Chapter 3: Dance with the Devil
1234 Words
Sarah stared at her reflection in the vintage mirror, hardly recognizing herself. The red dress she'd maxed out her credit card for hugged every curve, its deep crimson color almost black in the dim light. Her dark hair fell in waves past her shoulders, and her normally minimal makeup was bold, dangerous.
"He wants to play power games?" she muttered, applying red lipstick. "Game on."
Her phone buzzed – Maya.
"Girl, tell me you're not actually going to this thing," Maya said before Sarah could speak. "Three more Kane Industries employees were reported missing this morning."
Sarah's hand froze, lipstick hovering. "What?"
"It's not on the news yet, but my cousin says the police are at the building right now. Sarah, whatever you're mixed up in-"
A loud knock cut through their conversation. Sarah peeked through her peephole to see a tall man in a black suit.
"Miss Chen? Your car is ready."
"I have to go," Sarah whispered into the phone.
"Sarah, wait-"
She hung up, grabbed her small purse with her backup phone hidden inside, and opened the door.
The drive to Kane's estate was tense and silent. The mansion loomed ahead, a gothic monstrosity of glass and stone perched on a cliff overlooking the city. Cars lined the winding driveway, dropping off guests in designer gowns and tuxedos.
As Sarah stepped out, whispers rippled through the arriving crowd. She caught fragments: "That's the journalist..." "Kane's personal guest..." "Did you hear about the missing employees?"
"Miss Chen."
She turned to find Harrison, Kane's head of security, looking uncomfortable in a tux.
"Mr. Kane requests your presence in his private study before the gala begins." His voice dropped. "And he's... not in the best mood."
Sarah followed Harrison through the mansion's opulent halls, her heels clicking on marble floors. They stopped at massive wooden doors carved with wolves.
*Subtle*, she thought.
"Miss Chen." Kane's voice came from inside. "Enter."
She pushed open the door to find him standing at a wall of windows, his back to her. The full moon was rising, casting his shadow long across the floor.
"You wore red." His voice was rougher than yesterday, almost hoarse.
"You didn't leave me much choice."
He turned, and Sarah's breath caught. He was devastating in a black tux, but something was off. His skin seemed flushed, fever-bright, and his eyes...
"Your eyes are gold," she whispered.
Kane moved toward her, his movements tightly controlled. "The moon does that." He reached her, tracing one burning finger along her bare shoulder. "You look ravishing."
"The missing employees," Sarah said, forcing herself to stay still under his touch. "What happened to them?"
His hand stilled. "Careful, Miss Chen. Tonight's not the night for accusations."
"Then what is it the night for?"
Kane leaned in, his breath hot against her ear. "Tonight, you're going to smile, dance, and play your part. You're going to let everyone see you on my arm, letting them think I've tamed the nosy reporter." His hand slid to her waist, gripping tight. "And you're not going to talk to anyone about anything... sensitive. Understood?"
Sarah turned her head, their faces inches apart. "And if I don't play along?"
His eyes flashed, definitely more beast than man now. "Then this could be a very dangerous night for everyone."
The study doors burst open. A striking blonde in a silver gown swept in.
"Alexander, darling! You're not monopolizing your little reporter already, are you?"
Kane's grip tightened painfully before he released Sarah, turning with a practiced smile. "Victoria. I wasn't expecting you."
Victoria stalked forward, moving with an inhuman grace that made Sarah's skin prickle. "The Alpha of the East Coast pack missing the famous Kane Gala? Never." She gave Sarah a predatory once-over. "Though I see you've found yourself a new... pet."
Sarah's researcher brain kicked into overdrive. *East Coast pack?*
"The gala's starting," Kane said curtly. "Sarah, shall we?"
He offered his arm, and Sarah took it, feeling Victoria's glare burning into her back as they left.
The ballroom was a scene from a fairy tale. Crystal chandeliers dripped from coffered ceilings, their light catching on champagne glasses and jewelry. A string quartet played something haunting, and couples swirled across the marble floor.
"Dance with me," Kane said. It wasn't a request.
He pulled her onto the floor just as the music changed to something slower, darker. His hand burned through the thin fabric at her waist, the other gripping hers almost painfully.
"Your heart's racing," he murmured, pulling her closer than was strictly proper. "Afraid?"
"Just piecing things together. Victoria's comment about packs, the lunar cycles, the missing people..." Sarah met his gaze. "What happens to them? The ones who get too close to the truth?"
Kane's steps never faltered, but his eyes flashed dangerously. "I told you, tonight isn't for questions."
"Then what is it for?"
He spun her suddenly, pulling her back against his chest. His heart hammered against her back, his breath ragged in her ear.
"For showing everyone exactly who you belong to."
Before Sarah could process that caveman statement, a commotion broke out near the entrance. Victoria was arguing with Harrison, her voice carrying:
"What do you mean I can't access the east wing? I've been coming here for years!"
Kane tensed behind Sarah. "Excuse me."
He stalked toward the argument, leaving Sarah alone on the dance floor. She waited exactly three seconds before slipping toward the forbidden east wing.
The hallway was dark, lit only by moonlight through tall windows. The air felt wrong – heavy, electric. A low growl echoed from somewhere ahead.
Sarah pulled out her backup phone, ready to record. She tried a door – locked. Another – locked. The third door opened...
The room was destroyed. Furniture lay in splinters, claw marks scored the walls, and dark stains that looked suspiciously like blood spattered the hardwood floors.
"Oh my god," she whispered.
"Curious little thing, aren't you?"
Sarah whirled to find Victoria blocking the doorway, her silver dress rippling like mercury in the moonlight. But her face... her beautiful face was changing, morphing into something bestial.
"Such a shame," Victoria growled, her voice distorting. "Alexander always did have terrible taste in snacks."
Sarah backed away as Victoria stalked forward, now more wolf than woman. "What are you-"
A roar shook the walls. Something massive and dark slammed into Victoria, sending them both crashing into the hallway.
Sarah ran to the doorway to see two enormous wolves – one silver, one black as night – locked in combat. The black wolf was larger, its gold eyes blazing with fury as it stood between her and the silver one.
*Kane*, she realized. *The black wolf is Kane.*
The fight was brutally fast. Kane's jaws closed around Victoria's throat, and she went limp, transforming back into her human form, unconscious but alive.
The black wolf turned to Sarah, blood staining its muzzle. Those gold eyes held her frozen as it padded toward her.
"Alexander?" she whispered.
The wolf stopped, its form rippling, shifting, until Kane stood before her, his tux torn, hair wild, eyes still burning gold.
"Now you know," he said roughly.
Sarah's phone slipped from numb fingers, clattering to the floor. The screen showed one word:
*Recording.*
Kane's eyes fixed on the phone, then lifted to her face. The beast was still there, just under his skin.
"Sarah," he growled, "run."
- Writer
