Chapter 2 The Warning Signs

• The pure morning air filled my lungs as I inhaled them furiously. The streets were slowly coming back to life as shopkeepers set up displays and early risers headed to work. It was peaceful and calmed the raging storm in my head.
• Everything looked normal, so why did I feel so uneasy?
• “Get a grip!” I shook my head, tapping my face lightly with my palms.
• I rubbed my arms slightly, trying to shake off the feeling. A creepy feeling had been making me unsettled for a few days now. It was as if someone was watching me but I dismissed it as paranoia at first, even though I knew something wasn’t right. Every one of my senses was alert at the slightest provocation and it was frustrating.
• I glanced around, searching for something, anything that would explain this lingering unease. Nothing seemed out of place. Everything was perfect, but the feeling didn’t go away.
• I turned sharply, scanning the area, my wolf instincts sharply clawing to the surface.
• Nothing was in sight. No one was there; everyone was busy going about their lives. Still, my heartbeat quickened. I swallowed hard, forcing myself to breathe slowly.
• “Maybe I was just imagining things. Maybe I am just sleep-deprived and on edge from my nightmares,” I comforted myself as I marched to the café.
• The feeling of being watched didn’t go away; it only grew stronger. Every time I stepped outside and every time I walked down the street, I could feel an invisible gaze burning into my skin, and it was getting scarily uncomfortable.
• That morning, the smell of fresh bread wafted from the bakery, mingling with the sharp scent of coffee from the café next door. It was a powerful combo that I would have loved to push down my throat, but I just enjoyed it and walked to my destination.
• I tugged my coat tighter around me, glancing over my shoulder as I reached for the knob and pushed open the door to the bookstore. The small bell chimed, and the familiar scent of aged paper and ink instantly soothed me.
• I had gone for an early morning run to relieve my stressed brain, and it worked. I was feeling so good and hyper as I came back into the bookstore.
• “Was there a long queue at the café? You spent a lot of time,” Mrs. Porter remarked from behind the counter, her gray curls bouncing as she unpacked a shipment of new books.
• “Everybody wanted a taste of the morning coffee,” I replied, flashing a smile.
• She gave me a knowing look. “or you went for a quick run?”
• She caught me, so I just decided to come clean. “I did. I just went for a quick run.”
• She tsked, shaking her head. “That’s perfect. You need to take care of yourself when you are still young. Look at me losing everything at a very fast pace.”
• Her words made me chuckle, but it disappeared as fast as it came. “I’m fine,” I reassured her.
• Ignoring her disapproving glance, I busied myself with restocking shelves. Then, the bell above the door jingled.
• I turned to see a total stranger stepping inside. He was tall, broad-shouldered, dressed in a dark coat that did nothing to soften his intimidating presence. His hood was pulled low over his face, but even from where I stood, I could feel the intensity of his gaze.
• “Who is he?” I thought to myself as I scanned him from head to toe.
• His movements were slow as he wandered through the aisles; his fingers were grazing the spines of the books without real interest in any of them. He had moved from one section to the other till he finished strolling the bookstore.
• “You can’t find what you want? Is there anything you are looking for specifically, sir?” I came to his rescue
• He didn’t react to my question, so I let him wait for a while. He continued with the search until I had to step in again, but he met me in silence. I swallowed hard, forcing myself to keep shelving books as if I wasn’t hyper-aware of his every step.
• “Can I help you find something?” I asked again, keeping my tone neutral.
• The man paused, lifting his head just enough for me to see the sharpness of his jaw. The shadow of his stubble cast along his skin. His lips curled into something that wasn’t quite a smile.
• “No,” he said. His voice was deep and smooth. “Just browsing through them.”
• Something piqued me about his appearance and behavior. He wasn’t here to shop. He was here for something else. The trembling feeling of being watched washed over me again. My instincts screamed at me, warning me to get out and run, but I forced myself to stay still, gripping the book in my hands so tightly my fingers ached.
• He lingered longer for a while, moving from shelf to shelf with a tensed slowness.
• “Alright, let me know if you ever need me,” I said and turned to leave for my seat.
• Just then, a faint but unmistakable scent caught my nose. He was a wolf!
• My chest clutched tightly at the thought of it. No packs were supposed to be near this town. I had specifically chosen the place because it was hidden perfectly from the werewolf territory. What was he looking for? Was he also looking for a refuge like me?
• I took a slow breath, forcing my pulse to become steady. He may just be passing through the town, and he wasn’t looking for me, I concluded. Even though I knew that it was too much for a coincidence.
• After what felt like an eternity, the man finally made his way to the door. He paused, glancing over his shoulder, and locked eyes with me.
• “You should be careful, Aria,” he said softly. “Dangers are lurking in the night.”
• My blood ran cold. My throat squeezed in horror. Before I could respond, he was gone, the bell above the door jingling behind him.
• I stood frozen where I stood; my breath hooked my throat.
• He even knew my name. I clenched my fists, my nails digging hard into my palms.
• They had found me.
• “I have to leave. I have to flee this instant,” my head kept screaming
• But as I stared at the door, my body refused to move. I was so tired of running.
• For the first time in years, I had built a life and a fragile sense of normalcy. The thought of tearing it all down and starting over made my chest ache. I wasn’t ready.
• However, choosing to stay meant risking everything. I closed my eyes, exhaling slowly.
• I needed to think. I needed to prepare because whether I ran or not, the past was finally catching up to me.