Chapter Two — The Man Who Never Slept
881 Words
Amara quickly discovered that Daniel was unlike every servant who had ever worked for her family.
He was quiet.
Too quiet.
He never complained.
He never asked for more money.
He never talked about himself.
And most strangely, he never seemed to sleep.
For the first few days, Amara ignored it.
She had more important things to worry about.
Her father's company was experiencing financial problems, and her father had begun pressuring her to marry Victor Hale, the son of one of his business partners.
Victor was wealthy, handsome, educated, and completely wrong for her.
He treated people according to their social status.
Amara hated that.
One evening, Victor came to dinner.
He arrived wearing an expensive suit and carrying a bouquet of roses.
“Amara,” he said with a smile.
“Victor.”
He kissed her cheek.
She forced a smile.
Daniel was serving dinner.
Victor looked at him.
“Is this the new houseboy?”
“Yes.”
Victor laughed.
“Interesting. Your father is really cutting costs.”
Daniel remained silent.
Amara frowned.
“Victor, that's enough.”
“What?”
“He's a person, not a joke.”
Victor shrugged.
Daniel continued serving the food.
But Amara noticed his hands.
They were clenched tightly.
After dinner, Victor left.
Amara found Daniel outside in the garden.
He was standing beneath an enormous tree.
“Daniel?”
He turned.
“Yes?”
“You didn't like Victor.”
Daniel looked away.
“He doesn't respect you.”
Amara smiled.
“You noticed?”
“Everyone notices.”
She stepped closer.
“You barely know me.”
“I know enough.”
There was something in his voice that made her heart tremble.
“Daniel…”
He looked into her eyes.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then he suddenly stepped backward.
“Go inside.”
“What?”
“Please.”
“Why?”
His breathing had changed.
He looked as though he was fighting something inside himself.
“Just go inside, Amara.”
She stared at him.
Then she obeyed.
That night, Daniel disappeared.
Amara woke around midnight and noticed his bedroom door was open.
She walked downstairs.
The back door was unlocked.
She stepped outside.
The moon was bright.
Then she heard footsteps in the forest behind the house.
“Daniel?”
No answer.
She walked toward the trees.
A strange feeling warned her to stop.
Instead, she continued.
Suddenly, something moved behind her.
Amara turned.
Nothing.
Then she heard a growl.
This time it was closer.
Much closer.
She ran.
Branches scratched her arms as she rushed back toward the house.
She reached the garden and fell.
A massive creature emerged from the trees.
It was covered in dark fur.
Its eyes glowed golden.
Amara screamed.
The creature moved toward her.
Then it stopped.
It stared at her.
Something about its eyes felt familiar.
Before it could come closer, a gunshot echoed through the forest.
The creature turned and disappeared.
Amara remained on the ground, shaking.
Moments later, Daniel appeared.
His shirt was torn.
His hair was wet.
He was breathing heavily.
“Amara!”
He rushed toward her.
“Are you hurt?”
She stared at him.
“Where were you?”
Daniel froze.
“I…”
She looked at his torn clothes.
Then toward the forest.
“Daniel, what was that?”
He said nothing.
“Answer me.”
“I can't.”
“Why?”
“Because if I tell you, you'll never look at me the same way again.”
Amara slowly stood.
“Try me.”
Daniel looked into her eyes.
And for the first time since he had arrived at the house, fear appeared clearly on his face.
“Amara…”
“Yes?”
“I am not the man you think I am.”
She waited.
He swallowed.
“I'm dangerous.”
Amara stared at him.
Then she whispered:
“Are you a criminal?”
Daniel shook his head.
“No.”
“A murderer?”
“No.”
“Then what are you?”
Daniel looked toward the forest.
The moonlight touched his face.
“My kind has existed long before your family built this house.”
Amara's heart began racing.
“What does that mean?”
Daniel stepped closer.
“It means you should stay away from me.”
She looked into his eyes.
But instead of fear, something else was growing inside her.
Curiosity.
And something dangerously close to attraction.
“I don't want to stay away from you.”
Daniel's expression broke.
“Amara, you don't understand.”
“Then make me understand.”
He looked at her for a long moment.
Then he whispered:
“I am a werewolf.”
The world seemed to stop.
Amara stared at him.
Daniel waited for her to scream.
She didn't.
Instead, she whispered:
“Show me.”
His eyes widened.
“Show you what?”
“The truth.”
Daniel stepped backward.
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because once you see me, there is no going back.”
Amara stepped closer.
“Then let me see.”
And somewhere in the darkness, another wolf answered with a howl.
Daniel's face changed.
He knew that howl.
Someone else had found them.
Someone who wanted Amara dead.
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