Chapter 4 The Warning Signs

I didn't sleep.

Not even a little. Every time my eyelids drooped, the image flashed back: golden eyes burning in the dark, locked on me.

So I lay in bed, stiff as a corpse, staring at the ceiling like if I blinked too long, something would break through the window and drag me out. Every creak of the house made my heart stutter. The AC kicked on? Monster. Cat outside? Definitely monster.

Around 2 a.m., I caved and checked my phone.

Riley [1:54am]: sooo what was that sound on the call?? don't u dare say ur pipes.

Riley [1:55am]: bc it sounded like HOWLING. like, actual wolfman 101.

Riley [1:57am]: unless ur bad boy was serenading u from the bushes ?

I flung the phone onto the pillow beside me. "Nope," I muttered to myself. "Not answering that. Not feeding the troll."

At 3:06, another buzz.

Riley [3:06am]: WAIT. omg. plot twist. what if he's the wolf?? like, cursed biker werewolf vibes?? it's always the hot one.

I buried my face in the blanket. "I'm going to murder her."

By the time the sky started lightening, I felt like my brain had been sandpapered. My alarm went off and I actually hissed at it, like some gremlin.

Dragging myself into the kitchen, I poured cereal with zombie precision. My mom glanced up from her coffee. "Rough night?"

"You could say that."

"You need more sleep."

"Wow, thanks, revolutionary advice."

She raised an eyebrow. I slumped into the chair and drowned my cornflakes in too much milk.

Phone buzzed again. Of course. Riley, never resting.

Riley [7:42am]: dream update: if he IS the wolf, u gotta kiss him to break the curse. duh.

I groaned so loud my mom frowned. "Stomach ache?"

"Something like that."

Inside, my stomach was definitely aching-but more like twisting itself into knots. Because the glowing eyes weren't just some bad dream, no matter how badly I wanted to believe it.

And today? I had to face him again.

The second I stepped into school, I knew I was doomed.

It wasn't just the usual curious looks. No, this was the full rumor hurricane experience. Heads turning. People whispering into hands. Stares that lingered too long.

I ducked my head and made a beeline for my locker, pretending to scroll my phone. Maybe if I looked busy enough, they'd-

"Is it true?"

I froze. Two girls I vaguely recognized-cheerleaders, glossy hair, synchronized smirks-were blocking my path.

"Uh... is what true?" I tried to sidestep.

"That you're, like..." The taller one leaned in conspiratorially. "With him."

I blinked. "With who?"

Her friend rolled her eyes. "Don't play dumb. Everyone saw him storm out of the cafeteria yesterday. For you."

Heat shot up my neck. "He was not-he didn't-are you serious?!"

They both giggled, like my outrage was confirmation. One even whipped out her phone, probably to live-tweet my humiliation.

"Don't worry," the tall one said sweetly. "It's kinda hot. Beauty and the Beast vibes. Very on-brand for you."

"What brand?! I don't even have a brand!"

Riley chose that moment to appear, clutching her binder like a news reporter at a scandal. "Oh my God, they're saying you're dating him already? Girl, you work fast."

I smacked her arm. "I'M NOT DATING HIM."

Which, unfortunately, carried down the hall. Half the crowd glanced up. Great. I'd just given them free soundbite material.

And then the hallway parted like a movie scene.

He was walking through. Tall, dark, broody, jacket slung over one shoulder like a menace. People actually stepped out of his way.

My stomach knotted. Don't look. Don't look. Definitely don't-

I looked.

Of course I looked.

And he looked right back.

For one electrifying second, his gaze locked on mine. Not soft, not curious-sharp. Like a blade aimed straight through me.

My pulse hammered so loud I almost missed it when he brushed past, close enough his shoulder grazed mine. His voice dropped, low enough only I could hear.

"Stay quiet. Stay away."

Chills rippled down my spine. By the time I turned, he was already halfway down the hall, not sparing me another glance.

The cheerleaders squealed. Riley looked like she'd won the lottery.

And me? I stood there with my face on fire, heart racing, and exactly one thought echoing in my head.

I was in way, way over my head.

I spent the next two periods hiding in classrooms like a fugitive. No bathroom breaks. No water fountain detours. I even lingered behind when the bell rang, waiting for the halls to clear before creeping out.

But fate-or maybe karma-hates me.

Because when I finally made it to my locker, there he was. Leaning against the row like he'd been waiting all along, hands in his pockets, gaze fixed right on me.

I froze. "Do you mind?"

He didn't move. "Why are you telling people?"

My brain short-circuited. "Telling people what? That you're a jerk? Congratulations, you've been exposed."

His eyes narrowed. "The rumors."

I dropped my bag a little too hard and spun my lock. "Oh, I'm sorry, am I supposed to send out a press release clarifying that I'm not secretly dating the guy who glares at me in hallways? Because sure, I'll get right on that."

The lock clicked, but before I could yank the door open, his hand slammed it shut.

I whipped around. "Seriously?"

He was closer now, voice low but sharp. "I'm not a joke. Stop letting people think-"

"Oh, I'm letting them? Newsflash, buddy: I don't control the gossip machine!" My words came out louder than I intended. A couple kids glanced our way.

I leaned in, lowering my voice. "Do you have any idea what it's like having everyone whispering about me? Staring like-like I'm-"

"Like you're mine," he cut in.

My throat went dry. His eyes burned into mine, and for one terrifying, electrifying second, I forgot how to breathe.

I shoved back against the locker. "You're insane."

He smirked, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Stay out of my way."

And that's when I snapped.

"Oh, right, because staying out of your way totally protects me from the howling outside my window last night!"

The words flew out before I could stop them.

His entire expression shifted. No smirk, no lazy menace-just sharp, immediate focus. His grip tightened on the locker, knuckles white.

"Where?"

I blinked. "What?"

"Where did you hear it?" His tone was clipped, urgent, like he needed the answer now.

I stammered. "I-I was on the phone with Riley. In my yard. It was-"

He cut me off, stepping even closer, so close I could feel the heat radiating from him. "Did you see anything?"

My heart jackhammered. "No. I mean-eyes. Glowing eyes."

His jaw clenched. For a heartbeat, he looked like he might punch the locker-or worse, me.

Instead, he whispered, "You need to keep your mouth shut."

Then he backed away, storming off down the hall before I could demand answers.

Leaving me gripping the cold metal, breathless, and absolutely certain of one thing:

He knew.

He knew exactly what I'd seen.

The final bell couldn't come fast enough. I practically bolted from my last class, desperate to make it home without running into him again.

"Hey, slowpoke!"

Too late. Riley latched onto my arm, swinging her bag with dangerous enthusiasm. "We're hanging out. No arguments. My treat. Fries and milkshakes cure all heartbreak."

"I'm not heartbroken," I muttered.

She gave me a look. "Please. You've got that glazed-over 'mysterious bad boy ruined my GPA' face. Classic symptom."

I didn't even bother replying. My eyes kept flicking around the hall, like shadows might peel off the walls at any second. Every locker slam made me flinch.

As we passed the double doors, that prickling sensation crawled up my neck again. Watched. Hunted.

And then-like he'd been summoned by the thought-he stepped out from behind the staircase.

Riley gasped. "Ohhh, speak of the devil. And by devil, I mean literal devil in a leather jacket."

He didn't look at her. Only at me.

"You." His voice was sharp, almost a growl. "Go home. Now."

Riley raised her eyebrows so high they nearly flew off her forehead. "Um, excuse me, dictator, she already has plans. With me."

He ignored her completely. His gaze pinned me in place, so fierce it made my knees want to buckle. "Home. Don't argue."

My throat went dry. For a second, I almost obeyed. Almost.

But then he turned sharply, stalking off down the hall without another word.

"RUDE," Riley hissed after him. "What is his deal? Does he practice brooding in the mirror?"

I forced a shaky laugh, trying to shake it off. But then something caught my eye.

The lockers. The ones right where he'd been standing.

Long, jagged grooves ran down the metal. Deep. Shiny, like the scratches were fresh.

Not keys. Not knives.

Claws.

My stomach dropped to the floor.

"Hey," Riley nudged me. "You good?"

I couldn't answer. My hand hovered over the gouges, not daring to touch, heart thudding like it wanted out of my chest.

Because whatever scratched those lockers... it wasn't human.

And he had been standing right there.