The Wolves: Part One: Lost

Chapter 8: Unexpected Invitations

Chapter 8

I hovered outside Ally’s door for a few more seconds, the girls' laughter still echoing softly through the c***k. My jaw tightened, mind spinning with everything I’d overheard—the crush talk, Dean’s name, and worse, Cole Draven’s.

A breath slipped from my chest as I steadied myself, pushing the mess of thoughts aside. I wasn’t here to snoop, no matter how much their words rattled around in my head. I’d deal with that later. Right now, my only focus was making sure they were both safe—and that Lena never uncovered the truth about the world she was brushing up against.

I knocked lightly, pushing the door open just enough to see inside.

“Come in,” Ally called, suspicion lacing her voice.

Lena was curled up on Ally’s bed, half-buried in the mountain of blankets, her dark hair spilling across the pillow like ink against pale sheets. Her cheeks still held a faint, flushed warmth from their teasing, and the corners of her mouth twitched in a barely-contained smile as she swatted at Ally’s arm. She looked… comfortable here. Like this house, this room, still felt like hers.

And for a second, it took me back—to summers when we were all younger, when she'd run through this house barefoot, laughing, eating dinner with my family like it was her own. Before life got complicated. Before I left. Before this town dragged us all under.

But now… now there was a heaviness in the room beneath the teasing. Neither of them understood. And Lena? She had no idea how close she was to the things that lurked beneath the surface of Black Hollow—the things that could tear all of this apart.

My jaw tensed, pushing the protective instinct down as I cleared my throat.

“Hey,” I said casually, forcing the teasing grin back onto my face. “Don’t let me interrupt the… *serious girl talk*.”

Ally rolled her eyes, flopping dramatically onto her back. “Please, you love interrupting.”

Lena shifted, brushing her hair behind her ear, the same nervous habit she had as a kid. It tugged at something familiar in my chest.

“What do you want?” Ally asked, smirking.

“Mom sent me,” I replied, keeping my gaze mostly on Lena, watching her carefully. “She wants Lena to stay for dinner. Says it’s been too long, and you’re practically family anyway.”

Lena blinked, visibly surprised, but a soft smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. “I mean… I don’t want to impose—”

“You’re not,” I interrupted, a little too quickly, trying to sound indifferent. “You know Mom. She’ll be offended if you say no.”

Ally sat up, beaming. “Perfect, you’re staying. No arguments.”

Lena bit her lip, hesitating only for a second before nodding. “Okay… yeah. It’s been a while.”

Her voice was quieter now, but it carried warmth—the kind I remembered from when we were kids running around this house like maniacs, before… well, before everything changed.

Ally grinned, clearly satisfied, as I pushed off the doorframe to leave, but not before sending one last glance Lena’s way.

For a moment, her stormy eyes met mine, unreadable, and I wondered how much of our past still lingered for her, too.

“See you downstairs,” I said simply, then turned, jaw tight as I headed back down the hall—pushing down the questions and frustration still simmering under the surface.

Nate POV

Nate lingered by the hallway, jaw tense, when his mother, Cassandra McCall, stepped out from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a dish towel. Her dark hair was pulled into a sleek ponytail, her sharp hazel eyes already reading the storm brewing on his face.

"Nate," she called, stopping him with a look before he could retreat to his room. "Your father and I finalized dinner plans for tonight." She hesitated just long enough for his gut to twist. "Cole Draven will be joining us."

Nate's expression darkened instantly. "You invited him here? While Lena's staying over?"

Cassandra's brow lifted, unfazed by his tone. "Your father suggested it."

"Why?" His voice dropped, barely containing his frustration. "Why bring that thing into our home? You know exactly what he is, and Lena—she doesn't know anything. Neither does Ally."

"Exactly," Cassandra interjected, folding the towel with precise care. "Your father wants to make sure Draven—and the rest of those creatures still lurking—understand that Lena is protected, and that the hunters are watching. Whether she realizes it yet or not, she’s part of this family—part of this world."

She glanced toward the stairs, her expression softening. "And Ally? With that firecracker personality? There’s no point in trying to shield her. She’s one of us, and soon enough, she’ll know everything."

"I don't like it," Nate snapped. "She shouldn't be anywhere near him. I'm talking to Dad. Cancel it."

Before he could storm off, a heavy voice cut through the hallway.

"You won't," came the firm, steady tone of Marcus McCall—Nate's father—emerging from his office, towering, broad-shouldered, exuding the unshakable authority of a man used to being obeyed.

His slate-gray eyes met Nate's without flinching. "You will be polite tonight, Nathaniel. You will show respect, remember your place, and trust your father. There is a reason for everything I do. I would never bring that—animal—into this house if it endangered your sister or Lena."

Nate clenched his fists but didn't argue. His father’s word was law in this house.

"Get dressed," Marcus continued. "Be presentable. Be pleasant. We are McCalls."

Cassandra placed a hand on Nate's arm, squeezing gently before turning toward the stairs.

"Girls," she called, pausing at Ally's door before knocking lightly. "Dinner is at seven, and we have a guest—Mr. Draven. Dress nicely. We're welcoming him properly to Black Hollow."

Ally’s excited squeal echoed from inside the room.

"Are you serious? Mom, I love you," Ally gushed.

"And why exactly are you this excited to have dinner with your teacher, young lady?" Cassandra asked firmly, though the playful tap on Ally's nose softened her tone.

“Mmm, maybe because I’m a McCall, and as the mayor’s daughter, I have to be warm and welcoming,” Ally replied sweetly, her smile innocent, though her eyes sparkled with hidden motives.

“You better be telling the truth, Ally. No funny business—he’s a guest of your father’s, and I expect you to behave. Promise me.”

“Promise,” Ally said quickly, gently nudging her mom toward the door.

“Alright then, you two better get ready. We don’t have much time,” Cassandra called over her shoulder as she walked out.

“Oh, and Lena,” she paused at the door, her smile warm, “I’m so glad you’re staying for dinner, sweetheart.”

“Thank you, Mrs. McCall.”

“Call me Cassie, sweetie,” she corrected with a wink before disappearing down the hall.

Lena POV

Inside, Lena's gray-blue eyes widened, cautious but saying nothing as Ally grabbed her hands.

"It's fate," Ally declared dramatically. "Dinner with Mr. Draven—this is going to be perfect."

Lena forced a small smile, unease simmering beneath the surface, unsure why her instincts screamed that tonight—and Cole Drave weren't going to be so simple.

The room was soon a mess of curling irons, makeup brushes, and discarded clothes as Ally rummaged through her closet, tossing dresses onto the bed with dramatic flair.

“You need to wear this one,” Ally insisted, holding up a soft, sage-green dress with thin straps and a delicate cinched waist. “It brings out your eyes and makes you look—”

“Like I’m about to be paraded around at a dinner I didn’t plan for?” I teased, laughing lightly as I took the dress from her hands.

“Like a goddess,” Ally corrected, winking as she spun toward her own dresser. “Trust me, Draven is going to regret only having eyes for me.”

Rolling my eyes, I slipped into the dress, smoothing the fabric over my hips as I turned toward the mirror. It wasn’t overly fancy—simple, lightweight—but it clung in the right places, flowing down just above my knees. My dark hair, loosened from earlier, cascaded over my shoulders in soft waves, still holding the faintest curl from Ally's rushed styling efforts.

Ally stood beside me now, tugging at the straps of her blush-colored dress and fixing her earrings. The soft pink shade complimented her golden skin, her blonde curls perfectly styled as always.

“Alright,” she declared, fluffing her hair dramatically. “We look stunning. Modest enough to please the parents, but still drop-dead gorgeous.”

I gave her a look, but couldn’t help the small smile tugging at my lips. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Thank you,” she beamed, slipping her feet into nude heels.

We were just finishing—spritzing perfume, adding the last swipe of gloss—when the sound of the doorbell echoed faintly from downstairs.

Ally’s eyes widened with excitement, practically vibrating as she grabbed my hand. “That’s our cue.”

I exhaled, nerves fluttering low in my stomach as we headed for the stairs, the faint hum of conversation and footsteps drifting up toward us.

The night was only just beginning.