Damien

It's been a week since my mother shipped me off to Zia's pack, and honestly? The vibe around here was a straight-up funeral. Seriously, everyone looked like they were auditioning for the role of "Mourning Wolf."

In the gigantic dining room, the atmosphere was thicker than the food itself, and silence reigned like an unwelcome guest. The spread looked divine, but I couldn't touch it. Because, for two reasons: first, Damien was sitting right beside me—the Damien, the hot exchange student— Damien. A guy like him made me feel like a walking disaster. I mean, I'd party like a rebel on Saturday night, but when it came to Damien freaking Darhk? I turned into a blushing fool. This was Daphney's pack, her house, her food. So yeah, my mother had twisted my arm into pretending to be Luna. Great, right? I hated it.

There I was staring at my plate like it held the secrets of the universe while the clinking of cutlery echoed like a horror movie soundtrack.

"Ariana?" The Luna's voice cut through my mental fog. I looked up, startled.

Y-yes, ma'am?" I stuttered, doing my best not to sound like a deer caught in the headlights.

"You don't like the food?" she asked, and I blinked.

"I-"

"The cooks can prepare something else," she said with that sweet, just-about-murdering-your-soul smile.

"N-no, I'm okay!" I giggled, just a trifle too nervously, and picked up my fork, forcing myself to take a bite.

"Or perhaps she thinks we'd poison her," some redhead snarled at me, glaring. Shannon, I would shortly be told.

"Shannon!" The Luna gave her a death glare.

"I'm sorry Luna, but she's been staring at her food like it's going to attack her!"

"Enough!" The Luna's voice was cold, and Shannon went quiet, her jaws clicking shut like a bear trap.

Damien chimed in icily, "Why wouldn't she think that when you're glaring at her?"

Shannon's eyes would have burned a hole through him "I wasn't—"

"Shannon," Aiden said, casting a sharp look her way.

She scoffed, pushed her chair back, and stormed off.

"Kehlani, go make sure she doesn't do anything stupid," Luna instructed, and the girl who'd given me the tour of the training grounds shot up to follow Shannon.

"I'm sorry about that, Ariana," Luna said, beaming again as she turned to me.

Okay, that was just a bit scary. The silence fell once more, but my head was doing somersaults inside.

Damien stood up for me. Ahhhh!!!

I know I was acting like a giddy schoolgirl, but can you blame me?

And just as I was about to leap out of my skin, the door flung wide, and instinct took over. I launched myself downward to avoid being caught mid-air but ended up tumbling off the bed with a loud thump onto the rug.

"Woah, are you alright?" I heard Kehlani's voice as she hurried over.

I need to start locking the door.

"I'm sorry I scared you," she said, helping me up.

"I'm fine, thanks," I replied, stretching a bit to shake off the embarrassment.

"I actually came to invite you to facials with us girls and Timothy, but Shannon is there, and she's not exactly a fan of yours, so—"

"I know. I am sleepy, so it doesn't matter anyway," I smiled, hoping it wasn't because of the awkwardness.

"I also want to apologize on behalf of Shannon. She's just not the best with new people. Trust me, I know what I went through to get into her circle," she admitted, her face a little sheepish.

"Whoa, not like that in that sense! I mean, we're both—I'm not talking about anything sexual!" she quickly clarified, covering her mouth as if mortified.

"Oh, I get it," I said, grinning back, and she nodded as she rose to her feet.

"Oh, here's the hair dryer I promised you," she said, producing one and handing it to me before she went out.

I'd heard of same-sex mates as well as siblings, but I'd never actually seen anything like this play out.

The next morning, I showered and grabbed the clothes in the closet. I slept like this was the best thing on earth happening to me, sleeping on clouds or something.

While moving to the top of the stairs, I caught myself wondering where Kehlani's room was. If I could find it, Shannon would most definitely throw chainsaws at me.

I'm not the real mate, so no harm done, right?

Ugh, maybe I'll just ask around outside.

Voices carried from the right, and I padded softly toward them. Peeking in, I came upon a shirtless Damien doing pull-ups.

Okay, I may never survive living with him here.

He landed smoothly, breathing softly, droplets of sweat shining on his skin.

"Did you need something?" he asked, looking directly at me, and I froze like a deer in headlights.

"Er, s-sorry to interrupt your workout. I was just looking for Kehlani's room," I managed, stepping into what looked like a gym.

"The right room down from here," he said simply.

"Thanks," I replied, wishing I had the guts to carry on a proper conversation.

"Or maybe you can wait until breakfast so you won't have to see Shannon," he added, strolling past me with a water bottle.

O-okay.

With that, he marched off, leaving me there, trying to work out what had just happened.

Breakfast was…uneventful. Not many people showed up, especially Shannon. What did I do to deserve her anger? Salty type, I'll remember not to cross her.

Luna sounded a bit too jovial, having forgotten her pills, no doubt. "Ari, dear, how did you sleep?" she bubbled, breaking me out of my reverie.

"It was, uh, okay?" I smiled politely, still wary.

"Wonderful! How about a tour around the pack?" she clapped her hands, eyes all bright with enthusiasm.

"Mom, you know she's not the real deal," Aiden grunted, annoyance evident in his tone.

"So?"

"I highly recommend she doesn't go around my pack like she is," Aiden shot back impatiently.

Luna tapped her chin deep in thought. "Well, true, but at least she would not be cooped up in this house forever."

"Luna, Ari wanted to go shopping, right?" Kehlani piped up, and I could feel Aiden's glare burning into me.

I-It's not like that; I just have to get a new phone. Mine is with my mom, " I stammered, scratching my necks.

"Okay! Damien can take you. He'll protect you, won't you, my darling?" Luna said, eyes sparkling.

I gulped.

"Okay, Mom, " Damien replied casually.

No! No! No!

"You will need a hoodie to hide your face, and maybe a cap, " he added, already reaching for his.

The gossip mill must have been working overtime because the news of Aiden's mate in the pack had spread like wildfire.

"I'll be at work," Aiden said, getting up and walking upstairs. Wait, he works?

"That's his excuse to eat and watch TV in his room," Luna whispered, making me giggle a bit.

I didn't know I could feel this relaxed around a mother figure.

"So, what phone would you like?" Damien paused, turning towards me.

I only hoped I didn't have a nosebleed.

"Er… anyone that fits my budget," I said, digging into my wallet.

"You're the pack's responsibility now, so it's my card we're using," he said, opening the door for me.

What a gentleman. Are they sure Aiden isn't adopted?

"You can wear this since we're going to walk into town." He set his cap on my head, and I breathed in his scent. Divine. Cinnamon.

In the phone shop, I made a clumsy selection of a phone without a care in the world about what it was named, only that it would be unique since Damien was buying it.

"Nice, let's take a gander at this," he said, heading towards the cashier.

I was too busy admiring him—tall, muscular, and handsome, with a denim jacket that fitted him just right.

I couldn't believe that half the year had been spent watching him from afar, and he was now just a few feet away.

"Ariana?" His voice snapped me out of my daydream.

"Y-yes? W-what?" I stuttered, finding him looking at me with that cutest confused expression.

"We're done," he said, heading toward the door.

"Oh, right! Thanks!" I exclaimed, running after him.

The silence stretched as we walked down the street, the only sounds coming from his phone's constant tapping.

"Something wrong?"Damian suddenly asked. I felt a jolt of electricity as he spoke up

"Hm?" I laughed awkwardly "NOPE!"

That was what made him laugh; Damien's laugh echoed in my ears, one so light it felt like it could simply float away. We moved through the streets, and with every step, my heart seemed to race. I was walking with Damien Darhk-Damien Darhk-and all that came to mind was how every word felt like a ticking time bomb ready to explode at any moment in awkwardness.

So, you protested?" he finally asks, his gaze rising from his phone to lock eyes with mine.

"Ah, well, someone needed to say something, right?" I shrug and try to be cool, but inside, I'm freaking out. I just can't seem to think of words, at least not grammatically correct sentences. "I just can't stand injustice. It's like. Feeding wolves grass, you know?

"Right," he said, still nodding like I'd just shared with him the secret to the universe. "But did it work? I mean, did they ever listen?"

"Not really," I sighed, "but at least I got to see you roll your eyes from the back of the classroom."

His laughter was genuine this time, with no politeness. "I remember that. You were unstoppable. I didn't know whether to be impressed or terrified."

"Maybe both?" I suggested with a grin. And the words just kept coming and in that moment, the weight of Pretend Luna lifted. There we were: two kids, high school graduates, talking about rebellion and survival.

We walked past a bakery, and the sweet scent of freshly baked pastries wafted through the air. My tummy growled, and I could feel the heat rise to my cheeks. "Do you think they have cupcakes?" I blurted out, my mouth watering at the thought.

Damien lifted an eyebrow in amusement. "Trying to bribe me?"

"Maybe," I laughed, loosening up more than I had in days. "Cupcakes are a powerful currency, you know.

"Alright, I'm in," he said, and we stepped inside the bakery. Pastel colors danced across the walls, and sugary delights lined the case.

As I selected a cupcake swirled with chocolate frosting, I could feel Damien's eyes on me. "You have a sweet tooth, don't you?"

"Just for the good stuff," I teased. "So, what's your poison? Muffins? Cookies?"

He let his tension ease, leaning casually against the counter, and in that one second, the tension arcing between us did an about-face. "I'm more of a pie guy. Can't resist a good apple pie."

"Noted," I said, raising my cupcake aloft like it was some kind of trophy. "You know, you really should join me in a protest for better dessert options at the pack house."

He laughed, but then his face turned serious. "You're not afraid of them, are you?

Who, the pack?" I returned, my voice dripping into a whisper. "Honestly, I'm terrified. I mean, I'm just the Pretend Luna and everyone's looking at me like I'm some sort of threat to their status quo."

"Forget them," he said certainly, moving closer. "You have every right to be here. You are strong, and anybody who says otherwise is just scared.

His words came out of left field and hit me like a bolt of lightning. I'd never thought of it that way.

"Thanks," I managed, my heart racing. "That means a lot."

We finished our treats and strolled out into the sun, the weight of the world still heavy upon my shoulders but somehow a little lighter. We fell into an easy silence, the kind that felt like we were both pondering the same unspoken thoughts.

As we walked, I couldn't help but think this was just the beginning. I was stepping into something new and wild, and perhaps perhaps would be there beside me, navigating the chaos.

Suddenly his phone buzzed again, snapping me out of my daydream. He looked down at the screen, the curve of his brow furrowing in concern.

"What's wrong?" I asked, aware of his change of mood.

Just Aiden," he repeated, his voice slowly taking on a sharp edge. "He's asking when we'll be back. He has a job waiting for me."

"Let him sweat a little," I teased, my words bursting with a lot more courage than I felt. "You are free for now."

He snorted, and for a moment, I could have sworn that a defiant spark lit up his eyes. "You're right. Let's take our time.

And in that moment, with cupcakes in our bellies and the warm sun against our skin, we were invincible, taking on the world together.