Jake Pov:
In The Night
Jake's POV
Something was off about her.
It started with dinner.
Syria sat at the end of the table, quiet, eyes lowered as she took a sip from her cup. She looked innocent and harmless, though her beauty said otherwise. But I had been through many things and come across too many spies to fall for that kind of act.
Her scent was different from last time.
Still sweet, but wilder and sharper.
It was not perfume or the smell of her shampoo.
I think… magic.
I kept my expression neutral, hiding my suspicion. I stirred my tea and took a sip of it, watching her without making it obvious.
As she brought the tea to her mouth, she paused for just a second. A little second later, she sipped her tea.
Her hand trembled, which I caught by mistake.
I could see she was absent minded.
Something was up with her, and I was sure about it.
"What are you staring at?" Jace asked, dragging back my attention.
"Nothing," I muttered. "Your face just offends me."
"Charming, right?" He grinned. "Just admit you are hypnotised by Syria's beauty." He said winking at me.
I ignored him, not wanting to respond to useless teasing. Fred sat at the head of the table, cutting his meat but not eating any of it. He had not once glanced at Syria, his gaze cold as always.
"Catch," Rohan said, throwing a hotdog at John which he caught in his mouth like a dog.
"Idiot," I muttered under my breath.
My gaze moved back to her.
She did not say a word throughout the entire meal. She barely ate anything. Just nibbled on her bread and looked lost in thought.
After she was done with her food—which took nearly an hour—I watched her stand and leave the table. I waited for five minutes before going after her.
…
Later that night, I sneaked through the halls like a thief.
The mansion was quiet. I think everybody was asleep—or not. I walked barefoot, not wanting any noise to be heard. I stopped outside her room, wanting to investigate the reason for her unusual changes.
My heart beat harder than usual.
And then, I heard the sound of wind and a gasp.
Was it coming from inside?
I pulled the door handle slightly and peeped through, but the room was dark—until I saw a shadow.
It was a normal human shadow, obviously Syria's, until the outline changed—growing ears, a tail, and longer limbs.
A wolf.
I knew Rein was a wolf, but I had never seen her transform. As she changed into a full wolf, I could see her clearly in the dark because her silver fur glowed faintly.
I backed away slowly and shut the door quietly.
What in the world is she?
Because it is not every day you see a wolf that glows in the dark, and her wolf appearance was nothing like the others.
…
I could not sleep a wink. I stayed up all night walking back and forth in my room, tense. My mind raced with thoughts.
I had never seen a wolf like that—with silver glowing fur. But wait...
Suddenly it clicked.
My mother.
She had told me a story before she died. Remembering her made me feel slightly depressed. She used to tell me bedtime stories when I was little—ones I had always thought were fairy tales or unrealistic.
I remembered her brushing my hair, looking at me with her motherly gaze as she told me the stories.
"There was once a she-wolf born under the Moon Pack," my mother had said, brushing off the strands that covered my eyes. "She came from a royal line cursed and blessed by the Moon Goddess herself."
I remembered asking, "Mum, why did the Moon Goddess bless and curse them at the same time?"
She replied gently, "According to what I heard, her ancestors committed an abomination by mating with a human, which was forbidden. Wolves and humans are not allowed to mate. So, they were cursed to die early but blessed to enjoy abundant wealth and powers before death," she said. " The she wolf had silver fur that glowed and eyes that could see through anything. They were called the blood moon." she continued
I also remembered giggling and asking, "Were they real?"
She smiled at my question, but there was sadness in her eyes. "Some said they were wiped out, while others believed they were in hiding, waiting for the right opportunity to return. The Lunari were not just wolves; they were keys..."
"To what?" I had asked.
"To ancient powers and secrets no one knows about," she whispered, leaning close to my ear.
Back then, I thought she was exaggerating. Mothers do that, especially when they are trying to lull you to sleep.
But now, I was not so sure.
Because Rein looked like one of the Moonborn my mother described.
She was something else—old and dangerous.
And worse…
I was attracted to her. Not in the foolish way my Rohan chased skirts , but because I loved to solve puzzles.
And who knows?
She might be the one to help me with my plans.