The air had turned cool as dusk settled over Blackwater Hollow. Nyx made his way through the quiet streets, his mind still buzzing with questions. Alden’s words lingered in his head, the uncertainty gnawing at him like an itch he couldn’t scratch. Who did this to me?

  He was lost in thought when the soft scent of fresh flowers reached him. It was delicate, almost ethereal, but it carried with it an unmistakable pull—a sense of calm and warmth. His footsteps slowed, and his gaze shifted toward a small shop on the corner of Maple Street, bathed in the glow of the streetlamps. The sign above the door read “Gemini’s Bloom,” and the faint sound of a bell jingled as the door creaked open.

  Inside, the dim light revealed rows of vibrant flowers, their petals in full bloom despite the season. It was the sort of shop you could easily walk past without a second thought—but something about it felt out of place in Blackwater Hollow. It wasn’t the flowers or the shop itself, but the quiet hum that seemed to vibrate in the air, like something else was waiting beneath the surface.

  Nyx’s eyes narrowed as he stepped closer, drawn to the warm light spilling out onto the sidewalk. He wasn’t sure what it was, but something about the place, something about the woman standing behind the counter, made his instincts flare.

  Amaya Gemini Moon, the shop’s owner, was kneeling beside a vase, carefully arranging the stems of a bouquet with an effortless grace. Her black hair cascaded down her back, sleek and shiny, with a hint of movement that seemed almost... too fluid. But it was her eyes that caught his attention.

  Jade. Brilliant, glowing jade. They seemed to shimmer in the soft light, and as her gaze flickered up, locking with his, Nyx felt a jolt run through him—a strange, unsettling sensation that he couldn't quite place. She was beautiful, in a way that seemed almost unreal. Her beauty wasn’t flashy, but there was something captivating about it. And the way she held herself—too composed, too poised for someone so young—only added to the mystery.

  Nyx opened his mouth to speak, but the words stuck.

  Amaya smiled warmly, her eyes softening. “Can I help you with something?” Her voice was melodic, almost hypnotic.

  Nyx blinked, feeling like he had been pulled from a trance. “Uh, yeah,” he said, his throat tight. “I was just... passing by.” He took another step closer, trying to shake off the lingering sense that something wasn’t quite right. “I didn’t expect to see a flower shop here. New in town?”

  Amaya’s smile didn’t falter, but there was a flicker of something in her eyes—a hint of recognition, or maybe just something that Nyx couldn’t place. “Yes, I just moved here recently. Thought I’d bring a little color to the town.” She straightened up, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear as she stepped toward the counter. “I’m Amaya, by the way.”

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  “Nyx,” he said, still unsure of why he felt so drawn to her. Was it the way her presence seemed to fill the room, or something more? His mind raced, the puzzle pieces slowly starting to fall into place. Who is she? What is she doing here?

  “So, what brings you to Blackwater Hollow?” Amaya asked, her voice smooth and inviting. She leaned against the counter, her posture relaxed, but there was an edge to her gaze—an intensity that seemed to cut through the small talk.

  “I’m, uh, just visiting. School and... other things.” He hesitated, his fingers twitching at his sides. He wasn’t sure why, but he didn’t want to reveal too much to her. Something about Amaya made him cautious, as if she were reading him in a way he couldn’t quite understand.

  Amaya nodded, her expression thoughtful. “Well, if you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to stop by. The flowers always have a way of making things better.” She waved a hand toward the shelves filled with blooms, each more vibrant than the last. “And I’m always here.”

  Nyx watched her for a moment longer, an instinctual pull dragging him toward the door. But before he could leave, a soft cry broke through the quiet shop. Nyx’s head snapped toward the sound, his heart skipping a beat. There, nestled in a soft blanket on a small chair by the window, was a baby boy. His face was scrunched in a frown, and his tiny hands reached out as if searching for something. Nyx’s eyes locked onto the child’s, and a strange pang tugged at his chest.

  The baby’s eyes were as green as Amaya’s.

  “Excuse me,” Nyx muttered, suddenly feeling out of place. “I didn’t realize you had... a son.”

  Amaya’s gaze softened as she moved toward the baby, cradling him in her arms with practiced ease. “His name is Ignis,” she said, her voice now laced with a quiet tenderness that Nyx hadn’t expected. “He’s seven months old.”

  For a moment, Nyx found himself staring at the baby, feeling an odd connection to the tiny creature, though he couldn't explain why. The sensation passed quickly, but it left him uneasy.

  “Beautiful boy,” Nyx said, unsure of why he’d spoken the words.

  “Thank you,” Amaya replied, her eyes lingering on him for a second longer than necessary. “He takes after his father, I think.”

  Nyx blinked, a strange, cold feeling creeping up his spine. His mind raced. Father?

  Before he could ask any further questions, Amaya smiled again, her voice gentle but firm. “Well, I’m sure you have things to do. But remember, Nyx, there’s always a place for you here.”

  He turned and walked out of the shop, the sensation of her eyes on his back like an invisible weight. As he stepped onto the sidewalk, the faint scent of flowers lingered in the air, but it was overwhelmed by something else—something primal, like the smell of the forest after a storm. It was the same scent that had clung to him the night his transformation had begun.

  His pulse quickened as a thought crossed his mind. Could she be the Alpha? Could Amaya Gemini Moon be the one who had turned him into a werewolf?

  The feeling of uncertainty deepened. There was something about her, something he couldn't place, that made him uneasy. But one thing was sure: he needed answers, and Amaya Gemini Moon was now at the top of his list.

  As Nyx disappeared into the shadows of Blackwater Hollow, the small flower shop sat quietly, its windows glowing softly in the evening light, hiding its secrets within.