He wore a crisp white shirt with the sleeves rolled up and an apron around his waist.“Julia, right?” he said with a warm smile. “I’m Mark Thompson, the owner. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”“Nice to meet you too, Mr. Thompson,” I responded, shaking his hand.“Please, call me Mark. Can I get you something to drink? Coffee, tea, maybe one of our famous lavender lattes?” he offered as he sat down across from me.“A lavender latte sounds wonderful, thank you,” I said, grateful for the momentary distraction.Mark signaled to Lila, who nodded and began preparing the drink. “So, Julia, tell me a bit about yourself. What drew you to Muse & Mugs?”I took a deep breath, launching into my carefully rehearsed response.“Well, I’m in high school, and I’ve always had a passion for books and coffee. This is actually my first time applying for a job, and I felt that working here would be a perfect way to gain experience and be part of a community I admire. I love the cozy, welcoming environment of th
"It's alright, Dominic! It's just Jules!" Victoria reassured him, holding his shoulders and rubbing them."What's wrong with him?" I stepped back, feeling a sense of unease."I believe you're wearing the pendant," Victoria smiled."Yeah, but it's just a..." I began, taking out my pendant and noticing that the smoke inside it was black now."Whoa, what the..." My eyes widened in surprise."This orb contains wolf blood. It repels vampires and keeps away those who wish you harm. It turns black when there's a vampire or danger nearby," she explained. "Now, regarding the spell, I won't be able to perform it unless we have something that belongs to him, like a hair, a piece of skin, or flesh.""Urgh!" I groaned, frustration building up inside me. "I just want to know where he was when it happened," I muttered, gazing up at the sky."Hey! I have an idea!" Victoria snapped her fingers. "You want to confirm if it was he who killed her, right?" she asked.I nodded. "Then we can try something. J
With everyone on board, who could resist a fun picnic outing? For some reason, I decided to bring my guitar along, perhaps to get some practice in.It wasn't until we were halfway there that Victoria noticed my guitar. "Oh my goodness, you sneaky little baby! You play guitar and didn't mention it to me?" she exclaimed.I simply nodded, causing heads to turn in my direction. I then noticed that Mr. Redwood was also on the bus, but he chose to ignore me, just as I had chosen to ignore him for the rest of my life.“Julia! Julia! Julia!” As the crowd chanted my name, I blushed as I looked across the bus, everyone eagerly waiting for me to play, Mr. Redwood was in front row, alongside with the bus driver, he didn’t see me or he maybe didn’t want to see me, who blames him, everyone could have been properly warned after that night. I was unaware of what the true reason was.When the chants grew louder, I finally covered my ears and laughed. “Okay, okay!” I giggled as I said, “I’ll play a lit
The combination of natural beauty and the thrill of adventure promised a memorable day ahead, one that I hoped would be filled with laughter, music, and the forging of new memories.From time to time, my gaze kept returning to Mr. Redwood.His muscles looked so toned in his V-neck shirt, it was clear he must hit the gym regularly.His hair danced in the wind, catching my attention. Every aspect of his being was magnificent, a charisma that pulled me toward him.But amidst all of this, I couldn't help but wonder if his grandmother's situation was the reason he was ignoring me.However, his words echoed in my mind, "I am not worried about myself, I am worried about you!" Could it be that he thinks being around him could put me in danger?Suddenly, an idea struck me and I turned to Victoria, pulling her aside. "Do you want to regain my trust?" I asked, holding her hands. She smiled and nodded, saying, "Believe me, more than anything!" She held my hand, too."I'm about to tell you someth
"Why would you think that?" I shrugged, biting my lip to hide my smile.He rushed toward me, forcefully pushing me against the wall, his voice filled with desperation. "Because you know I love you!" He quickly stepped back, realizing what he had just confessed."What?" My eyes widened, tears welling up. These were the words I had longed to hear.He turned away, but I couldn't let him go. I grabbed his arm and turned him back toward me. At that moment, he couldn't hold back any longer. He pulled me close, his hand slipping into my hair, and our lips met.In that kiss, he breathed life back into me, saving me from falling off the edge. Our breaths mingled, our hearts beating in perfect harmony.He kissed me with desperation, as if it was his last chance, pulling me closer like he was afraid I might slip away or someone would snatch me away from him.My body burned with heat as his hands roamed over my skin, from my hips to my back, then up to my neck.The kiss deepened, and the sound of
Devastation hit me like a tidal wave. The words blurred as tears filled my eyes. How could he leave? How could he abandon me like this? The ache in my chest was unbearable, a mix of loss and betrayal.The rain outside seemed to mirror my pain. The darkness of the cave closed in around me, and for the first time, I felt completely alone.Why did Evan leave me hanging like this? I wondered as I curled up in my own embrace, crying until I eventually fell asleep.When the rain finally stopped in the morning, we left the cave. The smell of the damp soil added to the beauty of the freshly washed green leaves against the cloudy sky.The wind gently spread the morning dew from one leaf to another as it swayed through the air.These were the things that used to bring me joy and uplift my spirits. But not anymore.My heart ached knowing that you were gone. Even when I woke up and saw the crumpled paper clenched in my hand, I wished it were all just a dream.But it wasn't. It was as real as you
She noticed the swelling in my eyes and gently placed her hand on my forehead, realizing that I had a fever.With the announcement of summer vacation, she was relieved that I wouldn't have to go to school.Instead, my mother took me to the hospital for a check-up.As the doctor examined me, her gaze fell upon a mark on my thigh, and she inquired if it was a cat scratch.I confirmed her suspicion, before saying anything, when my eyes fell on the marks, I realized that the scratches had already healed and were barely visible.As she waited for my response, I looked at her and explained, "My friend's cat wasn't so fond of me when this happened." I forced a smile, trying to lighten the mood.She chuckled and showed me scratches on her own wrist, mentioning, "Isn't this how cats always are? She giggled, "You should see mine!" "Okay, Julia! You have to rest for a day or two, take care of your diet, and get plenty of sleep!" She placed her hand on my shoulder.This gesture reminded me of Mr.
"Either you are changing your shirt, or I will help you with that as well!" He playfully caressed his jaw with his finger, watching me from head to toe.I covered my mouth, staring at him in disbelief. "You!" I pushed him out of the door and closed it behind me, laughing before quickly changing my shirt.As I stepped outside, he greeted me with a smile. "You look perfect!"As we walked toward the living room, my mom gasped in surprise, covering her mouth. "Oh, Julie!" She rushed towards me and embraced me tightly. "I can't express how happy I am to see you like this!" Her eyes were filled with tears.I kissed her on the cheek and we left the house. When we arrived at the new restaurant, he insisted that I try their Italian.Unable to resist his kindness and insistence, I agreed to give it a try. And I must say, I didn't regret it at all! I actually quite enjoyed it!"So, how old is your sister?" I asked, taking another bite of the hot and spicy pasta."She's 9! Her name is Rebekah!" H
Luna's eyes widened at first, then softened as she looked at him. Evan’s eyes remained low, fixed on the ground. “I have no one else left,” he began, his voice heavy with sorrow. “You know how my parents were killed, and then I lost my Granny too. Having you around finally gave me some relief. Even though I don’t know you that well, having a family around—a sister figure—felt so much better.But seeing you suffer, I somehow blame myself for all of it. If he wasn’t trying to track me down, he wouldn’t have cut out your tongue.” He closed his eyes, and a tear slipped down his cheek.“Hey, Evan,” Luna said gently, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. “You don’t know Hunter like I do. He is after every supernatural being, so even if you weren't here, he would have found another reason to hurt us!I once fled because of him. And because of him, I had to abandon you. It was my responsibility to look after you and train you, but I’m sorry.I still feel remorse over leaving you behind.”
Faces around the room froze, mouths open and eyes wide with terror as the sound of his cracking and shifting bones echoed across the classroom. The students began to scream.Evan growled, turning around in a panic. His eyes, filled with fear, revealed his half-man, half-wolf form.“Back off, you beast!” the ginger-haired guy shouted, stepping forward with a circular amulet that seemed to terrify Evan.“You don’t have to worry about it. He won’t hurt you. I’m a supernatural hunter, and I came here to seize this creature!” he yelled, trying to reassure everyone.My eyes raced across the room, and I took a deep breath, deciding in an instant what to do. “Victoria!” I called out to her, knowing she’d do anything to help me. She whispered something, and suddenly, the chandelier above the ginger-haired guy shattered, crashing down. He jumped aside to protect himself.Seizing the moment, I rushed toward Evan, grabbed his hand, and we sprinted out of the school.The screeching of tires caught
Afterward, Evan settled into the guest room, which was right beside the kitchen. I went upstairs to take a shower, the warm water washing away the dirt and tension of the day.As the water cascaded over me, I replayed the events on the terrace. Dominic’s transformation, his aggression, and his regret. My body trembled, not just from the memory of his grip, but from the intense emotions that had pushed him to the edge. It was terrifying.After my shower, I slipped into something comfortable and quietly made my way down to the kitchen. My wet hair cascaded down one shoulder, droplets dripping against my skin.As I entered, I saw Evan standing by the counter, his hair still damp, and a towel draped casually around his neck. He looked up and smiled, a smile that lately seemed to carry a deeper meaning, his eyes smoldering with a seductive intensity.“Do you need anything?” I asked, a playful smile tugging at my lips.“I just need a glass of water,” he replied, shrugging casually.“Really?
We were still entangled in a passionate kiss when my phone rang, jolting us both. We pulled back, chuckling at the sudden interruption and the awkwardness of the moment."It’s Mom," I said, taking three deep breaths before answering. “When are you going to get back?” she demanded, skipping any greetings. No hi, no hello, just straight up interrogation.“I’m on my way!” I replied, rolling my eyes slightly. “Is Mr. Redwood there yet?” I asked, winking at him. He smiled, a glimmer of amusement in his eyes.“No, he isn’t. You should call him and ask if he’s coming or if he’s changed his mind,” she responded before hanging up.I turned to him, placing both hands under my chin. “Where are you, Mr. Redwood?”He sighed, pursing his lips. “You know, being called Mr. Redwood by you right after kissing you feels awkward.”I laughed softly. “Okay, okay! Evan, tell me, where are you? I just promised my mom I’d ask you where you are!”He smiled, a mischievous spark in his eyes. “I’m in the trance o
Her chest heaved with loud, deep breaths, and small grunts escaped her lips. First, her left knee twisted, then her right knee twisted in the opposite direction.One by one, all her joints began to twist awkwardly, the transformation more painful than Mr. Redwood’s. Her entire body's bones made a series of sickening clicks.She twisted and arched, fur sprouting from her skin, and fangs emerging from her gums.Unlike Mr. Redwood, Luna did not become a full wolf. She transformed into a half-wolf, half-human hybrid, completely covered in fur and muscle.Her eyes, filled with anger, locked onto us as she tried to stand, but the silver leash around her neck began to burn her skin. She screamed in agony, and we watched in horror as her tongue, once severed, slowly began to grow back.She let out a bone-chilling howl, so powerful that every piece of glassware in Viviana's house shattered into millions of shards.The sound was deafening, a primal cry of pain and anger that echoed through the
Mr. Redwood’s bones began to pop and crack, a horrifying symphony of transformation. Veins snaked around his neck, his jaw wriggling as if trying to break free from his skin.His eyes squeezed shut, and he faced the ceiling, every muscle in his body tensing and twisting.The pain was written all over his contorted features, his skin bruising as his joints shifted and twisted brutally.Against Viviana’s magic, Mr. Redwood pushed through his limits, grabbing his collar and ripping his shirt apart. His knees cracked and shifted, muscles rearranging with agonizing slowness.His moans echoed through the empty room, a haunting sound that sent shivers down my spine. We all stood frozen, watching in horror.Viviana's voice broke through the noises of cracking bones. “Hurry up! I can’t hold him much longer; he’s too strong!”Sheriff Scott and Dominic came into action, rushing toward Mr. Redwood.They each grabbed one of his arms, but he fought against them, grunting and growling. After a strug
Viviana smiled at us, her eyes soft with understanding. "You can rest here as long as you need. By nightfall, we'll perform the task to help Luna."I held Evan's hands once more, my heart pouring into my smile. "You should get some rest. I'll head back, inform my mom that I'm safe, and then I'll go to the café before returning here."He smiled back, his grip on my hands firm and reassuring. I turned to Viviana, my expression serious. "I'm leaving him here because I trust you. I don't want anything to happen to him."Viviana placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "He is important to us, too. I will protect him with my life."She then turned to Sheriff and Dominic, her tone shifting to one of command. "I want you all here before moonrise. Bring a strong leash and chain—go for silver if possible. Victoria will stay here with me." She looked at Victoria, who nodded in agreement.Afterward, we scattered once again. Sheriff and Dominic went to the black market to gather a silver leash and
I felt a pang of guilt as I finished my statement. Lying didn't sit well with me, but I had come to understand that sometimes lies were necessary to save lives.As I left the room, the Sheriff placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder and said, "I promise, we will avenge them."Now, let me tell you what actually happened. After taking the blood jars and candles, the Sheriff started the fire in the basement.The flames consumed the bodies completely, ensuring they couldn't be identified as supernatural.He took the candles to Viviana, and once I had given my statement, my Mom was informed that I was at the police station.Sheriff Scott's plan worked perfectly, thwarting Hunter's sinister intentions. This also bought Viviana and Victoria enough time to figure out how to help Luna. When my Mom came to pick me up, I used her phone to call Victoria and update her on the situation."We have found a solution for Luna!" Victoria's voice filled with both joy and tension. "The good news is, we ne
Seeing his distress, I rushed to the kitchen to fetch a glass of water.When I returned and handed it to him, his eyes widened as if struck by a sudden idea. He took a few sips and stood up quickly. "I have an idea!"We all leaned in, eager for any glimmer of hope. "We can’t let anyone know that Evan was kidnapped," he said, his voice filled with urgency."Take him to the forest and then to the bus station. We need to keep him out of sight," the Sheriff instructed me, his voice filled with urgency. He then turned to Mr. Redwood, his tone firm. "Evan, listen to me very carefully. You will come back to town in the morning."He turned back to me, his eyes intense. "Help him clean up, and make him appear as normal as possible. We might have to involve your principal in this one, but don’t worry—I know what to do.Keep our next move hidden from the enemy. In the morning, after visiting the police station, come back to school, and you’ll teach everyone there. You’ll be safer with a crowd ar