The Wolf's Eye

Chapter 6

I watched Dorian Gray’s crew walk away — they’d already forgotten I existed. For the first three minutes, I told myself I was alone. I wanted to believe it. I checked the time. Victor had been gone too long.

I got into the car and immediately locked the door. But I couldn’t just sit there. Something was burning in my chest, making it hard to breathe. I got out again.

“Boss, what do we do with the bastard?” I heard someone say nearby.

Instinctively, I ducked behind the nearest car.

“He won’t wake up for a few more hours after that dose of tranquilizer,” a huge bodyguard growled as he stepped out of an SUV.

My heart stopped. What had I walked into? I should’ve just stayed home.

“He said dump him in the lake,” the man on the phone muttered as he hung up.

“What do you mean — dump him? He’s unconscious!” another guy asked, clearly shaken.

“No bastard, no problem,” said the first one flatly.

“I didn’t sign up for this,” the second man panicked.

“Don’t piss yourself. Orders are orders. You wanna be next?”

A few minutes later, they dragged an unconscious man out of the trunk and headed for the lake behind the house.

Any sane person would’ve closed their eyes and pretended they hadn’t heard a thing. But I couldn’t. Whoever that guy was, they were about to drown him.

Witness a murder? No way. I could never forgive myself if I didn’t at least try. On autopilot, I followed them, keeping to the trees.

From the pier, I watched the two goons toss the limp body into the water. They didn’t even wait to see if he sank.

As soon as they were gone, I bolted to the edge of the pier and jumped into the lake fully clothed. Luckily, it was a full moon, and the water was clear. I’d always been a strong swimmer, could hold my breath for a long time.

The guy was sinking slowly like an anchor. I dove after him, not knowing if I could really help, but I had to try. He was tall, muscular — and impossibly heavy.

I wrapped an arm around his neck and tilted his head. His features were sharp, almost too perfect. I pinched his nose and tried to breathe air into his lungs. Again. Nothing. We were both going under.

With my last bit of strength, I tried once more — and accidentally cut my lip on something sharp in his mouth.

A tooth. A sharp, unnatural one.

Humans don’t have teeth like that.

A drop of my blood touched his tongue.

And suddenly, his eyes flew open.

Not human eyes. Amber. Like a wolf’s.

I jerked back, choking on the water. He grabbed me — and kissed me.

I don’t even remember how we made it to the surface. I was coughing, gasping for air, and he pulled me up onto the pier. Then he collapsed beside me, also coughing.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice rough but warm.

“Probably. You?”

“Could be worse,” he smirked.

“How did you wake up? They said you were drugged.”

His eyes flashed amber again. My stomach dropped. He wasn’t human.

He stepped closer. Too close. My wet white T-shirt clung to my skin, my hair stuck to my cheeks. I could feel his breath on me — hot, almost burning.

He gently wiped the blood from my lip and pushed my wet hair from my face. For a moment, he just stared at me in silence.

“You’re beautiful,” he said softly.

“You’re... not bad yourself,” I blurted out.

He smiled. I’d never seen a more handsome man: elegant features, but with a predator’s aura. Pure alpha.

“Stay here. I have something to finish. I’ll be back,” he said, his voice like a command.

He turned and started shifting.

Right in front of me.

Into a massive, silver-gray wolf, nearly two meters tall.

I was frozen in place. Terrified. He could’ve ripped me apart.

The wolf turned to look at me. His amber eyes met mine. He bared his teeth… and disappeared into the forest.

I didn’t wait.

I ran.

By some miracle, Victor and Dara were already at the car when I got back to the parking lot.

“Clara, where the hell have you been?!” Victor shouted. “I told you to stay in the damn car!”

Then he saw me — soaked.

“What happened to you?!”

“Long story. You found Dara. That’s what matters. Let’s get out of here. I’m never coming back to this place.”

I squeezed the water from my hair and shirt and climbed into the car. Only once we were past the club gates did I breathe again.

“So, what exactly happened?” Victor asked.

“I went for a swim. That’s all.”

“Did anyone see you?” he asked, too serious.

“What? Swimming? I hope not,” I tried to joke.

“Why were you even in the lake?” Dara asked.

“Looking for you,” I snapped.

“Enough,” Victor cut in, picking up on my tone. “I’m just glad you’re okay. I freaked out when I saw Gray’s Mercedes and not you.”

“What’s the big deal?” I said, suddenly remembering Dorian Gray.

“That guy’s a creep,” Victor growled. “Never missed a single skirt. The girls who’ve been with him… you better don’t want to know.”

“Victor,” Dara hissed. “That’s the alpha’s son you’re talking about.”

“So? Being a Gray doesn’t give him the right to act like a monster.”

“Good thing I wasn’t wearing a skirt,” I muttered.

“What?!” they both yelled.

“You saw Gray?” Dara asked.

“Yeah. We even talked. What’s the big deal? He was weird, but he didn’t do anything.”

“What did he say?” Victor demanded.

“Asked if I was really your sister and how old I am.”

“And you said?”

“The truth. Now will someone tell me why you're both acting like this?”

“Guess you’re not his type,” Dara said coolly. “Relax, Vic.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I snapped.

“Nothing. Just that you got lucky tonight. Stay away from him.”

“Wasn’t planning to go looking for him.”

“Clara, she’s right. It’s a miracle you’re okay. But… what were you really doing in the lake?”

“That’s none of your business,” I muttered, suddenly sure they were hiding something too.