Chapter 11 – Something Dangerous

Lyra

Everyone in school knows one thing about Nick, he never goes back for seconds. One night. One moment. One girl. That’s it.

But why… why am I different?

Since the night we slept together, my first time, I’ve done everything I could to bury the memory. To convince myself it didn’t mean anything. But it’s impossible when he’s always there. Showing up. Staring. Smirking. Reminding me without saying a single word.

And now he wants… a second time?

I won't be just another game. I won't let him play me.

“What second time?” Mirae's head popped out from the front seat, her brows knitting in curiosity. She must have heard him.

“Nothing,” I replied quickly, sitting up straight, trying to regain some composure.

Nick’s smirk deepened. He leaned back lazily like he had all the time in the world.

“You didn’t tell her about us?” he said casually, and my eyes shot to him in panic.

My fingers twitched. “Don’t.”

“We…” he started, dragging the word out with deliberate slowness.

Without thinking, I reached across the seat and slapped my hand over his mouth.

Mirae blinked, stunned into silence, her lips parting in shock.

And then, God help me, I felt it.

Nick's tongue flicked against my palm.

My eyes widened as I yanked my hand back like I’d been burned.

He licked his lips slowly, looking far too entertained. “liked that?”

I didn’t respond. I turned my face to the window, burning up inside, but trying to pretend I wasn’t.

“You’re Mirae, right?” Nick said smoothly, suddenly shifting his attention. “I’ve got something to tell you.”

Mirae turned to him like he was a walking fairytale. Her eyes sparkled. She practically glowed.

What the hell was he playing at?

Nick leaned closer to me, voice dropping low, a devilish whisper against my ear. “Tell me to stop… or I’ll spill everything.”

My lips parted. “Stop,” I whispered, barely audible, a plea more than a command.

He smiled. That cocky, slow, knowing smile that made my stomach knot. Then he reached for my hand, his grip firm but careful. His fingers intertwined with mine like it was the most natural thing in the world.

“Don’t pull away,” he said quietly, and then, he rested his head on my shoulder.

My entire body froze.

I should’ve pushed him off. I should’ve screamed at him to stop messing with me. But instead, I sat there… motionless, confused, heart pounding so hard I could feel it in my throat.

Why was he like this?

Why did I want to stay still?

The car finally turned down a long, private road, then curved toward a tall iron gate. It creaked open automatically, revealing not a house… but a mansion.

Massive. Gated. Elegant. A marble fountain in the center, water cascading down like a fairytale.

My jaw dropped.

Before I could even process it, Nick jumped out, rushed over, and opened the door for me like some old-school gentleman.

I stared at his outstretched hand.

Hesitated.

Then reached out and placed my hand in his.

His grip was warm, steady.

Mirae stepped out behind me, clutching her bag like it might disappear if she blinked.

Inside the mansion, everything was quiet. Polished marble floors, grand staircase, tall windows, and soft lighting that made everything feel expensive and surreal. A few maids in black uniforms greeted us with soft bows.

“Shully,” Nick called out, and an older woman stepped forward.

“These are my guests,” he said, gesturing toward us. “Treat them well. And this one—” his finger pointed at me, “you can call her little madam… she’s mine.”

I choked on air. My entire body went still.

Mirae nearly passed out beside me.

“Excuse me?” I snapped, turning to him. “What do you mean I’m yours?”

Nick stepped closer, his hands deep in his pockets, the smirk gone. Now his eyes were serious. Sharp.

“You don’t remember, do you?” he asked softly. “But you’re mine. I’m just giving you three days to accept it. That’s all. But you're already mine.”

He turned away, leaving me standing there, flushed, furious, and confused.

“I’m not a toy,” I said, my voice shaking.

He turned back. Slowly. Walked toward me with quiet, deliberate steps.

His hand reached up gently, fingers grazing my chin, tilting my face up so I was forced to look at him. His touch was light, but commanding.

“I never said you were,” he murmured, eyes boring into mine. “Now… make yourself comfortable. My parents are never around. You’re free to do whatever you like.”

Then, with a nod of his head, he added, “Come. Let me show you your rooms.”

I followed in a daze, Mirae practically bouncing behind me, barely containing her excitement.

He showed her a room first, pink curtains, a fluffy bed, a mini chandelier. Her eyes lit up like a child on Christmas.

“I love it!” she squealed.

“I’ll stay with her,” I said quickly, not thinking.

Nick turned to me, brow raised. “No, you won’t.”

My mouth opened. “Why not?”

“You’ll have your own room. Right beside mine.”

I frowned. “Why?”

“Because I want you close.” He didn’t even hesitate. “Does that answer your question?”

He winked, making my heart flutter again. Why do I always feel this way?

Then, without warning, he grabbed my wrist and gently pulled me down the hallway to another door. He pushed it open with a dramatic flourish.

It was like something out of a dream.

The walls were a soft cream. The bed had velvet sheets, blush pillows, and a gold-accented headboard. There was even a bouquet of fresh roses on the nightstand.

It looked like someone had been expecting me.

I turned to him slowly, heart thudding.

“You planned this,” I said.

“Yes, I did,” Nick said with a slow smile, his voice low and deliberate. “Because I want your first night at my place to be… unforgettable.”

My breath caught.

And then, from behind his back, he pulled out a single red rose. It looked like it had no business being there, perfectly intact, as if plucked from a dream.

He held it out to me. “This is yours. And so is this room. For the week.”

I reached out and took the flower, stunned. My fingers grazed his as I did. The petals brushed my skin like silk, but my heart beat faster for a different reason his words.

He leaned closer, his breath warm on my cheek. “But I’ll be back… because tonight won’t end until we both do it.”

My body stiffened.

And then he turned to leave.

But just as his fingers touched the doorknob, he stopped.

His whole body tensed.

He clutched his chest like something had hit him hard. A quiet, pained grunt escaped his throat. The flower slipped from my hand and fell to the floor as I rushed to him, eyes wide with panic.

“What’s going on?” I asked, voice shaking. “Nick? Are you okay?”

He didn’t answer.

His eyes… they were twitching, unfocused, distant, and then suddenly glowing.

I took a step back.

This wasn’t normal.

“Help!” I screamed, my voice sharp with fear. “Somebody help!”

But before I could make it to the door, he grabbed me.

His grip was firm. And his eyes… they weren’t his anymore. They glowed a deep, unnatural gold. His jaw tightened. His chest rose and fell with inhuman rhythm.

Claws slid from his fingers.

I froze.

Then, like lightning, memories I never knew I had slammed into me.

A wolf. Glowing eyes. Claws.

Him.

The way his voice had once echoed in my head, dark and possessive: “You’re mine.”

Was this what he meant?

I opened my mouth to scream again, but his hand shot up, covering my mouth before a sound could escape.

In one blinding moment, he moved with a speed that didn’t belong to this world.

And I was on the bed.

My back hit the mattress with a soft thud, my heart thudding much harder beneath my ribs.

“Nick!” I gasped as he hovered over me, eyes wild. “What’s going on?!”

His voice came out rough, ragged, deeper than I’d ever heard it. “Remove your clothes. Now.”