I couldn't help but raise my brows in question as I stared at James's phone screen, my eyes locked on Victoria's name.It wouldn't have been weird if Victoria's name in James's phone was just plain, but there was a red heart emoji that followed her name.It was such an intimate display, one that friends typically didn't exchange.Did this mean what I thought it did?I always thought they didn’t realize that their arguing might mean something more than that. And they were just too afraid to admit it that they liked each other.But judging from the suspicious heart, I was probably wrong.I don't even think I had a heart in my phone for Lucas... and the two of us were actually dating!My curiosity got the best of me, and I couldn't resist prying."Why is Victoria calling you, James?" I asked, trying to sound casual but failing to hide my surprise.James, on the other hand, jumped as if I'd given him an electric shock. He quickly tried to shield his phone screen from me, but it was too la
"No, Shana, you're the first person I've told." James shook his head at my question, his eyes filling with a mixture of excitement and nervousness. "We want to keep it under wraps for now. I don't even know if Victoria told Emily."Emily was Victoria's best friend who had also been at the beach house with us.Still, James's revelation left me feeling overly excited, and naturally, a whirlwind of questions filled my mind.I couldn't help but ask, my analytical nature got the better of me as I pressed James for details."So," I said. "Spill the beans. I want to know everything. How did it happen?""What?" James frowned. "The kiss?""Yes!" I exclaimed. "The kiss. I want to know every single detail. When did it happen? How was it? Did it happen more than once? Did—""Shana... slow down." James put a hand on either side of my shoulders, steadying me."I'm sorry, I'm just so excited for you! This is big news.""I know, and I'm so glad you're being a good supportive friend, but you're asking
Grandma Jo was at her yoga class for the evening, leaving me home alone.As I sat on the couch, I let my thoughts drift off, wondering what Lucas was doing right now. If he was still living here, we would probably go do something together. Maybe we'd watch a movie or go out for dinner or ice cream...But Lucas hadn't returned to Grandma Jo's house since he left. He hadn't even come to stop by or say hello once.Not having him around left me with an emptiness that I wasn't familiar with. It gnawed at me and filled me with questions and doubts that consumed my mind.Having that conversation with James earlier made me feel a little bit better. I couldn't imagine what kind of pressure or rules Kendrick placed on Lucas, especially now that he was back home.I should just give him some time to figure out how to navigate all of this, but it was hard to just sit back and do nothing.It was also frustrating because Lucas wasn't answering any of my texts. He was being distant and it was driving
Feeling extremely uncomfortable by the strange man, I tried to assert myself and move out of his way, but he followed me.When I went to move again, he grabbed ahold of my shoulders pushing me to the side of the building where the shadows provided a bit more privacy."Let me go!" I shouted, trying to free myself from his grasp, but his grip was too tight.He shoved me roughly into the hard wall and kept his hands on me to make sure that I wouldn't turn back and run.A sense of panic took over me as I wondered what this man wanted to do with me. I had done nothing wrong, and it didn't seem like he worked for Kendrick.I wasn't even sure if he knew who I was.But maybe, just maybe... Kendrick had hired someone to keep an eye on me. What if this was his way of trying to keep me and Lucas apart? What if this man was trying to stop me from talking to Lucas?As I gazed up at the man, his blue eyes pierced into my soul and I felt a shiver creep down my spine, making me feel slightly on edge.
"You shouldn't trust them," Edwin continued to say, his voice filled with a mix of anger and concern. "I know you're dating Lucas.""I really don't need you telling me what to do," I retorted, feeling a protectiveness over Lucas. "I appreciate you trying to... warn me, but I don't need it. Lucas would never do anything to hurt me."He shook his head like he thought I was being ridiculous. "I'm telling you this for your own good. Don't let them manipulate you like they've done to so many others.""Do you even know Lucas enough to be making these kinds of accusations about him?" I asked, tilting my head in consideration.From what I remembered, Lucas wasn't close to any of his family besides his father. In fact, I think his only other blood-related relative besides his father was Edwin, but they didn't speak or see each other.How could Edwin make all of these comments about Lucas when he didn't know him?I knew Lucas better than him."I know his father, and you know what they say." Edw
"I don't know what you're planning, but please, leave Lucas out of it," I pleaded again, hoping Edwin would listen to me for once. "Trust me, he's been through enough already, and I don't want to see him get hurt."Edwin's laughter was cold and hollow as he responded, "You don't need to worry about Lucas, Shana. He's an alpha male. He's perfectly capable of taking care of himself... Just remember to watch your own back. Wolfless need the most help."With that, he turned and walked away, disappearing back toward the parking lot as if he were never there in the first place.I was left standing alone in the dimly lit alley, my thoughts in a wild turmoil.I didn't want to admit it, but Edwin's comments had let doubt and uncertainty fester within me. I couldn't help but question what it all meant.I was a firm believer in things happening for a reason. So, why would Edwin's warning benefit me? Did I really need to be wary of Lucas and his family?But speculating things wasn't going to get
I couldn't tell if Lucas was upset or not.The only thing I felt was an eagerness to pour out my concerns and frustrations and now was finally my chance."Lucas, I've been trying to get in touch with you all week and I've gotten hardly any response. You've been acting strangely and I needed to come talk to you about it in person," I explained.Lucas's anxiety was evident as he glanced at me and then back at the entrance to the elevators where his father might appear at any moment.I understood that there were potential dangers surrounding us, and coming here was probably not the wisest idea, but I didn't care anymore."Shana, we can't talk here," Lucas's blue eyes pleaded with mine. "I just left a meeting with my father, and I need to go back. We'll talk later, I promise. Don't worry, I'll be able to explain."I nodded in agreement. Seeing the uncomfortableness on Lucas's face made me feel sympathetic.That meant Kendrick knew he had left to go attend to something. He needed to get ba
Lucas's voice cut through the buzzing in my ears, drawing my attention back to the present.My racing thoughts began to slow as I clenched his hand, grounding me.I tried to calm my tears, forcing myself to remember that I was okay. That I was safe."Shana, what's going on?" he asked, genuine concern etched across his features as he squeezed my hand back.I took a deep breath, trying to regain control over the strange sensations coursing through me. "I don't know what's going on," I admitted, my voice shaky. "I just felt that overwhelming feeling again.""Again?" Lucas asked. "What do you mean?""My body... it's been acting so strangely, especially since I shifted.""It's still happening?" Lucas's brow furrowed, his eyes filled with worry. "It feels like you're losing control?""Something like that," I said. "It's been happening a lot more lately...""So..." He seemed to be connecting the dots. "You were about to shift, weren't you?"I nodded, my throat feeling dry. Was that what that