Chapter 2: Cassie’s Temptation and the First Bite

The moment Cassie walked out, I followed, completely unable to control myself. My heartbeat thundered, footsteps echoing after her.

Right away, the comments exploded again:

[This is what she calls chasing a guy? Just swap the female lead already! The side piece deserves a slap, and the trashy ex deserves two!]

[The side character’s so sly—she knows the lead’s a werewolf starved for months, so she deliberately cut herself to lure him. Now that he’s following, she’s grinning from ear to ear!]

[She’s so sneaky and cute—come on, open your eyes, man!]

The messages were a blur. I couldn’t keep up.

...

I wasn’t sure what to believe about the comments.

Part of me wondered if I was just losing my mind. But what if I wasn’t?

After all, Madison hadn’t minded me being a werewolf at first.

She used to call me her big bad wolf, used to laugh when my tail thumped against the couch. Her laugh, warm in the dark. But now, she couldn’t even look at me without sneering.

So I decided to keep an eye out and wait. But I was watching.

I hung back, watching Cassie from a distance. I wasn’t ready to trust anyone—not yet. But I was watching.

As I was thinking how to verify the comments’ claims, a soft, warm body suddenly fell into my arms.

Cassie stumbled, pressing her weight against me. Her hair brushed my cheek, and I caught that wild, sweet scent again. My heart hammered in my chest. Her warmth seeped into me, grounding and dizzying all at once.

Cassie leaned close to my ear, holding up her injured palm. Her discomfort didn’t look fake.

Her voice trembled, breath warm against my skin. She winced, showing me the cut. “It really hurts, Eli.”

“Eli, I get faint at the sight of blood. Can you help me?”

Her eyes were wide, vulnerable. I nodded, swallowing hard. My fangs tingled, desperate for a taste. I wanted more. I needed more.

That rich, sweet scent made my fangs pop out. Even my claws slipped free without my control.

I tried to hide it, shoving my hands in my pockets. But she didn’t flinch—just watched, waiting.

I froze, scared. But when I met her pleading eyes, I licked my fangs and nodded like crazy:

My voice was shaky, barely audible. “Maybe close your eyes first. It’ll feel better that way.” Don’t mess this up.

Cassie squeezed her eyes shut, full of gratitude. “Thank you.”

Her lashes fluttered, cheeks pink. She looked fragile, trusting. I felt my resolve crumble. Her warmth, her trust—I wanted to wrap myself in it.

She looked so delicate, eyelashes fluttering. I was hungry and craving her, but I only dared to run my fingertips over her palm, licking the tiny bit of blood on my fingers.

The taste was electric—sweet, sharp, alive. My heartbeat drummed in my ears. I shivered, fighting the urge to take more.

[What an actor—she didn’t even flinch when she sliced her hand!]

[Cassie, if you’re going to seduce him, do it for real. You think our lead’s that easy?]

[He just brushed her palm and his ears turned red. That’s enough, I’m dying here!]

[He’s so sneaky—licks once, then again, then again, and she still hasn’t noticed. This is hilarious!]

[She’s a yandere, man! Can our werewolf hero man up a bit?]

I wanted to shut them out, but they were everywhere. My face burned, but I couldn’t stop.

Seeing all this, I got bolder.

I glanced up at her, heart pounding. When she didn’t pull away, I leaned in, tongue flicking over the cut again. My heart stuttered. I was losing control.

I quickly licked her hand.

The taste was overwhelming. I closed my eyes, savoring it, wishing it would never end. Her warmth, her pulse, her trust—mine.

Cassie suddenly let out a little gasp—like she was in pain.

Her breath hitched, fingers tightening around mine. I jerked back, guilt flooding me. Mine.

I thought I’d hurt her. Staring at her nervously, I asked, “Did… did I hurt you?”

My voice was small, apologetic. I waited, heart in my throat.

Cassie’s eyes burned. She nodded. “Mm-hmm.”

She bit her lip, cheeks flushed. But there was something in her eyes—something wild, hungry. Did she like it?

[Pain? She’s loving it! The yandere finally reeled him in—she wants to eat him up! Our guy’s way too innocent!]

I tried to ignore them, but they were right.

After tending to her wound, I couldn’t stop staring at Cassie. For someone who’d been starving for so long, that little bit of blood wasn’t nearly enough. If anything, it just made me hungrier. I needed more.

My hands shook, craving more. I stuffed them in my pockets, hoping she wouldn’t notice. But she just smiled, soft and secret.

Her blood was the sweetest I’d ever tasted.

Nothing else even came close. I wondered what she’d taste like if I could really feed—if she’d let me.

Under my gaze, Cassie’s face flushed. She quickly looked away, voice trembling, “It’s so late, Eli, can you walk me home?”

She wouldn’t meet my eyes. Her voice was tiny, almost shy. I’d do anything for her.

I fought hard to control my craving, hesitating.

My claws flexed, itching for more. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself.

Cassie suddenly collapsed weakly into my arms. “My head’s still spinning. You wouldn’t just leave me, would you?”

She leaned against me, warm and soft. I wrapped my arms around her, holding her steady. Mine.

I clumsily held her, my hungry claws twitching. My mind was hazy as I mumbled, “O-okay.”

My voice was thick, barely more than a growl. She squeezed my hand, smiling up at me. Her scent, her warmth—she felt like home.

Cassie’s eyes darkened with something I couldn’t name. “Thank you, Eli.”

She lingered on my name, drawing it out. I felt a shiver run down my spine.

Cassie’s family’s well-off. She couldn’t stand the dorms, so she’d rented a place off-campus early on.