Chapter 8
1348 Words
Veronica
The first thing that greeted me when I woke up was silence. The kind that settled into your bones and made your mind quiet.
A low groan escaped me as I rolled in bed, the soft silk of the sheets comforting my skin. Silk? I paused, slowly cracking an eye open.
My pulse skipped.
I wasn’t in my room.
Then the memories came slamming back in.
School. Fred. The janitor’s closet… Damien.
I shot up from the bed, ignoring the dull throb that tugged at my skull. My heart wouldn’t stop pounding as I took in my surroundings. A bed that was the same size as my room, ceiling to floor window, neutral colors that screamed wealth.
My fingers on the silk sheets tightened as another thought entered my head. Was this Damien’s room? My wolf jolted awake at the sound of his name, pacing around in my chest.
The air stop held a longer of his scent. It took everything in me not to breathe it in.
I frowned. “Stop that.”
My voice was hoarse from lack of use, my throat aching with every word. But for the first time in my life, fear was one emotion that was absent.
A small smile crept into my face as I pulled a pillow to my chest. I couldn’t tell why my heart skipped anytime I thought of this Alpha.
Maybe it was because he was the first person to treat me like I wasn’t dirt under his feet. Or maybe it was the way his eyes were so certain when he said I’ll be fine.
My stupid heart stuttered.
I smothered myself with a pillow as I started to feel heat crawl up my face and screamed into it. Stop acting like a hormonal teenager V.
But you are a hormonal teenager. That little voice in my head reminded me.
The debate in my head went on for goddess knows how long before I heard the handle of the room I was in rattle.
I froze, gaze snapping to it.
The door creaked open slowly and behind it, Damien stepped in. Carefully. He balanced a tray in one hand and a bag in the other. His brows were furrowed, his eyes on the items with serious focus. Like it was the most important thing he’d ever done.
My eyes narrowed.
Just like he could tell my eyes were on me, his head snapped to me.
Suddenly, I could feel the coolness of the air in the room. And the low buzz of the lights. And the tension now hanging in the air.
His serious look slowly shifted into something close to relief. Then his jaw ticked.
“You’re awake,” he said softly, then hesitated at the doorway. Almost like he was waiting for my approval.
I almost laughed at myself for thinking that. It was his house. He didn’t need my permission to enter. But then…
“Is it okay if I come in?”
I blinked. My mouth opened. Then closed. Damien shuffled on his feet and I swear I caught a glimpse of red on the tip of his ears.
“If you’re not comfortable with it I can send someone else. A lady maybe? I don’t really…”
His rambling faded beneath my thoughts. Was this some kind of simulation? Or an elaborate prank? It couldn’t be real… right?
“V?”
His voice dragged me back in a second. His eyes were now unsure. His shoulders lower than they were a minute ago.
He sighed. “I’ll just drop them and leave.”
“No.” I said quickly, scurrying out of the bed. “No. No. I mean-“
The light that flickered in his eyes was enough to make my stomach flutter. I pushed it down, now standing awkwardly beside the bed. He hadn’t moved.
I tucked a stray strand behind my ear. “I’m… glad you’re here.”
He released a shaky breath. Then an awkward smile. “I just thought I should make something for you.”
My eyes almost bulged out of the their sockets. “You- made this?”
Then a genuine smile cracked on his perfect lips and my brain stuttered. “Yeah.”
My legs were already moving before I could stop them. Maybe it was curiousity. Maybe it wasn’t. But I only stopped when I was a foot away, peering into the tray.
The scent met me first. Sweet. Homely. Something I’d never experienced. Warm pancakes sat in the tray, alongside syrup and a glass of milk with scrambled eggs.
I looked up at him. His throat bobbed.
“You made this?”
Don’t cry. Don’t cry.
Too late. I could already feel my throat aching and my eyes stinging.
His eyes searched my face before nodding once.
I smiled. A real one. A watery one.
Concern crept into his features in an instant.
“Are you okay? Is there something here you’re allergic to? Or-“
“No,” I said thickly, shaking my head. “No one has ever been this kind to me. Why are you being this kind to me?”
There had to be a reason.
Maybe he was fattening me up to sell off. Or breed.
My mind was already playing it out for me. His rough hands on me, his plump lips on mine. That growl of his reverberating through out my body.
A shiver ran down my body before I could stop it. I wasn’t supposed to be riled up at the thought. It was disgusting. Right.
I stumbled back, not stopping until I perched on the edge of the bed.
“You haven’t answered my question, Alpha.”
His footsteps thudded until they stopped in front of me. “Damien. Don’t call me alpha. I’m Damien.”
“Why are you helping me Damien?”
He hesitated, his brows creasing slightly before setting down the tray beside me along with the bag in his hand.
My stomach rumbled embarrassingly loud. Heat pooled in my cheek but that made him smile harder.
“Eat.” That’s all he said.
Before I could protest, he tore off a piece of the pancake and held it to my mouth. I looked from him to the food then back at him.
“Open,” he nudged it gently. “Then we can talk.”
I gave in, letting Damien feed me. The minute it landed on my tongue, I let out an involuntary moan. It was perfect. Warm in my mouth, perfect ratio of sugar and cream. Five star worthy.
I didn’t realize that he’d been watching me until my eyes cracked open again. My pulse stuttered. His eyes were darker, his jaw ticking like he was trying to restrain himself.
“It’s perfect,” I managed.
He blinked and that look was gone. Replaced with a soft smile. “Only the best for milady.”
He was teasing me and yet, I blushed too easily. He tore another piece and fed it to me. I ate it. We did that in a comfortable silence and once the entire plate was cleaned out, Damien leaned closer, his scent invading my senses.
His rough thumb brushed away the crumbs left on the side of my lips. His touch was electric. Like a thousand fireflies set loose. He felt it too. Because he yanked his hand back, his brows furrowing.
The silence that followed this time was heavy. His gaze flickered to the bag. “I managed to get a few clothes and essentials.” His frown deepened. “I didn’t know what you liked so I kind of just picked everything.”
I followed his gaze to the large duffel bag. “Thank you.”
He nodded stiffly as he stood. “You don’t have to worry about school today.”
My stomach plummeted.
“I’ve spoken with the principal about your absence. You can take as long as you want.”
That didn’t make me feel better because I was slammed right back into reality.
Fred.
- Writer
