by Holly Hook
Then he looks at me, frowning. “I can't. Don't ask me again.”
“Stop letting them control you,” I say.
Remo waves Cayden away from me. He obeys like a dog on a leash. I hate my brain for making that comparison. I watch the two walk off, but Everly stays and leans against concrete brick of the corner.
“You can't take a hint, can you?” she asks. “How many does he have to give you? Sorry, but Cayden's not interested.”
She turns away, leaving me standing in the doorway.
For the first time since he met me in my room, a mountain falls on me, crushing everything inside. A crash reverberates through my head as pain throbs in my chest. Cayden won't even look at me anymore. One explanation fits: he's moving on. And maybe all this time, I was a fun distraction from the prison walls that surround his life.
* * * * *
Rehearsal drags that evening, and Noah and I struggle in our bulky costumes. We coordinate lighting with our dances. Opening night closes in like a noose, and though I feel I have a good grip on my lines and on the dancing, Noah struggles with the steps as he sings. Nervousness fills his eyes, and I hate I wasn't able to get Cayden back to relieve him from this task. Though not one to suffer stage fright, this play is different. Noah has never had to do so much in his life.
Mr. Saffron has us do take after take, determined to make this play perfect. Sweat forms on his temples. He's struggling with his favorites gone. At last, he claps and announces that we're done rehearsing this evening, and might make this work. But I don't miss the doubt in his voice.
Changing and putting everything away takes time—this was our first full costume rehearsal—and by the time Noah and I leave, night has fallen. A chill hangs in the air as we walk across the parking lot with only the stars overhead to guide us. Around us, everyone hurries to their cars. Engines start and people take off, determined to get home and catch up on homework we're pushing back.
“Is everything okay?” Noah asks.
“Yes.”
“You've been distant.”
I think of the pistol under the seat of my car and eye the tree line, which has become a habit of mine since Olivia got attacked. I open the door to my car though Noah still stands there. Despite trying to look otherwise, I'm sending the signal I'm eager to get away from him. Even in the dark, I don't miss the look of hurt that comes over his face.
“Hey. I know I'm not a girl, but you can tell me stuff,” Noah says. “Do I need to get a sex change for that to happen?” He smiles.
“I'm just worried about my aunt. Plus, I've never had the lead in anything before. It's a lot to get used to. We're both super stressed.” I can't tell him about my family's legacy or the fact I've told Cayden things I'd never dare say to anyone else. “And no, a sex change isn't necessary. I love you the way you are.”
“That's a relief,” he says. “Then I wouldn't fit the part of the Beast in any way, shape, or form. I'm just not feeling this role. We need someone more...broody.”
“I've been trying to get Cayden to come back, but he's being a jerk.” My chest hurts as I mention his name. “And I think you nailed it on the head. He is perfect for that role, especially when he still treats Belle like crap.”
“Are you having problems with him?” Noah asks.
“Are you sure you're not a girl? You're observant.”
“Yes, I'm sure. Sorry, Brie. I knew there was a problem.”
I feel as if some of that mountain has come off me, allowing me to take a breath. “It's complicated. Thanks for listening, Noah. Cayden sends me nothing but mixed signals.”
“In exchange, you need to hang out with us more again once the play is over.” He wags his finger at me.
“I promise and I plan on it.” It's not as if Cayden will sweep back into my life. Today, he made that clear.
Noah raises his hand for a fist bump. I return it, forcing a smile. Once the play is over, things will be back to normal. After Cayden, I'm not sure if I can dive back in.
I watch Noah get into his own car and drive off. Closed in mine, I realize I'm alone. It's just me and the yellow sodium light shining on the side of the school. Even Mr. Saffron has taken off at this point. My gaze lands on the exit door. On the other side, Cayden and I kissed for the first time.
I should drive away now and get home, but I can't. The memory freezes me and I grip the steering wheel. Does Cayden think of that moment where I said I didn't care about him being a werewolf? It was the first time anyone's said that to him and opened the door to the rest of the world. Does he miss me, too?
Wetness trickles down my cheeks. How can he stay away? Why does he lock himself in his prison?
I wipe my eyes with my sleeve, glad no one's here to witness my breakdown. This is the first moment I've had where I don't have to act or practice. It feels good to let it out.
Movement teases the corner of my vision.
Heart leaping, I snap my gaze to the tree line, where the radius of soft light ends.
My logical side says dog, but the fearful, primitive part screams something else. The creature lingers at the edge of the forest. I glimpse gray fur. The wolf takes a step closer, emerging into light, and wild, savage eyes full of darkness lock on my car. The wolf stands almost as high as my waist. Hackles rise on the creature's back as it approaches the car, nothing to block its way.
This wolf isn't Cayden.
Even with the limited info I have, I know the truth: this one will hurt me. I have only a sheet of thin glass between me and a creature capable of ripping out my throat.
Start the car.
A tiny, terrified voice echoes in my head. I jam the key in the ignition, breaking my paralysis, and I turn the key to a familiar sound: the car struggling to turn over.
“Not now,” I shout, because there's no sense in staying quiet anymore. The monster has spotted me. I'll be the next girl to end up in the hospital if I survive.
I try starting it again, but the spark plugs won't cooperate. It's such a horror movie trope I almost want to laugh. But then I check the parking lot to see that the light gray wolf has closed half the distance with only fifty feet to go. It takes its time.
The pistol.
Scrambling, I reach under my seat. Until now, I thought firing on a vicious werewolf would be easy, but now the thought makes my heart race. Maybe if the creature sees it, it will run away.
My fingers close on nothing. The weapon has slipped farther under the seat and instead of getting up and climbing to the back to get it out, ice seizes me again.
I dare to look.
The wolf locks eyes with me. It slows, relishing the moment. Shoulder blades rise and fall. Maybe adrenaline makes meat better. Even from behind glass, a growl reaches me. Hunger fills the monster's eyes. Its jaw falls open, revealing dagger teeth. It closes the last thirty feet to my flimsy car.
Another growl follows and the gray wolf freezes, snapping its gaze up. Confusion fills me, but then something thumps on the roof of the car, drawing a scream from my throat. A black form lands between me and the gray wolf, having leapt over the car. A black wolf. Hackles rise as the newcomer growls at the gray wolf.
Cayden.
It has to be him. In the dull light, there are no red highlights, but it's unmistakable. Transfixed, I watch as the gray wolf stays in place, facing down its challenger.
The gray wolf bares two rows of teeth, pulling the flesh of its jaw back. Cayden doesn't back down. They'll brawl and one of them might die. This gray wolf doesn't have regard for its own kind, either. It will leap. Then it will sink its teeth into Cayden's flesh.
“Cayden, run!” My voice hits glass.
Cayden fake-charges the other wolf, and the gray creature backpedals, pauses, and runs off into the night.
I don't dare move for what feels like minutes, and neither does Cayden. My heart swells. He hasn't left. Never has. Cayden has only retreated to the background, allowing me to feel that hope once again.
At last, as he watch
es the tree line for the other wolf, I summon the guts to open the car door.
I stand.
He remains in place, but looks back at me. Our gazes meet, and I stare into strange hazel eyes. They carry a fierce protectiveness, but also a heavy sadness.
“Cayden,” I say.
He snorts, and as if sensing terror, he runs away.
Chapter Twenty
“You'll knock them all dead, Brie,” Ellie says, zipping up the back of my peasant dress.
I gulp and focus on the other side of the makeup room. Now that the big night is here, my stomach turns over from nerves. All my acting career, I've been a voice in the background, easy to miss.
Now I will have all eyes on me. Me, and Noah. We're going to screw this up together. Ellie finishes zipping up the dress and hands me my library book. The dress itself puts pressure on my chest, making it harder to breathe. Or is it my imagination?
Weeks of rehearsing haven't prepared me for this. I eye the makeup room. Olivia's dresses hang in the corner, unused, as a just-in-case measure according to Mr. Saffron. Our teacher still has his hopes raised. On the other side of the room, the makeup crew fits the rubber parts of Noah's Beast makeup to his face. He grips his chair in a way I've never seen before.
He's going through this and he won't even get to fake kiss Olivia. I might not like her, but Noah's been waiting years for an opportunity only to see it slip away.
Before I can send him encouragement, one of the makeup girls shoves me into a chair.
“Turn this way,” Carlie says, grabbing my chin and armed with a makeup brush. “I need to get this spot right above your eye.”
As I do, I check the door to see if Cayden's coming through. Nope. We haven't spoken or seen each other since the night in the parking lot. The hope I dared allow to bloom has had another petal fall off each day. There aren't many left. How can he let us down like this, knowing we'll flop? Mr. Saffron will never let me play the lead again, even if Olivia suffers from another wolf attack.
Now that I have the lead, I'm not enjoying it.
“Thanks,” I say to Carlie. I wish I was one of the makeup girls so I wouldn't have to deal with letting everyone down.
Once dressed with my face done up, I stagger away from the makeup girls, skirt flowing around my legs. Not all the petals have fallen off yet, so I make my way backstage. Low chatter fills the auditorium. Aunt May will come to watch and that makes me feel worse, and not just because I'll be the only one without parents. She'll see us flop, too.
But there's always the chance Cayden will hang in the background, keeping on eye on me. The scene in the parking lot tells me there's a chance. The stage is empty at this moment, so I peek through the curtain to the people sitting in the darkness.
Most of the chairs are still empty, but I'm surprised to see Olivia sitting in the back, leg in a cast and propped up on the empty chair in front of her. She has her injury on display. No crutches sit next to her, but a pair sit propped against the back wall. People have already written get well messages on her cast and drawn purple hearts. She sits alone, but the look on her face almost makes me feel sorry for her, even if she is doing it for attention. The wolf attack ripped her out of her role she auditioned for, and now she can only sit here and watch.
But there's no Cayden.
After searching even the dark corners and eyeing the ticket collectors at the door, I don't see him.
“Hey. Are you Brie? Sorry if I'm wrong, but you're in costume—”
I turn to find Wyatt standing just a few feet away in the backstage area. He shifts leg to leg like he's nervous.
“Wyatt?” I ask. The sight of him should cheer me up, but there's something serious in his eyes. “What's wrong?”
“I...” he says. Then he eyes the backstage door like he's debating on leaving. “Cayden's in trouble. Or he will be. I told him not to go, but I know he might listen to you.”
“He's in trouble?” My mind goes to the gray wolf which I haven't thought about all day thanks to the play. “What's going on?” My nerves about the play take backstage.
“I'll tell you if you drive us,” Wyatt says.
It's an ultimatum. Wyatt's sweet and wouldn't give me one if he wasn't desperate. He shifts leg to leg, eyes shining. I look around, but there's no one else back here but the lighting crew up above. I think of Olivia out there in the audience and of Noah, and I gulp, knowing this is my chance to make things right. “Give me a minute,” I say.
“Please hurry.”
Though Mr. Saffron always clarifies we're not to mingle with the audience before or after the play, or at any point, I part the curtains and wave at Olivia. Then I think of Noah and realize I'm wasting valuable time if I try talking to Olivia myself. Noah will leap at the opportunity. I've seen Olivia at school today, and she can walk with a limp without crutches. She's only given vague details about her injury. Maybe she's not as hurt as people think.
So I leave Wyatt and head back to the makeup room. Having the most makeup to deal with, Noah is still there, so I tap on his shoulder.
He fake growls at me, which is appropriate considering the situation.
“You need to tell Olivia to play Belle tonight,” I say.
Noah gapes at me. “What? But she's hurt.”
“Olivia is trying to get attention. Admit it,” I say. “She can walk. We both saw her. You need to go out there and tell her she needs to play Belle tonight. I have to leave. There's been a family emergency.”
“Is it your aunt?”
“She's got a bad cough,” I lie. “They admitted her in the hospital. I don't think it's life or death, but I still have to go.”
Noah rises, Beast makeup complete. “Then I'll talk to her.”
“Thanks. Knock them dead. Rock that kiss.”
“What about you?”
“I'll be fine,” I lie, though I'm shaking inside. “It's a cough, but I need to be there, you know?”
“Good luck.” Noah winks.
For the first time that day, Noah smiles. I hope this gives him the chance he's always wanted. Now that he might have it, his whole attitude changes.
The play might be a success.
I don't even stay to see his reaction or watch him talk to Olivia. Once I'm gone, she won't have a choice but to perform.
Wyatt is waiting for me near the auditorium door. I follow him outside, still in my peasant costume, and leave the book on the ticket booth, which draws a look of confusion from the kid collecting tickets. Wyatt grabs my hand and pulls me through the parking lot, and I spot Aunt May standing near the line as if she expected me to come out of the school. She, too, wears a look of confusion.
“Brie, why aren't you backstage? You're not supposed to mingle with us beforehand."
“Look, I have a friend in trouble, so I need to go,” I say. “I'm sorry you won't get to watch me in the play. I know you wanted to, but—”
“You're just like your mother,” she says in a tone that warns me to stay.
“Huh?” I stop, and Wyatt does as well and waits for me, tapping his foot.
Does Aunt May know something about this? It shouldn't be a shock, considering the box in the attic, but it seems she's onto this more than I thought.
“Don't do this,” she orders. “Either act, or go home. I won't let you get yourself into a world you know nothing about. If you step through this doorway, you're never coming back. Do you understand?”
“What do you know?” I look to Wyatt as if he might have the answers, but he shrugs and eyes the parking lot. The Beater waits.
“Don't do this.” She lowers her voice to a dangerous pitch.
"Please," Wyatt says.
“Wyatt, come on,” I say. “People will die if I don't go.”
Aunt May shakes her head as Wyatt and I weave through people, drawing stares from those getting out of cars. I leave the school behind right along with Noah, who gets to live his dream. Aunt May runs behind us as I reach my car and unlock the door, praying it s
tarts this time. Wyatt gets in the front passenger seat and I get into the driver's, but before I can lock the door, Aunt May climbs into the back. I curse under my breath. It's too late to get her out.
She answers my question before I can ask it. “If I can't stop you, Brie, then I'm going with you.”
There's no time for me to piece together why Aunt May is coming along for the ride or how she knows anything about the Lowes. It's not a shock she knows about werewolves, given that her brother married into a family of hunters, so I don't ask her about that. But what surprises me is that she seems to have figured out the Lowes' big secret, and she hasn't said a word about the truth until now.
Of course, she's not the type to be honest with me.
"Okay. Drive through downtown, and then make a left at the light," he says, talking so fast he can barely catch his breath. I search the area for those suspicious guys again, but they're nowhere. And that doesn't make me feel better.
I start driving. “Tell,” I order Cayden's brother.
This time, he doesn't hesitate. It's as if Aunt May isn't even there. Wyatt doesn't care about her presence—or maybe he went to our house and told her first. What is going on?
“Cayden came home from school angry today,” Wyatt explains. “And I know when he's angry, believe me. He said something about driving out the Baltic Wolves so he can be with the girl he loves.” The kid pauses and nods at me, trying to convey meaning.
I almost stomp on the brake. But we drive through the outskirts of town now and I keep going. My heart races. Cayden still loves me.
“And?” I press.
“Our family just wanted to settle down somewhere,” Wyatt says. “But after we got here, the Baltic Wolves showed up and they're bad. They're a pack of Savage Wolves. They don't care about human life like us Noble Wolves. Cayden said we should fight them and drive them out, but our parents made a truce with them instead. The Baltic Wolves said they wanted to settle and not challenge our territory, but they've been attacking people in neighboring towns. No one's died yet, but it won't take long. They say attacking people in neighboring towns doesn't violate their truce. But then they attacked the girl I saw in the audience after we made the truce. They broke it, but our father still doesn't want to strike.”
