The Wolf in Man's clothing

Aria's POV

The scream cut through the night like a knife through butter. I jumped up from the bed so fast that my head spun like a carnival ride. My heart pounded against my ribs as I pressed my ear to the cold door.

Another scream echoed from somewhere far below. This one sounded different. Weaker. Like whoever was making it didn't have much fight left.

I had to get out of here. Now.

I grabbed the metal handle and shook it hard, making as much noise as possible. Maybe someone would hear me. Someone who could help.

"Help!" I yelled at the top of my lungs. "Somebody help me! Please!"

Heavy footsteps thundered down the hallway, but these sounded different from Dr. Frost's slow, careful walk. These were faster. Stronger. Like someone running.

The lock clicked open so quickly it made me stumble backward.

A young man burst through the door like he was being chased by fire. He was breathing hard, his dark hair messy and wild. When he looked at me, I forgot how to breathe.

His eyes were the most beautiful gold color I'd ever seen. They reminded me of honey in sunlight, or autumn leaves dancing in the wind. But there was something wild about them too. Something that made my stomach flutter with butterflies.

"Are you hurt?" he asked, his voice rough with worry. "I heard shouting."

I stared at him, unable to speak. He was tall and strong-looking, maybe a few years older than me. Something about his face seemed familiar, like I'd seen him in a dream I couldn't quite remember.

"Who... who are you?" I finally managed to whisper.

"My name is Kael," he said, stepping closer. "Kael Nightshade. I've been taking care of you since the accident."

"Accident?" My hand flew to my bandaged head. "What accident?"

Kael's golden eyes grew sad. "Your car went off the mountain road three days ago. It was snowing hard, and the road was icy. Your car flipped over and crashed into a tree."

Images flashed through my mind like lightning. Snow falling. Headlights spinning. The sound of breaking glass. But they felt more like pictures from a movie than real memories.

"I don't remember a car," I said, shaking my head. "I don't remember anything."

"The doctors said you might lose some memories," Kael explained gently. "You hit your head pretty bad. But don't worry - Dr. Frost is one of the best. He'll help you get better."

Something cold twisted in my stomach at the mention of Dr. Frost's name. "That man... he scares me. There's something wrong about him."

Kael's face went hard for a second, like stone. Then he forced a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"Dr. Frost can seem unfriendly, but he saved your life. If I hadn't found you when I did, you would have frozen to death in the snow."

"You found me?" I asked, taking a step toward him. "You saved me?"

"Yes." His voice got softer, warmer. "I was hunting in the woods when I heard the crash. I pulled you out of the car just before it caught fire."

My heart did a strange little skip. This beautiful boy with golden eyes had risked his life to save mine. I should feel grateful. Happy. Safe.

So why did I still feel scared?

"If you saved me, then why am I locked in this room?" I asked. "Why can't I leave?"

Kael looked uncomfortable, like I'd asked him to eat a bug. "It's for your own protection. These mountains are dangerous. There are wild animals, steep cliffs, and the weather changes fast. People get lost and never come back."

"But I feel fine now," I lied. Actually, my head still hurt and I felt dizzy, but I needed to get out of here. "I want to go home."

"Where is home?" Kael asked quietly.

The question hit me like a slap. I opened my mouth to answer, then closed it again. I had no idea where I lived. No idea if anyone was looking for me. No idea who I was supposed to be.

"I... I don't know," I admitted, tears burning my eyes. "But there has to be someone who misses me, right? Parents? Friends? A family?"

Kael's expression grew strange. Almost guilty. "The car was registered to someone named Aria Moonwhisper. Is that you?"

"Aria," I repeated slowly. The name felt right on my tongue, like putting on a favorite sweater. "Yes. I think that's me. Aria."

"Well, Aria Moonwhisper," Kael said, "I'm sorry to tell you this, but we couldn't find any emergency contacts in your things. No phone, no wallet with family pictures. Nothing."

My heart sank like a rock in water. "So I'm alone?"

"No," Kael said firmly, reaching out like he wanted to touch my hand, then pulling back. "You're not alone. I'll take care of you until you're strong enough to remember where you belong."

Something warm spread through my chest at his words. The way he looked at me made me feel special. Protected. Like I mattered to someone.

But then I remembered the screaming.

"Kael," I said carefully, "I heard someone screaming earlier. From somewhere in this building. Who was that?"

His golden eyes flickered, just for a second. "You must have had a bad dream. Head injuries can cause nightmares."

"It wasn't a dream," I said firmly. "I was awake. Someone was screaming for help."

"Aria, you need to rest," Kael said, changing the subject. "Your body is still healing. Dr. Frost says—"

"I don't care what Dr. Frost says!" I snapped, surprising myself with how angry I sounded. "Something's wrong here, and you know it!"

I started walking toward the door, determined to find whoever had been screaming. But my legs felt like jelly, and the room started spinning around me like a top.

I stumbled, falling forward. Strong arms caught me before I hit the ground.

Kael pulled me against his chest, holding me steady. His touch sent electricity through my whole body, like I'd been struck by lightning. It felt familiar. Safe. Like coming home after a long, scary trip.

"Easy," he whispered, his breath warm against my ear. "I've got you."

For a moment, I melted into his arms. Everything felt right. Perfect. Like this was where I belonged.

Then I looked down at his hands holding me.

My blood turned to ice water.

There were four long, deep scratches across his left arm. Fresh ones that looked like they'd been made by claws. Big claws.

"Kael," I whispered, my voice shaking. "What happened to your arm?"