lena sat on the edge of the couch, her nerves raw and frayed. Every creak of the old Victorian see

, and trust no one after dark. She had done all of it, sliding bolts into place and jamming furniture against the

the shed, secured with nails she wasn't confident would hold. The makeshift repai

low only seemed to deepen the shadows in the corners. On the coffee table lay her father's journal, its leather

looping ink: *The Howlbound are drawn to bloodlines. The

er concentration. She shot to her feet

s like a warning. One was close, too close, the

cked into the living room, keeping her eyes on the windows. The pale glow of t

by her paranoia. She gripped the knife tight

ped against th

. The thudding of her heart filled her ears as she crept closer

ollowed by a low growl tha

d, though she wasn't sur

stumbled back, the knife trembling in her hand. Whatever

h the wood. The doorframe groaned, the

there would be nowhere to hide. She scanned the room fo

ed by the splintering crack of wood. She bolted

utched tightly in her grip. She reached the landing and turned

ng through the house like a

coming in ragged gasps. The thin wooden barrier felt

irs sent a shiver down her spine. The

the house below. They weren't the padded st

lking calmly through her home, hunting her wit

k a scream. The knife trembled in her

e called, deep

ian

ith confusion. She hesitated, her mi

said again, his tone calm b

ver the lock. Doub

you?" she asked, h

the silence stretc

n't let me in, you'll find out exactly w

knife. Something about h

pressed her ear to the door, stra

e softer, almost coaxing. "I'm here to

itched. She

ow making her stumble back. Another growl, guttu

Adrian's voice rose,

lintering fissure runn

trembling hands. The drop was steep, the grou

d her, and she whirled ar

lowing faintly in the dim light. His expression was a mix of anger

when I did," he said, s

hem, her hand shaking. "How

ght now," he said, his voice steady but edged

hattered door. "What was

have crossed into this territory. You've stirred u

chill through h

s tone grave. "And the ot

ip remained tight. "You didn't answer my ques

slow and deliberate. "Because if I wa

ty in his voice

t do this alone, Elena. Trust me, or don't. But the dan

his gaze-steady and unwavering-held her in place. Slowl

his belt, his focus already s

voice low. "And next time, the

ling like a lead weight in her stom

pression unreadable. "That's

another howl pierced the

htened. "We need

wer, he grabbed her wrist and