The next morning, Ariana couldn't shake the events of the previous night. She had barely slept, tossing and turning, haunted by flashes of glowing eyes and the sound of low growls echoing in her mind. Every time she closed her eyes, the memory of that strange, enormous wolf—no, wolves—came flooding back.
She sat at the kitchen table, cradling a cup of coffee in her hands, her mind racing. Her grandmother hummed softly as she prepared breakfast, moving about the kitchen as though nothing was wrong. But Ariana couldn't focus. She felt like she was walking through a fog, her body in the present while her thoughts were stuck in the night before.
It didn't make sense. None of it made sense. Wolves didn't attack people, especially not in Ravenwood. And what about the second one, the one that had saved her? Why did it feel like more than just a wild animal?
"You're quiet this morning, Ari," her grandmother said, glancing at her over the rim of her glasses. "Everything alright?"
Ariana hesitated, her fingers tightening around the mug. She wanted to tell her grandmother about what happened, but the words felt stuck in her throat. She wasn't even sure if she could explain it.
"I'm fine," she replied, her voice softer than usual. "Just… didn't sleep well."
Her grandmother raised an eyebrow but didn't press her any further. "Well, it's Saturday. Maybe you can rest a little today." She turned back to the stove, her tone as warm and comforting as ever. "Get your strength back."
Ariana nodded absently, her mind still elsewhere. She glanced out the window, her eyes scanning the familiar backyard, half expecting to see something—anything—watching from the trees. But there was nothing out there. Just the quiet stillness of the morning.
It was hard to shake the feeling that she was being watched. She had felt it last night before the attack, and now, even in the safety of her own home, it lingered, clinging to her like a shadow.
She needed answers, but where could she even start? Telling anyone about giant wolves stalking her in the night would make her sound crazy, and she doubted the local police would take her seriously.
"Maybe it was just a nightmare," she whispered to herself. But deep down, she knew better. It had been too real, too vivid. And the mark on her ankle—a faint bruise where she had twisted it running—was all the proof she needed that last night had been no dream.
The rest of the day passed in a blur. Ariana tried to distract herself by cleaning the house, doing laundry, and catching up on schoolwork, but nothing could shake the unease that had settled in her chest. Every sound, every movement outside the window, made her jump. She was constantly on edge, waiting for something to happen.
By the time the sun set, her nerves were frayed, and her resolve to stay inside had crumbled. She couldn't just sit around and pretend like everything was fine. She needed to know what was out there. She needed to see for herself.
Without a second thought, she grabbed her jacket and slipped out the front door, ignoring the instinct that screamed at her to stay inside. The air was cool against her skin as she made her way down the street, heading in the direction of the attack. Her heart pounded in her chest, a mix of fear and curiosity driving her forward.
The streets were eerily quiet, just like the night before. As Ariana reached the spot where the wolves had attacked, she hesitated. The pavement was empty, with no sign of the violent struggle that had taken place less than 24 hours ago. No blood, no fur, no trace of anything out of the ordinary. It was like it had never happened.
But she knew it had.
A rustle in the trees nearby snapped her out of her thoughts, and she froze, her breath catching in her throat. The shadows shifted, and for a moment, she swore she saw something—**someone**—watching her from the edge of the woods.
Her heart raced as she took a step closer, peering into the dark. "Hello?" she called, her voice trembling slightly. "Is anyone there?"
No answer.
She took another step forward, her pulse quickening. The feeling of being watched was stronger now, more intense. Whoever—or whatever—was out there wasn't just some figment of her imagination.
Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows, stepping into the dim glow of the streetlamp. Ariana's breath hitched as she took a step back, her eyes widening.
It was him.
The man standing in front of her was tall, with broad shoulders and an air of confidence that was impossible to ignore. His dark hair was slightly tousled, and his piercing eyes were fixed on hers, glowing faintly in the low light. There was something about him—something primal, dangerous—but also… familiar.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. Ariana's heart pounded in her chest as she tried to make sense of what she was seeing. He didn't look like a stranger. He looked like he belonged to the shadows like he was a part of the night itself.
"What are you doing out here?" His voice was deep and smooth, and it sent a shiver down her spine.
Ariana blinked, trying to steady her racing thoughts. "I—I could ask you the same thing," she replied, her voice more confident than she felt.
The man's eyes flickered with something she couldn't quite place—amusement, maybe. "It's dangerous out here," he said, taking a step closer, his movements deliberate. "You shouldn't be walking around alone."
Ariana swallowed hard, instinctively taking a step back. "I'll be fine," she said, though the tremor in her voice betrayed her nerves. "I'm not afraid of the dark."
The man's lips twitched into a faint smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. "You should be."
Her breath caught in her throat. Something about the way he said it sent a chill through her, as though he knew more about the night than she ever could.
"Who are you?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.
The man hesitated for a moment, his gaze never leaving hers. There was a weight to the silence between them as if he were deciding how much to reveal.
"My name is Liam," he finally said, his voice low. "And you need to go home, now."
Ariana frowned, her curiosity spiking. "Why?"
"Because," he said, his voice quiet but firm, "there are things in this town you don't understand. And if you're not careful, you'll get caught in the middle of something you can't handle."
Her pulse quickened at his words, but she wasn't about to let him scare her off. "What things?" she pressed, her curiosity outweighing her fear. "What's out there?"
Liam's eyes darkened, and for a moment, she saw something flash behind them—something dangerous. "Go home, Ariana," he said, his voice almost a growl. "And stay out of the woods."
Before she could respond, Liam turned and disappeared into the shadows as quickly as he had appeared, leaving Ariana standing there, her mind racing with questions.
Who was he? How did he know her name? And most importantly, what was he trying to protect her from?
She stood there for a moment longer, her thoughts swirling, before finally turning and heading back home. But even as she walked away, she couldn't shake the feeling that something bigger was happening—something that was about to change everything.