The next morning, Amara woke up disgruntled, the birds were chirping way too cheerfully for her liking.
She groaned, pulling the blanket over her head. Her last night encounter with the wolf was still on her mind, it gave her the chillls. It had felt too real. The glowing eyes as it stared at her. Almost like it wasn't just an animal.
But wolves didn't bow their heads. And they didn't disappear like shadows.
She grabbed her phone.There was still no service.
Fantastic,she was going to die here. she muttered, throwing on her best don't-talk-to-me-but-also-I-look-good outfit—black jeans, a cropped hoodie, hoop earrings, and her signature lip gloss. If she was going to suffer in the woods, she was going to do it stylishly.
By 6:58 PM, she was standing at the front steps of the old town hall. Mark had told her the town meeting was a big deal, and apparently everyone showed up.
As soon as she stepped inside, all conversation died.
A room full of flannel shirts, faded jeans, and suspicious stares turned to look at her like she'd just walked in wearing a ball gown.
Which, although , she'd worn heels, but still.
She smiled awkwardly. "Hi…?"
Whispers filled the room.
Is that her?
That's the James girl.
She is human, for sure
She blinked. Human? What the hell was she supposed to be?
A woman with steel-gray hair approached her. You must be Amara.
Yeah. That's me.
I'm Mayor Alia, the woman said, forcing a polite smile. We're… pleased to have you.
As Amara took a seat in the back, the wooden doors creaked open and that's when he walked in.
Tall. Dark . With a face people in the city would die for. The room straightened like they could feel the weight of his presence.
He didn't speak. Just nodded once, and the meeting began.
Amara leaned toward the girl next to her. "Who's that?"
The girl answered with a weird look on her face.That's Lucian Blackthorn.
The name felt like thunder.
The man was wearing a black shirt, sleeves rolled up, showing arms that could crush egos. His jawline looked sculpted , and his golden eyes scanned the room until they landed on her.
Locked.
Amber. Burning. Curious.
And then, something else. Something primal.
Amara's breath caught in her throat.
Lucian looked away first. But his expression didn't.
He knew her.
As the meeting went on, Amara didn't hear a word. Her ears buzzed. Her skin tingled.
Lucian Blackthorn.
The wolf from the woods came to mind as she kept on thinking of the name.
Something told her he was the wolf from the woods.
But if he was a wolf…
Then what the hell did that make her?