The Alpha Prince's Forbidden Mate.

The Howl That Followed Her

Lena

Evan was definitely hiding something.

I knew it.

I could feel it.

He had checked his phone again.

And again.

And—

Okay.

Maybe I was exaggerating.

But only slightly.

I leaned forward.

"Evan."

He looked at me.

"What?"

"You're doing it again."

His eyebrows rose.

"Doing what?"

I pointed at his phone.

"Checking the time."

He glanced at it.

Then placed it facedown on the table.

"There."

I narrowed my eyes.

"That's worse."

He smiled.

"Why?"

"Because now you're obviously trying to hide it."

"I wasn't hiding it before."

"You were."

"Lena."

"What?"

"Can we have one conversation where you don't accuse me of something?"

I thought about it.

"No."

He laughed.

"At least you're honest."

"I try."

For a moment, his smile returned.

The familiar, easy smile I had become far too comfortable looking at.

Then he leaned back in his chair.

"Fine."

I raised an eyebrow.

"Fine?"

"I'll ask you something."

I blinked.

"That sounds like a warning."

"Do you always interrupt people before they ask a question?"

"Usually."

Evan shook his head.

"You're exhausting."

"That's not a question."

He stared at me.

I smiled.

He almost laughed.

Then his expression became more serious.

"Tell me about your family."

The smile slowly disappeared from my face.

I wasn't expecting that.

"Why?"

"Just curious."

I studied him.

"That sounds suspicious."

He sighed.

"Of course."

I leaned back in my chair.

"What do you want to know?"

"Anything."

I thought about it.

"My mother is nice."

Evan waited.

I smiled slightly.

"She's probably the most patient person I know."

"Your father?"

The question came too quickly.

I looked at him.

He remained still.

Almost too still.

I looked down at my drink.

"My father died when I was younger."

Evan went silent.

Completely silent.

I glanced at him.

His expression had changed.

"Evan?"

He looked up immediately.

"What?"

"Are you okay?"

"Yes."

His answer was too quick.

I narrowed my eyes.

"You seem strange."

"I don't."

"You do."

He leaned back in his chair.

"I was just listening."

I stared at him.

Then continued.

"I don't remember much about him."

His eyes returned to mine.

"How much?"

I shrugged.

"Not much. I was young."

"What do you remember?"

I frowned.

The question sounded strange.

Specific.

I thought about it anyway.

"My father used to carry me on his shoulders."

Evan didn't speak.

"He had this annoying habit of singing badly whenever my mother wasn't around."

A small smile appeared on my face.

"He was terrible at it."

Evan's expression softened slightly.

I continued.

"I remember he hated storms."

"Why?"

"I don't know."

I looked toward the window.

The forest was darker now.

"I used to think that was strange."

Evan's eyes stayed on me.

Then I looked back at him.

"What?"

"Nothing."

I narrowed my eyes.

"You know, everyone at Mooncrest has a serious problem with that word."

He almost smiled.

"What word?"

"Nothing."

I leaned forward.

"Every time I ask an important question, someone says 'nothing.'"

Evan looked toward the window.

"Sometimes nothing is easier."

"That's a terrible answer."

"Probably."

I studied him.

"How did he die?"

Evan asked suddenly.

My expression changed.

"You really are curious."

His eyes returned to mine.

"Sorry."

I looked down.

"My mother said it was an accident."

Silence.

"What kind of accident?" Evan asked.

I frowned.

"I don't know."

His expression sharpened.

"You don't know?"

"I was young, Evan."

"I know."

I stared at him.

Something about the way he said it made me pause.

Like he knew more than he should.

My fingers tightened around my drink.

"What?"

He blinked.

"What?"

"That expression."

"What expression?"

"Like you know something."

For one second, neither of us spoke.

Then Evan looked away.

"You said you were young."

"That's not an answer."

"I know."

I folded my arms.

"So answer me."

He looked back at me.

But instead of answering—

His phone vibrated.

Evan looked down.

Everything about him changed.

The smile disappeared.

His body went still.

His jaw tightened.

I looked at the screen.

I couldn't see the message.

But whatever it said...

Evan didn't like it.

"What happened?"

"Nothing."

I stared at him.

He noticed.

Then sighed.

"Don't."

"Don't what?"

"Ask questions."

I leaned back.

"Wow."

"What?"

"That was rude."

"I'm sorry."

"You're forgiven."

He smiled slightly.

Then checked the time again.

The sky outside had grown darker.

A strange feeling settled in my chest.

"Evan."

He looked at me.

"Yeah?"

"Are you waiting for something?"

He hesitated.

Then shook his head.

"No."

I knew he was lying.

But for some reason...

I didn't ask again.

Instead, I looked toward the window.

The forest was almost completely dark now.

And suddenly...

I remembered Mia's face.

Be careful.

A cold shiver moved down my spine.

I looked back at Evan.

"Maybe we should go."

His eyes widened slightly.

Then he quickly reached for his wallet.

"Yeah."

That answer came far too quickly.

"Okay," I said slowly.

Evan stood.

"Let's go."

I followed him out of the café.

But the moment we stepped outside...

The air felt different.

Colder.

The wind moved through the trees.

And somewhere in the distance—

Something howled.

I stopped.

Evan did too.

The sound disappeared.

I looked at him.

"Did you hear that?"

"Get in the car."

I blinked.

"What?"

"Lena."

His voice had changed.

"Get in the car."

For the first time since I met him...

Evan didn't sound amused.

He sounded afraid.

---

The drive home was nothing like the drive to the café.

Before, Evan had laughed.

He had teased me.

He had made fun of my questions.

Now—

He barely spoke.

Both hands remained tightly around the steering wheel.

I watched him.

Then finally said:

"Okay."

He glanced at me.

"Okay what?"

"You are definitely strange."

"I'm driving."

"I noticed."

"Then stop distracting me."

I stared at him.

"That isn't your normal response."

He didn't answer.

"Evan."

"What?"

"What happened?"

"Nothing happened."

I folded my arms.

"You hate that word too?"

His mouth twitched.

Despite everything, I almost smiled.

Then he looked toward the road again.

"You should go home."

I blinked.

"Why?"

"Because I think you should."

I stared at him.

"That's not an answer."

"It's the only one you're getting."

My smile disappeared.

"You're being annoying."

"I know."

"You're not even going to explain?"

"No."

"Why?"

He glanced at me.

"Because you wouldn't understand."

I sat up straighter.

"Excuse me?"

"I didn't mean it like that."

"Then how did you mean it?"

Evan sighed.

"Just..."

He stopped.

The car grew quiet.

"Just go inside when we get there."

I looked at him.

"You know you're making me more curious, right?"

"I know."

"That's a terrible strategy."

"I know."

"Then why are you doing it?"

Evan didn't answer.

That was when I realized we were already near Mooncrest.

I looked out the window.

The forest seemed darker than usual.

The trees stood like shadows against the night.

And suddenly...

Something moved between them.

I leaned closer to the window.

"What was that?"

Evan immediately looked toward the forest.

His hands tightened around the steering wheel.

"What?"

"I thought I saw something."

His voice lowered.

"Don't look."

I slowly turned toward him.

"Don't look?"

"Just don't."

"That's suspicious."

"Lena."

I crossed my arms.

"What?"

He slowed the car.

The academy gates were ahead.

But instead of pulling through immediately...

He stopped.

I looked at him.

"What are you doing?"

Evan looked toward the forest.

Then back at me.

"Lena."

"Yes?"

His expression changed.

Something serious entered his eyes.

"Don't go into the forest."

I stared at him.

"Why does everyone keep saying that?"

For the first time—

Evan had no answer.

He went quiet.

I waited.

"Evan?"

His eyes returned to mine.

"Because some things out there don't care whether you're curious or not."

A cold shiver moved through me.

I tried to laugh.

It didn't work.

"What does that mean?"

"Nothing."

I groaned.

"Again?"

"Go home, Lena."

I stared at him.

Then opened the car door.

"You're impossible."

"I know."

I stepped out.

Then paused.

"Lena."

I looked back.

His expression had changed again.

The easy smile was gone.

"Be careful."

For some reason...

That worried me more than everything else.

---

I had taken only a few steps when a familiar voice called my name.

"Lena."

I turned.

And froze.

Adrian stood near the academy entrance.

His hair was slightly messy.

His uniform was gone.

He looked like he had changed quickly and forgotten to care about anything else.

Ethan stood several feet behind him.

Watching.

Adrian walked toward me.

His eyes moved over my face.

My arms.

My hands.

Like he was checking something.

"Are you hurt?"

I blinked.

"What?"

"Are you hurt?"

For a second, I just stared at him.

"You're asking if I'm okay?"

His jaw tightened.

"Answer the question."

I smiled slightly.

"Were you worried about me?"

"No."

The answer came immediately.

I crossed my arms.

"That was fast."

"I wasn't worried."

"Then why are you here?"

He looked toward Evan's car.

"Because you disappeared with Evan Vale."

I blinked.

"That's your explanation?"

"Yes."

I smiled.

Adrian frowned.

"What?"

"You were worried."

"I wasn't."

"You literally asked if I was hurt."

"Anyone could ask that."

"Not you."

His eyes narrowed.

I almost laughed.

For one brief second...

I wanted to thank him.

The concern had been real.

I had seen it.

"Thank you," I said quietly.

Adrian stared at me.

"For what?"

"For coming."

Something changed in his expression.

Only for a second.

His eyes softened.

Then—

"Stay away from Evan."

My smile disappeared.

"There it is."

His eyebrows rose.

"What?"

"I was beginning to think you actually cared."

"I don't."

"Good."

"Stay away from him."

I stared at him.

"You really don't know how to have a normal conversation, do you?"

His jaw tightened.

"Lena."

"What?"

"He's dangerous."

I looked toward Evan's car.

Then back at Adrian.

"So are you."

"I'm not joking."

"Neither am I."

His expression darkened.

"Go inside."

I stared at him.

"Are you ordering me now?"

"Yes."

I laughed.

"Goodnight, Adrian."

Then I walked away.

Behind me, I heard him say:

"Lena."

I didn't turn.

"Stay away from Evan."

I raised one hand.

"Goodnight."

---

Adrian

The moment Lena disappeared toward the mansion, I turned around.

Evan was still standing beside his car.

Watching.

I walked toward him.

Ethan followed.

"What were you doing with her?"

Evan raised an eyebrow.

"You know what I was doing."

"Don't play games."

"Then don't ask stupid questions."

I stopped in front of him.

"Why were you with her?"

Evan's eyes moved toward the mansion.

Then back to me.

"Why does it matter?"

"She's not involved in this."

Evan's expression changed.

Something cold entered his eyes.

"That's where you're wrong."

My wolf growled.

"Stay away from her."

Evan laughed quietly.

"You don't get to tell me who I can spend time with."

"You know exactly what I mean."

"Do I?"

I stepped closer.

"Don't involve her in your family's games."

Evan's eyes narrowed.

"And why exactly are you giving me orders?"

I didn't answer.

His eyes moved past me.

Toward the mansion again.

"Interesting."

"What?"

"She's staying here."

I went still.

Ethan shifted beside me.

Evan looked between us.

"With you."

I clenched my jaw.

"That's none of your business."

His smile disappeared.

"Everything about her is becoming my business."

My wolf moved beneath my skin.

I stepped closer.

"Stay away from her."

Evan's eyes held mine.

Then he smiled.

"You don't get to keep her."

Something inside me went cold.

"She isn't mine."

Evan's smile widened slightly.

"Keep telling yourself that."

My wolf growled.

Loudly.

Evan's expression changed.

He heard it.

His eyes narrowed.

"What do you know?"

Evan looked toward the dark sky.

"The closer the moon gets..."

He paused.

"The less control you'll have."

My entire body went still.

Ethan looked at me.

"What is he talking about?"

I didn't answer.

Evan looked back at me.

"She didn't come back unchanged, Adrian."

My wolf moved violently beneath my skin.

I stepped forward.

"What did you do?"

Evan's expression went cold.

"Nothing."

"Don't lie to me."

He opened his car door.

Then paused.

And looked directly at me.

"You should be more worried about what followed her."

The air around me seemed to freeze.

"What followed her?"

Evan got into his car.

"That's the problem, isn't it?"

The door closed.

I stepped forward.

"Evan."

He started the engine.

"Moonrise isn't always kind to strangers."

Then he drove away.

I stood there.

Silent.

My wolf was restless.

Ethan slowly looked toward the forest.

"What the hell does that mean?"

I didn't know.

But something inside me already understood one thing.

Lena was in danger.

And tonight...

The danger was closer than I had thought.

---

Lena

I couldn't sleep.

Which was annoying.

Because I was exhausted.

I lay on my bed.

Staring at the ceiling.

And thinking about Evan.

That was the first problem.

The second problem—

Adrian.

I turned onto my side.

Evan had been sweet.

Funny.

Easy to talk to.

Then suddenly, he had changed.

The closer we got to Mooncrest...

The more nervous he became.

Don't go into the forest.

I frowned.

Then Adrian's voice entered my mind.

Stay away from Evan.

I sighed.

"Why is everyone at this school insane?"

Silence answered me.

I closed my eyes.

Maybe I was overthinking everything.

Maybe Evan had somewhere important to be.

Maybe Adrian was simply controlling because apparently he had nothing better to do.

Maybe the forest was just a forest.

Maybe—

A howl echoed through the night.

My eyes opened.

I slowly sat up.

The sound had been distant.

Deep.

Not human.

A cold shiver moved down my spine.

I looked toward my bedroom window.

The curtains moved slightly.

I had left the window partially open.

I stared at it.

For several seconds...

Nothing happened.

I laughed quietly at myself.

"You're imagining things."

Scratch.

I froze.

The sound came from the window.

Slow.

Deliberate.

Scratch.

My heart stopped.

I sat completely still.

Then—

Scratch.

I slowly turned toward the window.

"Hello?"

Nothing.

That was stupid.

Why would I say hello?

Another scratch echoed against the glass.

I swallowed.

My feet touched the floor.

Every part of my body told me not to move.

So naturally—

I moved.

One slow step.

Then another.

The curtains shifted with the wind.

I reached the window.

My hand trembled slightly as I grabbed the curtain.

"Okay," I whispered.

"Whatever this is, it isn't funny."

Then I pulled the curtain aside.

At first—

I saw nothing.

Only darkness.

The forest beyond the mansion.

Then—

Two glowing eyes opened.

I stopped breathing.

They were staring directly at me.

A shadow moved closer.

A large shape.

Too large.

My body went completely still.

Then the thing outside my window lowered its head.

And growled.

The sound moved through the glass.

Deep.

Possessive.

Familiar.

My heart slammed against my chest.

And somehow—

I knew it wasn't here to hurt me.

It was here because of me.