Chapter 3: Gold Eyes in the Dark

Night fell over the city like a challenge.

Ari stood in front of her bedroom mirror, tugging at the hem of her dress, already regretting the choice. Black, fitted, simple—but on her body it felt like a declaration. Like she was stepping into something she couldn’t take back. The bass from the club down the block thumped through the walls, a steady heartbeat that synced with her own.

“You’re overthinking it,” she muttered to her reflection.

Her sister, Nyla, popped her head in from the hallway, already glowing. “You ready? Lennox hates being late.”

The name tightened something low in Ari’s stomach.

Lennox.

Her sister’s man. Her sister’s mate—though Nyla hadn’t used that word. Not yet. She just said he was intense. Quiet. Protective. The kind of man who didn’t smile for anyone but still somehow owned every room he walked into.

“I’m coming,” Ari said, grabbing her jacket.

The club was already packed when they arrived, neon lights slicing through cigarette smoke and bodies pressed too close together. Music pounded. Sweat slicked the air. The city’s hunger pulsed in every corner.

And then Ari saw him.

Lennox stood near the bar, dressed in dark clothes that blended into shadow, except for his eyes. Cold. Sharp. Watching everything. When Nyla slipped her hand into his, something shifted in the room—like the air itself recognized him.

Then his gaze lifted.

And locked onto Ari.

Her breath caught.

It wasn’t curiosity. It wasn’t casual appreciation. It was recognition. As if he’d known she would walk through that door tonight. As if he’d been waiting.

Ari’s skin prickled.

“Hey,” Nyla said cheerfully, oblivious. “This is my sister, Ari.”

Lennox didn’t look away from her.

“I know,” he said.

The word hit her harder than it should have.

“You do?” Ari asked, forcing her voice steady.

His lips curved just slightly. Not a smile. Something darker. “You smell like the city,” he said. “And trouble.”

Her pulse skidded.

Nyla laughed. “That’s Ari for you.”

But Ari couldn’t laugh. Couldn’t breathe properly. Because Lennox was close now—too close—and his scent wrapped around her like smoke and heat and something animal underneath. Her heartbeat thundered in her ears.

He leaned in, just enough for only her to hear.

“You shouldn’t be here tonight.”

Her spine stiffened. “Why?”

His eyes flicked briefly to the ceiling, where the moonlight leaked faintly through grimy windows. “Because the moon is restless,” he murmured. “And so am I.”

A shiver raced through her.

Before she could respond, Nyla tugged her toward the dance floor. “Come on! Don’t be weird.”

Too late.

The crowd swallowed them, bodies grinding, lights flashing. Ari tried to lose herself in the music, but she could feel him watching her. Even with her back turned. Even with people between them.

She felt it when he moved.

A presence cutting through the room. Heat behind her. A hand landing on the bar beside hers, caging her in without touching.

“Your heartbeat changed,” Lennox said quietly.

Ari spun to face him. “You listening to my chest now?”

“Hard not to,” he replied. “It’s loud.”

Her mouth went dry. “You’re crossing a line.”

He tilted his head. “So are you.”

The lights flickered.

For half a second, the music skipped—and in that break, she saw it.

His eyes flashed gold.

Not the warm amber of liquor lights. Not a reflection. Gold. Bright and feral and very real.

Her breath left her lungs in a rush.

“You saw that,” he said, calm as ever.

She backed up instinctively. “I—”

A crash echoed near the back of the club. Shouts followed. Panic rippled through the crowd. Someone screamed.

Lennox grabbed Ari’s wrist.

“Move,” he ordered.

She didn’t argue. He pulled her through the chaos, his grip firm but careful, steering her like he knew exactly where danger was—and where it wasn’t. They burst out the back door into the alley, cool air slamming into her lungs.

The noise of the club faded behind them.

A low growl echoed from deeper in the alley.

Ari froze.

The shadows shifted.

Something big moved.

Lennox stepped in front of her instantly, shoulders squaring, posture changing. Not human. Not anymore. His hands curled into fists, veins darkening beneath his skin.

“Stay behind me,” he said.

“What is that?” she whispered.

The thing in the shadows lunged.

Lennox moved faster than thought. There was a blur, a violent clash of bodies, the sound of bone hitting brick. Ari screamed, stumbling back as fur and muscle slammed into the alley wall.

And then Lennox shifted.

Not fully—not yet—but enough.

His teeth lengthened. His eyes burned gold. His growl shook the ground beneath her feet.

The attacker retreated with a snarl, vanishing over the fence in a flash of fur and fury.

Silence fell hard.

Ari pressed her hand to her mouth, heart slamming against her ribs.

Lennox turned slowly.

“You weren’t supposed to see that,” he said.

Her knees felt weak. “You’re a—”

“Werewolf,” he finished. “Yes.”

She laughed once, sharp and hysterical. “My sister is dating a werewolf.”

“She’s safe,” he said immediately. “Because she’s mine.”

The way he said it—possessive, absolute—sent another dangerous thrill through Ari.

“And me?” she asked.

His gaze dropped to her throat. Her pulse fluttered wildly there.

“That,” he said quietly, “is the problem.”

Footsteps echoed at the mouth of the alley.

Dante emerged from the shadows, calm as sin, eyes glowing faintly.

“You’re slipping, Lennox,” he said.

Kai followed close behind, jaw tight, eyes dark.

Ari’s world tilted.

All three of them. Wolves.

All watching her.

All dangerous.

All forbidden.

And somehow… all tied to her now.

Dante’s gaze softened just a fraction when it landed on her. “You were never supposed to be this close to the truth.”

Kai stepped nearer, protective, furious. “We should’ve kept her out of it.”

Lennox didn’t look away from Ari. “Too late.”

The moon climbed higher above the city, full and watching.

And Ari realized with terrifying clarity—

This wasn’t just desire.

It was fate.

And it was already hunting her.