BEASTLY INFERNO

CHAPTER TWO

As the ride to her home began, I couldn’t help but stare out the window, impressed by how the area seemed to stretch on for miles, surrounded by nothing but trees. The deep forest seemed endless, as if we were driving into a secluded world far from civilization. The landscape was serene and almost magical, but there was something about the stillness that sent a shiver down my spine.

When we finally pulled up to the house, I was in awe. The place was huge, nestled deep in the forest, and it looked like something out of a fairy tale. The grand stone gates, the ivy creeping up the walls, and the sprawling estate made me feel like we had entered a different realm entirely.

“Ellie, you didn’t tell me your house was in the middle of a forest! This place is practically a town! It’s so cool!” I gasped.

Ellie smiled sheepishly, her eyes shining with excitement. “Yeah, our community likes it like that. Peace and quiet. We all live in harmony here.”

I nodded, still amazed. “It’s incredible. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

As we walked inside, the warmth of the house enveloped me. The place was cozy, yet grand, with dark wood paneling and antique furniture that somehow made the atmosphere feel both sophisticated and homey. Ellie’s dad, Nicholas, stood at the entrance, a broad grin lighting up his face as he spotted her.

“My little gummy bear is home!” he boomed, pulling Ellie into a tight bear hug. I couldn’t help but smile at the sight—the bond between them was so genuine, so warm.

A woman with a welcoming smile approached us then, and I assumed she was Ellie’s mom. “You must be Neroli. Ellie’s told me so much about you!” She extended a hand with a graceful gesture. “I’m Rita, and this is my husband, Nicholas.”

“Nice to meet you all, and thank you for letting me stay here,” I said, my voice warm and sincere. I could already tell that Ellie’s parents were kind-hearted.

Rita waved off my gratitude, her smile bright. “Nonsense, you’re Ellie’s friend. That makes you family. We’re happy to have you.”

“Okay, well, we’ll leave you two to hang out,” Nicholas said with a playful wink, turning to head out. “You know where the kitchen is, and dinner’s at seven. But today’s special, so you two can eat upstairs in Ellie’s room.”

After they left, Ellie grinned at me. “Let’s go to my room.”

Her room was huge, decorated in soft pastels, with a bed that could easily fit five people. It was cozy yet elegant, filled with personal touches—framed photographs, soft throws, and scented candles that gave the room an inviting vibe. I was still in awe as I sank into her bed, testing the softness.

“This place is so nice!” I murmured, feeling a little envious of how perfect everything looked.

“Yeah,” Ellie agreed, flopping down next to me. “It’s a little extra, but it’s home.”

We chatted for a while, laughing and joking, but after a while, Ellie sat up, her expression turning more serious. “Are you hungry? We skipped breakfast, so let’s eat, and then I’ll show you around the town.”

I nodded, my stomach growling in agreement. We went downstairs to find Ellie in the kitchen, moving around the stove with practiced ease. I marveled at how effortlessly she seemed to take charge in the kitchen, cooking up something quick but delicious. After eating, we spent the afternoon exploring the small town, which had a very different vibe from the city life I was used to.

The people were friendly, and the whole town had an almost otherworldly feel to it, like it was stuck in time. But there was an undercurrent of tension in the air, a sense that something was coming. It was like everyone was preparing for something big. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but I felt it in the way people spoke in hushed tones, the way their eyes darted nervously when they passed by.

As the sun began to set, Ellie’s mood shifted. She checked the time on her phone and stiffened. “We need to head back,” she said quickly. “It’s getting late.”

I followed her back inside, noticing the sudden change in her demeanor. She shut the curtains in her room, leaving the space dim and quiet. The atmosphere had grown heavy, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something off about everything—about Ellie’s family, the town, and even Ellie herself.

I shrugged it off, though, figuring it was just the nerves of being in a new place. I took a quick shower and slipped into a nightdress, putting on a satin bonnet to protect my hair.

Ellie sat beside me on the bed, staring at her phone for a few moments, clearly lost in thought. Her eyes were distant, and I could sense she was working up the courage to say something important.

“Are you okay?” I asked, my voice gentle.

She snapped back to the present, her cheeks flushing as she tossed her phone aside. “Yeah, I’m fine,” she replied, but there was a nervous edge to her tone. I could tell she wasn’t being entirely truthful.

I raised an eyebrow, concerned. “You sure? You’ve been acting a little… off since we got back.”

Ellie hesitated, then exhaled slowly, like she was gathering her thoughts. “Okay, there’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you,” she began, her voice soft. “I really like someone. A guy… His name’s Tristan. He’s the one who’s coming for the meeting today.”

I blinked in surprise. “You’ve got a crush on someone?” I asked, my tone teasing. “This is serious, huh?”

Ellie nodded, her fingers nervously twisting the fabric of her blanket. “I guess you could say that. It’s just—” She paused, biting her lower lip, as if unsure of how to continue. “I don’t know how to explain it. I’ve always had a thing for him. And, yeah, maybe it’s silly, but I’ve been hoping for a chance to talk to him… to finally get noticed.” Her voice softened, almost in a whisper, as if she were sharing a secret. “I think he’s different. I’ve never felt like this before.”

I could see it in her eyes—the longing, the uncertainty. Ellie wasn’t just playing around; she really liked Tristan. It wasn’t just a passing crush.

I nudged her gently with my shoulder, trying to lighten the mood. “You’re not a stalker, are you?”

She laughed, but it was a little forced, like she was trying to cover up her nervousness. “Shut up. I’m just… I’m just nervous. What if he doesn’t feel the same? What if I make a fool of myself?”

“Hey, you’ll never know until you try,” I said, giving her a reassuring smile. “You just have to be yourself. If he’s the one for you, he’ll see that.”

Ellie seemed to relax a little, her shoulders easing as she nodded. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. I just… I don’t know. I don’t want to mess it up.”

Just as she finished speaking, we both heard a loud laugh from downstairs—one I recognized immediately as her dad’s hearty voice. But there was another presence now, something darker, something commanding. It was almost as if the air had changed. A heavy tension had settled into the house, the kind you feel when something important is about to happen.

Ellie’s eyes lit up. “They’re here,” she said, almost breathlessly, before she turned toward me with a pleading expression. “Come on, let’s go outside. I can’t wait any longer!”

“Are you crazy?” I whispered, suddenly feeling uneasy. “Your mom said to stay upstairs!”

Ellie pouted her lips, trying her best to look innocent. “Please, just from the balcony? I won’t make a scene, I promise.”

I sighed, rolling my eyes, but finally relented with a laugh. “Fine, but only from the balcony.”

We sneaked out to the balcony, crouching behind the railing to get a good view of the people gathering downstairs. At first, everything seemed normal—just a few people talking in the dimming light. But as more people arrived, I noticed something unsettling. The men had an air of authority about them, their movements deliberate and purposeful, as if every step they took had been rehearsed. They talked in low, serious voices, using words like “pack” and “Luna,” terms that sounded foreign to me, yet somehow familiar. It was like a different language altogether, one I couldn’t quite place.

But then, Ellie’s attention shifted. Her gaze softened as she focused on one man in particular. Tristan.

I watched her, unable to ignore the way her eyes followed him with a tenderness that spoke volumes. There was no denying it—she was completely entranced by him.

As they moved further into the house, my unease grew. The men’s presence seemed to take up more space than I thought was possible for a group. They weren’t just guests—they were forces, intimidating forces. I noticed Tristan among them, his posture straight, his jaw clenched. There was something almost magnetic about him, but it wasn’t just that—he radiated an energy that made my skin crawl.

I could see the way the others kept stealing glances at him, almost as if they were waiting for his approval or some kind of sign. He didn’t speak much, but when he did, it was with an intensity that commanded attention. I couldn’t help but notice how his eyes scanned the room, his gaze sharp, as if measuring everyone in it. And then, just as quickly, his attention snapped toward the stairs—toward Ellie.

My heart skipped a beat when I saw it. The way his eyes softened, how his lips curved into the faintest of smiles—it was clear that Ellie had his attention. But it was also clear that something about him, about them in this house, felt off. Like there was something dangerous just beneath the surface.

And that’s when it happened. As the group of men began to filter deeper into the house, Tristan suddenly tensed, his body locking up like a predator sensing danger. His sharp eyes darted toward the back of the house, and I could feel the change in the atmosphere. There was an undercurrent of anger, something volatile stirring beneath his calm exterior. He stood still for a moment, his gaze unwavering, as if waiting for something.

The air grew thick with anticipation, and my gut tightened in response. Then, from below, a voice rang out, booming across the room with such force that it made the walls vibrate.

“WHERE THE f**k IS SHE?!”

The words cut through the silence like a knife, shattering the tension in an instant. The force behind them was so powerful, it seemed to shake the very foundation of the house. Everyone went still. Even Tristan’s eyes, which had been so cold and calculating just moments before, now held a flicker of something—recognition, frustration, and something darker I couldn’t name.