All Chapters of STRANGER ATTRACTION : Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Kaelith’s POVPapa always told me I was found in the woods at dawn, lying on cold ground and bleeding from my nose, ears, and eyes. A hunter had shouted for help, and everyone ran toward the sound, including Papa. I was only five. He called it a miracle I survived. With the deep bite on my right shoulder, he said I had no real chance. Some said I must have fallen off a cliff, or that someone pushed me. Others stared at the bite like it held secrets they couldn’t understand. Papa swore it looked like a werewolf’s mark. A few argued it was just a wild animal that mistook me for prey. Somehow, I managed to escape before it finished the job. I don’t know what to think. Werewolves are stories children whisper around firelight to scare themselves. They do not exist. At least, that is what I keep telling myself. Yet sometimes, when I close my eyes and try to remember something from that day—anything—I only see darkness. But if werewolves don’t exist, then what do I make of mind readers

I sped home, not caring how many people I bumped into along the way. I knew there were many. People shouted behind me, but nothing mattered at that moment. I pushed forward, weaving through the road until I reached home.I froze when I saw the crowd gathered in front of our house—mostly elders. In our community, it was an old tradition: when an elder was fighting for life or had already passed, the others would surround the home.I stood still for a moment. Tears pushed forward without waiting for permission, streaming down my face.“Where’s my papa? What’s going on with my papa?” I whispered as I walked toward them, each step slower than the last.Before I could take another breath, something inside me snapped. My legs moved faster than my thoughts, and I surged forward, trying to reach the door.Strong hands caught me before I could get there.“Leave me!” I cried, thrashing against them. “Let me go inside! I need to see him!”One of the elders tightened his grip. “You cannot go in,

The footsteps grew heavier. Each step made the tiny stick in my hand feel useless, but I held it with both hands anyway and raised it above my head. I wasn’t about to take any chances. The moment the footsteps reached me, I closed my eyes tight and swung the stick down with everything in me. But it never landed. It stopped in midair. I struggled, pushing down with all my strength, but something held it firmly. My left eye opened first, just enough to peek. And then I heard it—laughter. Veylor Caith. With that stupid camera hanging around his neck. I opened my second eye and tried to compose myself, even though the stick was still suspended in his grip. He held it effortlessly, his laughter growing as he pointed at my face. “I wish you saw your face earlier. Scaredy cat.” “Don’t call me that,” I fumed, trying to yank the stick free. It snapped in two. His laughter doubled. “Easy, tigress. You don’t need that.” I let the broken stick fall, dusted my hands, and turned to wal

I walked the fifteen-minute journey in six. My legs carried me before my mind could catch up, everything was a blur. People called out questions about Papa’s health as I rushed past, but I didn’t stop. I didn’t even look at them. Their voices were soft echoes chasing me down the road, fading before they could reach me.I was angry. Angry at myself. Angry that I let Veylor kiss me again. Angry that I almost gave myself to him like I had no sense at all. Thank goodness it didn't happen behind closed doors—or I would never forgive myself.“What was I even thinking?” I muttered. “Or no, what was he thinking? That I’m twenty-four and stupid?”My voice rose slightly as I walked faster. “It’s obvious he… he just wants to get into my panties. That’s all. And there he was, making promises with that stupid camera around his neck and those hypnotizing dimples—”I kept mumbling until the herb shop appeared ahead. I hadn’t noticed Corven standing at the entrance, arms folded, eyes narrowed, like h

Corven stepped over the scattered herbs without even looking down, his eyes locked on Tallis as he marched toward us.“What were you saying to her?” he asked, voice low but trembling with anger.Tallis didn’t move. He planted his feet like he was bracing for a storm. “It is none of your business.”Corven scoffed.My heart dropped. Corven rarely scoffed. When he did, it meant he was done being calm. It meant blood was close.“I asked you again, Tallis,” Corven growled, stepping in closer. “What were you saying to her?!”Things were spiraling fast, faster than I could breathe. I had to stop it. I squeezed myself between them and pressed a hand to Corven’s chest to force distance. The moment my palm touched him, I felt his heartbeat. It was racing far beyond normal.“Corven, look at me,” I whispered urgently. “Please. I’m sure Tallis didn’t mean what he said. He was probably joking. We… we joke like that sometimes, right, Tallis?”I glanced back, silently begging him to agree so this cou