The Shadows of Erisdar (ON HOLD)

Chapter 5

Over the next few days, Alex couldn't shake the image of those sapphire eyes - sharp, knowing, and filled with a sadness that mirrored her own. The shadow wolf haunted her thoughts and followed her into restless dreams, where memory and mystery blurred together.

She tried to distract herself with routine. With hobbies. With chores. But the encounter was impossible to shake. Where did he come from? Had he always been in the valley? Or did he get past the patrols in the ravine? These questions crowded her thoughts as she leaned against the kitchen island, hands wrapped around a mug of tea gone lukewarm. Her eyes stared into it as though it held answers.

Then came a sudden slam on the countertop. "Guess who's back?" a voice crowed beside her.

Alex jolted so violently that tea sloshed over her sleeves. "Damn it, Jason!" she hissed, slamming the mug down and flicking droplets from her wrist. "Seriously?"

Jason was already grinning like a troublemaker caught red-handed. "What? I thought you'd be happy to see me."

"Maybe don't sneak up on someone holding boiling liquid next time," she growled. "Some of us actually like drinking it."

He raised his hands in mock surrender. "Okay, okay! You just looked so intensely into that mug, I figured you were communing with the spirits or something. I didn't think you'd notice me-at least not like you noticed your tea."

A damp dishcloth smacked him square in the face.

"Alexandra!" came a chiding voice from the doorway. Annobel breezed in, hands full of fresh herbs. "That's no way to treat a guest, especially one bringing supplies."

Alex blinked, unrepentant. "No, but that is how you discipline someone who makes you spill your drink."

Jason peeled the cloth from his face with exaggerated flair. "Good morning, Alpha Annobel," he said brightly. "See? I'm useful. A walking target, apparently."

Annobel sighed and set the herbs on the counter. "Jason, I've told you-just Annobel. No titles. Unless you're trying to age me on purpose."

He grinned sheepishly. "Habit. A respectful one."

"You're impossible," she muttered, shaking her head.

"You're a menace," Alex added, but her smirk betrayed her amusement. She was more upset at herself for not having sensed his arrival.

Jason leaned against the counter like a soldier recovering from battle. "Abused. Unappreciated. Tragic, really. I come bearing friendship and gifts, and what do I get? Linen-based violence."

"Oh please," she said, rolling her eyes. "If your ego were any bigger, we'd have to widen the doors."

He clutched his chest in mock hurt. "You wound me. Deeply."

Then he rubbed his cheek as if she'd actually injured him. "Honestly, for someone without a wolf, you throw like an angry Alpha. Nearly took my head off."

"Not my fault you can't handle the heat," she shot back.

Jason let out a dramatic sigh, then gave a mock bow. "Anyway, I came to ask if you'd swing by my place tomorrow. I need help with something important. Probably complicated. Which means I'm definitely unqualified."

Alex arched a brow. "So the supplies are a bribe."

"Semantics," he said cheerfully, backing toward the door. "Just be ready to use your brain. And your better mood. But-gods forbid-after dawn, please." He ducked out before she could grab another projectile.

"No promises!" Alex shouted after him.

Left alone, she found herself smiling.

Jason had always had a way of exaggerating everything to the point of absurdity-and she was grateful for it. His antics made her laugh when she needed it most. And today, especially, she needed the distraction. Heavier things were pressing at the edges of her thoughts. Darker things.