She Smelled Like Trouble

Chapter 4

Adrian

I had never been afraid of anything in my life.

Not rival werewolves, not angry Alphas, and certainly not the enemies who occasionally threatened my family.

But there was one thing I was beginning to fear.

Our new stepsister.

Isabella Rose Sullivan.

The girl who had arrived at Blackwood Mansion and somehow managed to turn three powerful werewolves into nervous idiots.

I was beginning to think she was dangerous.

Not because she could fight or because she had some impressive supernatural ability.

No.

She was dangerous because my wolf had developed an unhealthy obsession with her.

And I hated it.

"You're staring again."

I turned toward Sebastian, who was sitting on the couch with his phone.

"Am not."

He raised an eyebrow.

"Adrian, you've been staring at the staircase for five minutes."

I shrugged.

"Maybe I like the staircase."

He laughed.

"You're an idiot."

"At least I'm a handsome idiot."

Sebastian shook his head.

Before he could respond, Alexander entered the living room.

His expression was darker than usual.

"Where is Isabella?"

Sebastian looked up.

"Why?"

"Answer the question."

"Upstairs, probably."

Alexander checked his watch.

"She's supposed to meet the university administration today. Father wants us to take her."

I groaned.

"Why us?"

"Because Father said so."

"Wonderful. Babysitting duty."

Alexander gave me a warning look.

"Try behaving like an adult for once."

I grinned.

"No promises."

Ten minutes later, Isabella appeared at the bottom of the staircase.

She wore a fitted pair of jeans, a white blouse, and white sneakers. Her hair fell loosely over her shoulders, and she carried a small handbag.

I looked at her.

Then at Sebastian.

Then at Alexander.

All three of us went quiet.

She frowned.

"What?"

"Nothing," I said.

She looked at me suspiciously.

"Then why are you staring?"

I smiled.

"Just admiring the family resemblance."

She rolled her eyes.

"You're unbelievable."

I laughed and approached her.

"Come on, little sister. Your royal carriage awaits."

"Don't call me that."

"Which one? Little sister or royal carriage?"

"Adrian!"

I laughed as I opened the front door.

This was going to be an interesting day.

The drive to Blackwood University was surprisingly quiet.

Alexander sat in the passenger seat, answering emails.

Sebastian was busy making phone calls.

And Isabella sat beside me in the back.

She kept looking outside the window.

"First time visiting the university?" I asked.

She nodded.

"I'm excited."

"Don't be."

She turned toward me.

"Why?"

"Because this place is full of rich, arrogant people who think their family names make them untouchable."

She smiled.

"Sounds familiar."

I laughed.

"Are you insulting my family?"

"Wouldn't dream of it."

I shook my head.

My wolf suddenly stirred.

I glanced at Isabella.

Something about her scent had changed.

It was stronger now.

Sweet, warm, and strangely familiar.

My wolf raised its head.

Mate.

I tightened my grip on the seat.

Not again.

I looked away, hoping to distract myself.

But then Isabella leaned closer.

"Adrian?"

I turned.

"Yes?"

"Why are your eyes glowing?"

My stomach dropped.

I immediately looked toward the window.

"Bad lighting."

She stared at me.

"Seriously?"

"Very seriously."

She shook her head.

"Your family needs therapy."

I laughed, but my wolf was no longer amused.

It wanted answers.

Blackwood University was enormous.

Students moved between buildings, expensive cars lined the parking lot, and security guards stood at every entrance.

The moment we stepped out of the car, several students turned toward us.

I was used to the attention.

Being a Blackwood came with privileges.

But today, their attention wasn't on me.

It was on Isabella.

Whispers began almost immediately.

"Who's that?"

"Is she with the Blackwoods?"

"Wait. Is that their new sister?"

I noticed Isabella's discomfort.

I moved closer to her.

"Ignore them."

She nodded.

A tall blonde girl approached us, followed by two friends.

She looked directly at Isabella before smiling at me.

"Adrian! You didn't tell me you were bringing someone."

I sighed.

Not her.

"Hello, Victoria."

Her eyes moved toward Isabella.

"And who is this?"

"My sister."

Victoria's smile disappeared.

"Your sister?"

"Yes. Isabella."

She looked Isabella up and down.

"Interesting."

I didn't like her tone.

"Do you need something, Victoria?"

She smiled sweetly.

"Nothing. I was just curious."

Then she leaned closer to Isabella.

"Be careful around this family. They aren't as welcoming as they pretend to be."

Before Isabella could respond, I stepped between them.

"That's enough."

Victoria's smile returned, but her eyes were cold.

"See you around, Adrian."

She walked away.

Isabella looked at me.

"Friend of yours?"

"Unfortunately."

She laughed.

And I found myself smiling.

After completing Isabella's registration, Alexander received an urgent call and Sebastian disappeared to meet someone.

I volunteered to show Isabella around campus.

We were walking past the library when she suddenly stopped.

"Adrian?"

I turned.

"What's wrong?"

She was staring at the large building ahead of us.

"I think someone is calling me."

I frowned.

"Who?"

"I don't know."

She closed her eyes.

I watched as her expression changed.

Then she whispered something.

"There's a forest."

I looked around.

We were nowhere near the forest.

"Isabella?"

She opened her eyes.

"They're calling me from the forest."

My wolf suddenly became restless.

Before I could ask what she meant, a sharp scream came from somewhere behind the library.

Students began running.

I grabbed Isabella's hand.

"Stay close to me."

A dark figure emerged from between two buildings.

Its eyes glowed red.

My smile disappeared.

A rogue.

And it was looking directly at Isabella.

"Adrian?" she whispered.

I stepped in front of her.

"Don't move."

The creature tilted its head.

Then it smiled.

"Found you."

My blood turned cold.

"What do you want?"

Its red eyes remained fixed on Isabella.

"The daughter of the Moon Queen."

I felt Isabella's fingers tighten around my hand.

The rogue laughed.

"Your father has been hiding her for nineteen years."

Then it lunged.

I shifted just in time, my clothes tearing as my wolf took control.

But the creature wasn't attacking me.

It was reaching for Isabella.

And when she screamed, a powerful golden light exploded from her body.

The rogue was thrown backward.

I froze.

My wolf lowered its head.

THE MOON QUEEN.

I stared at Isabella.

She was standing in the middle of the walkway, her eyes glowing gold, her hands trembling.

And for the first time, I understood why our father had been so afraid.

Isabella wasn't an ordinary werewolf.

She was someone the entire supernatural world might be searching for.

And now, they had found her.