Chapter 4

The house was awkwardly quiet. Matilda had informed me that she and Amber were going to an event. I threw myself on the bed provided for me; it was smaller than my bed at home, but who could I complain to?

I looked around the room, it wasn’t anything too extra. There was a small desk by the window, a dresser opposite my bed, and a wardrobe tucked in the corner. That was it. It felt more like a guest room than a real bedroom.

After a hot bath, I began drying my hair, my mind still circling the rules Amber had given me. I was still trying to process them. It wouldn’t be so hard for me to pretend she wasn’t my mother—after all, I had lived my whole life without her. Lying for a year wouldn’t hurt. But pretending I was a werewolf? That was almost impossible.

A knock came at the door, sharp and quick. My eyes searched for the scent Amber had instructed me to use after my bath, but it was nowhere to be found. Still, I just needed to see who it was; there was no need for it now, it could be Amber or Maltilda.

The person kept knocking, more impatiently this time, while I rushed to the door.

“Matilda, did you forget anything?” I asked, grabbing the doorknob. But as the door swung open, my eyes met someone else’s, it wasn’t Matilda. It was a boy.

He stood there, tall and confident, his blue eyes locking with mine. He didn’t look away. For a second, I couldn’t either. His gaze was calm but had this pull like his eyes were quietly drawing me in.

“It’s a new face,” he said, smiling at me.

Immediately, Amber’s words when she was leaving about not entertaining anyone without wearing the scent flashed through my head. My hand flew to the door, trying to shut it, but he blocked it with his leg.

“Not so fast,” he said again, that smile never leaving his face.

“What’s taking you so long, Sebastian?” another voice called from behind. I followed the sound with my eyes and spotted a figure leaning casually against a car parked outside. I couldn’t see his face clearly, but his tone was deeper.

“We’re here to see the healer,” the boy in front of me, said . .

“She’s not home. Come later—” My voice came out shaky. He still wouldn’t let me close the door. If he picked up my scent, I’d be in trouble. I struggled against the door, but he was stronger. With one push, he forced himself inside.

“What are you doing? You can’t just barge into someone’s home!” I yelled, stepping back toward the stairs. I stayed a few feet away, watching as he made himself comfortable on the armchair like he owned the place.

“Just tell Amber we’re here for our mother’s medicine,” he said casually. “My brother has a temper. I’m not sure you’d want him here shouting. Just go and bring it.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about! I just moved in here, and I did say Amber wasn’t around, didn’t I?”

“Yes, you did…” He stood up, his voice calm but teasing, slowly moving closer. I took a step back.

“Who is this pretty face I haven’t seen around before?” His gaze lingered on me, and I froze. I wasn’t supposed to let him get close, but he was walking right toward me, and I couldn’t move.

“You should go,” I managed to say, my voice barely loud enough, i was confused .

“I will,” he said, “but first—”

Before I could react, his hand wrapped around my waist and pulled me closer.

“What are you doing?” I gasped, my heartbeat quickening.

“I just want to_”

“Lily!” Matilda’s voice cut through the tension as she barged in. I immediately broke free from his grip, startled. She looked between me and Sebastian, her expression showed her confusion .

“Lily… that’s a beautiful name,” he said with a smile. I frowned, crossing my arms tightly.

“Sebastian,” Matilda said sternly, “I suppose you’re here for your mother’s medicine?”

“Yes! She seems to not know where it is,” he said, still smirking in my direction.

“She’s Amber’s new apprentice ,” Matilda replied quickly. “I’ll bring it to you.” She walked over and grabbed his hand firmly.

“The name’s Sebastian,” he said again, offering me a hand for a handshake even as Matilda tugged him toward the door,I didn’t even shake him .

“You should go to your room,” Matilda said firmly to me , she sounded angry . I nodded, forcing myself to move, even though Sebastian’s gaze followed me.

“Why? I want to talk to Lily more,” he said, smirking again. Our eyes met one last time as I climbed the stairs. But instead of going into my room, I quietly hid behind the staircase, listening.

The door opened again, louder this time, and another voice filled the room. “What’s taking you so long?” The tone was sharp, irritated—this must be the brother with the temper.

I leaned out slightly, trying to see his face.

“I met someone,” Sebastian said.

“Who?”o

“That’s not necessary,” Matilda interrupted quickly. “You two should leave now. Your mom must be waiting.”

I still couldn’t see his face properly. I leaned out a little more, but I slipped, tumbling down the stairs and landing right in front of him.

Pain shot through my arm as I lifted my head—and froze. It was him. The guy from the woods.

He stared at me, his expression unreadable, but I could tell he recognized me. My breath hitched. If he remembered our encounter, he’d know immediately that I wasn’t one of them. My scent would give me away.

I panicked and bolted, running back toward the hallway before anyone could react.

“What was that?” Sebastian’s voice came from behind. I could hear his footsteps moving closer.

“I heard a loud noise,” Matilda added.

“I saw someone,” the second boy said

“Her name is Lily,” Sebastian replied, almost proudly.

“I’m in trouble,” I whispered to myself, heart pounding in my chest.

I ran back to my room and waited for Maltilda to scold at me but she didn’t , I paced around my room and finally my door opened , it was Amber , Maltilda followed.

“ I just came back from Raven Academy, You start school tomorrow “

Amber announced and she left immediately , I nodded wondering if Maltilda had told her about my encounter with the boys , I was still shocked about starting school almost immediately but whether that was a bigger problem than the fact that my cover has been blown off .

“ Don’t worry …they didn’t pick your scent , it last longer than expected, I didn’t pick it when I came closer to you, they didn’t …”

“ The other one was close to me …he grabbed my waist “ I murmured .

“ Sebastian is quite a character , he told me to help remove the cotton on your hair as he left, that’s probably why he leaned closer , Although he did too much with the waist grabbing, that’s sebastian…” She giggled .

I took a deep breath and finally asked the question that had also been stressing me .

“ Who are they ? Especially the other guy _” I asked feeding my curiosity on the guy from the wood

“ Don’t worry …You’d find out more at school “

“ They attend Raven Academy?”

“ I hope you have a good first day ..”