23

We were lying on his bed after making love in a special and romantic way. It's incredible what I go through with this guy... I never thought coming here would mean so much. I looked at him beside me, his eyes closed, his breathing slow, he was asleep. He's very handsome to me, sexy, sensual, he knows how to play his cards. However, it was time to go home, it was very late, and if Dad is already home, I'll be in trouble. I stood up slowly, being careful not to wake him, and started getting dressed.

"You're leaving," he stated.

"Yes, it's late," I finished buttoning my shirt and looked at him. Kessler sat on the edge of the bed and pulled me towards him. I sat on his lap.

"Thank you for this," he whispered. "Being with you makes me feel really good, Eva."

I smiled. "Likewise." We gave each other one last kiss on the lips, gentle.

"Let's go, I'll walk you out." We both stood up and left the room. Kessler was lucky to live alone, so he wouldn't have to explain to anyone where he's going or who he's with. But it's also kind of sad. When we stepped outside, the cold air embraced my body. I hugged myself. The moon was above us, indicating that it was midnight.

"Do you think the wolves are around here?" I wanted to know. Being outside at this hour didn't seem like a good idea to me.

"No, Eva, there's nothing here."

I breathed a sigh of relief when I didn't see Dad's car in the driveway. I was safe.

"We'll see each other tomorrow," I said goodbye to Kessler.

"Of course."

I walked towards my house while he stayed there, standing, watching me as I left. I entered the house quietly, and when I looked through the window, Kessler was already gone. I smiled to myself and turned on my heels, but I stopped abruptly when I saw a silhouette at the bottom of the stairs.

"Lucas?" I hesitated. "I thought you'd come with Dad."

But he didn't answer. The house was dark, and I felt fear at that moment, even worse when the light switch was far from me. I felt like I was in a horror movie.

"Lucas?" I asked one last time.

Receiving no response, I turned around and ran towards the door, but a hand grabbed me by the hair. I screamed, it covered my mouth, and I was thrown to the floor.

"Don't you dare scream, you stupid girl," that voice murmured... that voice I know all too well.

"Riley?" I can only see her silhouette.

"The same."

"What the hell are you doing here?" I stood up to confront her.

"I'm here to make certain things clear, Eva Bailey." She grabbed my hands roughly. Her grip was strong. "You're going to stay away from Kessler Walton, Eva, and you'll never seek him out again."

"Don't be ridiculous. Why would I do something like that? Because you told me to? You're out of your mind. Now get out of my house." I moved towards the door, but Riley didn't let me. She grabbed me by the neck and threatened me with a knife.

"You have no idea who you're messing with, Eva. I don't want to make this matter more visible, much less important, because it's not. Kessler is confused and thought he found his soulmate, but that's a lie. You're just like your father, Eva, fighting for justice, for people's safety. What would happen if you knew that Kessler isn't the good guy you thought you knew?"

"What are you talking about?" I tried to break free, but that knife near my neck prevented me from moving. I don't understand why Riley is telling me all these things. She knew more about Kessler than she's letting on.

"I'll show you, maybe then you'll decide to leave for good." She walked and dragged me along. She opened the back door that led to the forest, and I felt even more fear in that moment.

"What are you doing? Let go of me!" I raised my voice. I froze when a huge gray wolf emerged from the darkness, licking its lips, ready to hunt me. I screamed, but Riley covered my mouth.

"Shhhh, shut up, you stupid girl. My pet here just wants to show you that nothing and no one can stand against them. Not even your father with his mediocre group of police officers. You have no idea how his friends screamed..."

I stopped breathing for a few seconds. Was she there? Rage began to rise within me. Suddenly, I wasn't afraid anymore. Suddenly, that wolf in front of me didn't seem so big or intimidating.

"Call the sheriff, one of them shouted. It was the last thing he said.”

I elbowed Riley in the stomach, making her release me. I grabbed the knife as soon as I saw the wolf approaching me.

"Come here, beast." The wolf pounced on me, but I positioned the knife just where it needed to be for the wolf to impale itself. I heard a cry of pain from the wolf as it backed away from me.

"No!" Riley shouted. "What have you done?" She ran towards the injured wolf, which was retreating and whimpering into the darkness. I stood there with the blood-stained knife in my hands. But that wasn't the end. I wouldn't just stand there idly. I followed them because I would put an end to that wolf once and for all.

"Stay strong, Lewis, stay strong," she said to the wolf. It's evident that they're her pets, she even gives them names. "I'll kill that bitch." Suddenly, I no longer heard any voices, only the sound of leaves rustling, and a huge gray wolf emerged from the shadows. This one is different. I screamed and fell backward, but I held onto the knife. The wolf came towards me, trying to bite me, but I didn't allow it. I grabbed the knife and cut its front leg. I crawled into a sort of cave in a giant tree. It couldn't enter here. The wolf tore at the roots, trying to get in and harm me.

Now I'm truly terrified, and I don't know how I'll escape from here.