Leona's fingers trembled as she stared at the glowing screen. The words seemed to pulse with malice, each letter a threat she couldn't quite comprehend but felt deep in her bones.
"Ma'am, are you alright?" Her driver's voice cut through her spiraling thoughts.
She quickly locked her phone and forced a smile. "Yes, Marcus. I'm fine. Just tired. Let's go home."
The car pulled away from the curb, and Leona pressed her forehead against the cool window, watching the city lights blur past. Her mind raced faster than the vehicle carrying her. Who had sent that message? How did they know what she had seen? And more importantly, who was coming for her?
She pulled up the message again, reading it over and over as if the words might change or reveal some hidden meaning. The number was blocked, untraceable. Whoever sent it didn't want to be found.
Her phone buzzed again, and she nearly dropped it. But this time it was just Thaila.
"Did you get home safe?"
Leona hesitated, her thumb hovering over the keyboard. Should she tell them about the message? Dorian would lose his mind, probably insist on moving into her house to protect her. Thaila would want to investigate immediately, putting herself in danger.
"Not yet. On my way now," she typed back, deliberately avoiding the real question she knew her friend was asking.
"Good. Because those pictures are creepy as hell. Dorian thinks we should take them to someone who might know about this stuff."
"Like who?"
"He mentioned some old werewolf scholar who lives on the outskirts of town. Apparently he knows about all the supernatural creatures that exist beyond our kind."
Leona's interest piqued despite her fear. "Set up a meeting. Tomorrow if possible."
"Will do. Sleep tight and don't let the vampires bite."
Leona laughed despite herself. "You're not funny."
"I'm hilarious and you know it."
The car pulled up to her family's estate, the massive iron gates swinging open automatically. The main house loomed ahead, all stone and glass and old money. Her father's pride and joy, built to showcase the power of their pack.
"Thank you, Marcus. You can go home now."
"Are you sure, ma'am? Your father said I should wait until you're safely inside."
Leona sighed. Of course he did. "I'll be fine. It's just a few steps to the door."
Marcus looked uncertain but nodded. "Call if you need anything."
She walked up the stone pathway, her heels clicking against the ground. The house was dark except for a single light in her father's study. She could see his silhouette through the window, hunched over his desk as usual, probably reviewing pack business or planning his next political move.
She should tell him about tonight. About the bodies, the strange boy, the message. He would know what to do, how to protect the pack from whatever threat was emerging.
But something held her back. Maybe it was the way he had looked at her when she came back from her training, like she was a weapon he had sharpened and was eager to use. Maybe it was the constant pressure to be perfect, to be strong, to be the alpha he wanted her to become.
Or maybe it was simpler than that. Maybe she just wanted to solve this mystery herself, to prove that she was capable of handling threats without running to daddy for help.
She unlocked the front door quietly and slipped inside, heading straight for her room on the second floor. The house was silent, just the way she liked it. Most of the staff had gone home hours ago, and her father was too absorbed in his work to notice her arrival.
Her room was exactly as she had left it that morning. Bed made, curtains drawn, everything in its place. She kicked off her heels and collapsed onto the mattress, staring up at the ceiling.
The message haunted her. "He's coming for you."
Who was he? The boy in the black hoodie? But why would he come for her specifically? She had followed him, yes, but she hadn't done anything to threaten him. She had even helped him when he was injured, in a way.
Unless that was the problem. Maybe he didn't want witnesses. Maybe everyone who saw him ended up dead, and she was next on his list.
Her phone buzzed again. Another text from the same unknown number.
"You can't hide in that big house forever. The walls won't protect you from what's coming."
Leona bolted upright, her heart hammering. Whoever this was, they knew where she lived. They were watching her right now.
She rushed to the window and peered out into the darkness, searching for any sign of movement in the gardens below. Nothing. Just shadows and moonlight.
She grabbed her phone and called Thalia.
"Hello? Leona, it's like two in the morning, what's wrong?"
"Someone's threatening me. They sent me messages. They know where I live and they're watching me right now."
The sleepiness vanished from Thalia's voice instantly. "What? What did they say?"
Leona read both messages aloud, her voice shaking slightly despite her efforts to stay calm.
"Oh my God. You need to tell your father. Right now."
"No. I can't. He'll lock me up in this house and never let me out again. You know how he gets."
"Leona, this is serious. Someone is literally stalking you."
"I know that. But I also know that if I tell him, he'll assign me a dozen bodyguards and cancel all my freedoms. I'll never get to investigate what's really happening."
Thaila was quiet for a moment. "You're really more concerned about solving this mystery than your own safety?"
"I'm concerned about both. Look, just come over tomorrow morning with Dorian. We'll figure this out together. And bring those pictures."
"Fine. But if anything else happens tonight, you call me immediately. And maybe lock your doors and windows. Like, all of them."
"Already on it."
Leona ended the call and went around her room, checking every possible entry point. Windows locked. Balcony door secured. Bedroom door bolted. She even checked the bathroom window, which seemed ridiculous but she wasn't taking chances.
Satisfied that she was as safe as she could be, she changed into her pajamas and climbed back into bed. But sleep wouldn't come. Every creak of the old house made her jump. Every rustle of wind outside had her reaching for the knife she kept in her nightstand.
At some point around four in the morning, exhaustion finally won. She drifted off into a restless sleep filled with dark figures and black blood and whispered threats that echoed in her mind.
She woke to sunlight streaming through her curtains and the smell of coffee drifting up from the kitchen. For a moment, she felt disoriented, unsure if the previous night had been real or just a nightmare.
Then she saw her phone on the nightstand, and reality came crashing back.
Three new messages. All from the same unknown number.
"Sweet dreams?"
"Tick tock, little wolf."
"Today is the day we meet properly."
Her blood ran cold. This wasn't just some random threat. Whoever this was, they were playing with her, enjoying her fear.
Well, they had picked the wrong person to mess with.
Leona a jumped out of bed and headed for the shower, her mind already forming a plan. If this person wanted to meet, then they would meet. But it would be on her terms, not theirs.
She dressed quickly in jeans and a tank top, practical clothes she could move in. As she was pulling on her boots, her father knocked on the door.
"Leona? Are you awake?"
She opened the door, putting on her best innocent daughter smile. "Good morning, Father."
He looked tired, like he hadn't slept much either. "I heard you came in late last night. How was the club?"
"Fine. Just the usual college scene. Nothing exciting."
He studied her face, and for a moment she worried that he could see through her lie. He had always been good at reading people, especially her.
"Good. Because I need you focused today. We have a pack meeting this afternoon, and I want you there. It's time you started taking a more active role in leadership."
"Of course. I'll be there."
He nodded, satisfied. "Also, there was an incident at a club downtown last night. Multiple deaths. The police are calling it a gang attack, but I'm not so sure. Have you heard anything?"
Leona's heart skipped a beat, but she kept her expression neutral. "No, nothing. Should I be worried?"
"Just be careful. Whatever caused those deaths might still be out there."
If only he knew how right he was.