The morning light streamed through Callista's window, but she barely noticed. Her mind was still reeling from the events of last night—the way Lucien's shadow had flickered against the dim glow of the moon, his piercing blue eyes burning into hers before vanishing into the night. The memory of his presence, the way her body had responded to him, left her restless.
She avoided her mother that morning, not because she was angry but because she wasn't ready for more secrets. There was too much on her mind, too many unanswered questions swirling in her head.
At school, Callista found herself scanning the hallways, searching for Lucien. She wasn't even sure what she wanted from him—an explanation? A confrontation? Or just to confirm that what happened last night wasn't some strange dream? But he was nowhere in sight.
Her heart clenched in disappointment as she went through her morning classes. But then, at lunch, she finally spotted him near his locker. His posture was tense, his head slightly bowed as if he were trying to avoid attention.
Callista didn't hesitate. She marched up to him, determined to get answers.
"Lucien."
He stiffened at her voice but didn't look at her. Instead, he shut his locker and turned as if to walk away.
"No," she said firmly, stepping in front of him. "You don't get to avoid me."
Lucien exhaled sharply, his jaw clenched. "Callista, not here."
"Then where?" she challenged. "I need to talk to you."
Her friends, Margaret and Kristal, had spotted them and were now whispering and giggling in a corner, their eyes filled with curiosity. Callista ignored them, standing so close to Lucien that she could feel the heat radiating off him.
Lucien let out a low growl, his control slipping. Then, without warning, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her into the janitor's closet.
The door barely shut before his lips crashed against hers.
The kiss was urgent, consuming. Callista felt the warmth spread through her body, the undeniable pull between them making her weak. Normally, she would have pulled away, maybe even slapped him. But not this time. This time, she surrendered to the feeling, letting him take the lead, letting herself drown in the moment.
Minutes passed before they finally broke apart, breathless. Callista's heart was pounding, her fingers trembling against Lucien's chest.
She stared at him, struggling to find words. "Lucien… why were you in my room last night?"
His expression darkened. "I couldn't help it. The bond pulls me to you. But when I saw you… like that…" He swallowed hard. "I had to leave, Callista. Or my wolf would have taken over."
Callista's breath hitched. "Your wolf?"
"His name is Damien," Lucien explained. "And you have a wolf too, Callista. You just haven't awakened her yet."
Her mind spun at the revelation. "I… I have a wolf?"
Lucien nodded. "Once she awakens, we'll be connected in ways you can't even imagine."
She was speechless. A part of her still struggled to believe she wasn't human, and now she was being told that a wolf—another part of herself—was lying dormant inside her?
Lucien studied her reaction, then asked, "What did your mother say?"
Callista hesitated, her eyes locking with his. "I haven't asked her yet."
They stood there, staring at each other, the weight of unspoken truths hanging between them.
And for the first time, Callista wasn't sure if she was ready to hear the answers.