Claimed by My Bully Alpha Chapter 332

Caroline’s P.O.V

I had no idea what possessed me to say yes when Damien asked if I wanted to ride with him. Maybe it was the way his eyes sparkled mischievously under the soft glow of the setting sun. Or maybe it was the fact that my heart had been aching to do something—anything—that made me feel alive and adventurous.

So there I was, clutching tightly onto his leather jacket, my fingers digging slightly into his sides as we sped down the open road, the wind whipping through my hair and the roar of the engine drowning out my thoughts.

Damien didn't just ride a bike—he commanded it. With the ease of someone born in the saddle, he weaved through traffic like it was all choreographed just for him. He didn’t slow down for red lights until the last possible moment, and every time we leaned into a turn, I swore we were about to defy gravity.

My breath caught in my throat more times than I could count, but not from fear—no. It was something else entirely. Excitement? Freedom? Maybe a little bit of both. I wasn’t used to this—the speed, the risk, the adrenaline—but I couldn’t stop smiling.

“Hold on tighter, sweetheart,” Damien shouted over his shoulder, his voice muffled by the rush of wind and the growl of the engine. “Don’t want you flying off before I get a chance to show off a little more.”

I rolled my eyes even though he couldn’t see me. “You’re already showing off!”

He laughed, a deep, husky sound that vibrated right through me. “Not even close.”

I let out a breathless laugh and held on tighter, letting my body mold against his back. Normally, I’d need at least a week to think something through. I’d run scenarios in my head, weigh the risks, consider the consequences—but not tonight. Not with Damien. With him, it was all impulse and fire.

By the time we pulled into the packhouse driveway, the engine growling low as he brought the bike to a smooth stop, my cheeks were flushed, my hair wild, and I couldn’t stop grinning. I hadn’t felt like this in a long time. Alive. Weightless. Reckless.

Damien turned off the ignition and swung one leg off the bike before helping me down. He was all charm and bad-boy confidence as he reached for my helmet, fingers brushing along my jaw as he gently lifted it off. His eyes scanned my face like he was memorizing the way I looked when I was this happy.

“So?” he asked, his voice softer now, almost teasing. “How’d it feel to be a little wild for once?”

I licked my lips, still a bit breathless. “It was… exhilarating.” My voice came out in a rush of honesty. “I think I’m still buzzing from it.”

He gave me that trademark smirk of his—the one that made my knees a little weak and my heart do funny things in my chest. “Told you it’d be good. You looked like you were having the time of your life back there.”

“I think I was,” I admitted, my voice softer, more vulnerable than I intended. “You know I’m not usually like this…”

“I know,” he cut in, taking a step closer. “That’s what makes it even better. Watching you let go. You’ve been holding everything in for so long, Caroline. You deserve to breathe again.”

There was something in his tone—something real and raw—that made my throat tighten. I looked away for a second, swallowing hard.

“I’ve always played it safe,” I whispered. “I guess I forgot what it’s like to just… feel something without overthinking it.”

Damien tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering for a moment. “Well, you’re doing a damn good job remembering now.”

I laughed softly, shaking my head at him. “What’s next? You're gonna teach me to ride one of these myself?”

His grin turned wicked. “Now that would be something. You, behind the handles, riding like a pro? I can see it already. Just give it time. I’ll make a rebel out of you yet.”

I bit my bottom lip, feeling that same buzz of adrenaline all over again—but this time, it had nothing to do with the ride and everything to do with him. Maybe I didn’t need a whole week to think things through anymore. Maybe all I needed… was Damien.

"Wait—are you serious right now?" I practically squealed, eyes wide as I clutched Damien's arm, my excitement bursting out like a kid who just spotted a unicorn in her backyard. "You’re actually going to teach me how to ride? Like… really teach me?"

Damien smiled, and God help me, that smile was enough to melt every rational thought I had. The way his eyes crinkled just slightly, the way he looked at me like I was the most important thing in his entire universe—yeah, I was doomed.

"I’m willing to do anything for you, Caroline," he said, voice low and rich, like some kind of promise wrapped in velvet. And I swear, I felt my heart do a whole somersault right there.

It was one of those picture-perfect moments, you know? Just us. The gentle breeze filtering through the trees. His hand still wrapped around mine.

And then—gagging noises.

Loud. Obnoxious. The sound of a man being extra on purpose.

I froze, eyes twitching. Damien blinked and tilted his head to the side just as I whipped around on my heel, already knowing who it was.

"Caleb!" I snapped, hands on my hips like I was about to give a TED Talk on How To Ruin Your Best Friend's Romantic Moments 101. "Seriously? Could you not?"

He stepped out from behind a tree like a smug little troll, grinning like he’d just won the damn lottery. "This," he said, motioning between me and Damien like we were an embarrassing high school couple…which…we kinda were, "is payback. For every single time you’ve stuck your nose in my business. Me and Aurora can’t even breathe without you popping out of nowhere with your unsolicited commentary and unsolicited opinions."

I gasped, dramatically, because of course I did. "I do not—"

"You do," he cut me off, still grinning like the devil himself. "So keep it up, Care. And I promise, every time you so much as bat your eyelashes at lover-boy over here, I’ll be there. Just lurking. Like a gremlin."

I rolled my eyes so hard I saw my childhood. "Buzz off, you oversized pest."

But then—traitor.

Damien laughed. Actually laughed. Not a polite chuckle, no. A full-blown laugh that made me want to hurl him and Caleb into a nearby lake. "He’s not wrong, you know," Damien said, eyes gleaming with amusement. "Maybe it’s time you stop teasing your sister and her mate."

I narrowed my eyes on him. "You’re enjoying this way too much."

He just shrugged, still grinning. Caleb had the audacity to give him a thumbs up.

I sighed, dramatically again because there was no other way to react. "Fine. I’ll consider being less annoying."

"No promises?"

"Absolutely none."

With a huff, I turned back to Damien, deciding I needed to reclaim the romance heist Caleb had just pulled. I rose onto my toes, kissed him with just enough fire to make a point, and then smiled sweetly. "Thanks again for offering to teach me. Ride safe, okay?"

I stepped back, expecting him to start walking away, maybe toss a wink over his shoulder or something equally swoon-worthy.

But… he didn’t move.

I frowned. "Aren’t you leaving?"

He hesitated, then looked past me. "Actually… no. I have business with Caleb."

I blinked. "Wait. With Caleb?"

They exchanged a look that I didn’t like one bit—because it meant secrets. And secrets meant mischief. And mischief meant I was probably going to regret every single decision I made today.

"Should I be concerned?" I asked, hands crossing over my chest.

Damien smirked, and Caleb just grinned wider.

Yup. I was definitely going to regret this.