The Wolf's Eye

Chapter 5

8:35. She wasn’t in her room. She had definitely gone to that wretched club.

I stepped into the hallway, unsure what to do.

If I told our parents, Dara would never forgive me—but I couldn’t help her on my own either.

I returned to the dining room.

“Well, where’s Dara? You have been gone a while,” Mom asked.

“She’s sleeping,” I lied without blinking.

“Then I suppose I should head out too,” Victor said, rising from the table.

“See you later, sis.” He hugged me.

“Wait, Vic. I need to ask you something,” I said, making it up on the spot. “It’s personal.”

“Then walk me out,” he grinned.

Victor said goodbye to our parents, and we stepped out into the yard where his brand-new BMW was parked.

“What kind of trouble are you in this time, Clara?” he asked warmly. “How can I help?”

“This time, it’s not me who needs help,” I replied, a little hurt.

“Then who?”

“Dara. I think she’s in danger.”

Victor chuckled. “What, you think her pillow is going to smother her in her sleep?”

“No,” I said, already starting to panic. “You don’t get it. She’s not in her room. I think she snuck out.”

“What? Say that again,” Victor said, his smile vanishing.

“She’s being stalked by some guy. I saw she had seventy-seven missed calls from him. Then a message came through. He said he’d be waiting for her at nine, at the club, and if she didn’t show, he’d come find her. I’m scared, Vic. She was acting really strange all day.”

“Okay, okay—calm down,” he said. “Do you remember which club?”

“No need to remember. It was Moonlake.”

Victor’s face turned pale.

“Shit.”

“What? What’s wrong?” I asked, heart pounding.

“No one should go there tonight. It’s bad. A lot of bad people will be there.” He opened the car door.

I climbed in beside him.

“Clara, what do you think you’re doing? Get out of the car,” he ordered.

“No. I’m coming with you,” I insisted.

“Did you not hear what I just said? It’s dangerous.”

“That’s exactly why I’m coming. I’ll lose my mind sitting at home doing nothing.”

He hesitated.

“Fine. But you don’t leave this car. Got it?”

“Got it. Now start the engine.”

We drove in silence. Victor was tense, and I was sick with worry.

Fifteen minutes later, we arrived at the country club.

To my surprise, the guards let our car through without question.

“You’ve been here before?” I asked.

“Yes,” he said. “The club belongs to our alpha. Tonight’s a special event.”

“What kind of event?”

“The alpha’s son is having his birthday. There’ll be wolves here from other packs too. So stay in the car. I’m serious, Clara. If something happens to you because I brought you here, I’ll never forgive myself.”

“I’ll wait. Just... be careful, okay? And don’t take too long,” I said nervously. My stomach clenched into a knot.

Victor parked in front of a grand, three-story mansion and walked inside with purpose.

I stayed in the car, just like I promised.

For the first five minutes, I waited patiently.

Then I got out to stretch my legs.

Waiting was killing me. The tension in my body kept building. I needed to move.

As soon as I stepped outside, several luxury sports cars rolled up behind us, followed by two black SUVs.

From a black Mercedes emerged a strikingly handsome young man, and beside him, a stunning girl in a short black dress that showed off every perfect curve—her generous chest, tiny waist, and sculpted backside.

Instinctively, I ducked behind Victor’s car, suddenly self-conscious of my own outfit: blue skinny jeans, a plain white T-shirt, and the only accessory I wore—the Wolf’s Eye pendant, a gift from Victor for my birthday.

More attractive guys stepped out of the other vehicles. Clearly, they were all part of the same group.

One of them spotted Victor’s car.

“Dorian, look who showed up. Clark actually decided to grace you with his presence,” he laughed arrogantly.

The name Dorian made my skin crawl. This had to be Dorian Gray—the alpha’s son and tonight’s birthday boy.

Dorian gave Victor’s BMW a cold, disapproving look. I crouched even lower, trying not to be seen.

“That car doesn’t suit him,” another commented, clearly watching Dorian’s reaction.

“Looks like Clark got himself a new car—and a new girl too,” someone sneered. A heavyset guy suddenly yanked me up from my hiding spot.

I cried out in panic, struggling to break free, but his grip was like iron.

“Let me go, you creep!” I shouted.

“Seems this one’s got a mouth on her,” the guy laughed.

“Maybe you’re the one with no manners,” I snapped. “Grabbing girls isn’t exactly polite.”

“Watch it, mutt,” he growled.

He dragged me out into full view.

“What were you doing back there? Why were you hiding?” Dorian asked.

“I wasn’t hiding,” I snapped.

“Then what were you doing?”

“Tying my shoes,” I blurted.

The entire group turned to inspect me. Dorian’s gaze lingered on my white Nikes.

“Clarke’s taste gets worse every year,” the girl beside him sneered.

A few of the guys laughed, but Dorian didn’t take his eyes off me.

“I disagree,” he said, stepping closer. “Where’d Victor find someone this cute? You really his girlfriend?”

I froze. His eyes was undressing me.

“Answer,” the brute barked, shaking me slightly.

“N-no,” I stammered.

“Oh?” Dorian smiled like a predator.

“I’m his sister,” I said quickly.

“Liar,” the blonde snapped. “Dara Clark looks nothing like you. You wish you could compare.”

Dorian stepped even closer, tilting my chin up so he could see my face better.

“I’m not lying,” I whispered. “My name is Clara Clark.”

I silently hoped our family name carried some weight in this world of wolves. That maybe he’d back off.

“Cla-ra,” Dorian echoed, like a hunter savoring the name.

“I didn’t do anything wrong. I’m just waiting for my brother,” I said, fear making my voice tremble.

“Calm down. Don’t be afraid,” he said, then turned to the brute. “Sam, let her go.”

Sam obeyed, releasing me with visible reluctance.

“Why haven’t I seen you before, Clara?” Dorian asked.

I stayed silent, searching for an escape route. The raw dominance radiating off him made my skin prickle.

“How old are you, Clara?”

“Almost eighteen,” I admitted.

He smiled.

“When’s your eighteenth birthday?”

There was no point in lying.The day after tomorrow I was to be presented to his mother.

“Tomorrow,” I said.

“You know who I am?”

“Yes,” I answered truthfully.

He seemed pleased.

“Then I’m sure we’ll see each other again, Clara. Happy birthday.”

He wrapped his arm around his girlfriend’s waist and disappeared into the mansion.

Sam stared after him, then at me.

“You’re lucky Dorian’s in a good mood tonight, Clark,” he said. “Otherwise, you might not have made it to your birthday.”

He turned and left me standing there, alone and shaking.