STORMBOUND

Cassian had been at Moonridge High for less than a week, and already Amanda noticed the way Skylar acted differently around him, almost hostile. The tension between them wasn’t obvious at first. Cassian seemed all warmth and charm, but beneath the teasing grin laid an intentional sharpness, he had a way of circling Skylar, one-upping him in subtle but pointed ways that often left Amanda caught in the middle.

It showed during training. Amanda had come to learn that Skylar trained daily in the grounds of the Blackthorne estate. No doubt it had something to do with him being the son of the alpha and usually Amanda only stole quick glances at him as she passed by. She never lingered long enough for him to actually notice she was there, but today she was seated on a bench just on the edge of the training courtyard, watching uncomfortably, trying to avoid Skylar's eyes.

Cassian had invited her. Apparently, he needed to train as well even while he was there, and he begged her till she finally gave in and agreed to come watch him train. She was aware of the tension between them, but she didn't expect it to be this bad. Skylar was usually the best at everything; speed, strength, precision, but Cassian, though not quite as disciplined, was quick to pick up on Skylar’s weak spots and turn them into opportunities for humor.

"Not bad", Cassian said one afternoon after they sprinted laps around the track. He clapped Skylar on the back with a grin before throwing Amanda a wink.

"But I think I edged you out, Blackthorne. Just barely, maybe you’re slowing down", he added slyly.

Skylar’s jaw flexed.

"You tripped Ryder halfway through so you could pass him", he pointed out, gesturing at another young guard who was in training.

Cassian spread his hands innocently. "What? He was in my way. It’s not my fault my reflexes are better", his grin widened when Amanda stifled a laugh.

Skylar’s eyes flicked to her, hot and warning, before he stalked off. Cassian only chuckled. And that was just the tip on the list of things that Cassian seemed to do just to spite Skylar.

---

At school, in the cafeteria during lunch break, Cassian slid a tray onto the table beside Amanda.

"Mind if I sit? Don’t worry, I promise I won’t steal your fries. Well-", he plucked one before she could stop him. "-not all of them."

Amanda laughed despite herself.

"You’re impossible", she shook her head. 

Across the room, Skylar sat down stiffly at another table, his gaze cutting toward them with a look that made Amanda’s stomach twist. Cassian leaned in conspiratorially. "Has anyone ever told you your stepbrother glowers like it’s his full-time job? If looks could kill, I’d be ashes by now", he whispered.

Amanda tried to bite back a smile but failed. "You shouldn’t provoke him", she said finally.

"Provoke?", Cassian gasped in mock outrage.

"I’m just being friendly. Besides, I like watching him squirm", he leaned back, his grin infuriatingly calm.

Amanda rolled her eyes, but a part of her couldn’t deny the spark of amusement Cassian brought the easy air he carried, which was a stark contrast to Skylar’s constant storm.

---

That storm became literal days later. The Blackthorne estate groaned under the weight of a heavy storm, rain lashing the windows, thunder rolling through the mountains. Samuel and Celeste had left that morning for a diplomatic dinner, expecting to be back late. Cassian had gone into town, chasing some mischief or another, that left Amanda alone in the vast, echoing halls, or so she thought. She nearly jumped when Skylar appeared in the doorway of the sitting room, his presence as sudden as a lightning strike.

"You shouldn’t sit by the windows in weather like this", he said, his voice rough but steady.

"Glass can shatter", he added seriously.

Amanda arched a brow, hugging her knees tighter against her chest where she sat curled on the couch.

"Thanks for the safety lecture, Dad", she said sarcastically. 

A muscle ticked in his jaw, but the corner of his mouth twitched. Almost a smile, almost.  Thunder cracked outside, rattling the panes. The lights flickered, plunging them into momentary darkness.

"Great", she thought to herself. Just what she needed: Trapped with Skylar.

The silence stretched, heavy with the storm’s rhythm. Amanda tried to focus on the rain, but her awareness sharpened instead to every shift of Skylar’s body, every quiet inhale he took as he leaned against the far wall, arms crossed, gaze fixed on her like he was trying not to.

Finally, she snapped. "Are you just going to stare at me all night?" 

His eyes darkened. "Maybe if you didn’t keep putting yourself in danger, I wouldn’t have to."

Amanda bristled. "Oh, here we go again. You know, you can’t keep acting like everything I do is some massive mistake."

"You think this is a game?", he asked. His voice was sharp, cutting through the sound of rain.

"The wolves in the forest, the rune stone, whatever’s happening to you, Amanda, you’re-", he cut himself off, dragging a hand through his hair.

"I’m what? Say it", she pressed, rising to her feet.

He took a step closer, the storm roaring around them, shadows dancing across his face. "Dangerous", he muttered.

Her chest tightened.

"Dangerous?", she scoffed. "I’m not the one half-shifting every time I get upset. I’m not the one everyone bows to because of my last name. I’m not— I’m not the one who bites people in their dreams", her voice cracked, hot tears burning her eyes.

Skylar froze, his eyes flashing gold. Amanda gasped, realizing too late what she’d said. She hadn’t meant to reveal anything about the dream and his reaction told her everything.

"Amanda…", he called out, his voice was rough, low, like a growl trapped in his throat.

"You don’t understand what you’re playing with", he warned under his breath. 

"Then explain it to me!", she snapped, stepping forward, fury and fear tangling in her chest. "Because believe me, I’m tired of being in the dark grasping at straws!"

He closed the distance between them in two strides, his hand slamming against the wall beside her head. The storm thundered as if echoing his anger. His breath was hot against her face, his golden eyes blazing.

"I can’t stop watching you", he admitted, the words ripped from him like confession. "I try to ignore it, I try to keep you away, but every time, every time, I see you, I feel like I’m losing control."

Amanda’s heart stopped, her breath tangled in her throat. "You’re dangerous for me, for both of us", he whispered.

For a moment, neither of them moved. The storm outside blurred into a distant roar, drowned out by the sound of their ragged breathing. His gaze flicked down to her lips, hers to his. The air between them tightened, pulsing with something neither of them could name. Amanda’s hands trembled as she gripped the edge of his shirt, pulling him closer without thinking. His body was heat and power, overwhelming, intoxicating.

He leaned in, so close their lips brushed, barely a whisper of contact— then he jerked back, as if he had been burned.

"No", his voice was hoarse, almost broken.

Amanda blinked, stunned, her pulse racing. Skylar stepped away, raking a hand through his hair, pacing like a caged animal.

"This can’t happen. This won't happen again", his voice was steel again, cold and final, though his eyes betrayed the storm still raging inside him. 

He turned before she could speak, striding toward the door.

"Skylar-", she tried to call out to him.

He paused.

"Stay away from me", his voice was sharp, but it wavered just enough to cut her to the bone. Then he was gone, swallowed by the storm. Amanda pressed a hand to her chest, her body trembling, her lips tingling from the almost-kiss that hadn’t happened. 

She sank back against the wall, staring at the empty doorway, thunder rolling overhead. Whatever they were caught in, it wasn’t going to go away, and it terrified her more than the storm outside ever could.