Desired by Shadows

4: Intriguing Beginnings

Violet Stone

Dr Lupin Darkwood's clinic stood as a testament to his opulence and sophistication. Nestled amidst the quaint town, the building itself bore an old-world charm, its grandiose architecture reminiscent of a bygone era, an unassuming building that belied the darkness within.

As Violet stepped inside, she was greeted by soothing music and the scent of lavender, meant to create a sense of calm. The waiting room was serene, adorned with paintings of landscapes and motivational quotes on the walls.

To her surprise, the plush and sophisticated clinic interiors were nothing like the modest exteriors of the building. She felt a mix of anxiety and curiosity. The polished marble floors and the subtle scent of expensive wood and leather created an aura of opulence. The clinic felt more like the lobby of a high-end hotel than a place for therapy. It was a stark contrast to her humble and artistic world.

As she approached the reception desk, she noticed a woman in her mid-30s, impeccably dressed, with an air of professionalism and confidence. "Hello, you must be Violet," the receptionist said warmly, glancing at her appointment list. "Dr Darkwood is expecting you. Please have a seat, and he will be with you shortly."

Violet nervously took a seat in one of the plush chairs, feeling small and out of place in such a grand setting. She wondered what a successful psychologist like Dr Lupin Darkwood, who appeared to be in his early 30s, would think of a college student like her seeking therapy for something as peculiar as her encounters with a wolf.

He, on the other hand, was in his true element. He exuded an aura of power and control even in the huge photo frame right opposite her on the wall. As if his piercing eyes observed everything with keen attention.

When he finally emerged from his office, his eyes locked onto Violet's, there was something unsettling about the way he looked at her, as if he could see right through her. She quickly averted her gaze, feeling vulnerable under his intense scrutiny.

"Good afternoon, Violet," Dr Darkwood greeted her in a smooth and composed voice, gesturing her into his office. "Please, come in. Make yourself comfortable."

His office was as elegant as the rest of the clinic, with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves filled with leather-bound volumes, antique artefacts carefully placed on display, and a large oak desk dominating the room. It was a space designed to convey authority and control, which only added to Violet's feeling of vulnerability.

As Violet settled into the chair across from him, she noticed a faint smile on his lips, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. As if he could sense her unease, and it seemed to delight him.

Of course, to him, humans were like fragile puppets, easily influenced by his knowledge and power, but that wasn't something Violet knew about him yet.

The patient's chair cradled Violet as she sat, its leather upholstery cool against her palms.

"Before we delve into the primary purpose of your visit, Violet, I'd appreciate learning more about you. Could you share a bit about yourself?" Dr Darkwood inquired, his gaze focused on the form she had recently completed.

Across from her, Dr Darkwood's presence was undeniable, his tall, robust frame dominating the room, almost making her nervous.

"I've provided most of my information in the form, Dr Darkwood. Is there anything specific you'd like to know beyond that?"

"While the details you've given are for our records, Miss Violet, I'm interested in delving deeper than what's in the form. Let's explore beyond the surface."

“Well, I lost my grandmother, my Nana, not long ago. She was my main source of support, and her passing has left me feeling quite isolated. I'm struggling with a sense of aimlessness now.”

"Your grandma, I understand," Dr Darkwood nodded empathetically, his keen interest in her evident. "So, that’s the first thing that came to your mind. It can be quite hard to deal with losing someone you love.”

“What do you mean that’s the first thing, Dr Darkwood? Was I supposed to say something else?”

"What I meant was, your grandmother's loss obviously holds significant weight in your thoughts," Dr Darkwood explained. "But please don't misunderstand, Violet. I wasn't expecting any specific response. I was simply observing, a psychologist's habit, you could say." He offered a reassuring smile, attempting to alleviate her unease.

The strong set of his shoulders seemed to emphasize his assertiveness, and his penetrating gaze hinted at a depth of understanding that both intrigued and unsettled her. As he leaned forward, his fingers interlaced and resting on the table, his large hands seemed almost capable of encompassing her worries. Little did she know, his seemingly imposing stature held a secret far beyond her current perception.

"So, Violet," he began, leaning back in his chair, "tell me what really brings you here today. What troubles your mind and heart?"

Violet hesitated for a moment, trying to find the right words. She felt a strange mix of fear and attraction towards this man, a pull that she couldn't quite comprehend. "I've been having trouble sleeping," she finally admitted, "ever since I had this strange encounter in the woods.”

He leaned forward, his eyes locked onto hers, the hint of a knowing smile on his face. "An encounter in the woods? How intriguing. Please, do tell me more."

“Um, it’s something I can't quite articulate. I'm not certain if I should bring it up at all.” Violet shifted, her discomfort mirrored in the slight creak of the chair.

“That something that’s bothering you, I would like to hear about it. Maybe all your worries start right there. If we could address that issue, then all your worries would be sorted, I am sure."

"I think I might be experiencing visions or hallucinations."

"Visions or hallucinations? Could you describe what you're seeing?" Dr Darkwood approached her with curiosity.

"I'm not sure I can explain it clearly at the moment." Violet evaded the subject abruptly.

Dr Lupin Darkwood stood before her, his presence unwavering, as if he wouldn't accept anything less than a response from his patient. His piercing eyes held a depth of understanding, and his neatly trimmed beard added a touch of ruggedness to his otherwise polished appearance. Despite his imposing stature, there was a gentle and reassuring aura about him, as if he could easily put anyone at ease.

"Give it a shot."

“I've always felt like I'm floating without a clear sense of purpose or direction,” Violet uttered, attempting to shift the topic.

She was determined to steer clear of any mention of werewolves, the very creatures she had loosely associated with ordinary wolves, all in an effort to avoid sounding naive.

“Thank you for opening up, Violet. It's completely normal to seek your own path.” Let's delve deeper into this and work together to uncover the sense of purpose and direction you're looking for.”

He leaned in closer, his complexion radiant under the soft light of the room. His face boasted a strong jawline and an unsettlingly intense gaze that seemed to hold a hint of wildness. "But I believe there might be an underlying issue that's truly troubling you—the encounter in the woods you mentioned earlier," he remarked gently.

Violet's heart raced as she met his gaze, those captivating yet unnerving eyes locking onto hers. Without thinking, the words tumbled from her lips, "I saw a werewolf. I mean a wolf."

Her heart was pounding inside her chest. Under certain lights, his eyes even seemed to gleam with a faint golden hue, an enigmatic reflection of the wolf she was trying to get out of her head.

As Violet recounted her experience with the wolf in the woods, he listened attentively, his gaze never leaving hers. As if he sensed her vulnerability, her naivety.

The memory of that incident sent shivers down her spine as the rain outside began to fall, casting an eerie ambience reminiscent of that fateful day though it didn't quite rain then. It was becoming almost frightening for her to recall the events that had transpired in the forest as if the stormy weather was conjuring the same charged atmosphere that had enveloped them that night. The raindrops tapped against the windowpane, creating a haunting rhythm that echoed the chaotic emotions she had felt in the wolf's presence.

To her, the wolf was just a wild animal, a mere curiosity. Little did she know that the wolf she encountered was more than just a beast, and the man sitting in front of her was far more dangerous than he appeared.

"That sounds like a harrowing experience," Dr Darkwood said suddenly. "Encounters with wild animals can trigger a fight-or-flight response, leaving us feeling on edge for a while."

Violet nodded, grateful for his understanding. "But it feels different this time. It's like the wolf's eyes are still haunting me, even when I close my eyes to sleep."

He got up from his chair, his eyes never leaving hers. "Sometimes, our minds tend to magnify certain events, especially those that evoke strong emotions. It's natural to feel unsettled after such an encounter. What's important is to find ways to cope with these feelings and restore a sense of safety and calm."

Dr Darkwood circled her like a robust wrestler against his competitor, causing her to lean back in the easy chair, feeling small and vulnerable. His intense gaze was almost intimidating, sending unwanted thoughts and fears crippling her mind. No other man had ever made her feel this way, even though she had encountered attention-seeking mean boys in college.

His presence frightened her for some reason, as if he could see right through her, unravelling her deepest secrets with ease. She struggled to maintain her composure, but his overpowering aura made it impossible to ignore the unease rising within her.

As Violet sat nervously in the dimly lit therapy room, the atmosphere seemed charged with unspoken tension. The storm outside intensified, and the sound of rain tapping against the windowpane almost got violent. The window, not completely shut, creaked open with an eerie groan as a gust of wind blew into the room.

Dr Darkwood, maintaining his stoic composure, noticed the sudden movement of the window curtains and swiftly rose for action. In a fluid motion, he reached the window just in time to prevent it from slamming shut. His movements were incredibly swift, like a blur of motion, and his reflexes were beyond anything she had ever seen in a man.