Elowen's POV
"So about that weird message you got," Sable said, pulling me toward the back of the house. "Let's just forget it, okay? Probably some spam thing."
But I couldn't forget it. You shouldn't have come here, Elowen. Now it's too late to leave.
And someone had tried to open my door this morning. When I'd finally worked up the courage to check, the hallway was empty. No footprints. No evidence. Like I'd imagined the whole thing.
Except I hadn't imagined Cassian's golden eyes. Or the way my body had reacted to him like touching a live wire.
"Ellie? You listening?" Sable waved her hand in front of my face.
"Sorry, yeah. I'm listening."
We stepped through glass doors onto a stone patio. Beyond it stretched the biggest swimming pool I'd ever seen, surrounded by forest. The water sparkled in the afternoon sun, impossibly blue.
"Okay, so..." Sable sat on a lounge chair and patted the one next to her. "There are some house rules you need to know."
"Rules?" I sat down, grateful for the normalcy of girl talk. "Like what, no running by the pool?"
"More important than that." Sable's voice turned serious. "Rule one: ignore everything weird you see. My family is... eccentric. We do things differently. If something seems strange, just go with it. Don't ask questions."
My stomach twisted. "What kind of weird things?"
"Just trust me. Promise you won't freak out?"
I thought about the glowing golden eyes. The deleted message. The person at my door. "I promise."
"Good. Rule two..." Sable grabbed my hands, looking me dead in the eye. "Stay away from Cassian. At all costs. He's a player, Ellie. He goes through girls like tissues. He'll flirt with you, make you feel special, then destroy you. I've seen it happen a dozen times."
"I already don't like him," I said honestly. "He's arrogant and rude and—"
"And hot. I know." Sable sighed. "That's the problem. Girls take one look at him and forget he's toxic. But you're smart. You won't fall for it, right?"
"Right." I meant it. Playboys were my least favorite kind of guy. I'd watched my mom cry over too many men who promised forever and delivered heartbreak. "I have zero interest in your brother."
"Good. Because I can't lose you as a friend over his stupidity."
We spent the next hour talking about normal things—classes, professors, that guy in our biology lab who always smelled like cheese. It felt good. Safe. Like maybe I'd overreacted to everything.
Then Sable said, "Want to swim? I'll grab us towels."
She disappeared inside. I closed my eyes, letting the sun warm my face. For the first time since arriving, I felt myself relax.
Then I smelled it.
Something wild and dangerous, like a forest after a storm. It made my skin prickle and my heart race. Made something deep inside me want to run—toward the smell or away from it, I couldn't tell.
I opened my eyes.
Cassian stood at the edge of the patio, and my brain short-circuited.
He wore only black swim trunks that hung low on his hips. His body was ridiculous—muscles carved like a statue, broad shoulders tapering to a narrow waist, abs that looked painted on. But it was the tattoos that caught my attention. Dark ink covered his ribs in swirling patterns that looked ancient, almost tribal. They moved when he breathed, like they were alive.
He moved like a predator stalking prey—smooth, confident, dangerous.
Every cell in my body screamed danger.
Every cell in my body wanted him closer.
"See something you like, little human?" His voice was amused.
I realized I'd been staring. Heat flooded my cheeks. "I was just—the tattoos are—I mean—" I sounded like an idiot.
He walked closer. Too close. I could see gold flecks in his eyes now. Could smell that wild scent stronger, making my head spin.
"You're staring again," he said softly.
"You're in my space." My voice came out breathless instead of angry.
He leaned down, bringing his face level with mine. "Am I making you nervous?"
Yes. "No."
"Liar." His eyes dropped to my lips. "Your heart is racing. I can hear it from here."
That was impossible. Unless he had super hearing or—
I shoved him. Hard. "Back off."
He caught my wrists easily, his hands warm and rough. The contact sent electricity shooting through my arms. We both froze.
His eyes flashed gold—really, truly glowed—and he sucked in a sharp breath.
"Let go of me," I whispered.
He released me like I'd burned him, stepping back fast. His face showed shock and something else. Fear?
"Cassian!" Sable's voice rang out. She appeared with towels, glaring at her brother. "What are you doing?"
"Just saying hello." But his voice sounded strained.
"Well, say goodbye. We're busy."
He looked at me one more time, his expression unreadable. Then he dove into the pool and swam away with powerful strokes.
I couldn't breathe properly until he was on the other side.
"Ugh, he's the worst." Sable handed me a towel. "Are you okay? He didn't say anything mean, did he?"
"No, I'm fine." But I wasn't fine. My wrists still tingled where he'd touched me. My body felt too hot, too tight, too aware.
What was wrong with me?
Sable's phone rang. She checked it and frowned. "It's my dad. I have to take this. Be right back!"
She walked toward the house, leaving me alone.
I tried to relax, but I felt watched. I glanced at the pool. Cassian floated on his back on the far side, but he was looking at me. Even from this distance, I felt the weight of his gaze.
My phone buzzed.
Unknown number again.
He's not what he seems. Neither are you. When the full moon rises tomorrow night, you'll understand everything. If you survive.
My hands shook so badly I almost dropped the phone.
A splash made me look up.
Cassian was gone. The pool was empty.
Then I heard it—a low growl behind me.
I turned slowly.
A massive black wolf stood ten feet away, bigger than any wolf should be. Its eyes glowed the exact same gold as Cassian's.
It took a step toward me.
And I realized with crystal clarity: I was about to die.