Chapter 2 The Eyes in the Dark.

Maya's heart was racing as she stared into the glowing eyes. She was frozen in fear, unable to move or speak.

But as she looked deeper into the eyes, Maya saw something there that gave her pause. It was a flicker of recognition, a sense of familiarity.

And then, just as suddenly as they had appeared, the eyes vanished. The door creaked open, and Liam stepped inside, his eyes scanning the room as if searching for something.

"Maya, are you okay?" he asked, his voice low and rough.

Maya nodded, still trying to process what she had just seen. "Y-yes," she stuttered.

Liam's eyes locked onto hers, and he crossed the room in two strides. "What happened?" he asked, his voice urgent.

Maya took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart. "I saw eyes," she said. "Glowing eyes."

Liam's expression turned serious. "I'll check the perimeter," he said. "Make sure everything is secure."

As Liam turned to leave, Maya reached out and grabbed his arm. "Wait," she said.

Liam turned back to her, his eyes questioning.

"I was scared," Maya said, her voice barely above a whisper. "But when I saw you, I felt safe."

Liam's expression softened, and he reached out to brush a strand of hair out of Maya's face. "You are safe," he said. "I'll always protect you."

Maya's heart skipped a beat as Liam's fingers touched her skin. She felt a spark of electricity run through her body.

As they stood there, locked in a silent understanding, Maya felt the air around them grow thick with tension. She knew that she shouldn't trust Liam, not yet. But she couldn't help the way she felt.

And then, without thinking, Maya leaned in and pressed her lips to Liam's.

It was a gentle kiss, but it sent shivers down Maya's spine. Liam's lips were soft and warm, and they fit perfectly against hers.

As they kissed, Maya felt the world around her melt away. She was lost in the sensation of Liam's lips on hers, and she didn't want to be found.

But as they stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, Maya knew that she couldn't ignore the danger that lurked outside. She had to know what was going on in Moonstone, and she had to know what Liam was hiding.

And so, as they pulled away from each other, gasping for air, Maya looked up at Liam and asked, "What's going on in this town?"

Liam's expression turned serious, and he hesitated before answering. "I'll tell you everything," he said. "But first, we need to get out of here. It's not safe."

Maya's heart skipped a beat as Liam grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the cabin. She didn't know what they were running from, but she knew that she was in this with Liam, for better or for worse.

As they disappeared into the night, Maya knew that she was taking a risk. But she also knew that she couldn't turn her back on Liam, not now that she had kissed him.

And so, with her heart pounding in her chest, Maya followed Liam into the unknown, ready to face whatever dangers lay ahead...

As they ran through the forest, Maya's heart pounded in her chest. She didn't know where they were going or what they were running from, but she trusted Liam to keep her safe.

The trees blurred together as they ran, their branches creaking ominously in the wind. Maya stumbled over a root, but Liam caught her, his arm wrapping around her waist to hold her close.

"Keep going," he whispered, his breath warm against her ear.

Maya nodded, her heart racing with excitement and fear. She didn't know what was happening, but she knew that she was in this with Liam, for better or for worse.

As they emerged from the forest, Maya saw a small cabin in the distance. It was nestled in a clearing, surrounded by trees that seemed to lean in, as if they were trying to listen.

Liam pulled her toward the cabin, his arm still wrapped around her waist. Maya felt a sense of safety with him, a sense of protection that she hadn't felt in a long time.

As they reached the cabin, Liam pushed open the door and pulled Maya inside. The cabin was small, with a fire crackling in the hearth. Maya felt a sense of warmth and comfort wash over her, and she knew that she was safe, at least for the moment.

Liam locked the door behind them, his eyes scanning the room as if he were checking for something. Maya watched him, her heart still pounding in her chest.

"What's going on?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Liam turned to her, his eyes burning with intensity. "You're in danger, Maya," he said. "You're in danger because of who you are."

Maya's heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean?" she asked.

Liam hesitated, his eyes locked on hers. "You're a werewolf," he said. "You're part of a long line of Malraux who have been hiding in plain sight for centuries."

Maya's mind reeled as she tried to process what Liam was telling her. She had always known that her family was a little... unusual, but she had no idea that they were powerful.

"What kind of power?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Liam's eyes seemed to gleam in the firelight. "You'll see," he said. "You'll see soon enough."

And with that, Liam reached out and pulled Maya into his arms, his lips crashing down on hers in a fierce, passionate kiss...

Maya felt like she was melting into Liam's kiss. His lips were warm and demanding, and she could feel the tension in his body as he held her close.

As they kissed, Maya felt a sense of wonder wash over her. She had never felt this way about anyone before. It was like her whole world had been turned upside down.

Liam's hands roamed over her body, sending shivers down her spine. Maya felt like she was on fire, her passion and desire for Liam burning out of control.

Just when she thought things couldn't get any more intense, Liam pulled away, his chest heaving with exertion. "Maya, I'm sorry," he said, his voice rough with emotion. "I didn't mean to lose control."

Maya smiled, her heart still racing. "You didn't lose control," she said. "I wanted you to kiss me."

Liam's eyes locked onto hers, and Maya could see the desire burning in their depths. "I want you, Maya," he said, his voice low and husky. "I want you more than anything."

Maya's heart skipped a beat as Liam pulled her close again. This time, their kiss was slower, more sensual. Maya felt like she was drowning in Liam's passion, and she didn't want to be rescued.

As they kissed, Maya felt a sense of connection with Liam that she had never felt with anyone before. It was like their hearts were beating as one, their love and desire for each other burning brighter with every passing moment.

But as the night wore on, Maya couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. She looked around the cabin but saw nothing out of the ordinary.

"Liam, do you feel that?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Liam's eyes locked onto hers, and he nodded. "Yes, I feel it," he said. "We're not alone."

Maya's heart skipped a beat as Liam pulled her close, his arms wrapping around her like a shield. "Don't worry, Maya," he whispered. "I'll protect you."

But as they stood there, frozen in fear, Maya couldn't shake the feeling that they were in grave danger. And that Liam's protection might not be enough to save them...

Suddenly, the cabin was filled with a loud, eerie howl. Maya's heart skipped a beat as she clung to Liam, her eyes scanning the darkness.

"What was that?" she whispered.

Liam's face was grim. "It's a warning," he said. "Someone - or something - is trying to tell us to leave."

Maya's eyes widened in fear. "What do we do?" she asked.

Liam's arms tightened around her. "We stay here," he said. "This cabin is protected. Whatever is out there can't get in."

But as they stood there, frozen in fear, Maya heard the sound of scratching and scraping outside. It was like something was trying to claw its way into the cabin.

"Liam, what's happening?" she whispered, her voice trembling with fear.

Liam's face was set in a determined expression. "I'll go check it out," he said.

But before he could move, the door to the cabin burst open, and a figure loomed in the doorway. Maya's heart skipped a beat as she saw the figure's eyes glowing in the dark.

"Liam, behind you!" she screamed.

But Liam didn't move. He just stood there, frozen in place, as the figure began to move closer...