by Holly Hook
Cayden smiles. "Yes. I wasn't trying to spy, but I couldn't help but hear you put those kids in their place."
"Running around as a wolf sounds exhilarating,” I say, pulling him in for a kiss.
Our lips meet and we mold together on the narrow trail. The birds and snapping twigs of the forest fade into the background. I lean in as Cayden parts my lips with his tongue.
But then he pulls back.
“Cayden,” I breathe, questioning.
“It's difficult being a werewolf,” he says. "You have the wrong idea about it."
“Well,” I say, exhaling to dispel the disappointment. “I imagine that hiding it from everybody—”
“There are enemies,” he says.
“Enemies? Like, people hunting you? But you've hurt nobody. You mind your own business. That doesn't make any sense.” I drift back to that day where Cayden ran after the other howl. “Do werewolves fight each other? Territory thing?”
“I shouldn't talk about it.”
“You'll tell me your biggest secret, and now you won't talk about your enemies. Typical Cayden fashion,” I say, pinching him on the arm.
“Hey,” Cayden says. For a second, his expression darkens. “There are some aspects of the werewolf world you don't want to know about. And you asked how it feels to run around as a wolf.” Then he grins.
“Well, yes.”
The sun comes out. Cayden peers into the trees as if he wants to vanish into them. The wild beast bursts to life in his eyes. Instead of scaring me, there's intelligence there. Nobility. I feel safe with Cayden here. It's the opposite of how I should feel.
“It's amazing,” he says, lifting one eyebrow at me. “Do you want to see what it's like?”
“See what it's like?” My heart races as our gazes lock.
Cayden lets go of my hand, charging me. Before I can cry out, he sweeps me up into his arms and lifts me off the ground. I rise, resting on his shoulders as the world tilts, all green and gold. I let out a little scream as he bursts into a run.
Trees and branches zip past and the wind blows against my face as Cayden bolts through the woods like a wild man, jumping over boulders and dodging tree roots like an Olympic champion. A low growl emerges from his throat and I scream again, this time with delight. It's like an amusement park ride, only better, because Cayden's carrying me and having fun. Because he's no longer keeping secrets. Because at last, I'm brave enough to unravel a mystery and it's opened a new world.
He runs through the trees, over another set of boulders. Quandary Peak comes into view as we reach a clearing and Cayden stops, setting me down and releasing me.
“I could have died,” I say.
“But you had fun,” he says with a devilish, dangerous grin. It's just me and him in this clearing, facing each other. Rays of sun bring out his highlights and bring the hazel in his eyes to life. They look like the forest itself as if Cayden is a god born from the wilds. My heart races as he places his hand on my back, pulling me in for another kiss. Out here, there are no cares. There is no sadness.
Is this what falling in love feels like?
* * * * *
At two the next day, Saturday, I walk into Sterling Grocery to relieve my aunt. I find her wiping down the counter and eliminating a coffee ring she's gotten on it that morning. Aunt May tosses her Styrofoam cup into the trash as I approach and salute.
“Brie Sterling, reporting for duty,” I say, faking enthusiasm. Though I don't mind helping at the store, I wish I could have a day to relax. I'll likely be working tomorrow.
But Cayden might stop by today. There was something in his smile when we parted yesterday that betrayed that fact. That makes the whole venture worthwhile.
“Brie, you're a lifesaver,” Aunt May says, rubbing one eye. There are bags under them both. “I don't know what I'd do without you.”
“It's no problem,” I say.
The door chime rings as soon as I walk behind the counter. I turn, but it's not Cayden. Instead, a middle-aged man walks in and unlike most of the people here in Breck, he wears a gray suit. The guy nods at me and briefly surveys the store with steely eyes. “May?”
“That's me,” Aunt May says. She pats me on the shoulder as she walks around me and joins the guy. The two of them walk off to the back of the store. I hear the storage room door creak open and then close again. Only the fans above the cooler section provide any noise.
I stand there, unable to sit or move for what feels like minutes. No trace of any conversation comes out from behind the door.
My stomach heaves as it hits me.
Is Aunt May about the sell the place? Or is this a lawyer coming in? Either way, it doesn't bode well. A lump grows in my throat, starting as a pebble of denial and then growing into a lump of pain.
Sterling Grocery is my family. All the annoyance I felt at having to work on a Saturday gets crushed under that thought. I've known every creaky board of this place all my life. My parents owned this place, starting with my mother's father. If it goes, Aunt May loses all income. She won't be able to pay property taxes on our house.
We might lose everything.
I open the cash register and slam it shut again. I'm losing my composure, too, and throwing a tantrum like a small child.
“Catch your breath,” I tell myself. Then I force one. “And another. Don't worry about things until you know for sure.” It's what Noah would tell me. Then I set to work punching in, using the old-fashioned time card to do so. The puncher makes a ding that goes straight to my heart.
The front door opens again.
“Brie.”
It's Cayden. Today he wears his black jacket, which brings out his amazing eyes. Dark hair hangs in locks over his left eye, which he flicks out of the way as he approaches. Every movement is graceful. I've never once seen Cayden so much as stumble.
“Hey,” I say. Can he smell my distress?
“Something wrong?” Cayden asks.
Maybe. “Of course not,” I say. Then I change my mind. “There is.”
“There is?” Cayden looks around the store as if searching for something.
“Some guy is talking to my aunt. He's a suit.”
He drops his shoulders. “Oh.”
I've told Cayden about my Aunt May hiding some financial problems. I haven't gone too much into it, not having a lot of time outside rehearsals to do much more than make out.
“It could mean a lot of things,” Cayden says, rubbing his hand through his hair. “Maybe someone wants to lend her money.”
“But she'd go to them,” I say. “The bank wouldn't come here. The only reason a guy in a suit would show up here would be to serve papers or talk about putting the store on the market.”
Cayden frowns. “Well, we don't know. It could even be a long-lost friend of hers. Is it someone from town?”
“No,” I say.
He goes silent, listening. Can werewolves hear through closed doors? I imagine that if there's any chance of uncovering truth, it's Cayden. But as soon as he makes an effort, leaning in that direction, the storage door swings open again and two sets of footsteps emerge, making the floorboards squeak. The suited man heads to the front door without looking back, pushing it open.
And Cayden narrows his eyes at him. Even from the side, I spot his pupils widening, trying to gather information. He continues to watch even as the guy starts a vehicle outside and takes off. Only then does Cayden let out a breath.
“I'll be heading out,” Aunt May says, her voice unreadable. “Who's this?”
“Cayden. From school,” I say, bracing for the teasing sure to come later. “He's the lead in the play this semester.”
“So you're from the new family,” Aunt May says. “So what brings you here to this town?” She leans forward. I recognize a distraction tactic.
Cayden shifts. “We needed a change in scenery.”
That's a question he hasn't even answered for me yet. Why did a family of werewolves come here? But I sense he's not being
sincere.
“How long do you plan on staying?”
“I don't know.” Cayden turns his shoulder to her, peering out the front door again.
He's worried and Aunt May is oblivious. “How do you like Breck so far?”
Then Cayden smiles. “It's fine. I think I really like it.”
Heat fills my cheeks. I turn away before Aunt May can see.
“You have to love the clean air and the atmosphere,” she says. Then with a wink at me, she nods. “Behave, you two. I'm going out for a late lunch date.”
We watch Aunt May leave. As soon as the door closes, Cayden whispers, “Who was that guy?”
His gaze bores into me. It's wild. Aggressive. I can't help but back away, even if that ferocity has nothing to do with me.
“I don't know. The guy, you mean? I told you. I've never seen him."
Cayden surveys the place again. For a moment, I've ceased to exist.
“What's wrong?” I ask. “Other than that?”
“Something was off about that guy,” he says. Then he faces me. “Look, I hate to leave, but I have to go. See you later, okay?”
Cayden strides out of the store without another word, leaving me alone with the silence and my thoughts.
Chapter Sixteen
I can hardly wait for rehearsal Monday morning. It will be the first time I've gotten to see Cayden since Saturday when he ran out the door. My thoughts drift to the mysterious guy and every time that happens, a ball of dread tightens in my chest. And it's not only because of my fears about the store getting bought by a complete stranger.
Even our texts on Sunday were vague. How you doing? Fine. That was about the extent of it, but at least Cayden hasn't tried to push me away completely. Maybe that's a sign that the danger level isn't too high?
Cayden practices his lines at rehearsal. Right now, we're twins, because he misses several of them in a row and stumbles on a few. He's not in good form for the first time I've seen. If he'd auditioned like this, he would have never gotten the lead.
Then Cayden misses one of his lines completely. Olivia stands beside him on the stage. Cayden clears his throat and averts his gaze from her. We look at each other for several seconds. Worry lines his eyes.
Olivia glances at me with more hatred than she's ever managed. That look tells all. She suspects there's something between me and Cayden.
And then she turns her evil on him.
"What is your problem?" she asks.
"Nothing," Cayden says, shocked. "Doesn't everyone have an off day?"
"We all have a bad day once in a while," Mr. Saffron says from his desk, folding his hands. "Now, just take a breath and focus. How about a two minute break? Go splash some water on your face."
Instead of retreating with me to the props room, Cayden does as Mr. Saffron says and exits the auditorium. Something tells me he's not going to take a time out. When I peek out the door, I find him absent from the hallway. No sounds emerge from the bathrooms.
Is he looking for something?
Cayden's missing for a full five minutes and I begin to worry when he returns and waves to Mr. Saffron. "I'm okay," he says.
"Let's move on to the mob scene," Mr. Saffron says, waving him off the stage. "Rotate it out. Olivia, you might use a break, too." He waves her off the stage.
Her face falls, but before she can glare at me again, I tug on Cayden's arm.
He lets me pull him up the narrow steps and into the lightning platform. Up here, we're above the rehearsal with a soundproof wall between us and the others. Only a single battery-powered lamp illuminates the control panel and someone's left their phone on a toolbox. We can't stay up here long and we aren't safe to make out, but I suspect Olivia's figured out what we do in the props room. Word spreads and I don't put spying past her.
Besides, making out isn't on my mind right now.
"What's wrong?" I ask Cayden, hoping my eyes communicate that I'm with him.
Cayden shifts leg to leg. "I've felt uneasy all day. My hair's standing on end."
"Gut feeling?" I squeeze his arm, hoping that it's reassuring.
He breathes out. "It shouldn't be possible, but I think I've seen them. I've smelled them."
"Who?" My heart races. Thoughts of danger invade again. Danger is a reason Cayden could push me away.
"Werewolves have enemies," Cayden says.
"You told me about that," I say. "Are they after you?"
"It's complicated." He waves me back down to the stage as Mr. Saffron shouts something muffled.
“Don't get all vague on me again,” I say. “I'm worried about you.”
“Please. Don't worry about me.” Cayden holds a hand up, blocking me, but the tone of his voice tells me he appreciates it. There's a soft edge to his words. Has Cayden had anyone worry about him before?
“Who are these enemies?”
“You don't want to get involved with this.”
“I already am.”
Cayden shifts leg to leg as if rethinking this—all of this. I swallow, waiting for his answer.
Instead, the auditorium door squeaks open below.
Cayden snaps his gaze to the new sound and walks to the edge of the platform. Parting the curtain and peeking over, he breathes a sigh of relief. “It's Wyatt.”
His little brother. I join him to see the kid, complete with his dark hair he combs back just like Cayden's, shutting the door behind him. The kid peeks outside as if expecting someone to follow.
Cayden doesn't miss that, either. “Look, Brie, I have to go,” he says. “He wouldn't show up here if something wasn't going on.”
I watch him walk down the steps and leave, just under the pace that would tell everyone else that he's taking off due to an emergency. The two brothers meet at the door, and I envy their superior hearing as they talk in low voices. The Lowes vanish outside a few seconds later, and Mr. Saffron doesn't even notice. Our teacher continues to direct the play below, closing out the mob scene.
Cayden's not there for the last acts. Noah steps into his place, waved onto the stage by Mr. Saffron. Though a question forms on his face, I shrug as he slides into the arms of Olivia, who doesn't look as happy as Noah must feel at the new developments.
Once rehearsal ends, Noah slides up backstage and leans close. “What's the deal?” he asks, absent, no doubt with his mind still on Olivia. “Where did the lead go in the middle of rehearsal?”
“I don't know.” I shrug, trying to play it off. Noah doesn't yet know about me and Cayden though I'm sure he suspects as the two of us keep sneaking off the stage together. For his sake, I hope he doesn't realize Olivia is after Cayden yet, and judging from the far-off look in his eyes, he doesn't. “Maybe he had to drive his little brother to an appointment? I saw them leave together.”
That's something I can keep telling myself, but a gremlin of panic refuses to let go.
* * * * *
I hear nothing from Cayden once at home, not even a text to ask how rehearsal went without him. The silence drags out as I focus on my homework, studying math problems along with tax forms for my money management class. The light vanishes outside and howls play in my head as I think of what enemies werewolves might have. Other supernatural creatures? So far, every werewolf I've met hasn't tried to hurt anyone. None look like the monsters in my book.
Of course, I've only met a few.
Ten creeps closer, and Aunt May remains out at another meeting she won't tell me about. So far, Cayden has been more upfront with me about everything than she has. It's getting to me because unless I know what's going on, I can't do much to help other than offer my services at the Grocery. Aunt May walks right to the bathroom after coming into the house, without so much as greeting me, and by then I've had enough. I head upstairs to my bedroom since I know how much she'll tell me and what she'll tell me. Aunt May runs the sink for a while, and the pipes of the old house groan as if they're carrying her worry and grief.
Is she crying? There's no way to tell.
Aunt May walks upstairs, and I turn my main light off and just leave the lamp on. Her footsteps retreat into her room down the hall and she shuts the door. Swallowing, I realize that for a few minutes, I've forgotten all about werewolves and everything else that goes bump in the night. Maybe Cayden doesn't want me involved in his messes because I have enough of my own.
I'm about to pull out the book again when a knock sounds on the window.
I jump and bang into my computer chair.
A dark form hangs outside the window. My mind goes to vampires, but then I see it's just Cayden. He grips the tree outside with grace, but even in the darkness, I spot a desperate gleam in his eyes.
“Cayden,” I breathe, climbing over my bed and opening the window.
He tumbles in as if all the grace has left his body. There's something terrified in the way he moves. Letting out a breath, he scrambles off the bed, seizes my arm, and pulls me into his arms.
“Brie.” Our gazes meet, and shaking, he pulls me into a hard, desperate kiss.
He's shaking. Breath escapes me as our lips meet. Cayden seizes my cheeks with his hands, pulling me in for another kiss, and then another. It's as if he fears I'll fly away in a tornado.
“Cayden,” I breathe.
“Shh,” he says, kissing me again.
“What's—” He covers my mouth, stealing my words.
Something's wrong. At last, Cayden releases me, only to embrace me again and pull me to his chest.
“What's the matter?” I ask.
He sucks in a breath. I lay my ear on his chest, listening to his powerful heartbeat. It's wild. Afraid. Cayden's body trembles. I can't imagine him like this. Seeing him in this state shatters the image of him I've built since that day he walked into the store. This is another side, I tell myself. One he hasn't showed me yet.
“Tell me what happened,” I press.
At last, he talks, his voice resonating in my ear.
“I thought they attacked you.”
“Attacked me? Who?”
He sucks in a breath and loosens his grip.
I hold Cayden around his torso. I feel as if I'm holding him up, steadying him.