Chapter 5: The Warning

Sienna couldn’t breathe. Damien’s words replayed in her head like an endless echo.

“Looks like I’ll have to teach her.”

Maya didn’t know what she was getting into. She couldn’t possibly understand who Damien was—or what he was capable of.

“Damien,” Sienna whispered, her fingers clutching his sleeve desperately, “please… don’t do anything to her. She’s my best friend. She’s just worried about me. That’s all.”

His dark eyes flicked down to her hand gripping him, then back to her face. A cruel smirk tugged at his lips. “Worried? Or trying to take you from me?”

“She’s not—”

“Don’t lie to me, little one,” he interrupted, voice low and sharp. “I can see it in her eyes. She thinks she can save you from me. She doesn’t realize…” He leaned closer, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek, “…you don’t need saving. You belong to me.”

Her chest tightened. His words terrified her, yet the way he said them—like she was the center of his world—left her trembling with something she couldn’t name.

That night, Sienna tried to distract herself, tried to pretend everything was normal. But her phone buzzed again, and her heart sank. Another message from Maya:

“Meet me tomorrow after school. Alone. Don’t let him follow you.”

Her throat went dry. Maya wouldn’t give up—and Damien wouldn’t forgive.

The next day, Sienna barely made it through her classes, her nerves stretched thin. When the final bell rang, she rushed out, hoping to find Maya before Damien noticed.

But she was too late.

By the time she reached the school gates, Damien was already there. And standing opposite him, with fire in her eyes, was Maya.

Sienna’s heart stopped.

“Maya,” she gasped, running forward, “what are you doing?”

Maya shot her a quick look, her jaw tight. “I should be asking you that. What are you doing with him, Sienna? He’s—he’s too old, too dangerous. This isn’t right.”

Damien chuckled softly, a sound that sent chills down Sienna’s spine. “Dangerous?” he echoed, tilting his head. “You’re not wrong. But the danger isn’t for her—it’s for anyone who tries to come between us.”

Maya’s fists clenched. “She’s sixteen! You can’t just claim her like she’s—”

“Mine,” Damien interrupted coldly, stepping closer. His height, his presence, his sheer aura made Maya flinch. “That’s exactly what she is. Mine. And if you were a true friend, you’d stay out of this before you get hurt.”

Sienna’s pulse raced. She could see the fury simmering in Damien’s eyes, the protective fire mixed with obsession. But she could also see the fear flickering in Maya’s.

“Damien, please,” Sienna begged, tugging at his arm. “Don’t. She’s my friend. Please don’t hurt her.”

His gaze softened slightly when it fell on her, but his voice remained like steel. “I don’t want to hurt her, little one. But she’s testing my patience. And my patience… has limits.”

Maya’s voice shook, but she stood her ground. “I won’t let you ruin her life.”

Damien’s smirk faded. His hand shot out suddenly, gripping Maya’s wrist with a force that made her gasp. “Careful, girl. You have no idea what line you’re about to cross.”

“Stop!” Sienna cried, panic flooding her chest. She grabbed his arm with both hands, her eyes wide and desperate. “Please, Damien. For me. Let her go.”

His gaze flickered between them—the fire in Maya’s defiance and the tears in Sienna’s eyes. Slowly, deliberately, he released her, though his eyes never left Maya’s.

“This is your only warning,” he said quietly, his voice deadly calm. “Stay away from her. Next time… I won’t be so gentle.”

Maya rubbed her wrist, glaring at him but saying nothing. The air was thick, charged with unspoken threats.

Damien slipped an arm protectively around Sienna’s shoulders, pulling her close. His voice was a whisper meant only for her. “See, little one? I told you. No one will come between us. Not even her.”

Sienna’s heart twisted painfully as she felt Maya’s eyes on her—hurt, betrayed, afraid.

And in that moment, Sienna realized the truth: she wasn’t just caught in Damien’s obsession. She was trapped between her best friend’s desperate attempts to save her… and the dangerous love that consumed her.

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