Claimed On Campus

Chapter 2: The Cage

Stacey barely slept that night.

Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Caleb’s intense gaze and felt the ghost of his hand gripping her chin. The black and gold bracelet on her wrist stayed warm, occasionally pulsing like a second heartbeat. By 7:30 AM, Sophia was back in her room, helping her pack while ranting.

“This is insane, Stacey. You can’t just move in with Caleb Voss. The guy is basically Ravenwood royalty. People say his family owns half the board of trustees. And that pact thing? Sounds like some cult arranged-marriage bullshit.”

Stacey zipped her suitcase with shaking hands. “I don’t have a choice. He said if I run, he’ll drag me back in front of everyone.”

Sophia crossed her arms. “Then we expose him. I’ll record everything. We’ll go to the Dean—”

A sharp knock cut her off.

At exactly 8:00 AM, two tall guys in black jackets stood outside — clearly part of Caleb’s crew. One of them nodded at Stacey. “Boss is waiting. Let’s go.”

Sophia tried to follow them down the hallway, but one of the guys gently blocked her. “Only her.”

“Stacey!” Sophia called, worry thick in her voice. “Text me every hour or I’m calling the cops!”

The drive to the elite housing complex on the north side of campus was silent. When they arrived at the modern luxury building overlooking the quad, Stacey’s stomach dropped. This wasn’t a regular dorm. This was penthouse-level privilege.

Caleb was waiting in the doorway of his apartment, wearing a black fitted sweater that emphasized his broad shoulders. His dark eyes scanned her from head to toe with obvious satisfaction.

“You came,” he said, voice low. “Good girl.”

He stepped aside, letting her enter. The apartment was massive — floor-to-ceiling windows, sleek black and silver furniture, and a view of Ravenwood’s Gothic towers in the distance. It smelled like his cologne. Expensive. Dangerous.

“Put your things in the bedroom,” Caleb ordered, nodding toward the master suite. “My room. You sleep with me from now on.”

Stacey froze. “I’m not—”

“You are.” He closed the distance, towering over her. One hand came up to tuck a strand of her wavy brown hair behind her ear. “The pact activated the moment you put on that bracelet. Your blood called to mine. Fighting it will only make it harder for both of us.”

Before she could argue, he took her suitcase and carried it into the bedroom himself. Stacey followed reluctantly. The king-sized bed dominated the room. On the nightstand sat a new MacBook, a black credit card with her name on it, and several designer shopping bags.

“I had some things delivered,” Caleb said casually. “You’ll wear what I approve of. No more hiding in oversized hoodies. You’re mine now. You represent me.”

Stacey’s cheeks burned with a mix of anger and unwanted heat. “You can’t just buy me and control me like this.”

Caleb turned, backing her against the tall dresser. He placed both hands on either side of her, caging her in. “I can. And I will. Someone tried to kill you last night, Stacey. The crash wasn’t random. Until I find out who, you stay where I can protect you. End of discussion.”

His thumb brushed her lower lip. For a moment, his expression softened—just slightly. “I’ve waited years for this. My father told me about the Kane girl since I was fifteen. I watched you from a distance when you got accepted. You’re not just some random freshman. You’re mine.”

Stacey’s heart raced. The bracelet glowed faintly between them, warm against her skin.

A knock sounded from the living room. Vida walked in without waiting, holding his phone. “Boss, Jaden Reed is already spreading rumors in the group chat. Says Stacey is just another girl you’re playing with. He’s planning something for the Midnight Gala next week.”

Caleb’s jaw tightened. “Handle it.”

Vida grinned. “With pleasure.” He glanced at Stacey. “Welcome to the family, princess. Try not to fight the boss too much. He gets worse when he’s obsessed.”

After Vida left, Caleb pulled Stacey toward the large couch overlooking the rain-soaked campus. He sat and tugged her down onto his lap like it was the most natural thing in the world.

“Relax,” he murmured against her ear, one arm wrapped possessively around her waist. “I’m not going to hurt you. But I won’t let you go either. The sooner you accept that, the easier this will be.”

Stacey tried to shift away, but his grip tightened. Despite everything, her body reacted to his closeness — the strength, the heat, the raw power rolling off him.

Her phone buzzed.

Sophia: Are you okay?? I’m outside the building but they won’t let me in.

Unknown Number: Nice new apartment, Stacey Kane. Enjoy it while it lasts. The Voss blood isn’t the only one that wants you.

Caleb noticed her tense up. He took the phone from her hand, read the message, and his eyes darkened with lethal promise.

“Someone’s bold,” he growled. “They’re testing me.”

He tilted Stacey’s chin up, forcing her to meet his gaze. “No one touches what’s mine. Not rivals. Not shadows. Not even you.”

Then he kissed her.

It wasn’t gentle. It was claiming — deep, demanding, and full of barely restrained hunger. Stacey’s hands instinctively gripped his sweater as the bracelet flared bright gold between them.

When he finally pulled back, both of them were breathing hard.

“Welcome home, baby,” Caleb whispered against her lips. “This is only day one.”