ing into a small pocket of calm near a marble st

ief crashing over m

?! What are you doing here?Damn, I knew I caught your

tered the air. Chaos erupted as I glanced around wi

y are not screaming, they are howling. You shouldn't b

what's going

e features. The silence stretched between us. Fina

rena. This place––it'

otic din around us. "Werewolves?" I repea

e too. I'm sorry for hiding it from you but I had no choi

he stuff of myth and terror, not real beings!

, "I am here for you, As

elicate features. "This estate has wards preventing humans from

g. As I struggled to process this, Ashley took m

ple whispering intimately by a burbling

esque redhead before gesturing to me. "This is my roomma

curiosity sparking his intense grey gaze. He stood nearly a foot taller than my petite fr

eyes flashing at me. Despite her petite stature, she exu

ture even as I shrank back. "It was an a

ide stepped forward. His voice was flavored wit

o her, you have my word." His smile was gentle and reassu

dence. "Natasha and I lead this pack. Consider you

than just fear now. Werewolf or not, Xavier w

e observed me like one might an intruding insect. "She'll

t the girl is clearly more frightened than we are at the mome

She gave a curt nod, crimson curls bouncing. "Very well. See that no

d path, her floral perfume lingering. I stared aft

our kind is something she protects fiercely. But you need

ven the danger Natasha had highlighted, but being near Xavier made me feel strangely safe despite the warnings. And utterly

"What did she mean the

t's merely the full moon effect. Makes us a bit more

ormidable werewolf leader against all rational sense. But there woul

le while we await dawn," Xavier offered,

ht, there would be no going back from the truth I'd uncovered. And no going back from the magnetic pull of

itation in her emerald eyes. "You'll be alright upstairs,

le despite my rattled nerves. "I'll be ok

ng me into a tight hug. "I'm so sorry for all of th

y throat. So much still felt unreal, but my prior

nded the stairs with his effortless grace. He nodde

y core. Ashley gave me one last smile tinged with sadness before di

he explained, placing a light hand at the small of my back

of the manor. Xavier unlocked an intricate wooden door bearing strange symbols, ushering me into a well-appointe

ow tensions run high on nights like this, but

eplace, clutching my hands together to still their trem

ral items, including a necklace with a cr

? Are the ward

ning to me, she fastened the pendant around my throat, m

ared, "There, now no wolf will perceive her

f us?" Xavi

en he saw her, he said he will need to talk to you later about this," she said lo

y enough. After a final sharp look at us both, Natasha exited. An un

have que

by, tall and broad shouldered. "W

Ah. Yes, the moon's pull is rather strong tonight...my wol

emotions hitting me made no rational sense but I couldn't seem to stop them either. Xavier's eyes glinted knowingly

visible effort. "I should go. But

ry not to be alarmed by any noises from below. I know the howls c

heard the definitive click of a key turning in the lock. Alone now, I pa

horus until it reached a fevered peak. I shuddered, wrapping my arms around myself. Those were

sic started up again, muffled through the floor. The party raged on it seemed. Did

unded in the lock. I jumped as Xavier entered silently, raking a hand through his tousled hair. His shirt wa

my head. The breath tangled in my lungs at his overwhelming nearness. He leaned closer, n

ha stood in the doorway still fully nud

dly with our g

fore coming in. The full moon is so strong tonight."His eyes stayed locked with mine, a promise of unfinished business reflected between us. I sca