The Eyes That Lingers
297 Words
The morning came too quietly.
Aria knew the moment she stepped outside the pack house that something had shifted. The air felt… heavier. Like the forest itself was holding its breath.
Across the training field, warriors moved as usual.
But Selene was watching.
Not obvious.
Not careless.
Just… present.
Aria felt it like a fingertip dragging slowly down her spine.
Ryan stepped beside her, close enough that his shoulder brushed hers.
“You didn’t sleep,” he murmured.
It wasn’t a question.
Aria exhaled slowly. “Neither did you.”
For a second just one his hand hovered near the small of her back.
Not touching
Not quite.
But her wolf surged forward anyway.
Hungry.
Awake.
Behind them…
Selene’s gaze sharpened.
The forest hadn’t felt right since that night.
Aria noticed it the moment she stepped beyond the pack house the way the wind moved differently… the way her wolf refused to settle.
Restless.
Alert.
Waiting.
Her boots crunched softly over fallen leaves as she walked the outer trail, arms folded loosely across her chest. Dawn had barely broken, but sleep had been impossible anyway.
Ryan.
Her wolf stirred at the thought, tail flicking in quiet irritation or anticipation. At this point, Aria wasn’t sure which was worse.
Footsteps approached from behind.
Measured.
Confident.
Too familiar.
“You keep wandering off alone.”
Ryan’s voice slid over her spine like warm smoke.
Aria didn’t turn immediately.
“I like quiet,” she replied.
A pause.
Then closer
Too close.
“You’re not looking for quiet,” Ryan said softly. “You’re listening.”
Her pulse jumped.
Because the worst part?
He wasn’t wrong.
Before she could respond
Her wolf surged suddenly.
Hard.
Violent.
Aria stiffened.
Ryan went deadly still.
“…there it is again,” he murmured.
- Writer
