Celeste’s POV

*****

Beach House, 7:05 PM

"Come on, guys." I rushed out of the house first, glancing back as I advanced down the pathway. "It’s already getting late."

"Seven PM isn’t all that late." Luther barked from within the house.

"Yeah, alright, night guard. I still want to return before ten."

Soon, all my mates followed me out of the living room door. First Atlas—dressed in a long purple trench coat. Then Azrael in a black jacket. And finally Luther and Silas, the latter dressing casual while the former wore simple beach shorts and a shirt.

"So where are we heading first?" Silas questioned after locking the door behind him. "The gun range? Wine tasting—?"

"Wine tasting, of course," Azrael smirked, getting to my side first. "Then again, the decision rests with you, little miss."

Even now there was still something about Azrael I couldn’t quite explain. His eyes were hidden behind his glasses. True emotions masked under a plain expression.

Yet he seemed like he was hiding burdens he didn’t wish to share with us. With me.

"Are you okay, Azrael?" I nudged him gently. "Please don’t tell me you’re worrying yourself with those dark sigils? I already said I’ll talk to my mom about them. She—"

"Little miss," Azrael chuckled, grabbing my hand. "At ease. I’m fine. And I trust we’ll find a way to handle whatever it is that’s happening to you."

"Enough with the ominous air, people!" Luther laughed into the night, wrapping his arms around my shoulders and Azrael’s. "We’re still in the spirit of the vacation. Let’s act like it!"

"Even if something we don’t understand is out to get us in the shadows?" Silas asked with a sarcastic smile.

Luther snapped his fingers. "Especially with that."

And with that, we all marched together, heading to the inner town of Montecito.

Blissfully unaware of what awaited us tonight.

.

.

My mouth fell with awe at the beauty of the town at night. Stores and establishments were lit up with colourful lights, and soulful music streaming from bars and restaurants.

Many couples were out by this time, hands in hands and kissing under the cover of night.

I looked through the faces of all my mates subconsciously. Never have I felt like being publicly intimate with all of them at once like I did now.

"How much further to the wine tasting shop?" I turned my head to Luther and Silas.

"Only a few strides away now."

Sigh... Portalling would’ve come in handy right now.

’That’s just lazy.’ my wolf scolded.

’Well, yes. I’m very lazy.’

The wine shop came into view just ahead—warm golden light spilling from its windows and laughter drifting faintly through the open door as someone stepped out with a bottle tucked beneath their arm.

"This one," Atlas confirmed, adjusting his coat slightly.

Silas reached for the handle first. "Ladies first?"

"Obviously," I said, flipping my hair over my shoulder.

But just as I stepped forward, something tugged at my awareness.

Instinctively.

My gaze shifted past the glow of the shop lights, past the strolling couples and soft music... toward a narrow alleyway between buildings.

There stood a little girl. Alone.

She couldn’t have been more than eight or nine. Brown curls framing a pale face. A thin white dress that looked too light for the evening breeze. She was staring straight ahead—no, not ahead.

At me.

My steps slowed.

"You guys go in first," I said casually, already veering away.

Luther frowned. "Celeste—"

"I’ll be right there."

They hesitated. But eventually, Azrael nodded once, subtle but approving. The others followed him inside.

I approached the alley slowly.

"Hey," I softened my voice. "Are you okay?"

The girl flinched like my words were too loud. Her wide eyes darted to the wine shop, then back to me.

"It’s late," I continued gently. "Where are your parents?"

She opened her mouth but then closed it just as fast.

"They..." she whispered.

"Yes?"

"They don’t like the dark."

My wolf stirred. ’That’s not an answer.’

I crouched slightly to meet her level. "Sweetheart, are you lost?"

Her fingers twisted into the fabric of her dress. "I was told to stay away from the shadows."

A cold breeze slid down the alley, brushing against my skin like curious fingers.

My wolf rose fully now. ’Something feels wrong...’

I ignored the tightening in my chest and offered her a small smile. "It’s okay. You can come inside with me. We’ll figure it out, yeah?"

I reached for her hand.

The moment my fingers brushed hers, she grabbed my wrist.

Hard.

I gasped as her head tilted slowly.

Her pupils dilated until her eyes looked almost entirely black.

"I’ve avoided the shadows for so long," she said.

Her voice wasn’t childlike anymore.

It was layered. Echoed. Like more than one throat spoke through her.

"But what can I do," she continued softly, "when the shadows come for me?"

My pulse spiked.

"To claim me?"

The air shifted.

I felt it before I saw it.

The alley behind her darkened—not naturally. Not like night. But like something thicker poured into it.

My wolf growled deep inside my chest. ’Look!’

I tore my gaze from the girl and peered into the mouth of the alley.

The darkness moved.

Then—

Pairs of red eyes flickered open in the bowels of the alley.

One.

Three.

Ten.

Dozens.

Low growls vibrated through the confined space, rumbling against brick walls and scraping against my very bones.

Vein beasts.

Every single pair of glowing eyes locked onto me.

The little girl’s grip tightened further, her nails digging into my skin as she smiled—a wide, unnatural stretch of lips.

"You can’t outrun what’s already inside you." She whispered.

My wolf surged forward, silver fury clawing at the edges of my consciousness.

The beasts stepped forward as one, their forms beginning to take shape—twisted limbs, elongated torsos, shadows clinging to them like a second skin.

They weren’t hunting randomly.

They had gathered. Waiting...

For me.

"Gods above..." I muttered under my breath, too scared to move or speak too loudly.