A Dangerous Invitation

Elara’s POV

The note still burned in my bag, crumpled and hidden like a dirty secret.

All day, I kept thinking about it. Stay away from him before it’s too late.

Too late.

Bakit ba parang nararamdaman kong late na nga talaga?

Lately, Damian Blackthorn has been in every corner of my life—sa mga daan, sa mga mata ng mga taong biglang natatahimik kapag nababanggit ang pangalan niya, sa mga gabi kong hindi na mapanatag.

And tonight… nasa harap ko na naman siya.

We were in the small café I usually went to. I thought safe ako doon, kasi madalas puno ng students, may ilaw, may music. Walang madilim na eskinita.

Pero pag-angat ko ng tingin mula sa kape ko, ayun siya. Nakaupo sa kabilang table, parang kanina pa ako pinagmamasdan.

“Stalking me now?” I tried to sound annoyed, pero lumabas na parang mahina, like a weak shield.

He smirked. “You call it stalking. I call it making sure you don’t walk yourself into another dark alley.”

I rolled my eyes, pero my heart skipped. Of course. He saw me last night. He knew.

“Relax, dove. I came for a reason,” Damian said, leaning forward, his voice low but commanding. “You’re coming with me tonight.”

My brows furrowed. “Excuse me? What?”

“To my club.”

I blinked. “Club? No thanks.”

“You don’t get to say no.”

My chest tightened. “Damian—”

“Don’t worry.” His smirk deepened, his eyes like sin itself. “I’ll keep you safe.”

Safe. The word didn’t sound like comfort in his mouth. It sounded like a threat dressed in velvet.

And yet, hours later… I found myself standing outside a place I should never be.

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Damian’s POV

Elara looked out of place under the glowing neon sign of Erebus.

My club. My kingdom. My den of shadows.

This wasn’t just any club—it was the Blackthorn signature. Loud music, red lights, leather and smoke, bodies moving like they’ve surrendered their souls for one night of abandon.

And here she was, in her student sweater and jeans, clutching her bag like a lifeline.

Perfect.

She looked like innocence caught in a den of wolves. And everyone inside would smell it.

Which is why she had to be with me.

I approached her at the door, ignoring the line of people waiting to get in. The bouncers nodded at me immediately, stepping aside.

Her eyes darted to the long line, then back to me. “We’re… just going in like that?”

“Do you really think I wait in lines?”

Her lips parted, but no sound came out. I smirked and took her by the wrist.

“Don’t let go.” I warned.

Inside, the bass pounded through the walls, lights flashing, bodies pressed together in heat and smoke. Elara froze beside me, eyes wide, overwhelmed.

Good. She needed to see this world. My world.

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Elara’s POV

The club was suffocating.

Music so loud it rattled my bones, the air thick with perfume, sweat, and alcohol. People dancing, grinding, laughing like they’d sold their souls and were celebrating.

And beside me, Damian.

He was different here. Darker, sharper. This was his element. He owned the space, every shadow, every beat of the music. Even the people—parang lahat sila lumalayo, nagbibigay daan habang dumadaan siya.

Sino ba talaga siya?

He led me up a staircase to a balcony overlooking the club. May private lounge, leather couches, bottles of expensive liquor lined up.

“Sit.” he ordered.

I didn’t move. “Why am I here?”

He poured himself a drink, then looked at me with that sinful smirk. “Because I want you here.”

“That’s not an answer.”

“Dove,” he said, walking closer, glass in hand. “Every person down there would sell blood just to step inside this lounge. And you’re asking me why you are here?”

His eyes locked onto mine, burning, daring me to look away.

I swallowed hard, refusing to sit, refusing to give him the satisfaction. “This isn’t my world.”

“No,” he said, circling me like a predator. “But it will be.”

My breath caught.

Before I could respond, a man entered the lounge, eyes flicking nervously between me and Damian.

“Boss,” he muttered. “We’ve got… trouble at the door. Someone asking questions. About her.”

Her.

My stomach dropped.

Damian’s expression darkened, sharp and cold in an instant. He turned to me slowly, his voice calm but dangerous.

“Looks like your little warning note wasn’t the only message.”

My blood ran cold.

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Damian’s POV

Someone was playing a game.

First, the note. Now, someone bold enough to come to my club asking about Elara.

They were either stupid, or desperate.

I looked at her—my little dove, trembling but trying so hard to stand her ground. She had no idea how much danger she was in.

And she had no idea that stepping into my world tonight sealed her fate.

I leaned in close, brushing a strand of hair from her face, my lips near her ear.

“Stay beside me. Don’t move. Don’t speak to anyone unless I say so.”

Her heartbeat thundered against her chest. I smirked.

“Because tonight, dove… you’ll see exactly what it means to belong to me.”

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