"You're wearing that?" Zully asked, one brow up, legs crossed on the bed her eyes judging the hell out of her.
Yvaine looked down at herself. Her favorite sweatshirt on leggings. It was just fine. " What? It's not bad."
Zully said lazily. "Nothing. If you're going to hide."
"We're just meeting at the gym, Zully." She sighed.
"And?"
"And nothing's going to happen. We're just hanging out. Just… talking. Maybe lifting a few things."
Zully grinned. "Mhm. You know kisses happen from just hanging out, right? It's like a side effect."
Yvaine rolled her eyes. "We're not kissing."
"Sure, sure," Zully muttered, already digging into her drawer. "Here." She tossed over a tiny pink tube. "Take the strawberry one. Boys are weak for strawberries."
Yvaine hesitated, then caught it. "Thanks," she says, and dabbed some onto her lips using the cracked mirror by the bed.
Zully sat up straighter. "Okay, lips are done. Now come here."
"What now?" Yvaine asked.
"You need to smell right."
"I used perfume already."
Zully stood. "Oh, child. You know nothing." She waved her hand. "Get up."
Yvaine got up, confused. "Why?"
"Trust the process," Zully said, eyes already fluttering closed like she was tuning into some frequency only she could hear.
She began to chant—soft and low:
"Sugar sweet and fire low,
Melt the air and make her glow.
Draw him in with one small breath,
Let her scent dance close to death."
Yvaine blinked. "Wait. What are you doing?"
"Relax," Zully said, not stopping.
A soft pink smoke began to swirl around Yvaine's legs first. Then her waist. Her shoulders.
It smelled like… strawberries. And something warmer. Vanilla, maybe? Or cinnamon?
She wasn't sure. It wrapped around her faster. "Zully," she said, starting to cough. "Zully—"
Then snap.
The smoke vanished.
Yvaine stood there, blinking, her bun slightly lopsided now. "What did you do?" she asked, voice flat. "I smell like I got dunked in half-baked cake batter."
Zully grinned. "I just boosted your pheromones, babe. Dazzled it with a little strawberry and vanilla essence."
Yvaine blinked again. "I'm changing."
Zully flopped back on the bed. "You can, but the spell sticks for four hours. Even if you go in there naked, he'll still catch a whiff."
"Great. Just great," Yvaine muttered.
She didn't want to try too hard. Now she smelled like walking dessert and had gloss on like she was expecting something.
Yvaine groaned, cursing under her breath as she took her scarf and headed for the door.
"Use those lips, baby... Real wet and good." Zully calls after her.
Yvaine didn't look back.
But she did rub her lips together once.
Just to check.
___
Yvaine stepped into the gym. It wasn't packed, which was a relief. Just a few Ember wolves and Bloodfangs, sparring or lifting. She looked around—no sign of Caelan. Figures. If she had a phone, she would've just called him. But no. Moonfire Academy and their no gadgets rule. Stupid.
Oh well, she's just going to wait for him. Hopefully, he hadn't forgotten about her. Then, the air in the room changed. Someone had walked in and the other wolves cleared the path.
Yvaine looked up—her jaw nearly dropped.
Lucien.
He was shirtless. His hair was held up with a pin. His abs, shoulders, chest, arms... Everything looked too good and it was unfair. He was a bully, he should be ugly. Lucien passed her without sparing her a glance. The female Ember wolves all started giggling and tossing their hair around like it was a shampoo ad.
She rolled her eyes. Gross.
Still… damn. The guy was hot.
And then—oh god. Caelan walked in next. Also shirtless.
Was it raining hot shirtless boys today?
She could feel her face heat up. Maybe she should've listened to Zully and worn something lighter. The sweatshirt was way too much right now.
Caelan spotted her and smiled as he walked over. "Hey, Pup. You came."
"I did." Yvaine was still flustered. "So, uh… now what? I work out with you?"
He chuckled. "I already worked out. Just came from a run. But we can talk. Or..." he paused, then grinned, "we could work out together."
"Together," she echoed.
"First thing though," he said, pointing at her sweatshirt."That's gotta go. You'll pass out from the heat."
"Right." She pulled it off, revealing her sports bra. Good thinking, Yvaine, she thought.
Caelan's gaze was intense. His eyes dropped to her chest. Then he quickly looked away, nervously rubbing his hair. "So… what should we do first?"
Her brain stalled for a second under his gaze. "Uh, jump rope?"
"Cool. There's one in the storage room. Should be on the wall hook."
She smiled and made to walk towards the storage, Caelan added,"Your scent... I like it. It's good. Like… maybe even delicious."
She blinked. "Thanks?"
The gym was almost empty now. Just three or four wolves left doing their own thing.
She got to the storage room. It was a bit dark. There was a switch on the wall so she turned it on. The storage room had mats, dumbbells,old charts. She began to look for the jump ropes. She searched the hooks, moving some things around.
Then—click.
The door shut behind her.
She turned quickly. "Hello?"
She tried the handle. Nothing.
She pushed again. Locked.
Yvaine banged on the door. "Hey! This isn't funny! Open the door!"
No response.
"Come on! I'm in here! Hello?"
Silence.
Yvaine backed away from the door, heart thudding.
What the hell was going on?
Caelan glanced at his watch again. Ten minutes had passed.
Where the hell was she?
Did she ditch him? Maybe he freaked her out with that "you smell delicious" comment. Stupid. Why did he even say that?
The gym was already empty.
He saw it—her sweatshirt. Still on the bench.
She wouldn't have left without it, not wearing just a sports bra.
Something wasn't right.
Then he heard it—banging. Faint at first, but definitely coming from the back. And muffled voices. Like someone yelling.
He jogged toward the storage room and grabbed the handle. It wouldn't budge. Locked.
With a grunt, he forced it open—and found Yvaine inside, red-faced and sweating.
"Yvaine," he said, stunned. "I thought you left."
"Someone locked me in!" she snapped, eyes wide.
"Yeah, clearly," he muttered, glancing at the latch. "It was shut from outside...
He felt a strong push just as he was finishing the statement, sending him forward and crashing into Yvaine.
Click.
"Not again!" Yvaine cried out. " I... Can't... Oh no please let us out...I.."
Her breathing became shallow and her hands were trembling.. she was going into a panic frenzy.
Caelan reached for her, " Yvaine..." She was already moving back and forth, her voice was getting louder.
"I can't— I can't be in small spaces. I hate it— I hate it— The air— It's not enough— I—"
"Hey!" he said sharply, stepping in front of her. "Yvaine. Look at me."
She stopped moving and looked at him. Tears stained her face.
Gods! He hated seeing tears. It does something to him.
"Calm the hell down. We'll get out. I just need to think, alright?"
She nodded shakily, but her hands were trembling, and her body—was getting hot. Too hot.