeing you on my bed like that is really testing my self-control.”
I raise a brow, smirking. “Oh? And what exactly are you gonna do about it?”
“You really don’t wanna know,” Damon teases before collapsing right on top of me.
I gasp, the air practically punching out of my lungs. “You freaking jerk! Do you realize how heavy you are? I’m dying here!”
He laughs, completely unbothered, rubbing my cheeks with the softest touch like he’s not currently crushing me. “But I know you’re strong. You can handle me.”
I narrow my eyes at him, though the grin tugging at my lips betrays me. “You’re shameless.”
His cocky smirk only widens. Classic Damon. We go quiet for a bit, the chaos melting away as my fingers absentmindedly run through his dark hair…soft and messy, just how I like it. These moments? The calm before the inevitable Damon-stirred storm? Yeah, I live for them.
But, of course, my curiosity can’t chill. “Why don’t you like your cousins?” I blurt out, still threading my fingers through his hair.
He sighs, his head still resting on my chest. “They’re pains in the ass, Mia. Fucking pranksters. I’m so glad they don’t live in this pack.”
I chuckle. “But they’re still your family.”
That gets him. Damon lifts his head, his eyes locking onto mine, and my stomach does a full-on gymnastics routine. “That’s because you don’t know them,” he growls, like he’s seen horrors I can’t even imagine.
My cheeks heat under his intense stare, but I don’t dare look away. My fingers tangle tighter in his hair, loving the way it feels. His chest rises and falls against mine, and I’m suddenly very aware, painfully aware of just how close he is. His breath mixes with mine, his lips hovering inches away.
Oh no.
“Damon,” I warn, trying to sound firm, but my voice comes out way too breathy. “This is your family’s house. We can’t… y’know… do anything here.”
He stiffens, but that mischievous smirk creeps back almost instantly. “Does it matter?”
Before I can even think of a comeback, his lips crash into mine.
I should push him off, tell him to behave, but of course, I don’t. Instead, I deepen the kiss, our teeth clashing in a messy, heated tangle. My hands tug at his hair while his mouth moves over mine with wild urgency, tongues battling like we’re not in the middle of his damn family’s mansion.
His fingers fumble at the buttons of my top, moving way too fast, but I’m not stopping him. That is… until-
The door slams open, smacking into the wall so hard I practically jump out of my skin.
“Well, well, so this is what you’re up to,” a smug voice drawls.
Damon shoots up like he’s been electrocuted. I scramble to sit up, frantically buttoning my top like I’m in a damn speed competition. My heart’s still racing, but now it’s pure panic.
And there he is…leaning casually against the doorway. Smirk plastered on his too-handsome face. Tall, broad-shouldered, jet-black hair styled like he just rolled out of bed, and piercing hazel eyes that practically scream trouble. And yep, I definitely notice the way those eyes roam all over me, dark and intense, like he’s mentally undressing me again.
Who the hell is this guy?
“What the fuck is your problem, Aaron?” Damon snaps, his face flushed with a mix of rage and embarrassment. “Can’t you knock?”
Oh. So this is Aaron…the infamous asshole cousin. And judging by that smug grin? Yeah, he’s exactly the chaos demon I was warned about.