ALBERT'S POV
I'd been up in the tree for what felt like an eternity. My legs cramped, and my patience was thinner than a whisper in the wind. The security guard had nearly caught me earlier, forcing me to retreat into this awkward perch. From here, Evelyn's room was a hazy silhouette of shadows and pale moonlight.
From here, I could just barely make out her window through the thick branches. I had watched her return to her room, switch off the light, and settle into bed. For a moment, I thought the night might finally calm down.
My eyes scanned the window for any movement. The intruder I'd seen earlier had been too fast, too silent. Something about him had felt wrong, but I hadn't been able to act fast enough. Now, as the silence of the night deepened, doubt crept in.
What if he was still in there? What if Evelyn wasn't as safe as she looked?
The thought gnawed at me, sending a surge of determination through my veins. I needed to make sure she was okay.
I carefully climbed down from the tree, each movement deliberate, my breath held as I stepped closer to her window. The forest around me was eerily silent, save for the occasional rustle of leaves.
As I approached her window, it creaked open.
I froze, retreating into the shadows. A figure leaned out, scanning the area with sharp, deliberate movements. Even from this distance, I could see the tension in his frame, the way his head tilted as if he were listening for something or someone.
I held my breath. His face was shrouded in shadow, but something about him seemed off. His scent was faint, carried on the breeze but was oddly familiar.
Who are you? I thought to myself.
Before I could react, he vaulted from the window in a fluid motion landing soundlessly on the ground. As he ran into the woods, his body began to shift, contorting in a way I knew too well.
A werewolf.
His transformation was swift, almost graceful, his lean frame replaced by powerful muscles and fur. Without hesitation, he took off, galloping into the woods with an urgency that made my blood run cold.
My instincts screamed at me to follow him. My body tensed, ready to spring into action, but then my father's voice echoed in my mind: Survival first. Protect yourself before anything else. No matter what.
Evelyn.
She was the reason I was here.
I sprinted to the window and peered inside. My heart was pounding as I scanned the room for any signs of a struggle, of harm, or anything. But there she was, curled up under her blankets, breathing softly.
Peaceful.
I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding, my lips twitching into a small smile. She was safe.
For now.
A faint smile tugged at my lips.
Tonight, I would guard her. Nothing would harm her while I was here.
I leaned against the wall just outside her window as I climbed down, letting the tension seep from my shoulders.
The intruder could wait. Whoever he was, wherever he had gone, I'd find him.
But tonight, my only job was to protect Evelyn.
Climbing back into a tree, I settled into a spot where I could keep watch. The night was far from over, but at least now I could breathe easier. For now, she was safe and that was all that mattered.
*****
EVELYN'S POV
I woke to the soft glow of morning light streaming through my bedroom window, the remnants of a restless night clinging to me like a shadow.
My head felt heavy, a faint tension buzzing just beneath my skin. Pushing the sensation aside, I grabbed my phone from the nightstand, blinking against the brightness as it buzzed with a call.
"Good morning, Eve," Dora's cheery voice greeted me.
"Good morning, Dora," I replied groggily, rubbing sleep from my eyes. "How's it going?"
"All good," Dora replied, "Just wanted to remind you it's three days to the charity event and there's a sponsors' meeting today."
I groaned softly, flipping onto my back. "I actually forgot," I replied, "Can't you represent me?"
"You know I'm not on the committee, and besides, no one presents like you do," Dora said with a laugh. "Just go in there and do your thing."
"Right," I sighed.
The charity event was a major part of my life right now, and the pressure to make it perfect was immense. I reached for my diary, flipping it open to the day's page.
"I wish Dora was here to help me plan this," I muttered to myself, thinking of how efficient she was with organizing everything.
I started jotting down the tasks for the day. First, I needed to finalize the decorations. I pulled out my laptop and began scrolling through my firm's social media handles, looking at pictures from previous years' events. Each image was a blend of elegance and creativity, setting a high bar for this year.
As I was deep in thought, I stumbled upon photos of my best friend Vee with her fiancé. They looked so happy together, and a pang of guilt washed over me. I had ignored her calls and messages the other day, too wrapped up in my own world.
I liked the pictures, hoping it would bridge the gap. Almost immediately, a chat bubble popped up.
"Hey, homegirl! Long time no talk. How have you been?"
I hesitated for a moment, then started typing. "Hey, Vee. I'm so sorry I've been MIA. Things have been crazy with the charity event."
"I get it. But I miss you! We need to catch up," she replied
"I miss you too. I promise I'll explain everything soon. Can we meet up after the event?" I replied.
"Sure! "Better have some juicy stories for me," Vee replied with a love emoji.
"Alright, Vee," I texted back, "There is so much to talk about. So much on my mind."
Vee was a free spirit and wasn't even bothered that I hadn't called since after her engagement.
Almost immediately, my phone rang. It was Vee.
"Alright, girl. It's time to spill it all out," Vee's warm and insistent voice said. "What's been bothering you?"
I took a deep breath, feeling a mix of relief and trepidation. "It's a long story, Vee. A lot has been going on."
"I've got time," she teased lightly, "You can start with stories about men you've met recently.."
I hesitated, unsure of where to begin. "Well, there's been a lot of things, especially now I met two men. It's overwhelming."
I laughed despite myself and told her about the confusing whirlwind that was Lucas and Albert, the strange tension, and the sense of something shifting around me. Vee listened intently, her occasional interjections a mix of humor and support.
"Wow, Evelyn. That's a lot to handle," Vee said sympathetically. "But you know I'm here for you, right? Always."
"Thank you, Vee." I said, "I really needed to hear that."
"Now, about this charity event," Vee continued. "What's the plan? How can I help?"
I smiled, feeling a bit lighter. "Well, I'm trying to make this year's decorations better than ever. You know a lot of people from other cities were invited so it's not child's play. I was thinking of adding more interactive elements, something that engages people more."
Vee's eyes lit up. "That sounds amazing!" Vee said, "Maybe you could have a section where people can leave messages or wishes?"
"That's a great idea!" I jotted it down. "And what do you think about the color scheme? Should we stick with the traditional blue and white or try something new?"
"Blue and white is classic, but maybe add a pop of gold?" Vee asked, "It could add a touch of elegance."
We brainstormed ideas, and with Vee's input, I felt more confident about the meeting today.
"Alright, I better get going. Meeting with the sponsors soon," I said, feeling more upbeat.
"Good luck!" Vee said, "We can talk about men later after we've discussed business. And remember, I'm just a call away."
I chuckled at Vee's remark. "Alright Vee," I said, "Men have to come after business."
By the time I hung up, I felt lighter, as if some of the weight had been lifted from my shoulders. Breakfast called, and I made my way downstairs, the aroma of coffee and bacon leading the way.
"Good morning, darling," she greeted with a warm smile. "Hope you slept well."
"Morning, Mom," I replied, taking a seat. "Not too bad. I have a meeting with the sponsors today for the charity event."
She beamed with pride. "I'm so proud of you, my baby girl," she said, "You've put so much effort into this event just like the last time."
"Thanks, Mom," I said, as I poured myself a cup of coffee, "And thanks for last night. Just staying by my side really helped."
My mother looked puzzled. "Sweetheart, I never came to your room last night," my mother said.
"Really?" I asked, "Are you sure because we talked about things."
"You must have been dreaming," my mother said, "You did a lot of that talking stuff as a child. Again you were so tired yesterday."
I smiled shyly. "Maybe you're right," I said. I tried to sound convincing, "Maybe it was all just a dream."
As we spoke, I caught a faint, familiar scent clinging to the fabric of my nightgown. It was sharp, unmistakably werewolf. My stomach knotted as the realization sank in.
Before I could say a word, my father walked in, his eyes immediately locking onto my anxious expression. "What's going on?" he asked, a look of concern etching his features.
"I don't think it was a dream," I said slowly. "I smelled another werewolf in my room last night."
The atmosphere in the room shifted, tension crackling like static electricity. My parents exchanged a worried glance.
"Let's check it out," my father said, his tone firm as he led the way upstairs.
We hurried upstairs to my room. Everything appeared normal at first glance, but my father's eyes narrowed as he scanned the space. He walked over to the window and noticed it was slightly ajar, the latch unhooked.
Leaning out, he scanned the ground below. When he straightened, his expression was grim. "There are tracks; two humans leading here, one leaving as human and one leaving as a werewolf. Whoever it was transformed and retreated into the woods."
A chill ran down my spine. The implications were clear, someone had been in my room last night, and it wasn't a dream.
"Who could it be?" I whispered, fear tightening its grip on me.
"We'll figure this out," my father said, his tone resolute. "But for now, we need to be vigilant. Let me go make a phone call really quick."
But as I stood there, staring at the faint tracks outside my window, a sinking realization settled in.
The danger was no longer a distant threat. It had come to my doorstep.