f*******n BY BLOOD

LATE NIGHT TUTORING

Chapter 3: Late Night Tutoring

“Be in the library at 11pm. Don’t be late.”

That was the text Damien sent me at 9pm.

No "please". No explanation. Just a command.

I shouldn’t have gone.

My mom was asleep. The house was quiet. Breaking curfew could get us both in trouble.

But the alternative was failing Calculus and getting kicked out of Westbridge.

So at 10:58pm, I crept downstairs.

The mansion was dark. Only the library light was on.

And there he was. Damien. No hoodie. Just a black t-shirt and sweatpants. Hair messy.

Books spread everywhere. He looked... human.

“You came,” he said, not looking up.

“You said to.”

He finally looked at me. “Sit.”

We didn’t talk for an hour. Just math. His hand kept brushing mine when he passed me the book.

Every touch sent fire up my arm.

“You’re smart,” he said suddenly. “Why do you act dumb at school?”

I froze. “I don’t—”

“You do. Hoodie up. Head down. Like you want to disappear.”

His eyes were soft now. Not cold. “You don’t have to here. Not with me.”

My chest hurt. “Why are you being nice?”

“Because I’m not a monster, Luna. Even if my wolf thinks I am.”

He said "wolf" again. Like it was normal.

“Damien, what are you?” I whispered.

He leaned forward. Elbows on the table. “Trouble. For you.”

The air changed. It got heavy.

His eyes dropped to my lips. Mine dropped to his.

We were so close.

One inch. That’s all it would take.

The front door slammed.

Mr. Blackwood was home early.

We jumped apart like we were burned.

“Go,” Damien whispered. “Now.”

I ran. Back to my room. Heart pounding.

But I could still feel his almost-kiss on my lips.

And I knew: We weren’t going to be able to stay away from each other for long.