Chapter 4: Welcome to the Underground
639 Words
The next morning, I woke up with a pounding headache and way too many unanswered questions. Damien Monteverde had officially turned my life upside down—and he hadn’t even tried that hard.
I dragged myself out of bed, pulled on a hoodie, and threw my hair in a bun. No makeup, no energy, no lies—I was in full IDGAF mode. And honestly? I was still hoping yesterday had just been one really messed-up dream. Spoiler: it wasn’t.
When I got to school, things were... off.
People were whispering, glancing at me like I’d suddenly grown horns. Even my best friend Zoe gave me a weird look at my locker.
“Lex... did you seriously leave that party with him?” she whispered like we were in some twisted soap opera.
I blinked. “What are you talking about?”
“You and Damien. The pier. Someone saw you two.” Her eyes widened. “You kissed?”
I literally choked on air. “I what?!”
Zoe leaned closer. “Dude, you’re trending. Everyone’s talking about it.”
I turned slowly, scanning the hall. Sure enough, phones were out. Eyes were on me. Even the teacher’s pet twins were whispering like I’d murdered someone instead of, I don’t know, stood on a dock with a hot guy who might be a criminal.
“Lexi,” Zoe said carefully, “what the hell are you into?”
“Nothing,” I muttered, slamming my locker. “That’s the problem.”
I wasn’t lying. Not really. I wasn’t into anything—yet. But I had a feeling Damien was about to change that.
---
Lunchtime rolled around, and I made a beeline for the back field where no one usually went—aka my panic attack corner. But guess who was already there?
Yep. Damien.
Leaning against a tree, arms crossed, sunglasses on like he was posing for a mafia-themed Vogue shoot.
“You’re following me now?” I snapped.
He didn’t even blink. “You’re late.”
“For what?”
He tossed something at me. A black card. No name. No number. Just a red wolf logo stamped in the center.
“What is this?”
“Your invitation.”
“To what, exactly? The cult?”
His lips curled into a smile. “Close. But more... exclusive.”
I raised a brow. “Try me.”
“Welcome to the Underground.”
I laughed. Out loud. “What, like a fight club? Is this where you guys do blood oaths and play poker with your souls?”
“Something like that,” he said, straight-faced. “Come tonight. Midnight. Wear black. Don’t be late.”
“And if I don’t?”
He stepped close, and his voice dropped. “Then I can’t protect you.”
I blinked. “Protect me from what?”
His smile vanished. “From the people who already know your name.”
Midnight came faster than I wanted it to. And because I’m clearly not good at making healthy life choices, I showed up.
Black jeans, combat boots, hoodie. Basic “don’t mess with me” starter pack.
Damien was waiting near an old bookstore downtown—closed, boarded-up, totally sketchy. He didn’t say a word. Just led me down a staircase that looked like it hadn’t been used in decades.
What I saw at the bottom?
A literal underground club. Neon lights, smoke, people in masks, music vibrating through the floor. It was like stepping into a secret world straight out of a Netflix thriller.
And they all turned when they saw me.
“New girl,” someone muttered.
“Monteverde brought her.”
“Must be important.”
I was suddenly very aware of my heartbeat.
Damien leaned in. “You’re in now, Lexi. There’s no turning back.”
- Writer
