Chapter Three
CHAPTER THREE
The golden eyes haunted me.
Even in daylight, I couldn't shake the memory of them glowing from the darkness, watching me, stalking me.
I had spent most of the night staring at my locked door, half expecting something or someone to come for me. But nothing had happened. No more howls. No movement in the trees. Just the unnatural silence of the forest.
As I made my way to the bookstore, I forced myself to focus on normal, mundane things. Milk, bread, coffee. Not the way my purse still raced at the thought of Edgar Nolan.
And definitely not the fact that I felt like I wasn't alone.
The book store was small, its aisles packed with more dust than inventory. I grabbed a bucket and tried to shake off the unease creeping up my spine.
I reached out to the piece of clothes which I assumed was used to clean, when a presence moved behind me.
I turned just as Connor Dexter strode in. He was tall and had a confident smirk that suggested he was always two steps ahead in any conversation. He was too charming for his own good. Unlike Edgar, whose presence carried an undeniable sense of danger, Connor's aura was more calculated. His eyes, green and sharp, were looking at me.
“New girl,” he greeted smoothly. “Survived your first night in Duskwood. I see.”
I folded my arms. “Is everyone in this town obsessed with the fact that I exist?”
He chuckled. “You don't understand, do you?”
“What am I supposed to understand?” I asked.
Connor leaned in on the counter watching me like I was some kind of puzzle he wanted to solve. “People like you don't come to Duskwood by accident.”
A chill ran down my spine.
Before I could question him, Quinn stepped in. “That’s enough, Connor.”
Connor held up his hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright. Just making sure she knows what she’s getting herself into.”
My expression hardened. “And what exactly am I getting myself into?” I said, looking between them.
His smirk faded slightly. “Something you won't be able to walk away from, you'll figure it out soon enough. Don't forget to invite her to the harvest festival at the town square today. You should be able to blend in properly there.”
Then without another word, he turned away and left the bar, leaving me with more questions than answers.
I inhaled slowly, trying to ignore the way my heart was racing.
“Damn wolves.” Quinn muttered under her breath.
“What festival was he talking about?”
“We have this festival of different clans, where they meet without fighting or arguing, just eat and be merry. Nobody misses it, unless you want to be thrown out of the town.”
“What if I don't want to go?”
“Well, darling you really don't have a choice. We'll leave from here together and I brought you clothes so you don't have to worry about an outfit.”
At the town's square the town gathered, humans and wolves alike. Lanterns glowed, music filled the air, and tables overflowed with food. Children laugh and dancers twirled. Though there was a clear difference between those who were wolves and those who weren't, all celebrated together in a night of unity, magic, and ancient tradition. They didn't look like people who were bothered about anything or had responsibilities at all.
Quinn left me and went to the part where a group of elderly women could be seen discussing.
I needed a place to sit as my legs were already aching.
Before I could turn, heat brushed against my back, a deep voice cutting through the quiet.
“You're not listening.”
I paused.
Slowly, I turned my head
And found myself face to face with Edgar Nolan.
He was too close. Too big. Too intense.
His golden eyes burned into mine, and just like last night, I felt something pull at me, a force I couldn't understand.
I swallowed hard. “Excuse me?”
He didn't move, didn't blink. “I told you to stay away.”
I lifted my chin, forcing myself to hold his gaze. “And I don't remember telling you I take orders from just anyone.”
His jaw clenched. His muscles were coiled tight, as if he was holding something dangerous at a quest.
“You don't understand what's happening.” He said, roughly.
“Then why don't you explain it to me?” I shot back.
I could see a flicker of frustration in his eyes.
But then, just as quickly, it was gone.
Instead of answering, he exhaled sharply and stepped back. The sudden loss of his heat made me shiver.
“This town isn't safe for you,” He said. “Leave. While you still can.
Not another warning again.
“Is that a threat?”
His lips parted slightly, as if he was about to say something else, something important
Connor Dexter appeared.
Why does this man show up at the wrong time?
Connor's smirk was lazy, but something else was behind it.
“Well, well. Didn't think I'd catch you two so cozy,” he said.
Connor's expression darkened.
I glanced between them, sensing an unusual tension that had nothing to do with me.
Connor's green eyes flicked to me. “Careful sweetheart. Get too close to Edgar, and you might find yourself in a situation you can't handle.”
My voice became raspy. “I can handle myself just fine.”
Connor chuckled, but Edgar wasn't finding any of these funny. His body was stiff, his hands curled into fists.
“You should leave,” Edgar said to me, but his gaze never left Connor.
I had a feeling I was standing between two predators who couldn't wait to tear into each other.
Gritted my teeth. “I'm not running just because you say so.”
Connor's smirk widened. “I like her.”
Edgar's growl was low and dangerous. It sent an unexplainable shiver down my spine, not fear but something else.
Something I couldn't name.
Connor took a step closer, still watching Edgar. “Maybe I should show her around. Make sure she feels welcome.”
Not only was he trying to provoke Derek, he was challenging him.
Then, in a blink, Edgar moved. One second he was standing still, the next, he had Connor by the collar.
I gasped as they were creating a scene in a place where fighting wasn't allowed.
Connor grinned completely unbothered.
*Careful, Nolan” he murmured. “You're slipping.”
Edgar's hands trembled, his breathing labored.
He looked as if he was fighting something wild.
And then, he let go.
He turned to me, his eyes burning.
“Stay out of this, stay out of our world.”
Then he was gone.
Connor chuckled as he straightened his jacket. “Well that was fun.”
I glared at him. “What the hell was that?”
He only smiled. “You'll see soon enough.”
He winked, then left as if nothing had happened.
I stood there, hear
t racing, mind spinning.
I thought Duskwood was just another town with normal people different from the people at Ebonbrook.
Turns out I was just wrong.