Damian stumbled down the hallway, his body burning with heat, his mind spinning. Every step felt heavier than the last, his vision blurring slightly as he approached his bedroom door. His shirt clung to his skin, and his breathing was labored.
“What the hell is wrong with me?” he muttered, gripping the wall to steady himself.
His thoughts were jumbled, filled with confusion and a growing sense of desperation. He felt restless, like an itch he couldn’t scratch, a need he didn’t understand.
When he finally reached his bedroom, he shoved the door open, his movements clumsy but forceful. The room was dimly lit, the soft glow from a bedside lamp casting shadows across the walls.
Inside, Luna was busy arranging the bed. She fluffed the pillows, making sure everything looked perfect, her back turned to the door. She hummed softly to herself, unaware of Damian standing in the doorway, watching her.
Damian’s eyes locked onto her. The sight of her small figure, her delicate hands moving gracefully, sent a wave of heat coursing through him. He clenched his fists, trying to control the urge that was building inside him.
Luna turned slightly, sensing someone behind her. When she saw Damian, she froze. “Mr. Wolfe,” she said softly, bowing her head. “I didn’t hear you come in.”
Damian didn’t respond right away. He stood there, his chest rising and falling heavily, his eyes fixed on her. Luna glanced at him nervously, noticing the sweat on his forehead and the strange look in his eyes.
“Are you feeling all right, sir?” she asked, her voice filled with concern.
Damian took a step forward, his movements slow and deliberate. “Luna,” he said, his voice low and rough. “What are you doing here?”
Luna swallowed hard, unsure why his tone sounded so different. “Mrs. Wolfe asked me to prepare your room,” she explained quickly. “She said you’d be coming up soon.”
Damian’s jaw tightened at the mention of Lina, but his attention stayed on Luna. He took another step closer, the heat in his body intensifying as he looked at her.
Luna took a small step back, her hands clasping the edge of the blanket. “Sir, should I leave now?” she asked hesitantly.
Damian’s eyes flickered with something she couldn’t quite place. He shook his head slowly. “No,” he said, his voice thick. “Stay.”
Luna’s heart raced, her instincts telling her something was wrong. She looked down, avoiding his intense gaze. “Is there something else you need, sir?”
Damian didn’t answer right away. Instead, he closed the door behind him, the soft click of the latch making Luna’s stomach twist.
She glanced up at him nervously, noticing the way he was breathing harder, his hands trembling slightly at his sides. “Sir?” she said again, her voice barely above a whisper.
Damian took another step toward her, his tall frame towering over her small one. “Luna,” he said again, his voice softer now, almost a whisper. “You’ve always been so… obedient.”
Luna frowned, confusion and fear mixing in her chest. “I… I just try to do my job, sir,” she said carefully.
Damian reached out, his fingers brushing against her arm. Luna flinched slightly at the touch, her wide eyes darting to his face.
“Sir,” she said, her voice trembling, “are you sure you’re all right? You seem… unwell.”
Damian’s lips twitched into a small, strained smile. “Do I?” he asked, his tone almost playful, though his eyes were anything but.
“Yes,” Luna said quickly, taking a small step back. “Maybe I should call someone for you, sir. The doctor, perhaps?”
Damian shook his head, the motion slow and deliberate. “No,” he said firmly. “I don’t need a doctor.”
Luna’s back hit the edge of the bed as she tried to step away from him. She looked up at him, her pulse racing. “Then maybe I should go,” she said nervously. “I’ve finished preparing the room. If you don’t need anything else-”
“I said stay,” Damian interrupted, his voice sharp.
Luna froze, her breath catching in her throat. She lowered her gaze, her hands trembling slightly as they clutched the edge of her apron. “Yes, sir,” she said quietly.
Damian moved closer, his fingers brushing against her chin as he tilted her face up to look at him. Luna’s wide, fearful eyes met his, and for a moment, he hesitated.
“Luna,” he murmured, his voice softer now. “You’ve always been loyal to me, haven’t you?”
“Yes, sir,” she said quickly, her voice shaking. “I’ve always done my best to serve you.”
Damian’s hand dropped from her face, his body tense as he stepped back. He ran a hand through his hair, trying to fight the overwhelming heat coursing through him.
Luna watched him carefully, her confusion growing. “Sir,” she said hesitantly, “if there’s something wrong, please let me help.”
Damian turned to her, his eyes dark with something she couldn’t understand. “You’ve already helped,” he said, his tone strange. “More than you know.”
Luna blinked, unsure of what to say. The room felt heavy with tension, the air thick and stifling. She wanted to leave, but Damian’s presence rooted her in place.
Damian took a deep breath, his hands shaking as he clenched them into fists. “You can go now,” he said suddenly, his voice low.
Luna’s eyes widened in surprise, but she didn’t argue. She nodded quickly, moving toward the door. “Thank you, sir,” she said quietly before slipping out of the room.
As the door closed behind her, Damian sat down heavily on the edge of the bed, his head in his hands. The heat in his body hadn’t lessened, and his mind was still clouded.
“What’s happening to me?” he muttered, his voice filled with frustration and confusion.