Chapter 53: Damian Raven

Benjamin didn’t respond immediately. He just blinked at me with a blank, almost stupidly innocent expression, his purple eyes tracking my bewildered face.

I scowled, my eyebrows drawing tightly together. "Are you a fool? Why would you do that?"

If he had told me this was just a test run to see how much sensory overload he could handle with a companion by his side, I would have believed it without hesitation. If he had said he had other official Almond Pack business on campus and needed the token for himself anyway, it would have made complete sense.

But doing all of this—risking a neural collapse in a crowded school—just for me?

My brain flat-out refused to process it. My body refused to accept the reality of it, and my heart found the entire concept completely incomprehensible. Was this guy suffering from a mental impairment brought on by his neural strain? Was his brain actually melting?

"You’re overthinking it, Brianna," Benjamin finally drawled, his lazy tone returning as he flicked the silver token into the air and caught it effortlessly. "I just hate being interrupted when I’m trying to sleep. If some power-tripping guard detains you at the facility because they think you stole my card, you’ll end up making a scene. And a scene means noise."

He took a step closer, leaning down slightly so his unhinged purple eyes were level with mine, a faint, maddening smirk tugging at his lips.

"Besides," he whispered, his eyes glinting with a dark, dangerous spark. "As someone who needs you, I have to protect you before a fight even begins, don’t I?"

"I don’t need your protection!" I snapped, violently yanking my hand away from his grip.

"Come on, are you mad? I—"

"Benjamin Almond," a cold, even voice sliced through the tension between us.

Even before I saw the face, my body reacted. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up, and a heavy, suffocating pressure suddenly descended over the hallway. The presence was extraordinary—an apex predator stepping into the territory. We both turned our heads.

Standing a few feet away, casually pushing his silver-framed glasses up the bridge of his nose, was Damian. Damian Raven.

His deep, red eyes bypassed Benjamin entirely and locked directly onto mine, sending an involuntary shiver straight down my spine.

"Damian," Benjamin called out, his lazy tone dropping into a guarded, dangerous hum. "Did you need something?"

"Well, I can hardly get a hold of you. You don’t answer your phone, you don’t come to school, no classes," Damian replied smoothly, his sharp gaze finally flicking to Benjamin. "But here you are, on a stroll through school grounds, not even in your uniform."

"I had something to take care of," Benjamin countered effortlessly.

It seemed like the only one who could talk to Benjamin like this, was someone who was of equal standing, an equal heir to one of the four High Packs.

They stood there, squaring off in the middle of the corridor, and I could physically feel the clash of their auras. The air between the two Alphas grew thick and static, making it hard to draw a full breath. I didn’t want any part of this crossfire.

"Benjamin," I muttered, taking a subtle step back. "If you have something to take care of, then I’ll wait for you by the car."

I turned, ready to make my escape, but Benjamin’s hand suddenly clamped down on my arm, locking me in place. "Wait a moment. Why are you running?"

That single question was all it took. Damian’s piercing red eyes snapped right back to me.

"You... You’re a student, too," Damian noted, his tone mild but laced with an undeniable edge of authority. "Why are you not in your uniform?"

"Not everything concerns you, Damian," Benjamin warned, stepping slightly in front of me.

"Well, if it concerns a student, then it concerns me. Remember, I am the president of the disciplinary committee." Damian stared right through Benjamin’s defense, his logic flawless and impenetrable. He took a slow, deliberate step forward, his red gaze fixing heavily on me. "Brianna Wells, was it?"

How did he know my name? I wondered, pursing my lips as my heart hammered against my ribs.

"In case you’re wondering why I know your name," Damian said seamlessly.

I flinched, my eyes widening.

"Just know I keep track of students with peculiar records in this school," he continued, a faint, chilling smirk touching the corner of his mouth. "And I have a fairly great memory."

How did he even know what I was thinking? I cursed inwardly. In my past life, I was a master at guarding my mind, concealing my intentions behind an iron fortress. But right now, in this fragile body, I felt completely exposed. I looked like a transparent amateur standing in front of this Alpha.

"I am under suspension," the words left my lips, as if desperately clawing for an excuse to avert his wrath. I was worried... Worried that if I didn’t say anything now, he would say something for me, and I would not be given an excuse to speak afterward.

"Then, since you are currently suspended, I’ll pardon you for not wearing your uniform today," Damian murmured.

Without warning, he closed the distance. He leaned in, breaching my personal space—a proximity that was completely unnecessary. His overwhelming scent wrapped around my throat like a rope as he lowered his voice into a chilling whisper.

"But... if you become a repeat offender, I just might have to punish you, little Omega."

My entire body went completely rigid. I flinched hard, stumbling a step backward, and gasping for breath from the pressure. Just as I thought. I couldn’t handle him yet. If I stayed in his presence any longer, this weak shell would be smothered alive.

"Hey," Benjamin’s voice cracked like a whip, completely devoid of its usual lazy drawl. "Know that even if you whisper, I can hear you loud and clear. And it’s annoying. So refrain from speaking completely."

"That will prove to be a difficult task," Damian replied, entirely unbothered as he tilted his glasses again. "I have to speak to pass across messages. Now, Benjamin, we need to talk. It’s about your school performance and poor attendance record. Your Pack name cannot cover everything for you."

Standing between them, I felt exactly like a mouse caught in a den of vipers. So small. In my past life, being small was a tactical advantage—it meant I could slip through the shadows, strike unseen, and vanish without a trace. But right now? Being made to feel this utterly helpless just vexed me to my core.

"Benjamin," I rasped, my chest heaving as I fought for air. "I’ll go first."

But Benjamin’s grip on my arm tightened. "No. I need you here."

"Sorry, but..." I shook my head, my eyes darting nervously toward Damian before looking up at Benjamin. "I need to catch my breath."