Chapter Four
The moon hung high above the dense forest, casting a silvery glow across the trees. A low growl echoed through the woods as a large werewolf ran at full speed, its powerful legs kicking up leaves and dirt with each step. Its amber eyes gleamed in the dark, scanning the surroundings for any sign of danger. The air was cool, the night quiet except for the rhythmic pounding of the wolf's paws against the ground. The beast slowed its pace, panting heavily, before coming to a stop near an old oak tree.
With a deep breath, the werewolf stood on its hind legs. Muscles rippled beneath its thick fur as the bones began to shift and crack. A groan of discomfort escaped its maw as the transformation began, the hulking wolf shrinking and its fur receding. Slowly, the beast took on a human shape, its features morphing into a tall, well-built man with sharp, angular features and piercing eyes. He wiped the sweat from his brow and glanced around cautiously, ensuring no one had witnessed the change.
Reaching up, he pulled down a bundle of clothes hidden in the branches of the oak tree. Quickly dressing, he buttoned his shirt and slid on his shoes before giving the forest one last glance. With a satisfied smirk, he walked off into the shadows of the night.
The next morning, Sun was getting ready to leave her uncle Mike's house. She had spent the night tossing and turning again, it was a surprise that Maya who was sleeping next to her didn't stir at all,but then she'd always been an heavy sleeper,Sun had been unable to shake the strange feeling that had settled over her since she arrived in the small town. The noises she heard in the woods at night, the unsettling quiet that seemed to hang in the air—it was all too much. She tried to shrug it off, telling herself it was just her imagination, but something deep inside told her otherwise.
Sun brushed her fingers through her hair, staring at her reflection in the mirror. Today was another day at the café, another day of trying to fit into this strange town. She sighed and grabbed her bag, mentally preparing herself for the day ahead. As soon as she opened the front door, she froze.
Shawn was standing right there, leaning casually against the doorframe with a grin on his face. His eyes, those intense red eyes, seemed to pierce through her, sending a shiver down her spine. She quickly composed herself, forcing a polite smile.
"Good morning," she greeted him, trying to sound nonchalant.
"Morning, Sun," Shawn replied smoothly, his voice dripping with charm. "I was just in the area and thought I'd offer to walk you to work."
Sun hesitated. The last thing she wanted was to spend any more time than the time in the café with Shawn, but something about him always left her feeling conflicted. He was persistent, and his presence made her uneasy, but she couldn't deny the magnetic pull he seemed to have.
Behind her, Maya's voice called out. "Babe, are you heading out?"
Sun turned and gave Maya a soft smile. "Yeah, Shawn offered to walk with me. I'll see you later, okay?"
Maya came to the door and planted a quick kiss on Sun's lips. "Alright, take care. Love you."
"Love you too." Sun stepped outside and shut the door behind her, walking beside Shawn down the gravel path.
They walked in silence for a few minutes, the crisp morning air biting at her skin. She glanced at Shawn out of the corner of her eye, noticing the relaxed way he carried himself, as if he owned the entire world. His confidence bordered on arrogance, and it made her uneasy.
"So," Shawn began, breaking the silence, "about that lunch."
Sun sighed, already knowing where this was going. "Shawn, I told you, I'm not interested."
"You didn't say you weren't interested," he countered smoothly, his lips curving into a smirk. "You just said you have a girlfriend."
"Which means I'm not interested," Sun shot back, her tone firm.
Shawn chuckled softly. "Oh, come on. It's just a friendly lunch, nothing more. I promise I'll behave."
Sun shook her head. "You don't take no for an answer, do you?"
He grinned. "Not when I know what I want."
Her frustration grew, but she didn't want to start a confrontation on the street. They were nearing the café now, and she wanted nothing more than to slip behind the counter and escape Shawn's gaze. But his persistence was wearing her down. She could feel it. His confidence was unnerving, but there was something almost alluring about the way he never backed down.
She stopped walking and faced him, her arms crossed. "Fine. One lunch. But that's it."
Shawn's grin widened, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes. "Great. I knew you'd see it my way."
They agreed on a time and place, and Sun made her way into the café, glad to have some space from him. She quickly went behind the counter to get changed for her shift, hoping that focusing on work would distract her from the unease that was settling in her chest.
As she changed into her uniform, she heard the bell above the door chime. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Shawn standing at the counter, a smug grin still plastered on his face.
"What can I get for you?" she asked, keeping her tone professional.
He placed his order, leaning against the counter with that same relaxed confidence. As she prepared his drink, she felt his eyes on her, watching her every move. Her heart pounded in her chest, and she cursed herself for letting him get under her skin.
When she handed him his drink, he tilted his head slightly, his gaze never leaving hers. "You know, your heart's racing. Why are you nervous? Are you scared of me?"
Sun stiffened, startled by how perceptive he was. She forced a laugh, trying to play it off. "I'm not nervous and I'm not scared of you. Just busy."
Shawn raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "You're an interesting one, Sun. I like that. Makes me want to figure you out."
Her pulse quickened again, and she took a step back, putting distance between them. "There's nothing to figure out."
"We'll see about that," he said, his eyes flashing with a hint of something dark and unsettling. He straightened up, the easygoing grin back on his face. "I'll see you at lunch."
Without another word, he turned and walked out of the café, leaving Sun feeling more confused and anxious than ever. She leaned against the counter, taking a deep breath to steady herself.
What had she just gotten herself into?
Later that night, Sun lay in bed, her mind racing. Maya was fast asleep beside her, but Sun couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right. The town, the people, everything seemed off. And Shawn… there was something about him that set off alarms in her head, but she couldn't pinpoint why. His eyes, his persistence—it was as if he was playing some kind of game with her, and she wasn't sure what the rules were.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the distant sound of howling. She tensed, listening closely. The howl was followed by another, then another, growing louder and closer. Her heart pounded in her chest as she sat up in bed, straining to hear.
The howls continued, echoing through the night, and suddenly, a cold dread settled over her. She glanced over at Maya, who remained peacefully asleep, completely unaware of the eerie sounds outside.
Sun slipped out of bed and quietly made her way to the window. She peered out into the darkness, her breath catching in her throat. In the distance, near the edge of the forest, she could just make out several large, shadowy figures moving swiftly between the trees.
Her blood ran cold.
Were those…wolves?
Before she could process what she was seeing, a knock sounded at the door, startling her. Sun's heart jumped in her chest as she hesitated for a moment, then slowly walked over to the door. When she opened it, her uncle Mike stood there, his face pale and his eyes wide with urgency.
"Stay inside," he whispered, his voice tense. "Lock the doors and don't go near the windows."
Sun's stomach churned with fear. "What's going on?"
Mike glanced over his shoulder, as if checking for something, then looked back at her. "Just do as I say. It's not safe tonight."
And with that, he turned and disappeared into the night, leaving Sun standing in the doorway, her heart racing and her mind spinning with questions.
What wasn't safe?
And why did it feel like her whole world was about to change?