Chapter 1: A Rainy Meeting
The moon was low in the night, giving a silvery light to the quiet town of Red Hollow. It was the kind of still night that most people liked, but for Ava Carter, it was just another long shift at the Silver Bite Diner. Carrying a tray of hot coffee mugs, she moved through the empty booths, giving polite smiles to the few customers who were still there.
Ava was used to her routine: tired truck drivers, night people looking for greasy food, and the odd traveler passing through. It wasn't fancy, but it paid the bills and let her think about other things. She thought of a life that was more exciting than the dull one she had since her parents died.
She didn't expect anything special that night—until he came in.
The door opened with a soft jingle, and a figure entered. Ava noticed him right away. He was tall, with wide shoulders in a leather jacket that seemed to swallow the light. He had a strong presence that made people look at him. His dark hair framed a strong face, but it was his eyes—sharp, bright gold—that took her breath away.
He looked around the diner, his gaze alert and searching, before choosing a vacant booth in the corner. Ava snapped out of her daze and walked over to him, her notepad ready.
"Welcome to the Silver Bite. Can I get you something to drink?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady despite the flutter in her stomach.
He looked up, and for a brief moment, Ava felt as if he could see right through her. "Coffee," he replied, his deep voice rumbling like distant thunder.
As she jotted down the order, her curiosity got the better of her. "Late night drive?"
He smirked, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Something like that."
Ava nodded, picking up on his reserved nature, and quickly made her way back to the counter. But as she poured his coffee, she couldn't shake the feeling that there was something...off about him. He exuded an energy that was hard to define, a blend of danger and allure that both fascinated and unsettled her.
When she returned with the coffee, she caught him staring at her nametag.
"Ava," he said, as if savoring the name.
"Yes?"
"Do you believe in fate?"
The question took her by surprise. "Uh, I don't know. I've never really thought about it."
He leaned back, narrowing his eyes slightly. "Maybe you should."
Ava's heart raced. There was a weight in his voice, as if he spoke from personal experience. She opened her mouth to reply, but a low growl from outside interrupted her.
The sound was faint yet unmistakable, like an animal lurking just out of sight. Ava glanced toward the window, her stomach tightening.
"Did you hear that?" she asked.
His expression darkened. "Stay inside."
Without waiting for her to respond, he stood up abruptly and walked toward the door.
"Wait! What are you—" Ava's words trailed off as he vanished into the night. She hesitated, torn between staying put and following him. Against her better judgment, she grabbed her jacket and stepped outside.
The cool night air sent shivers down her spine as she scanned the empty parking lot. Shadows flickered under the streetlights, but he was nowhere to be seen. Just as she was about to turn back, a flash of movement caught her eye.
A large, dark figure emerged from the treeline, its glowing eyes locked onto her. It was definitely not human—its massive frame and sharp fangs made that clear. Ava froze, her mind racing to process what she was witnessing.
Before she could scream, the man from the diner appeared between her and the creature. He had discarded his leather jacket, revealing scars etched across his muscular arms.
"Get back inside," he commanded, his voice steady yet urgent.
Ava hesitated, her feet glued to the ground.
"Now!" he shouted, his eyes flashing gold again—but this time, they were more than just gold. They were the eyes of a predator.
Ava stumbled back, her breath catching as she watched him confront the beast. What was he? And what had she just stepped into?
As the growls grew louder, Ava hurried back into the diner, her heart
racing. One thing was certain: her life was about to change.