Chapter 5

Getting out of the car, I made sure I had my phone and keys safely tucked away. As I closed the door, I cast one last glance at the Blackwood mansion looming in the darkness. Whatever drama was happening inside wasn't my business. I'd nearly reached my front door when I paused, turning back for one final look. Strange shadows seemed to dance along the tree line at the edge of the forest. Though I still felt unwell, disappointment weighed heavily on me about missing the Moonlight Lake gathering. Maybe I could find it myself tomorrow in daylight.

Inside, I kicked off my shoes and draped my jacket across the sofa. Sarah sat reading a book marked with colorful tabs, soft music playing in the background.

"I thought you'd be out late tonight," she said, looking up with surprise in her eyes.

"So did I," I shrugged, trying to hide my disappointment.

Opening the refrigerator, I spotted some strawberries and grabbed the container. The sweet fruit might help lift my mood. I sat down across from Sarah, popping a berry into my mouth.

"I feel strange," I admitted, struggling to describe the sensation flowing through my body. "Do you think it's homesickness?"

"Maybe you're coming down with something," she suggested gently. "You'll feel better once you're settled. New bed tomorrow, contractors the day after, then school on Monday. Once you establish a routine, everything will fall into place."

School. I wasn't exactly thrilled about starting over at a new high school, but at least with Nina there, I wouldn't be completely alone.

My phone vibrated with an incoming message: "Where did you go? Come back! We're in the backyard with a fire going. Not the lake, but at least there's a bathroom. Please come!"

I frowned at the screen, conflicted about returning after the scene with Dominic.

"What's bothering you?" Sarah asked, peering over my shoulder at the message. "You should go—it's still early, and Nina's place isn't far. This is your chance to make more friends. Put your jacket back on and go. You shouldn't be sitting here with me. I'm having an early night anyway."

Her insistent tone left little room for argument.

"Okay, but I won't stay long." I kissed her cheek goodnight, grabbed my jacket and keys, and headed back into the night.

The houses in Moonlight Estates were enormous mansions with considerable space between them. As I approached the Blackwood residence, the sounds of music and laughter drifted through the air. It seemed like there were even more people than before.

From the edge of the yard, I could see Dominic seated among his friends, who listened attentively to his every word. The girl from the café was practically draped across him, while others watched him with obvious reverence.

"You came back!" Nina exclaimed, pulling me into a sudden hug. "You're so beautiful, Riley. Really. Oh god, look at her hanging on my brother. You'd think she'd take the hint." Her voice had a slightly drunken quality to it.

She pulled me inside toward the kitchen. "Help yourself to something to drink. I need to use the bathroom."

Taking off my jacket, I suddenly remembered I was still wearing the lace top that revealed glimpses of my swimsuit underneath. I felt immediately self-conscious.

"Wow, you're quite a sight," a male voice commented from behind me. I froze.

"What?"

"You're a hot thing, aren't you?" His tone was lighter than the others I'd met, less intense somehow.

I couldn't help but laugh. "Has that line actually worked before when complimenting girls?"

"Pretty lame, huh?" He grinned sheepishly. "I'm Lucas."

"Riley." I grabbed a beer from the fridge. "Do you always talk to girls this way? Does it actually get you anywhere?"

"Ouch." He pretended to be wounded. "Didn't work on you, did it?"

"I'm afraid not," I shrugged, walking outside with Lucas following close behind.

When we sat down, I noticed we were suddenly getting a lot of attention. Everyone seemed extremely interested in our interaction, shooting glances our way.

"So, how do you like Wolf Creek?" Lucas asked casually.

"This is my second day here."

He whistled softly. "And you've already been invited to Dominic's gathering." His tone suggested this was significant.

"Is he famous around here?" I asked, not quite understanding the social dynamics at play.

"You could say that."

"He's an asshole," I replied bluntly, making Lucas laugh loudly.

"I like the way you put it, Riley." We clinked beer bottles and fell into comfortable silence, the fire crackling before us.

"So you're not his fan?" I asked, sensing some underlying tension.

"I wouldn't say that." He lowered his voice conspiratorially. "I used to date his sister, but we ended things amicably. It was mutual, but I still feel like he hates me."

"Judging by the way he's glaring at you right now, I think you might be right." Since we'd sat down, Dominic hadn't taken his eyes off us, his amber gaze practically glowing with an emotion I couldn't quite name.

"That's my cue to leave. Hope to see you again, Riley." With that, Lucas slipped away, once again leaving me alone.

"Is this seat taken?" That deep voice sent shivers down my spine despite my best efforts to stay neutral.

"That depends. Are you going to keep staring at me?" I looked up into Dominic's intense eyes, feeling like he could see straight through to my soul.

"I think we got off on the wrong foot, little one." When he sat down beside me, my heart began racing, palms growing inexplicably sweaty. The pull I felt toward him defied all logic, yet somehow felt inevitable.

"I'm Riley," I smiled, extending my hand in a peace offering.

"Dominic," he replied, his voice carrying a note of satisfaction that puzzled me.

When his warm fingers closed around mine, I experienced a connection unlike anything I'd ever felt before—a jolt of electricity that raced up my arm and spread throughout my body. In that moment, I wondered if these strange sensations might be just the beginning of something I couldn't yet understand.