Chapter 9: Bite Marks

The morning light filtered through the curtains. Natalie yawned over and over, complaining to me.

The hotel breakfast buffet was winding down, the smell of bacon and coffee in the air. Natalie slid into the booth across from me, sunglasses hiding bloodshot eyes. She groaned, rubbing her temples, clearly hungover.

"Can you two keep it down at night? Think of your neighbors!"

She shot me a look over her coffee cup, smirking. I blushed, staring into my own mug, swirling the coffee as if it held all the answers. I didn’t say a word, just waited for her to lose interest.

Derek strode over, rubbing his shoulder.

He wore black silk pajamas, the kind you only see in movies. The collar was open, revealing a fresh bandage on his shoulder. He grinned, every bit the morning-after villain.

His pajamas slipped off one side, revealing a blood-stained bandage.

The sight made my stomach churn. I remembered the taste of blood, the feeling of his skin between my teeth. I looked away, pretending not to care.

Caleb, pouring coffee, paused. "You’re hurt?"

He sounded genuinely concerned, his brow furrowing. For a moment, I saw the boy I’d once loved—the one who cared about everyone, even me.

"Got bitten by a little kitten last night. Bled a fistful—hurts like hell."

He peeled back the gauze to show everyone.

I glanced away, embarrassed. Natalie leaned in for a closer look, lips curling in a smirk. Derek winked at me, as if we shared some private joke. I wanted to disappear.

"That bad? Vicious animals like that should be put down," Natalie exclaimed.

Her voice was too loud, drawing attention. She laughed, tossing her hair, enjoying the drama.

"I got scratched a few years ago—worse than this."

He pointed at the faint scar above his brow, giving me a teasing look.

I remembered the night that scar was made—the chaos and violence. He wore it like a badge of honor, a reminder of what we’d survived.

"Tsk, a little temper makes things interesting. I think I’ll keep her."

His words were meant for show, but they cut deep. I wondered if he’d ever really let me go, or if I’d be stuck in his orbit forever.

Caleb, who hadn’t reacted before, suddenly seemed to remember something. He looked at me, eyes full of guilt I couldn’t decipher.

He opened his mouth as if to say something, but thought better of it. The silence stretched, heavy and awkward.

I just kept my head down, silent.

Because the wild little kitten Derek was talking about was me…

I traced the rim of my mug, wishing I could disappear. The bite marks on his shoulder were my mark—a silent protest, a reminder that I wasn’t completely powerless.

Last night, to get back at him for secretly recording, I’d bitten his shoulder hard, more than once.

It was a small victory, but it made me feel alive. For a moment, I was in control. The memory made me smile, just a little.

As for that old scar, it was a mark left by my blood and tears…

The night I fought back for the first time. The night everything changed.