Chapter 13 – Secrets in the Shadows

Aurora’s POV-

I thought today would be normal.

I was wrong.

The second I stepped into school, everything felt different.

People looked at me differently. Some with curiosity. Some with jealousy. Some with… fear.

And I knew exactly why.

Because of him.

Because Damien Blackwood had made it clear that I was his.

I spotted him immediately.

Standing near his black motorcycle, his golden eyes locked onto me the second I walked in.

And then he moved.

Straight toward me.

He didn’t hesitate. Didn’t pause.

The crowd parted for him, like they knew better than to get in his way.

I tried to ignore the heat crawling up my spine, but it was impossible.

Because when he reached me, he didn’t just stop.

He grabbed my wrist.

And in front of everyone, he pulled me straight into his chest.

Gasps. Stares. Whispers.

I stiffened, my heart slamming against my ribs.

“Damien—”

“Morning, little one.” His voice was low, smooth—like he wasn’t causing an absolute scene.

I felt my face burn. “You’re making this worse.”

His lips twitched. “Or better.”

I tried to step back, but his grip on my wrist tightened.

Not hard. Not painful.

But enough to make a point.

Enough to say you’re not running from me today.

I swallowed hard, aware that everyone was staring.

Then, suddenly—

Jessica Carter stepped forward.

And, of course, she looked furious.

“Alright,” Jessica snapped, folding her arms. “I want answers.”

I sighed. “Jessica—”

She ignored me, glaring at Damien instead. “What is this?”

Damien didn’t even blink. “What does it look like?”

Her lips pressed together. “It looks like you’ve lost your damn mind.”

I winced.

Because, well… she wasn’t wrong.

Jessica scoffed. “This isn’t you, Damien. You don’t do relationships.”

Damien tilted his head, clearly amused. “Maybe I do now.”

Jessica actually gaped.

So did half the school.

I felt my stomach tighten.

Because he wasn’t denying it.

This wasn’t a game.

Was it?

Jessica glared at me next. “You think he’s serious about you?”

I didn’t know how to answer that.

Because, honestly? I didn’t know.

Before I could even respond, Damien beat me to it.

He reached out—slow, deliberate.

And tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear.

Right in front of everyone.

My breath caught.

His golden eyes flickered, burning with something unreadable. “I think I’ve made myself clear.”

Jessica paled. For the first time, she had no comeback.

And me?

I was too stunned to speak.

Because, in that moment…

I almost believed him.

---

Damien’s POV –

I should have been more careful.

I should have kept my distance.

But the second I saw that idiot from the soccer team glance at her—like he thought he had a chance—

I snapped.

She was mine.

And everyone needed to understand that.

So when I pulled her close, when I let my fingers brush her skin—I didn’t regret it.

Even if it meant I was pulling her deeper into my world.

But I wasn’t the only one keeping secrets.

Because later that afternoon, when I drove her home, she turned to me and asked—

“Damien… why don’t you ever talk about your family?”

I felt my entire body go rigid.

I kept my eyes on the road. “Why are you asking?”

She hesitated. “Because… I don’t know anything about you.”

I clenched the steering wheel.

I knew this was coming.

I knew she would start questioning things.

But she wasn’t ready for the answers.

So I said the only thing I could.

“Some things, you’re not ready to know.”

She frowned. “That’s not an answer, Damien.”

I exhaled slowly, trying to push back the restless hunger in my veins.

I couldn’t tell her.

Not yet.

Because the second she knew the truth—

She wouldn’t be able to leave me.

---

Aurora’s POV –

I hated how easy it was to let Damien take over my life.

I hated that he refused to answer my questions.

But mostly?

I hated that I was starting to believe him.

That maybe… he really did want me.

That maybe… he wasn’t leaving.

But that night, as I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling…

Something felt wrong.

I turned onto my side, uneasy.

It was too quiet.

I closed my eyes, trying to push away the feeling.

And that’s when I felt it.

A presence.

Outside.

Watching.

I sat up instantly, my heart slamming against my ribs.

Slowly, I climbed out of bed, tiptoeing toward the window.

I pulled the curtain back just enough to peek outside.

And my blood ran cold.

Because standing at the edge of the trees—just beyond the streetlights—

Was a figure.

Tall. Unmoving.

Watching my house.

Watching me.

I gasped, stumbling back.

By the time I looked again—

The figure was gone.

---

Damien’s POV –

I had been too careless.

Now, they knew.

The second I felt the presence near Aurora’s house, I was already moving.

My wolf snarled inside me.

Because I recognized the scent.

And it meant one thing.

Someone from my world had come for her.

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