Chapter 1

I would miss the sun, the long summer nights. The beach being right on my doorstep. I would miss a lot of things. Chewing the inside of my cheek, I stood staring at the sold sign.

You see, it was just my grandmother Sarah Morgan and me. My mom died during childbirth, and I had never seen my father. He wasn't really someone we talked about.

"Still staring at that sign, I see."

Today was another day closer to leaving. Sarah was uprooting us to Montana. Change was good apparently. But I didn't want to move, didn't want to start all over in a new place.

My friends and boyfriend were here. As someone who had lived here for eighteen years, my life was pretty good. I got good grades; I had a part-time job. I liked where I was at right now. She knew how I felt about leaving, but that didn't matter. She had made up her mind. "Riley, you'll make new friends, you'll get a new boyfriend. We need to do this, sweetie. Change is good."

I didn't want new friends, and I didn't want a new boyfriend. My grandmother didn't like Ethan. Always insisted something was off with him, didn't like the feeling she got when he was around.

Ethan Carter was my first boyfriend, slightly older but only by three years. But that didn't matter. He had the brightest blue eyes I had ever seen, and he was nice to me.

I knew I would make new friends. I would leave regardless if I wanted to or not. I would move on and get on with my life, but leaving them behind wasn't my biggest worry.

"My mom's here," I whispered, unconsciously touching the small crescent-shaped birthmark on my right wrist.

"Sweetie, your mom's in here." She placed her hand over my heart. "No matter where you are or where you go, your mom will always be with you."

I knew she was right, but being here, living in this house, it made me feel closer to her.

"How about some hot coffee and we can watch the sunset?"

"I'll grab a blanket."

Another reason why I didn't want to leave. Most nights we'd come out here and watch the sunset. It was kind of our thing. The beach was my favorite place to go. It was my safe space.

Kicking off my shoes, I placed the blanket on the sand before taking a seat. The view was beautiful. Staring out into the water, a sigh fell from my lips. I would never have this again. Sure, they had lakes in Montana, but not this beach and not this view.

A voice clearing caught my attention. Sarah was back.

Goodbye Malibu, hello Wolf Creek.

We could have flown to Montana, but Sarah wanted to drive. A little sightseeing on the way.

Twenty hours we had been on the road for. Stopping every so often for gas and food. My legs were numb, my butt was numb. I couldn't wait to sleep tonight.

"Montana isn't so bad," she smiled, the small scar on her hand visible as she gripped the steering wheel. "We're about half an hour away. Go get some coffee."

I looked around at the rolling mountains and dense forests, so different from Malibu's open shorelines. It may not be bad, but it wasn't home. I wasn't sure it would ever become my home.

Heading inside the gas station, I went straight for the coffee machine. Caffeine was life; I couldn't live without it. As I fixed two cups, the door chimed, and instantly the hairs on the back of my neck stood.

A strange sensation washed over me; as if I were being watched.

Straightening my shoulders, I put the lids on both cups, took a deep breath, and turned around.

No one was there.

I frowned. I felt someone, or I was that tired I was losing my mind. The store only had a few scattered customers, none near me. Yet the feeling of being drawn to something remained.

Sighing, I made my way to the cash register. Today had been a long day.

"Large or regular?" the girl asked. Her smile was bright, contagious even, that I couldn't help but smile back. She had striking amber eyes.

"Regular and these." I grabbed a chocolate bar, opening it right up. I had the biggest sweet tooth. "Sorry," I grinned. "Sweet tooth craving sugar." Suddenly embarrassed, I handed over my money and lowered my head. What a unique impression.

"That's alright. I'm Nina. Nina Blackwood."

"Riley. Riley Morgan." I took my change and lifted the cups, noticing a small tattoo resembling a paw print on the inside of her right wrist.

"New to town?"

"That obvious?" I chewed my bottom lip.

"Coast girl?"

"California. Malibu."

Again, the hairs on the back of my neck stood. The feeling from earlier returning, stronger now. Only this time I felt hot, flustered even, with the sensation of being watched by some powerful presence. Maybe I was just exhausted from the long drive.

Nina seemed to know something, her eyes flashing an unusual gold in the store's fluorescent lighting.

"I have a feeling you'll like it here. You'll fit right in." She winked meaningfully.

Making a face, I shrugged. Only time would tell, but something was off about this place. From the minute I stepped inside, I could feel it—a tension in the air, as if the whole town was waiting for something...

"How you don't have cavities I'll never understand," Sarah commented as I got back into the car.

Closing the car door, I grinned and passed Sarah her coffee. She knew how addicted I was to sugar.

"I like sugar," I said, shoving another Twizzler into my mouth.

"You won't be saying that when your teeth fall out," she warned, turning onto the highway and picking up speed. Her voice softened. "How are you really feeling about all of this?"

I chewed on my candy, avoiding her gaze. "Ask me again in a month." I couldn't bring myself to upset her. She believed this was the best move for us, and I was determined to try to adapt to this change.

"I know you weren't big on the idea of moving, but I think you'll love it here. All I'm asking is that you try. Montana is beautiful, the people are friendly, and I think we'll fit in perfectly."

"I'll try, but please don't push it on me." Making new friends was hard, and starting over even harder.

As we passed a gas station, I glanced back and noticed four guys standing outside, staring directly at our car. And strangely, despite the cold, they were wearing light clothing. Weird. But maybe I was just on edge from the move.

The car began to slow down, and I became aware of my surroundings. Trees, trees, and more trees.

"Are we living in the forest?" I asked, half-joking.

Laughing, she placed her hand on my knee and squeezed. "This is just the road we take. We'll be there soon."

I was about to ask where civilization was when houses started to appear. Not just houses—impressive homes nestled among the trees, set back from the road. The sign read "Moonlight Estates." So different from the beachfront neighborhood in Malibu.

"We live in the middle of nowhere, that's a bit rough," I sighed, running a hand down my face. Without a car, I'd be trapped here, and there wasn't even public transportation.

The car came to a stop, and I looked up at the house. My mood lifted slightly when I noticed a balcony off the front bedroom, just like my old one back home. The house itself was an elegant stone and wood structure—old, clearly vacant for some time, but with undeniable character.

"It needs some renovation," Sarah said.

Stepping inside, my heart fell a little. Everything screamed old and outdated—the carpets, the furniture, even the smell. A strange mixture of aged wood, history, and something wild I couldn't quite identify.

"I have contractors coming in a few days," Sarah said, watching my expression. "I know it doesn't seem like much right now, but we can completely renovate it. Decorate how we want and make this our home."

She looked so happy, and who was I to ruin that? My disappointment wasn't important. I needed to think about our future, not dwell on old carpets.

"It seems quiet here. How far is the nearest lake?" I asked, already missing the ocean.

"Missing the beach already?" She smiled knowingly.

"Yes, but I can wait. Want me to start unloading the car?"

"Yes, and I'll see if I can get the heating working."

No heating? In Montana? Wonderful.

With half my body inside the car, I didn't hear anyone approach.

"Need a hand?"

I pulled myself out to find a girl watching me.

"Nina?" I was surprised by this encounter.

"You're moving in there?" she asked, eyeing our house with surprise. "You bought that house?"

I didn't like her expression; it made me uneasy. "Is there something wrong with it?"

"No, of course not. It's been empty for a while. I live a few houses down, but I mostly stay with my brother. He lives on the corner."

"Why has it been empty for so long?" I asked curiously.