THE WARNING
966 Words
Chapter 2: The Warning
I thought I could avoid him.
I was wrong.
The rest of Monday was a blur. Whispers in class. Girls glaring. Guys taking pictures.
And Damien?
He acted like nothing happened.
Like he didn’t corner me.
Like he didn’t call me "Mate" and make my knees weak.
Like I didn’t exist.
Good, I told myself. That’s what I wanted.
Liar.
---
After school, I took the long way home. Through the back gates, past the gardens.
The mansion was empty when I got in. Mom was at work. Mr. Blackwood was on a business trip.
Just me and the ghosts in this giant house.
I was halfway up the stairs when I heard it.
A door closing.
My heart dropped into my stomach.
Damien was home.
I froze on the 3rd step. He was leaning against the wall in the hallway upstairs, arms crossed.
Still in his school uniform. But his tie was gone and the top buttons of his shirt were undone.
He’d been waiting.
“For you,” he said, like he read my mind.
I forced myself to keep walking. “I don’t have anything to say to you.”
“You don’t get a choice.”
His voice followed me to my room. I slammed the door and locked it.
2 seconds later, a knock. Hard.
“Luna. Open the door.”
“Go away.”
Another knock. Louder.
“Open the damn door or I’ll break it down.”
I opened it. Just a c***k. Chain still on.
He looked furious. Jaw clenched. Gold eyes flashing again.
“What is wrong with you?” I hissed. “You can’t just—”
“I can do whatever I want,” he cut me off. “Especially when it comes to you.”
“What did you even mean earlier? ‘Mate’? Are you crazy?”
He stared at me for a long time. Then he reached out and unhooked the chain himself.
I should’ve been scared. But I wasn’t. Not of him.
He stepped inside and closed the door. Now we were alone.
The air felt too thick.
“You smell like fear,” he said quietly. “And honey. And something else I can’t name.”
He took a step closer. “Do you know what happens when a wolf finds his mate, Luna?”
My blood went cold. “I’m not— I’m not a wolf.”
“You don’t have to be.” He was so close now I could feel his breath. “But I am.
And the second I smelled you, my wolf decided. You’re mine.”
“Your stepsister,” I whispered. “We can’t. If people find out—”
“They will,” he said. And there was something dark and possessive in his smile. “Eventually.”
I shoved at his chest. “You’re insane. My mom will get kicked out. Your dad will disown you. Is that what you want?”
For the first time, his mask cracked. Pain flashed in his eyes.
“No,” he said. “What I want is to keep you safe.”
“From what?”
“From them.” He nodded toward the window. Toward the school. Toward the world.
“From the girls who are already talking about you. From the guys who think you’re easy because you’re new.
From me, if I have to.”
I laughed bitterly. “You’re the one I need protection from.”
“Maybe,” he admitted. His hand lifted, like he wanted to touch my face. He stopped himself.
“But I’d burn this whole school down before I let anyone hurt you.”
A knock on the door made us both jump.
“Luna? Honey? You in there?” Mom’s voice.
Damien stepped back instantly. The cold mask was back.
“Don’t tell her,” he said, voice low. “Not yet.”
Then he walked out, brushing past my mom with a nod.
Like he hadn’t just claimed me.
Like my world wasn’t on fire.
---
Tuesday was hell.
By first period, there was a photo of us at the lockers on every group chat.
Caption: `Damien Blackwood's new toy?`
`The step-sis lol`
`She’s moving in and moving up`
I wanted to disappear.
I made it to lunch before the girls cornered me.
3 of them. Head cheerleader, her minions. All wearing pink and cruelty.
“Well well,” said Jessica, Damien’s ex. “Look who thinks she can sit at our table.”
“I’m not—”
“You’re nothing,” she snapped. She shoved me. Hard. My tray hit the floor.
People were watching. Recording.
A hand grabbed Jessica’s wrist before she could hit me.
“Touch her again,” Damien’s voice was ice. “And I’ll make sure you never cheer again.”
He stepped in front of me. A wall. My wall.
“Apologize,” he told Jessica.
Her face went white. “Damien, she’s—”
“Apologize. Now.”
“I’m sorry,” Jessica spat at the floor.
“Not to me,” Damien said. “To her.”
Jessica looked at me, eyes full of hate. “Sorry.”
“Good,” Damien said. He took my hand. His was warm. And he didn’t let go.
He walked me out of the cafeteria with 200 people watching.
In the hallway he let go. Like he was burned.
“Stay away from me in public,” he said. “For your sake.”
Then he walked away.
But his warning was clear:
He might not be able to claim me.
But God help anyone who tried to hurt me.
Because Luna Carter had just become Damien Blackwood’s.
Even if no one could know.
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