I woke up to the smell of food. Real food.
For 18 years I ate scraps. Now there was bread, meat, and fruit on a silver tray.
Standing by the window was Damian.
He wasn’t looking at me. He was looking at the moon.
"You're awake," he said without turning. "Eat."
I didn't move. "Why are you being nice to me?"
"I'm not nice," he finally turned. Those black eyes pinned me.
"I'm curious."
"About what?"
"About the girl who survived Kael Blackwood and still has fire in her eyes."
My breath caught. No one had ever called me strong before.
That week was weird. Damian didn't touch me. Didn't claim me.
But he was everywhere. Watching me train. Watching me eat.
His beta told me, "The Alpha hasn't slept since you came. He watches your door."
On the 7th night, I had a nightmare. My parents' deaths.
I woke up screaming.
The door slammed open. Damian was there in 2 seconds. Shirtless. Sword in hand.
"Who's here?" he growled, scanning the room.
When he saw it was just me, crying, his whole body relaxed.
He sat on the edge of my bed. Didn't touch me.
"You're safe here, Luna."
It was the first time anyone said my name like it mattered.
Outside the door, I heard footsteps.
Kael's voice. Low. Angry.
"What is she doing in your bed, Damian?"
Damian stood up slowly. His eyes never left mine.
"She's not in my bed," he said coldly.
"She's in my pack. And that makes her mine to protect."
The door closed. But I saw it.
For a second, Damian's jaw clenched when he said Kael's name.
Was the enemy Alpha... getting obsessed with me?
And why did that thought make my wolf purr?
[To be continued...]