LyraMy instincts were right, Nick wasn’t human.He was a werewolf.The truth hit me so hard I almost screamed, but before the sound could leave my throat, his hand clamped over my mouth. The heat of his palm seared against my skin, silencing me, trapping the cry of horror in my chest. His eyes burned crimson, glowing like embers, his claws gleaming in the silver wash of the moonlight. My whole body trembled beneath his grip.Terror surged through me. I thrashed against him, trying to wrench myself free. “Mmmph!” My muffled cry pushed past his hand. Desperation gave me courage I didn’t know I had, I sank my teeth into the flesh of his palm.He hissed sharply and jerked his hand back.That was my chance. My body bolted into action before my mind caught up, I ran.The cold night air sliced at my face as my feet pounded against the ground. My heart hammered so violently I thought it might tear itself free from my chest. All I could think was run, run, run.“YOU BIT ME?” His furious voice
LyraMy head was spinning so hard it felt like the room had tilted beneath me. Memories, or maybe dreams, wolves clawed through my mind, flashing so fast I couldn’t catch them. Growls. Red eyes. My heart pounding in terror. My body swayed, and before I could steady myself, darkness swallowed me whole.When I opened my eyes again, pain lanced through my skull like knives. I groaned, pressing my palm against my temple.“Lyra…” Mirae’s voice came first, soft and shaky. She was sitting at the edge of the bed, her face pale with worry. Her eyes flickered over me like she was afraid I’d break apart again. “You scared me. I was so nervous when you fainted.”“I’m good now,” I murmured, forcing a small smile. My voice was rough, my throat dry. I shifted slightly, and then froze.Because he was there.Jay.Standing near the door, hands shoved in his pockets, his expression unreadable. His eyes flickered toward me once, then away, like he was pretending not to care.My chest tightened. “What is
Lyra“What do you say?” Jay’s voice carried a sharp edge, his body leaning toward me with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.I froze. My chest tightened, my mind spinning. What the heck? I knew he had lost his memory, but this version of him? This wasn’t just strange. It was terrifying.I forced myself to swallow. “Thanks for saving her,” I said carefully, my voice wobbling. “But I can’t go on a date with you.”The moment the words left my lips, his hand snapped back to Rixa, gripping her arm with a suddenness that made her yelp. My eyes widened. He shoved her like he was about to drop her all over again.“What are you doing?!” My voice broke, my stomach twisting.Jay’s face stayed maddeningly calm, as though he was enjoying my panic. “Putting things the way they were before I interrupted,” he said smoothly, his fingers tightening while Rixa shook like a leaf in a storm.I hated her. God knows I did. But this? Watching her tremble in his hold, watching her eyes brim with terror
Lyra“Bad news!” Mirae’s voice rang out as she stepped out of the toilet, clutching her phone to her chest like it was burning her. Her face was pale, her wide eyes shimmering with something I didn’t want to name, fear.My stomach dropped. “What is it?” I rushed to her, snatching the phone from her hand.The headline on the glowing screen screamed at me in bold letters:Death of a hostel girl… Cause of death: The mysterious wolf.For a second, the air vanished from my lungs. I just stared at the words until they blurred. My throat tightened.I was right.My dreams weren’t just dreams. They were bleeding into reality.“What the hell am I turning into?” I whispered, my voice breaking. First, I healed without explanation. Now… this? My nightmares were unfolding in the real world, like some twisted prophecy.This was bad. So bad.I raked my fingers through my hair, tugging at the roots as though pain would snap me awake. “Mirae, I think there’s something wrong with me.”Her lips trembled.
Lyra“How… did you—?” My voice faltered, stammering over the words as my eyes stayed locked on him.Nick’s expression didn’t change. “Through the door, if you’re asking.”My mind stumbled over that answer. Through the door? But Mirae had been right there, watching. My gaze flicked toward the hallway.“But…”“Oh,” he cut in, a faint smirk pulling at his lips, “you must be thinking of your friend. I saw her collapsed on the floor by the door.”I clenched my jaw so hard it ached. I’d warned that girl not to faint. I’d told her straight to her face. And she still went ahead and fainted like it was some kind of sport.“How did you throw it away?” His voice was low now, almost too low, like a threat disguised as a question.“It was a mistake,” I blurted, my words tumbling over themselves. “I swear, I didn’t mean to..”“Really?” The word cracked like a whip between us.He stepped closer, bending to pick up the jar. His fingers closed around it with an almost reverent slowness. His gaze lifte
Lyra“What the heck was that? I would’ve slapped him on the head.” Mirae made an exaggerated slapping motion, twisting her wrist like she was winding up for the perfect hit. Her eyebrows shot up, her lips pressing into a mock scowl that was so over-the-top, it almost pulled a laugh out of me. Almost.“He lost his memory,” I reminded her, trying to keep my tone even. “Let’s not forget that.”But the attempt at calmness didn’t last. My eyes narrowed, the words sticking in my throat as my attention snagged on someone rushing toward us from the hospital corridor. A shirt dress. Perfect hair. That fake perfume-heavy smile.Rixa.My stomach tightened instantly. What the hell was she doing here now?“What is this thing doing here?” Mirae muttered, her voice dripping with disdain.How did she know Nick was here?I didn’t answer, not until I saw it. The thing that made my fingers curl into fists so tight my nails bit into my palms. Rixa wasn’t just here. She was heading straight for Nick… and