(Aria's POV)
It had been three days since Lucian Blackwell walked into the diner, and Ravenwood had done what it always did best — turned a single moment into a dozen rumors.
By the time Wednesday rolled around, people were whispering that the stranger in black had come from the north side of town, that he was staying at the old cabin near the lake, that he was dangerous, or worse — that he was one of them.
I told myself I didn't care.
Except I did.
Every time I tried to focus, my mind drifted back to his voice, the way he said my name like it belonged to him.
I hated that I remembered that.
The morning started quiet. Gray skies, drizzle tapping against the window, the smell of rain mixing with coffee. I was wiping down the counter when the bell above the door jingled.
"Morning, sunshine," Tessa sang, sliding into the booth beside me. "You've been weird lately."
"I'm always weird."
She smirked. "You've been extra weird. Like—checking-your-phone-for-a-text-that's-never-coming weird."
I froze halfway through wiping the counter. "What makes you think I'm waiting for a text?"
"Because you've been jumpy every time the bell rings," she said. "Who is he?"
I opened my mouth to deny it, but before I could, a group of high school kids came in, their laughter cutting through the diner's quiet hum.
"Did you hear?" one of them said as they sat down. "Someone saw a huge wolf near the lake last night."
"Bullshit," another replied. "There haven't been wolves here in years."
"No, seriously. Big one. Amber eyes."
My stomach dropped.
Amber eyes.
I turned away before Tessa could see my face, busying myself with coffee cups that didn't need refilling.
"Aria?"
"Hmm?"
She lowered her voice. "You went near the woods again, didn't you?"
I hesitated. "I didn't say that."
"You didn't have to."
I sighed, leaning on the counter. "Tess, if I tell you something, can you promise not to—"
The door opened again, and the world seemed to tilt.
Lucian.
He walked in like a storm in slow motion. Same black shirt, same cold composure, same eyes that found me before anything else in the room.
Tessa whispered, "Oh my God, it's him."
He ignored everyone, walking straight to the counter. "A word."
Tessa raised a brow. "You two know each other?"
I forced a smile. "Nope. Not at all."
Lucian's jaw flexed. "Now, Aria."
I hated that his voice made my stomach flip. I followed him outside, arms folded tight. The rain had picked up, misting the air.
"What do you want?" I snapped.
"You didn't stay away."
"Congratulations on your observation skills."
He exhaled through his nose, frustration flickering in his eyes. "You don't understand what's happening here. The more you cross paths with me, the harder it gets to keep you safe."
"Safe from what? You? Or the giant wolf you turn into on weekends?"
His expression darkened. "You think this is a joke?"
"I think you owe me an explanation," I shot back.
We stood in the rain, close enough that I could feel the heat radiating from him. He looked at me like he wanted to say something else, something softer—but instead, he stepped closer.
"You're curious," he murmured, voice low. "But curiosity can get you killed in Ravenwood."
"And being cryptic makes you what? Some kind of mysterious bad boy with a tragic past?"
His lips twitched — half amusement, half warning. Then, before I could process it, he leaned in, his breath ghosting over my cheek.
"Careful, Aria. Keep pushing, and I might just prove you right."
My heart stuttered. For a second, I thought he might actually kiss me.
But then he straightened, turning away.
"I'll be seeing you," he said quietly.
I swallowed hard, watching him disappear into the mist again.
Tessa appeared behind me, eyes wide. "I take it back," she whispered. "He's not your type. He's everybody's type."
I tried to laugh, but my heart was still racing.
And somewhere deep in the forest, far beyond the diner lights, a howl broke through the rain.
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End of Chapter 3 — Rumors in Ravenwood