It's been a week since I woke up in Cyrus's house, more specifically, his bed. The day he threatened to snatch my freedom if I did as much as stumble upon him. And I took his warning seriously.
After everything I have seen these past weeks, it would be foolish of me to try to put my nose where it doesn't belong. Oliver, Cyrus, Ravenswood, the wolves, their pack – honestly, all of them can go fuck themselves. I have no interest in them whatsoever.
All I needed was my pendant back, and I got it. Yes. Shocker, right? The 'something' that Cyrus placed in my hands that night turned out to be my pendant. I didn't dare see what it was in fear I might find something I won't be able to unsee. So I kept my palm enclosed and only opened it after I reached home—which Cyrus dropped me by, by the way.
I couldn't even refuse, given I didn't know the way back home. We didn't utter a single word to each other on the way, but I could feel his eyes on me as I walked out of his car after reaching home. And yes, he knows my address now.
Pretty stupid move on my side, but honestly, what else could I do? As long as I don't run into him, I'm safe.
I stop fiddling with my pendant and let out a sigh. The thing is I'm still not relieved. Because Cyrus isn't the only one I'm worried about. Oliver and his pack—the entire town of Ravenswood is a bigger problem for me at this point.
I'm not stupid enough to believe that they would just let me—a human—leave their forbidden town without any repercussions. I have a feeling they might be planning something to hurt me or at least silence me.
Am I overthinking this? I mean, they might just let me go, right? Given I am or used to be Oliver's girlfriend. He clearly was their next Alpha with the amount of respect he got from those people—if you could even call them that.
Knowing Oliver, he himself won't let me go this easily. Every time we had an argument, he would apologise straight away and try to make things right regardless of whose fault it was. I thought he did that because he didn't want to lose me, which still stands, but now I know it's more than that.
Why would a werewolf like him date someone like me? I'm not looking down on myself. But he couldn't have dated me and gone through all kinds of effort to be with me simply because he liked me.
He was very persistent in the beginning when I wasn't interested in him. But he kept showing up, so I gave him a chance. I did end up falling for him eventually, but that's not the point. The point is he had a reason for approaching me, pursuing me, dating me and, last but not least, taking me to Ravenswood.
But the plan didn't work out because of how I reacted. Honestly, I myself am pretty surprised at how easily I broke up with him. It was as if something took control of me and made me do it, though I was fully conscious and aware of what I was doing, and I didn't resist. I still can't bring myself to regret the breakup.
It was as if something about the day awakened something in me. A part of me that was much stronger and more resilient than my usual self. A part that knew when to step back and when to say no.
Whatever it was and whatever the mystery behind Ravenswood or Oliver or Cyrus is, I'm going to stay far away—
Knock. Knock. Knock.
The sharp knock at my front door startles me as I stare at the clock. It's 9 pm. Who could it be at this hour?
The only person who might visit me this late at night is Grandpa Victor, but he isn't in town. He went on this meditation camp for a month with some organisation that helps old people stay positive. I call bullshit on that, by the way. They just want the money in the name of meditation. But who am I to advise Grandpa against it? Once he makes up his mind, there is no going back.
I walk to the front door slowly and peek through the peephole. I frown once I spot it's empty outside. I practically smash my face against the door trying to get a glimpse at the far right where the hallway ends, but there is no one.
Maybe I misheard it. Just as I turn around, I hear my doorbell ringing repeatedly, followed by a loud banging on the door. I take several steps back out of fear. My eyes were wide with terror.
Just as quickly, everything goes quiet. No doorbell, no loud banging. I swallow hard as I stare at the door, expecting someone to kick the door down and barge in.
Crash.
The sound of something shattering coming from my room makes me flinch, and I let out a scream. I just hope one of my neighbours heard it and they'll come check. Shit. But my neighbour is on night shift.
I take shaky steps towards my room and spot a vase by the window that has fallen down. The window that I clearly remember closing. Oh my god, they are in my room.
But before I could bolt out, a very familiar hand pulled me inside, shutting the door behind me. I let out a sharp scream that came out muffled because of a large palm covering my mouth.
"Shh. "Shut it, Lyra!" I open my eyes at the familiar voice.
Cyrus? What is he doing here?
Wait! Was it him banging on my door? This jerk—
Boom.
The sound of my door being forced open makes me jump, causing Cyrus to hold me closer. Honestly, I'm grateful that he's here; otherwise, I would have passed out from all the fear.
"I'm here. You're good!" His attempt at comforting me actually works as my body relaxes. I stare up at him and notice he already has his eyes on me.
I grab his hand that is covering my mouth, and his gaze flickers at my hand, a questioning look in his eyes. I remove his hand and speak quietly.
"What are you doing here?" His eyes lit up as he let a slow smirk graze his lips.
"Stalking". My eyes narrowed at his complete shamelessness. He didn't even try to lie.
"You don't have any shame, do you?" He hums thoughtfully before pulling me closer and whispers against my lips.
"I'm just an honest man. A man of honour." His last words fill me with a sense of déjà vu. A man of honour – where have I heard that?
The doorknob at my side turning pulls me out of my thoughts. I hold my breath trying not to make a noise. Cyrus pushes my head on the crook of his neck, hiding me.
The door didn't open, but before I could relax, a loud pop filled the air with a strong smell of gunpowder. The person on the other end shot the doorknob. I stand frozen, staring at Cyrus with wide eyes.
I know he is not half as scared. Hell, he is not at all scared. He looks very calm. I know he is a werewolf and all, but what can he even do against a damn bullet?
I open my mouth to say something, but before I could, he pushes me down with his hands on top of my head just as the door opens and, in swift motion, snatches the gun out of the intruder's hands.
It was so quick that I didn't even see him lift a finger, yet somehow he managed to disarm the intruder. The intruder looks equally shocked before he recovers and lifts his fist to punch Cyrus.
Cyrus easily dodges it and hits the man on the back of his head with the butt of the gun. The man falls limp on the floor. He isn't dead, is he?
"He is not." Cyrus says coolly before stuffing the gun in his back pocket. Did I say it out loud?
"Yes, you did. Come on, we have to go." He pulls me up and pushes me out.
"Wait! Where are we going? And are we just going to leave that man in there? In my house?" I pull my hands out of his and stop in the middle of my living room.
"That's a lot of questions. And no, we are not leaving him there. Someone else will take care of it."