I did not dream this night, the 6:30 alarm clock rang, I sat up, I had an early shift. The morning light poured into the bedroom through the curtains, and Zoe was sleeping soundly with her doll in her arms. I tiptoed into the bathroom.
Looking at myself in the mirror, I didn't look as tired today, and the dark circles under my eyes seemed to have disappeared. I tried to smile at myself in the mirror, quickly got ready, and left Zoe's place.
I arrived at the diner, and Tim, the chef who usually didn't give me a warm welcome, surprisingly smiled at me and said good morning.
This morning the customers were not many, when the diner door chimed. I looked up from wiping tables. My breath caught.
He walked in. Tall. Handsome. Familiar. It was him. The mysterious man Lucian.
He looked different here. His clothes were fancy. Too fancy for our small diner. For our small town. People stared. I stared too. Couldn't help it. He smiled at me. My heart did a weird flip.
"Hello again, Willow," he said. His voice was smooth. Rich. I blinked. Tried to speak. "H-hi," I managed.
He sat at the counter. Right in front of me. I clutched my notepad. My hands were sweaty.
"Coffee, please," he said. "And whatever you recommend for breakfast." I nodded. Scribbled on my pad. Hoped it was legible.
As I poured his coffee, I snuck glances at him. His hair was perfect. Not a strand out of place. His skin was flawless. He looked... unreal.
I set down the coffee. "The, um, pancakes are good," I said. My voice sounded small.He smiled again. "Pancakes it is, then."
I gave the order to the cook. Turned back to Lucian. He was watching me. I looked away.
"So, Willow," he said. "How long have you lived in Silver Creek?"I froze. How long? I didn't know. I should have known. But I didn't. "I... I'm not sure," I admitted. Shame washed over me.But Lucian didn't laugh. Didn't look at me like I was weird. He just nodded."Time can be tricky," he said. "Especially in a small town like this. Days blur together."I relaxed a little. "Yeah," I said. "They do."
We talked more. Well, he talked. I listened. Tried to respond. It was hard. But not as hard as usual. He asked about the town. About the people. I told him what I could remember. Which wasn't much.
"And what about you, Willow?" he asked. "What's your story?"I tensed up again. My story? I didn't know my story. "I... I don't really have one," I said. "I'm just... here."
Lucian leaned forward. His eyes locked onto mine. I couldn't look away. "Everyone has a story," he said softly. "Even if they can't remember it."
He leaned towards me, his body had a unique fragrance, indescribable yet intoxicating. But his words made me shudder involuntarily. What did he mean?
Thank goodness, the cook called out. The pancakes were ready. I grabbed them. Grateful for the distraction.
As I set the plate in front of Lucian, he spoke again. "These smell delicious. Would you like to join me?"I blinked in surprise. "Oh, I... I can't. I'm working."He smiled. "Perhaps another time, then."
I nodded. Not sure if I meant it. But wanting to. Throughout the morning, I kept looking at Lucian. Couldn't help it. He stood out. Like a peacock among pigeons.
Other customers noticed too. They whispered. Stared. Lucian didn't seem to care. He caught me looking once. Winked at me. I blushed. Looked away quickly. Why did I feel this way? I didn't know him. Didn't trust easily. But something about him...
Zoe came in for her shift. Saw Lucian. Frowned. "Why did he come again?" I shrugged, pretending not to care, "Who knows why he's here."
Zoe's frown deepened. "Be careful, Willow. Something about him seems... off."I wanted to defend him. Didn't know why. Just nodded instead.
As Lucian got up to leave, he called me over. Handed me a generous tip. "Thank you for the wonderful breakfast, Willow," he said. "I look forward to seeing you again."
I smiled. A real smile. Couldn't remember the last time I did that. "Thanks," I said. "Have a good day."
He left. The diner felt emptier somehow.
Zoe appeared beside me. "What did he say to you?"I shrugged. "Just thanked me for breakfast."
Zoe didn't look convinced. "Willow, promise me you'll be careful around him. Okay?" I nodded. But part of me didn't want to be careful. Part of me wanted to see him again.
The following day, I started making mistakes more frequently, as I couldn't stop thinking about Lucian.His smile. His eyes. The way he looked at me. Like he knew me. Really knew me.
As I cleaned tables, a memory hit me. No, not a memory. A dream.
A wolf. Silver fur. Golden eyes. Looking at me. Knowing me.
I shook my head. Pushed the image away. It was just a dream. Wasn't it?
The day ended. Zoe and I closed up. She asked me to come back to her place, but I refused. "I'm fine now, Zoe.""Really?" Zoe asked. "You've been quiet."I nodded. "Of course. Trust me, I can't live in your house forever. I'm just tired," I lied. I wasn't tired. I was confused. Excited. Scared."Alright," Zoe conceded, she hugged me goodbye. "Remember what I said. Be careful."
I watched her go. Thought about Lucian. About wolves. About dreams that felt like memories.
======================
Lucian's Flashback**
The grand hall echoed with my footsteps. Father waited on his throne. His eyes were cold.
"Lucian," he said. "I have a task for you."I bowed. "Yes, Father?"
He leaned forward. "There's a threat in Silver Creek. A hidden Alpha. Find them. Bring them to me."I nodded. "And if they resist?"
Father's smile was cruel. "Then eliminate them. We can't risk our power.""As you wish, Father," I said. But doubt gnawed at me.
As I left, Father called out. "Remember, Lucian. Duty before all else. Even your heart."
I didn't look back. Couldn't let him see my face. My conflict.
I always felt that he was hiding something.
I always felt that my father was afraid, what was he afraid of?
What was waiting for me at the end of the silver stream? Was it just a hidden Alpha? Was it a threat that needed to be eliminated?
My intuition told me that things were not that simple.