Ava couldn't stop thinking about the shadow on the terrace, the strange chill that ran down her spine, and the wolf's haunting howl that had sliced through the gala. Every time she glanced over her shoulder, she felt eyes on her, though the terrace was crowded with laughing guests.
She adjusted her gown and tried to steady her racing heart. The gala was supposed to be just another networking event, but tonight, nothing felt ordinary. She took a cautious step toward the refreshments table, hoping to gather her thoughts.
Then she felt it - a presence close enough to make the air around her feel heavier.
"You're hard to find," a low, smooth voice murmured.
Ava turned sharply. Adrian Blackwood stood nearby, his dark eyes fixed on her, unreadable but intense. Her pulse quickened, though she tried to act indifferent.
"I... I just needed a moment," she said, forcing her voice to stay steady.
He studied her carefully, the faintest smile tugging at his lips. "A moment from what?"
She hesitated. How much could she reveal? "From... the crowd," she said finally.
Adrian nodded, as if that explained everything. "I see." There was a pause, and then his gaze drifted toward the far side of the terrace, where the moonlight barely touched the shadows. "Some things are easier to notice when you look closely," he said, cryptic but not threatening.
Ava followed his eyes. For a moment, she thought she saw movement - a shadow slipping along the balcony edge. She blinked. Nothing.
Adrian's gaze met hers again. "Do you feel it?"
"Feel what?" she asked, heart pounding.
"The night... something in the air," he said softly. "Not everyone here is what they seem.
Ava's throat went dry. She wanted to ask him what he meant, but the words caught. Instead, she nodded slowly, pretending to understand.
A sudden breeze stirred, brushing against her arm, carrying a faint, wild scent that made her skin tingle. Goosebumps rose. Her memory of the wolf's howl from just moments ago flashed in her mind. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end.
Adrian leaned closer, the warmth of his presence making her pulse race. "Stay alert," he murmured, voice low, almost a whisper meant only for her. "The night has... surprises."
Before she could respond, a soft, deliberate sound echoed from the far edge of the terrace - a faint click, like a door moving. She froze, her breath catching.
Adrian's eyes followed the sound, sharp and precise. "Exactly what I meant," he said, his tone calm but serious.
Ava swallowed, a mix of fear and fascination twisting inside her. Every glance, every shadow, every subtle movement hinted at a danger she could barely understand. And yet, something about Adrian drew her closer, despite the warning in his words, despite the chill in the air.
The night stretched around them, the city lights fading into a blur. One thing was certain: nothing about this evening - or him - would ever be ordinary again.
