The next morning, I dragged myself to Sky Diamond. I sat in the bleachers, sipped my lukewarm coffee, and watched the players warm up.

Then I saw him: Lucas Newman.

As soon as he stepped onto the field, I felt something. I don't know how to explain it, but there was something about him. Intense power. Raw. Magnetic.

Lucas had wavy brown hair that brushed his neck and broad shoulders. He was lean but powerful. He looked like he belonged in a movie, not on a baseball field.

I couldn't look away. My eyes locked on him, and then his eyes found me.

He stared. I stared back. The world fell silent.

And then... I smelled it: Pine. Citrus. There was a hint of something spicy, like cloves or cinnamon. The scent hit me like a drug-it was intoxicating.

What the hell?

I tried to shake it off. He's just a kid. A rookie. Nothing special.

"Don't be stupid, Ophie," I muttered under my breath.

Then, one of his teammates threw him a ball.

Clap! Lucas caught it without breaking eye contact. My skin broke out in goosebumps. He nodded slightly, then turned back to the field.

I sat frozen and a bit shaken, my breath caught in my throat. "What's happening to me?"

After the players finished practicing and I had waited there for more than two hours, sitting in the bleachers, I stood up. I ran toward the players' room.

My body trembled slightly as I approached the players who had just finished the game.

How could I not tremble? It was the first time I had ever seen Lucas play.

His speed when running and throwing the ball didn't even make sense. He mastered fastballs, curveballs, and sliders as if the ball came alive in his hands.

Even more surprising was that he could also bat. Very few players could master both pitching and batting.

The smell of sweat made me a little nauseous, but I tried to hold it in. I didn't pay attention to the interested glances some of the other players threw my way. I was only focused on finding Lucas.

The moment our eyes met, he stopped, leaving me speechless once again. My knees nearly buckled; I wasn't sure if it was because of his looks or the powerful aura he radiated.

This time, Lucas walked toward me as if he knew I was waiting for him.

"You need something from me?" Lucas asked without small talk, his deep and sexy voice sending shivers down my spine.

I swallowed hard. "Yeah, something like that. You're Lucas Newman, right? I'm Ophelia Perkins."

I awkwardly held out my hand, and we shook. For the first time ever, I felt nervous about asking for an interview. That wasn't like me.

"Okay, what is it?" His cold attitude offended me, not to mention the almost cynical way his eyes looked at me up close.

"I'm from Big Flat Daily, and I'd like to interview you. If you have time-"

Before I could finish, the baseball player cut me off. "No, there's nothing special about me. You'd be better off interviewing someone else."

"But-"

"Nice to meet you, ma'am."

Lucas walked straight into the locker room, leaving me stunned. Then, reality snapped back, and I was furious.

Filled with rage, I knocked on the players' locker room door. The second it opened, my eyes widened, and I almost couldn't blink.

My retinas felt violated by the sight of half-naked men strutting around in nothing but their underwear. What the hell was this? Team The Barbarians?

"Yes?" one of them asked casually.

"I need to talk to Lucas."

He turned his head back. "Lucas!"

The others chorused, "Lucas!" as if it were a ritual.

Through the steam and wall of shirtless bodies, Lucas finally emerged and walked toward me. He had changed into a tight, navy T-shirt; his baseball uniform was already off. The second I saw him, my anger melted away.

But I needed to stay firm. I needed to remind myself that being a reporter was serious business.

Lucas narrowed his eyes at me. "Didn't I already tell you I don't want to be interviewed?" he said arrogantly.

Ugh! Yes, I know. But I'm only here because my boss sent me. Like I'd ever willingly interview someone like you. I grumbled internally.

"I just need a few minutes to talk to you," I said, trying to stay professional.

Lucas stepped out and closed the door behind him. He leaned against the wall with his arms crossed. He's such a cocky ass, but damn, those arms! Being wrapped in them must feel like the safest place on Earth.

Snap out of it, Ophie! I scolded myself, annoyed at where my mind was wandering.

"You have two minutes," Lucas said casually.

"Okay, look-this interview is essential. You're one of the most talented players right now, and media coverage could boost your popularity even more. We could see this as a mutually beneficial relationship. What do you think?"

I was practically gasping for breath, feeling like I was on a timed quiz show.

"I'll even cover your meals and transportation for the interview," I added.

"Anywhere? Even a fancy restaurant?"

God, what a little shit.

"Yes, even if you want to eat at a themed restaurant or one of those revolving rooftop restaurants-I'll pay."

That'd go on Isaac's tab anyway. He was the one who wanted me to interview Lucas.

Lucas tapped his chin with his finger. "Interesting."

"Right? I can also offer you other perks and benefits if you agree."

"Hmmm..."

"Would you at least consider it?"

"No."

WHAT THE HELL?!

He shook his head. "No, thank you. Your time's up, ma'am."

He gave me a sarcastic little wave as if to mock me, then walked back inside.

There was no way I was knocking on that door again. I wasn't going to grovel like a desperate beggar, acting like he was my only source of news.

I stormed out of the stadium, grumbling the entire way.

"Damn it! He called me ma'am! Twice! That little shit!" I cursed.

Frustrated, I pulled my phone out of my bag and called Isaac. As I walked toward the street, I practically vibrated with anger, waiting for him to pick up.

"Hello?" Isaac answered.

I stopped on the sidewalk. "That player refused the interview. Just assign me to someone else! He's arrogant and annoying. Who does he think he is? Lucas Newman my ass! I'm not going near him again, Isaac!"

'But you want to.'

My entire body froze. I looked left and right because I'd heard a woman's voice whispering around me. But there was no one there.

"What the hell was that?" I murmured.

"What? What is it?"

"Nothing! Just stop. I don't want to interview Lucas Newman, period!"

"Ophie, we need a story on Lucas," Isaac said from the other end.

"Send another reporter. I'd rather interview farmers, even if we only talk about chickens and wheat!"

"This is your last chance. If you can't get a story on Lucas, I'll have no choice but to fire you."

After all these years and all the crap I'd pulled, Isaac said this so casually. What was so special about Lucas that Isaac would rather let me go than have me cover someone else?

"Are you threatening me?" My voice caught in my throat.

"Yes."

"Listen, Isaac. About Lucas's drug test? He's clean. No criminal record. He just plays really well, and that's made him cocky. What the hell are we supposed to write about him? 'A baseball player who hold his balls?'"

Isaac clears his throat. "I'm not going to argue about balls over the phone, Ophie."

"Do you even have any?"

"Just find something on Lucas. Anything. The truth. His dark side."

"Don't speak in riddles."

"Don't ignore my orders."

Click.

Isaac ended the call, making my blood boil. A message from him appeared: It was an RSVP invitation to a gala dinner scheduled for 7 p.m. tonight.

Attached was a note from Isaac that read, "Lucas will be there. I'm giving you a golden opportunity. Don't waste it."

My teeth clenched in rage. "Damn it!" I cursed.

A few minutes before seven o'clock, I arrived at a mansion on the outskirts of the city. The owner, a billionaire, was interested in baseball. As far as I knew, he sponsored the Silverfangs team.

The mansion was far from the main road; just getting there meant passing through rows of forest on either side. When I finally arrived, the mansion looked like a palace, grand and imposing. Luxury cars filled the expansive courtyard as more guests arrived.

These people were clearly not ordinary. I wondered how Isaac had even gotten the invitation. Maybe he used his influence in the media.

I stepped out of the cab and took a deep breath. "No wonder Isaac didn't want to come. This place is in the middle of nowhere."

I walked in and showed the invitation to the greeter at the door. Inside, the vibe was completely different. Diamonds and designer labels sparkled everywhere. Suddenly, I felt out of place in my simple black satin gown with thin spaghetti straps that reached my ankles.

I snatched a champagne flute off a passing tray and took a long sip to calm my nerves. Being alone in a crowd of the rich and powerful did nothing for my confidence.

I wandered, scanning the crowd. I was here on assignment-to find Lucas. But in a sea of people like this, he could be anywhere.

Then, I caught a familiar scent again. That perfume is faint but addictive. It filled me with a strange kind of energy and desire.

My eyes darted around, searching for the source. Without realizing it, I bumped into someone behind me.

I spun around. "I'm sorry!"

Lucas was standing right in front of me, casually nibbling on the mini quiche he was holding.

"I don't want to be interviewed," he said coldly, even though I hadn't said a word yet.

"Who said I came here to interview you?"

Lucas chuckled. "Oh, okay. Then carry on with your business."

My gaze shifted to the young men in formal suits who were chatting casually. Their tall, athletic builds suggested that they were athletes. However, their mannerisms didn't exactly scream "high class." They were definitely Lucas's teammates.

"Hey, are you guys from the Silverfangs team?" I asked, approaching the four of them.

"Yeah," they nodded.

"I'm Ophelia Perkins from the Big Flat Daily. Nice to meet you." I flashed them a sweet smile. "Your team is amazing. I'd love to interview one of you."

They glanced at each other awkwardly. How old were they, anyway? Seventeen? Or up to twenty?

They looked like kids trapped in grown-up bodies.

"What do you think? We can keep it casual. No pressure. Maybe we can talk while we dance?" I offered.

God, I sounded like a woman blatantly throwing herself at them. But, hey, that's better than getting humiliated by that arrogant jerk, Lucas. I'd rather get the scoop from his friends.

One of them raised his hand. "Sure, I'd love to dance with you."

I reached out to him, and-grab! Another hand suddenly caught mine. Lucas pulled me away from his teammates; his face was clearly pissed off.

"What are you doing?" Lucas hissed. "Do you really think getting chummy with my team won't cause problems?"

"What kind of problems?"

"If you give them a chance, you'll be the one in trouble."

"What on earth are you talking about?"

Lucas dragged me to the middle of the dance floor, causing everyone to turn and watch us suddenly start dancing. He wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me close, so close that I could barely breathe.

"Listen, just go find another story, okay?" Lucas said more as a command than a request.

"No! I need an interview with you!"

"You said you didn't come here to interview me."

Our eyes locked, and my heart started pounding faster. But I forced myself to stay calm in front of Lucas. We moved to the rhythm of the music. He spun me smoothly and caught me by the waist again. Lucas actually had some moves.

Meanwhile, I felt like a wrung-out cotton rag on a washboard.

He looked at me with an expression I couldn't quite read. It made me feel trapped, yet I couldn't look away.

"You're into me, aren't you?"

My gaze sharpened. "Absolutely not! Fine, then. I'll just interview your teammate instead," I said, half-threatening.

"I won't let you. Just go away. Leave my team alone, ma'am."

With that, Lucas ended our dance.

He turned and walked away, which only made me more irritated. I followed him as he slipped out onto the balcony to put distance between himself and the noise inside. He leaned on the railing and looked out at the view in front of him: acres and acres of woods.

I cleared my throat and stood cautiously behind him.

"You're doing this mysterious act on purpose, huh?" I asked.

He glanced sideways. "There's nothing special about me."

"You're playing humble to boost your image. Do you think I haven't seen the way you play on the field?"

"Does that matter?"

"To my boss? Yes. To me? It's boring."

Lucas gave a slight smirk. "Then why go through all this trouble to talk to me? You're not going to get anything."

My heart dropped. I shouldn't have said that. Wasn't my career on the line?

I should have played nice and tried to win him over.

But the damage was done. I knew I wasn't getting anything from Lucas.

"Fine," I snapped.

I walked away in frustration and stormed out of the mansion, full of regret. Only when I reached the gate did I realize I didn't have a ride home.

"Damn it! How many miles do I have to walk?" I muttered, looking down at my high heels.

I took them off, determined to walk barefoot down the road. The cold air hit my bare skin, but I kept going anyway, moving past the dark rows of trees on either side of the road.

Over twenty minutes had passed. The main road still wasn't in sight.

I focused on walking. I tried to ignore the sounds of the night: The rustling leaves. The distant howls of animals.

But something made the hairs on my arms stand up: A wolf howled.

I froze. "A wolf?"

Another howl answered it. Then another.

This time, I was alert. The sound was getting closer.

I picked up the pace. My mind was torn. Should I go back to the mansion? It was safer; people were there.

But the main road was so close; surely, at least one or two cars would pass by.

Then, I heard the brush rustle to my right, deeper in the trees. I looked toward the sound, and there, glowing in the darkness, were a pair of yellow eyes.

Not just one pair. More.

My breath caught. "No, no," I whispered, trembling.

I backed away into the woods, hoping to throw them off the trail. My walk turned into a run, my breath ragged and my chest heaving.

The creatures chased me. I could hear them behind me.

I tripped on a tree root jutting from the ground and tumbled to the dirt. I scrambled, feeling around blindly.

Deep, menacing growls surrounded me. Death felt close.

"Oh, God..."

I crawled until I reached the base of a tree, pressed my back against it, and held my breath. I prayed they wouldn't find me.

But prayers didn't work.

The wolves came.

Their eyes glowed. Their teeth bared. Hungry.

One of them-the biggest-stepped forward. Its strength was terrifying. I couldn't move.

Tears streamed down my face. I never thought I'd die like this, torn apart by wolves.

The leader lunged at me, its claws slashing across my side and throwing me to the ground. Its fangs sank into my neck.

"Aaarrghhh!!!" I screamed.

Despite the pain and shock, I heard another howl-this one louder.

Several wolves appeared. A different pack. One of them tackled the alpha that had bitten me.

I closed my eyes and felt my blood dripping from my arm and soaking into the soil. My heart thundered in my chest, but my limbs were cold and numb.

I squinted, barely conscious, as I saw one of the wolves shift into a human. Naked men. It was as if that would be the last beautiful thing I would ever see.

One of them came closer, and I recognized his face.

"Lucas..."

His name barely escaped my lips before everything went dark.