Chapter One

Sun watched the scenery outside the car window change from towering city buildings to rolling hills and dense forests. Her uncle Mike's old truck rumbled beneath her, the engine's steady hum almost lulling her to sleep after the exhausting journey. She had packed up everything she had left into two duffel bags and left behind her small apartment in the city. Life there had been too expensive, too draining especially after the loss of her investment business. Now, she was here, headed toward a small town she barely remembered, to live with a man she hadn't seen in years.

The truck jolted over a bump, snapping her out of her thoughts. Mike shot her a quick look from the driver's seat, his gruff exterior softened slightly by the concern in his eyes. He wasn't much of a talker, but she could tell he was trying to gauge how she was feeling about all this.

"You alright back there?" he asked, his voice low and gravelly from years of smoking and who knows what else.

"Yeah, I'm good," Sun replied, forcing a small smile. "Just... tired."

Mike nodded, his gaze returning to the road. The silence settled between them again, but this time, it didn't feel as heavy. She had always appreciated that about Mike—he didn't push. Growing up, he had been the kind of relative who would sit with you in quiet understanding rather than bombard you with questions or advice you didn't ask for.

"Sorry the place isn't going to be what you're used to," Mike said after a long pause. "Ain't much out there except trees, a few neighbors, and the coffee shop. But it's quiet. Safer, too."

"Quiet's good," Sun murmured, staring out the window. She wasn't looking for excitement anymore. She just needed a break. A chance to figure things out.

The trees seemed to stretch on forever, the woods growing denser as they drove further into the outskirts of town. The setting sun cast long shadows across the road, giving everything an eerie, amber glow. It wasn't the city—no towering buildings, no constant hum of cars or people. Instead, there was a stillness here, almost unsettling in its silence. The isolation was something Sun knew she would have to get used to.

"You ever been up this way before?" Mike asked, glancing over at her again.

"Not since I was a kid," she said. "It's different from what I remember. I barely recognize it."

"Yeah, things change," Mike said with a grunt. "Town's still small, though. You won't have much trouble finding your way around."

The truck rumbled down a gravel road, and soon, a small wooden house came into view, tucked between the trees. Mike slowed the truck to a stop in front of it. The house was modest, with a wraparound porch and a few wind chimes hanging from the beams. It had an old, weathered look, but it felt sturdy, like it had seen a lot over the years and would hold steady through anything.

"Well, here we are," Mike said, pulling the keys from the ignition. "Home sweet home."

Sun stepped out of the truck and stretched, her legs stiff from the long drive. The air was cool and crisp, carrying the faint scent of pine and damp earth. It was a far cry from the smoggy city air she had grown used to over the years.

While she was stretching she heard the sound of a wolf howling deep in the woods. 

"Are there wolves around here?" she asked ,looking around.

"Well yeah, but don't worry, they don't leave the woods so you'll be alright." Mike replied.

Mike grabbed one of her bags from the truck back seat and led the way up the porch steps. "There's a spare room set up for you. It ain't fancy, but it should be comfortable enough."

"Thanks, Mike. I appreciate you letting me stay," Sun said as she followed him inside.

"No need for that," he said with a wave of his hand. "Family's family after all."

The inside of the house was cozy, though cluttered with hunting gear, tools, and old books piled in corners. It had the feel of a place lived in by someone who spent more time outdoors than in. Sun liked it immediately—it felt real, grounded. She could get used to this, she thought.

"I'll show you around," Mike said, setting her bag down in the entryway. He pointed down the hall. "Bathroom is there. Your room is the one on the left. Kitchen's straight ahead, help yourself to anything. I'm usually out early, but there's a coffee maker if you need it."

Sun nodded, following him down the hall as he gave the brief tour. The spare room was small but comfortable, with a twin bed and a window that looked out over the trees. It was quiet and seemed peaceful.

Mike paused at the doorway. "If you need anything, just holler. I'm usually out back or at the shop in town. You start work tomorrow, right?"

"Yeah," Sun replied. She had managed to land a job at the local coffee shop—a small place where the regulars were mostly locals. It wasn't glamorous, but it was a start. She needed the money, and it would give her something to do.

"Good place," Mike said with a nod. "You'll meet the whole town there, one way or another."

Sun smiled faintly. "I'm sure I will."

Mike gave a grunt of acknowledgment, then turned to leave. "I'll leave you to it. Get some rest. Long drive and all."

Once he was gone, Sun sat down on the edge of the bed and exhaled slowly. The room was quiet, the only sound the faint rustling of the trees outside. She could feel the exhaustion settling in her bones. It had been a long day, and she wasn't sure how she felt about this new chapter in her life yet. But for now, she was here, and she would make it work.

She lay back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. Her thoughts drifted to Maya, her girlfriend, and the life they had shared in the city,the one she'd left behind. Things hadn't been perfect—far from it—but she missed her. They had promised to stay in touch, but long-distance relationships were hard, and Sun wasn't sure how well they would manage. Still, she hoped they could make it work.

Her phone buzzed on the nightstand, and she picked it up, smiling at the message from Maya. 'Hope you're settling in okay. Miss you already.'

Sun quickly typed a reply, 'Miss you too. It's quiet here, but I think I'll be okay. I'll call you tomorrow after work.'

She set the phone aside, her mind still buzzing with everything that had happened. The move, the new job, the uncertainty of it all. But for now, she closed her eyes and let herself drift off, the sound of the wind in the trees lulling her to sleep.

The next morning, Sun woke to the smell of coffee brewing and the sound of her uncle moving around the kitchen. She dressed quickly, pulling on a pair of jeans and a flannel shirt, and made her way downstairs. Mike was already up, standing by the stove as he flipped pancakes.

"Morning," he grunted, glancing over his shoulder as she entered the kitchen. "Coffee's ready if you want some."

"Thanks," Sun said, pouring herself a cup. She leaned against the counter, watching him cook. It was strange, this domestic side of him. She had always thought of Mike as the rough-around-the-edges kind of person, not someone who made breakfast.

"Got a ride to work?" he asked, flipping another pancake onto the growing stack.

"I was just going to walk," Sun replied. "It's not far, right?"

"About fifteen minutes on foot," Mike said. "I can drop you off if you want. Got some errands to run in town anyway."

Sun hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Sure. That'd be great, thanks."

The ride into town was short but gave her a chance to take in the small community she would be calling home for the foreseeable future. The town center was quaint, with a few mom-and-pop stores, a diner, and the coffee shop where she'd be working. Everything felt slower here, calmer, as if time itself moved differently.

Mike pulled up in front of the shop and turned to her. "I'll be around later if you need a ride back. Just give me a call."

"Thanks, Mike. I'll see you later," Sun said, grabbing her bag and stepping out of the truck.

As she stood in front of the coffee shop, the nerves hit her. This was it—her first day in this new place, this new life. She took a deep breath and pushed open the door, the bell above it chiming as she stepped inside.

The shop was warm and welcoming, with wooden tables and chairs arranged in pairs of twos,fours and sixes throughout, and the smell of freshly brewed coffee filled the air. A few early-morning customers sat at the counter, sipping their drinks and chatting quietly.

"Hey, you must be Sun," a cheerful voice called from behind the counter.

Sun looked up to see a woman with short, curly hair and a bright smile. She waved Sun over.

"I'm Lydia," she said, extending a hand. "I'll be showing you the ropes today."

Sun smiled and shook her hand. "Nice to meet you."

"Come on back, I'll give you the grand tour," Lydia said with a wink.

Sun followed her behind the counter, where Lydia explained the ins and outs of the job—how to make the coffee, serve the customers, and manage the flow of the small but steady crowd. It wasn't long before Sun settled into the rhythm, her nerves fading as she focused on the task at hand.

The morning passed quickly, with a few regular customers coming and going. Lydia was chatty, filling Sun in on the town's gossip and introducing her to some of the locals. Everything seemed to be going smoothly—until the door swung open just before noon.

Sun glanced up from the counter, her heart skipping a beat as she saw him.

A tall man, broad-shouldered, with dark, piercing eyes. He stepped into the shop, his gaze sweeping across the room before landing on her. For a moment, the world seemed to stop. There was something about him—something unsettling. His presence filled the room, a heavy weight that made the hairs on the back of Sun's neck stand on end.

Lydia noticed the shift in the atmosphere and her smile faltered slightly. "That's Shawn," she whispered to Sun. "He's... one of the regulars. Just keep your head down. He doesn't talk much."

But Shawn's eyes were fixed on Sun, as if he knew something about her—something she didn't even know herself. He walked slowly toward the counter, each step deliberate.

Sun swallowed hard, forcing herself to stay calm as he approached. The air around him seemed charged, almost electric, and the unease gnawing at her only grew stronger.

"New girl?" Shawn asked, his voice low, almost a growl.

Sun nodded, her throat dry. "Yeah. Just started today."

He didn't respond right away, just stared at her for a long moment, as if weighing something in his mind. Then, without another word, he took the coffee beans and bread then dropped the payment before he turned and walked out of the shop, the door slamming shut behind him.

Sun exhaled a breath she didn't realize she had been holding, her heart racing in her chest.

"What was that about?" she whispered to Lydia, who was watching the door with a tense expression.

Lydia shook her head. "Don't know. But be careful around him. Shawn's not... like the others."

Sun frowned, her mind spinning with questions. What had just happened? And why did she feel like something about her encounter with Shawn had just changed everything?

Outside, the wind picked up, and the trees surrounding the town seemed to whisper.

Something was coming. Something that had been waiting.