At exactly 7:00pm, I stood in front of my mirror, adjusting my dress for what felt like the hundredth time. The deep blue color made my eyes pop, and I wanted to look nice but not too fancy. “After all, this was just a victory dinner, right?”
My phone popped with a message from Warwick.
“I am waiting for you at the restaurant.”
I let out a small sigh of relief. It was better this way. I didn’t want him knowing where I lived.
I grabbed my purse, gave myself one last look in the mirror, and headed out of the door.
As I stepped out of the house, I caught sight of Logan standing outside, arms crossed and his gaze fixed on me. His usual carefree expression was gone, replaced by something darker-anger or maybe even jealousy. His eyes locked onto mine, and for a second, I felt frozen in place.
“What’s with the death stare?” I called out, trying to keep my tone light.
Logan did not smile. Instead, he straightened up and walked toward me, his eyes narrowing. “Where are you going?”
“When did you care about my where about?” I shot back, raising an eyebrow, trying to sound confident.
He let out a short, bitter laugh, shaking his head. “It’s not you I care about, Audrey,” he said, his words cutting through the air like ice. “It’s what you are walking into, what’s tied to you. And you don’t even know it.”
I frowned, taken aback by his harsh tone. “Tied to me? What are you talking about?”
Logan’s eyes darkened, and he took another step closer, his voice dropping to a near growl. “Warwick isn’t who you think he is, Audrey. You are walking into something dangerous.”
I crossed my arms, feeling my defenses rise. “And you are not dangerous?”
Logan’s jaw tightened, and for a moment, a flicker of something like guilt crossed his face. He stopped just inches away from me, his eyes locking onto mine. “I never said I wasn’t dangerous,” he said, his voice low, almost a whisper. “But I’m not the one who’s lying to you.”
I blinked, my frustration growing. “Lying?
What are you even talking about, Logan?
You’ve been nothing but vague and mysterious since I got here. I don’t need another lecture about what’s ‘dangerous! I can handle myself.”
Logan shook his head, letting out a frustrated sigh. “You think you know what’s going on, but you don’t. Warwick isn’t just some guy, Audrey. He’s-” Logan stopped himself, his fists clenching at his sides as if fighting to keep something back.
I took a step closer, not willing to back down. “He’s what? If you have something to say, then say it. Stop talking in riddles.”
Logan’s eyes burned into mine, his frustration boiling over. “He’s a werewolf, Audrey.”
My heart skipped a beat. A werewolf?
I stared at Logan, my mind racing. Part of me wanted to laugh it off, to dismiss it as the wild imagination of someone who clearly had their own issues. But another part of me- the part that had sensed something odd about Warwick ever since he arrived at our school-began to take his words seriously.
“You’re not serious,” | finally said, my voice barely above a whisper.
“I wish I wasn’t,” Logan replied, his tone tense. “But you need to know the truth before it’s too late.”
I shook my head, trying to push the thought away. “This is insane, Logan. You expect me to believe that Warwick-”
“-Is dangerous,” Logan cut in, his tone sharp. “He’s part of a rival pack. And you don’t know what he’s capable of. You think this is just a dinner? Audrey, he’s using you.
For what, I don’t know yet. But I’m not going to let you walk into a trap.”
I narrowed my eyes at him, feeling anger and defiance bubbling up inside me. “You think you can just dictate what I do? You don’t get to control my life, Logan. If I want to go on this date with Warwick, I will. You’re not going to stop me.”
Logan’s expression turned serious, his frustration evident. “I’m not trying to control you, Audrey! I’m trying to protect you!”
“Protect me?” I scoffed, throwing my hands up in disbelief. “You’ve barely said a word to me outside of warnings. You think that gives you the right to decide what’s best for me?
You don’t even know me!”
He stepped back, his jaw clenched. “I know enough. I know that you’re in over your head and that you have no idea what you’re getting into.”
“Maybe I don’t care,” I shot back, my heart racing. “Maybe I want to find out for myself.
I’m tired of living in fear and letting people make choices for me. If Warwick is who he says he is, then I’ll figure it out. I just want to live a normal life for once.”
“Aud…….” Before Logan could say another word I shunned him and left.
As I walked away, I felt Logan’s gaze on me but I did not care one bit. I was determined to make my own choice.
The restaurant was busy when I entered. I spotted Warwick at a table in the corner, smiling when he saw me. I felt my worries fade a little. Maybe I was overreacting.
I approached him. “Sorry to keep you waiting,” I said as I sat down.
“Not at all,” he replied, looking at me as if I was the only one there. “You look amazing tonight.”
“Thanks,” | said, trying to shake off thoughts of Logan. “So, what’s the plan for tonight?”
Warwick grinned. “I have some fun ideas.
But first, let’s enjoy dinner.”
As we ordered, I tried to focus on Warwick and our conversation, pushing away the feeling that something was off. He was charming. And I would not let Logan’s silly warning affect this dinner.