—Raya

  Raya Calderon hated her birthday.

  It wasn’t because she was turning eighteen, or because her foster mom insisted on blasting reggaeton at 7 a.m., or even because she had gym first period. No. She hated it because every year felt like a countdown to something she couldn’t name.

  Something wild. Something... waiting.

  This year was worse.

  The scent of copper clung to the air when she woke. Her head pounded like a drum. Her eyes flashed gold in the mirror—just for a second—and she blamed it on sleep.

  She threw on her hoodie, tied up her curls, and shoved the whole weird vibe deep, deep down.

  Senior year wasn’t going to wait for a breakdown.

  Outside the school gym, Lucien Vale leaned against the brick wall like sin in a leather jacket. Tall, athletic, and perpetually half-bored, he barely glanced up when students passed. But when Raya jogged past him on her way to morning practice, his gaze locked.

  He smelled it.

  Not perfume. Not sweat.

  Blood.

  But not just any blood.

  Her blood.

  It called to him. Burned through his control like sunlight.

  Raya paused, catching him staring.

  “What?” she snapped.

  Lucien blinked once, slowly. “Nothing.”

  But as she walked away, he whispered to himself, voice low and haunted:

  “I’ve smelled that before.”

  The hallways of Calderon High buzzed with first-day-of-senior-year energy—backpacks slung low, laughter echoing, sneakers squeaking on waxed linoleum.

  Raya moved through it like a ghost.

  Not because she didn’t exist—but because she was too busy not belonging.

  She nodded to a few teammates from basketball and soccer. They waved back, but never stopped walking. She was friendly. Smart. Pretty, even. But quiet girls with tragic pasts and weird eyes didn’t exactly top the invite lists.

  At least chess club met at lunch.

  She clutched her binder tighter and turned the corner—straight into someone’s chest.

  “Shit—sorry,” she muttered.

  “Watch it,” a deep voice said. Not mean. But amused.

  Lucien Vale.

  Of course.

  Because fate had a sense of humor, and apparently, she was the punchline.

  She looked up—and immediately wished she hadn’t. He was leaning just a little too close, all height and heat and the faint scent of something expensive. His eyes—green with hints of gold—studied her like she was a puzzle missing a few key pieces.

  “You okay?” he asked, almost too casually.

  “I’m fine,” she said quickly, backing up. Her heart was already slamming against her ribs.

  Lucien didn’t move.

  “I saw your eyes earlier,” he said quietly. “Before practice. They weren’t brown.”

  Raya blinked. “They’ve always been brown.”

  “They weren’t this morning.”

  She felt her pulse spike. “Must’ve been the lighting.”

  Lucien’s smirk twitched, but didn’t fully form. “Right. The lighting.”

  For a moment, the hallway noise dimmed. Like they were standing on their own little island in time, and the only things that mattered were the six inches between them—and the way his eyes didn’t let go.

  Then he stepped aside, voice low as he murmured, “Happy birthday, Calderon.”

  She froze. “How did you—?”

  But he was already walking away.

  Raya watched him disappear down the hall, her chest tight.

  She hadn’t told anyone today was her birthday.

  Not a soul.

  —Lucien

  Lucien Vale shouldn’t care.

  She wasn’t even his type—too nerdy, too guarded, too… human.

  But when Raya Calderon brushed past him in the hallway, something ancient in his chest coiled like a serpent sensing a storm.

  He'd smelled it again.

  That blood.

  That scent.

  Not just human. Not just wolf.

  Something rarer. Older. Like moonlight in a bottle, cracked open and spilled into her veins.

  His fangs had nearly dropped right there in the hallway. In front of everyone.

  Lucien slammed his locker shut, jaw tight. No one noticed—because no one ever noticed when a predator walked calmly among them. He’d trained for that.

  But this girl?

  This girl with her dark curls and golden eyes—yes, they were gold, even if she tried to hide it—

  She was undoing him.

  Get a grip, he told himself.

  He should be focused on Alaric’s growing paranoia, on the council meeting that night, on making sure no one knew the Vampyr blood still burned in him. Still allowed him to shift. Still made him dangerous.

  Not on a girl who smelled like moonfire and memory.

  He took the stairs two at a time, needing air.

  Because for the first time in years…

  his fangs weren’t craving blood.

  They were craving her.

  “Hey!” Before he could get too far his path was blocked by James Vale, his distant cousin. “Where’ you going?”

  “To get some air.” Lucien said quickly, trying-but failing-to shove past.

  James slid an arm around Lucien guiding him back downstairs.

  “Oh, good. We can skip school together.” James replied.

  Lucien obliged, but still protested, “Jay, they’re gonna call our parents if we skip class.”

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  “Oooh, I’m so scared. I might be grounded.” James laughed. “Vampires don’t give a fuck about school!”

  They made their way to their family owned pub. There would be a party later that night they were hosting. Their back-to-school blitzer. It always ended in some pretty wild memories. James had been asking Lucien to help since the end of the school year. After finally giving in, Lucien agreed to look over the guest list.

  Lucien didn’t care who came. It was always the same. As a vampire they’d lived through many generations. Each century or so they live it one of two ways: as reckless teens or mid-twenties adults. There was no in between. This century had been reckless teens. And usually, Lucien was all for it. This time, though, there was one different variable: Raya.

  He couldn’t get her out of his mind. He realized after scrolling through the list twice he was looking for her name.

  “Ay, Jay!” Lucien called out.

  James popped his head from one of rooms.

  “What?” He called back.

  “Can I add to the list? Instead of removing I mean.” Lucien asked.

  James blinked, a grin spreading wickedly across his face, “My dear Lucien. Are we finally breaking that rule?”

  “Nevermind.” Lucien said.

  “What rule?” Lola said, walking in. She wore jeans and a tank with no bra.

  “Hi Lola.” Lucien nodded.

  Lola had been after him for years. Millenia really. Lucien didn’t know how else to turn her down so he simply kept it civil with her.

  “Lucien,” She smiled, her green eyes glinting. “What rule?”

  “The rule he made of no longer dating young girls.” James explained. “He thinks because he’s like a decade old that it makes him a pedophile. I tried telling him that mortal rules don’t apply to us because when they turn forty technically they’ll be the pedophiles in the eyes of society.”

  Lolita burst in a fit of laughter, “Oh my—are you serious?”

  “I just find it weird. I’ve lived longer than their grandparents and they-what? Want me to be their sixteen-seventeen year old boyfriend? The whole thing makes for a weird setting.” Lucien said.

  “Not weird enough for you to want to invite someone.” James countered.

  At this Lola’s head snapped to Lucien, “Who?”

  Lucien cursed James for his big mouth.

  “No one. I just saw that we forgot to invite the basketball team. I’ll add them to the list.” Lucien said and quickly made his way out of the hallway.

  Raya stared at her email during Study Hall. She wasn’t sure what to make of it. She understood what it said but wasn’t convinced it was meant for her.

  “Hey,” Raya whispered over to Juliet, one of the girls on her basketball team.

  Juliet turned, startled that Raya was talking to her at all.

  “What?” Juliet leaned in closer.

  “Did you get the invite too?” Raya asked.

  Juliet’s eyebrows furrowed before turning to look at the screen Raya was pointing at. Her eyebrows shot up in surprise before she grabbed her phone.

  “Oh my god!” Juliet screamed. “Basketball team is invited to the party!”

  “SHHH!” The librarian demanded.

  Juliet apologized sitting back down.

  “Looks like we did get invited.” Juliet said, turning to Raya. “Ya gonna go?”

  “Of course she is!” Amy, the team captain, said.

  After Juliet’s outburst they had received a text from the team captain asking them to meet at the lockers.

  “We’re all going. That’s an order.” Amy went on.

  “How do we even know if this is for real?” asked Stacy.

  “Right. What if it’s a set up?” Shante added.

  Amy shook her head, “I already confirmed with Lucien himself. He said he apologizes for not inviting us sooner this is the first time he’s been in charge of the guest list!”

  The girls shouted excitedly. Juliet hushed them down.

  “Alright then! Lets dress our fanciest tonight!” She shouted. The others followed suit in cheers and hype.

  Raya wanted to feel the same excitement they did but that feeling from before loomed. She wasn’t sure if she should go but before she could protest any further the meeting was adjourned.

  She rummaged in her closet for something suitable to wear. She wondered what the others would wear. A knock at the door distracted her of her choices. Her mother appeared with someone close behind, it was Juliet.

  “Hi.” Juliet waved as Raya’s mom excused herself. “Amy wanted to make sure we all had a buddy. Safety procedures and all that. Plus, I was really curious to see what you’d pick out.”

  Raya felt the heat rise to her cheeks, “Actually, I wasn’t sure.”

  “I thought so. I brought some options.” Juliet held up a bag excitedly.

  —Lucien

  The party was just getting started as Lucien walked in. He quickly scanned the room inhaling deeply. She wasn’t there yet.

  “So she’s on the basketball team?” James prodded, sneaking up behind him.

  Lucien let out a heavy sigh, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “That’s a yes.” James went on, he looked around, “Most of them are already here. Must not be any of them.”

  As he said this the team captain sashayed her way over. Lucien feigned interest to throw James off.

  “Lucien, I want to thank you for the invite.” Amy tried her best to be sultry. Tall, blonde, and pretty gaining a man’s interest was easy for her. She leaned up, giving him a good angle at her breasts. “If you have some time later.”

  Lucien leaned in. His scent drawing her closer. She was lost in his eyes.

  “I’ll come find you.” He whispered.

  She inhaled his breath and walked away shakily. James patted Lucien on the back, a huge grin on his face.

  “You have good taste, my man. Good taste.” James looked her up and down as she walked away. “That blood smells sweet too. Let me know if I can share her.”

  “Shut up,” Lucien shrugged him off.

  The bell on the door rung as it swung open. And the scent hit him instantly. His eyes found her instantly and he swallowed hard at the sight of her. His eyes traveled up her body.

  From the dark heels, to the skirt with split baring her thigh, and up the tight top that complimented her breasts nicely. His gaze lingered at her bare neck. Lucien could see her pulse, he focused on her heartbeat. She was excited.

  Lucien licked his lips.

  I wonder how fast I could get it to beat. He wondered, watching her move slowly among the crowd.

  “Raya Calderon?” James asked, interrupting his thoughts.

  Lucien forgot who he was with. “Don’t say anything. Please.”

  “I can keep a secret.” James said, Lucien scoffed.

  “Yeah, right. You can’t even keep things you don’t know to yourself.” Lorenzo said, joining them. Lorenzo was another member of the clan whom they called cousin. “What are we looking at?”

  “Lucien’s new pet.” James blurted.

  Lucien glared in his direction. James shrugged. Lorenzo laughed.

  —Raya

  “Don’t look now but I think the Vales are looking at you.” Juliet whispered, handing Raya a drink.

  Raya turned to look. Juliet spun her around and continued walking.

  “I said don’t look! Geezus, be more conspicuous. “ Juliet said.

  “Sorry,” Raya took a sip of her drink and slowly turned to look.

  Lucien was glaring at her intently. Instinctively she checked her hair and asked Juliet if there was something wrong with her outfit.

  “You looking fucking hot, that’s what’s wrong. I’m even a little jealous.” Juliet said, nudging her lightly.

  “Really?” Raya asked.

  “I said a little.” Juliet replied. “Are you gonna go talk to him?”

  “No,” Raya said, too quickly for it to be taken as the truth. “I mean, if he wants me he’ll come talk to me.”

  “What are we talking about?” James said, making them both jump.

  Somehow, James, Lorenzo, and Lucien had surrounded them with out either of them noticing.

  “We were wondering which games to play.” Juliet lied, giving Raya a knowing look.

  While James and Lorenzo distracted Juliet, Lucien moved in on Raya.

  “Well,” Lucien said.

  Raya waited for him to continue before speaking up, “Well, what?”

  “Where’s my thanks?” Lucien said, playfully.

  His scent was intoxicating. Raya felt herself being pulled in. Her hands itched to touch him, to feel him.

  “Thanks for what?” She said, looking up through her lashes.

  “Inviting you,” Lucien explained. “Your team captain thanked me.”

  “She’s our team captain. That was on behalf of all of us.” Raya replied.

  Lucien leaned in, his eyes lingered on her lips before looking back up at her eyes. He inhaled sharply.

  “That simply won’t do!” James said from behind them cutting the tension.

  Raya felt as if the volume around the party had suddenly been turned up.

  “C’mon let’s go somewhere quieter.” Lucien said, grabbing her hand and leading her to the back.

  —Lucien

  She was driving him insane. Her pulse quickened any time he spoke to her. He saw the way her pupils dilated when he had leaned in. It took everything in him not to pierce the nape of her neck with his fangs and suck every ounce of blood inside of her. But Lucien knew he didn’t want to kill her, no, he wanted to enjoy her in so many ways. Lost in his thoughts, he didn’t notice Raya unable to keep up with him.

  She tripped and managed to scrape her hand. Lucien froze. The scent of her actual blood sent him reeling. What ever the scent was before was nothing compared to this. She smelled of moonfire and her blood of the sweetest fruit.

  “Ow,” Raya said, dusting herself off. “I cut my hand.”

  “I’m sorry, let me get you a bandaid.” Lucien said, “I’ll be right back.”

  “No, it’s okay,” Raya protested but he was gone.

  Lucien swept past everyone finding a bathroom upstairs.

  “Lucien,” came a voice as two slim arms slithered around his waist. “You found me.”

  He turned to face Amy. With out warning, he released his fangs and drank from her. The liquid barely satisfied his thirst but it was enough to bring him back. Amy withered and swayed lost in ecstasy, she flopped to the floor.

  “Fuck!”

  Lucien took a moment to regain his composure. He texted James and Lorenzo regarding Amy. They messaged back that they would take care of it. He was making his way back to Raya when he heard a conversation between her and Lola.

  “He wouldn’t be interested in a nobody like you.” Lola was saying.

  Lucien rolled his eyes.

  “Why does she always act so childish?” He mumbled.

  Lucien walked up in time to see Lola slap Raya. A rage surged inside of him unlike any before. He dashed to Raya’s side.

  “Lola, I think you should go back inside.” Lucien growled.

  “But—” Lola began to pout.

  Lucien’s eyes glowed red. “Now.”

  “Fine.” Lola said, backing away. She stole one more glance at Raya before storming away.

  When she was finally gone, Lucien turned to see Raya slouched over.

  “Did she hurt you?” He asked, trying to find a wound.

  Raya shook her head, “No, that bitch would’ve been dead if you hadn’t jumped in! You should have let me beat her ass!”

  Lucien placed a hand on her shoulder, Raya was still facing away from him.

  “You’re hot.” Lucien said.

  “What?” Raya looked up at him.

  “No, I mean your body. You’re burning up.” He explained. “Your eyes…they’re gold again.”

  “Mmm, I don’t feel so good. I think I need to go home.” Raya said, holding her stomach.

  —Raya

  Raya saw steam rising from her body. A loud snap sounded, the pain blurring her vision. At first she wasn’t sure what was happening. Then she realized her bones were cracking and reshaping.

  She watched as her hands sprung white hairs and shortened into paws. She tried to scream and instead a loud howl sounded. Confused, Raya tried to walk but stumbled as now she was walking on four limbs instead of two. Raya spun around trying to get a full view of herself.

  I must be losing it. What is in that fucking drink? She thought looking up and seeing a confused Lucien. Does he see it too?

  Mate. Came another internal voice.

  What? What do you mean mate? Mate. Her eyes lingered on Lucien who reached out a hand towards Raya’s wolf form.

  “Lucien!” Raya’s ear pointed towards the pub. Another scent filled her nostrils. Her wolf growled impulsively.

  “Shit!” Lucien cussed. “You need to get out of here!”

  What? Why? What’s going on? Is what Raya was trying to say. What came out was a bunch of growls and whining.

  “GO!” He shouted.

  Raya took off running. She tore through the bushes into the forest nearby.