Chapter 2 – The Shadow That Follows

(Aurora’s POV)

The day felt different.

Ever since Damien Blackwood had stepped in to defend me from Jessica Carter earlier that morning, a strange tension hung in the air. It was as if the entire school was seeing me in a different light.

For the first time in years, I wasn’t invisible.

But I wasn’t sure if I liked that.

At lunchtime, I walked into the cafeteria, balancing my tray carefully, already plotting my escape to my usual secluded corner. The cafeteria was buzzing with conversation, but this time, I caught snippets of my own name in the mix.

"Did you see Damien Blackwood today? He actually spoke to Aurora."

"No way. He never talks to anyone unless he wants something."

"I bet it’s a joke. He probably just felt sorry for her."

I swallowed the lump in my throat. I didn’t need the extra attention. I just wanted to sit down, eat quietly, and pretend none of it happened.

Just as I turned to walk to my usual seat, the entire cafeteria fell silent.

A ripple of awareness spread through the room. Chairs scraped against the floor, whispers stopped mid-sentence.

I looked up.

Damien Blackwood had entered the cafeteria.

His tall frame moved through the crowd with effortless confidence. His dark hair was tousled like he didn’t care, his golden eyes sharp, scanning the room like he was bored. But the moment his gaze landed on me, he froze.

And then… he stared.

Directly at me.

The entire cafeteria seemed to hold its breath.

I felt my cheeks flush, my heartbeat picking up for no reason at all. Why was he looking at me like that?

I quickly broke eye contact and walked to my corner seat, hoping—praying—that he would just ignore me.

He didn’t.

Even as I sat down, I could still feel his eyes on me.

It was unsettling.

And yet… deep inside me, something about it felt familiar.

I spent the rest of lunch pretending not to notice him.

Even though I could feel his gaze from across the room.

Even though I caught him looking at me every time I dared glance up.

What did he want?

I didn't have an answer.

After the bell rang, I hurried out of the cafeteria, hoping to shake the strange feeling curling in my stomach.

But as I turned the corner near my locker, I crashed into something solid.

A firm grip caught me before I could fall, holding me in place.

Warmth. Strength.

A scent—clean, crisp, and wildly intoxicating.

I looked up—and my breath caught.

Damien Blackwood.

His golden eyes burned into mine, unreadable, intense.

My entire body froze.

His hands lingered on my arms longer than necessary, his touch firm yet careful—like he was holding onto something fragile.

My pulse raced. Why did he always make me feel this way?

I quickly stepped back, breaking free from his hold.

"You should be careful," he said, his voice low and smooth. "You never know who might be watching you."

What?

I frowned. "What does that even mean?"

He didn't answer. His jaw clenched slightly as if he was debating something.

And then, before I could ask again, he turned around and walked away.

I stood there, heart still pounding.

What the hell just happened?

Why was he acting so strange?

First, he protected me. Then, he watched me like I was some kind of puzzle he was trying to solve.

And now, he was warning me?

It didn't make sense.

I shook my head, trying to push the thoughts away.

Damien Blackwood was an enigma.

And I had a terrible feeling that whatever was happening… was only just beginning.

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