"Paid vacation. Free gym access. Free classes," Breanna listed, practically singing the words. "Extra perks depending on how long you stay."

My heart jumped at the possibilities.

Free gym. Paid vacation. Was this for real?

Sure, the pay wasn't exactly amazing—but this?

This was worth it.

And tomorrow, I officially start my first shift.

The next morning arrived faster than I expected. I pulled on a blue T-shirt and matching jeans, smoothing down the fabric before twisting my hair into a neat bun.

Stepping into the gym, the scent of sweat and disinfectant filled the air, blending with the rhythmic hum of workout machines. Dumbbells clinked against the racks. In the back, men pushed through intense reps, their grunts adding to the controlled chaos of movement.

Up front, Brenna was already there, waiting behind the desk, scrolling through something on her screen. As soon as she spotted me, she grinned, her red hair pulled back into a sleek bun.

"Hey, sweetheart!" Brenna strode toward me, arms wide, wrapping me in a tight hug. "OMG, you look adorable today."

I chuckled, relaxing under her warmth.

"Okay, sweetheart, you ready?"

"Um... yes, ma'am!" I tried to contain my excitement, but it bubbled up anyway.

"Good!" She gave me a playful pat on the shoulder. "Today, you're training with Nick. Normally he's booked solid, but he's free until tomorrow."

Oh—him. From yesterday. I blinked. "Oh... him."

"Yep," she said, popping the 'p'. "He can be a pest, so be careful, sweety."

I swallowed, pushing away the memory before it could unravel.

I waited at the front desk, shifting restlessly as minutes stretched into what felt like forever.

Then—warm fingers pressed against my shoulder.

I turned.

And there he was.

Nick.

Emerald-green eyes locked onto mine— striking, intense.

For a second, I forgot how to breathe. His gaze wasn't just looking... it was pulling.

A soft, woody citrus scent lingered around him— fresh, masculine, quietly disarming. It curled into the air like a whisper my body couldn't ignore.

His build was unreal, all lean muscle and power, like a gladiator sculpted straight out of myth.

"Um... hello," I stammered, my voice embarrassingly shaky. "How... how are you?"

Nick's lips curved slightly, amusement flickering in his emerald gaze.

"I'm good kitten." His voice—low, smooth—wrapped around me like warmth on a cold morning.

My breath hitched.

Was it normal for a voice to feel like that?

I needed to answer. Now.

"OMG—no way did Nick just flash a real smile, once again." Brenna blurted, eyes wide with shock.

"Oh, God. Hell must have officially frozen over," Breanna gasped, nudging my arm.

Then she turned to me with a knowing grin. "And you—girl, that blush? I see you."

Breanna's grin widened. "Well, sweetheart..." she said, eyes flicking between us with that I-know-you're-in-trouble sparkle. "I'll let you two get to work. And Nick? Be good, or else."

Nick scoffed but chuckled. "Okay, Bre."

Then, his attention shifted back to me.

He extended his hand toward me, and I hesitated only for a second before taking it. His grip was warm, firm—not too rough, not too soft. Steady.

Too steady.

Like he knew exactly how much pressure to use, like his confidence wasn't just practiced—it was instinct.

I released his hand, but the heat lingered on my palm.

"Well," he said, snapping me out of my thoughts. "Let's get started."

Nick guided me through the system, showing me how to check in customers, manage class schedules, and handle membership details.

"You got it?" he asked, watching me practice.

"I think so," I said, hesitating over the screen.

He leaned in slightly, his presence close but not overwhelming.

"Don't worry, you'll get the hang of it." His voice was smooth, steady, reassuring.

I nodded, feeling more at ease.

As we moved on, Nick explained how to greet customers, throwing in casual tips and advice.

I hadn't expected him to be this... easy to talk to.

For someone who had carried an air of mystery—intensity, even—he was patient, polite, and surprisingly attentive.

Before I knew it, time flew by, and my first day came to an end.

"Wow," I breathed, stretching my arms. "That was fun."

Nick glanced at me, an amused glint in his eyes. "Yeah? Maybe you'll actually like working here."

I laughed. "Maybe."

Brenna popped up beside us, grinning. "See? I knew you'd be fine. Nick didn't scare you off after all."

I smirked, stealing a glance at him. "Not yet, anyway."

Nick scoffed but shook his head. "Guess we'll see about that tomorrow."

I crossed my arms with a playful smirk. "You don't scare me, Nick—you're way too sweet."

He rolled his eyes but didn't argue, guiding me through the clock-out process.

"Thanks again, Nick," I said as I finished up.

"No problem," he replied.

I swatted Nick's hand away with a laugh, shaking my head.

Hey! Stop that!

Nick chuckled, clearly enjoying himself.

Then—just at the edge of my vision—Breanna leaned against the front desk, arms crossed, watching us with a knowing smirk.

Oh no.

She was up to something.

I shot her a look, but she just winked.

"Well, I'm off," I said quickly, shaking my head with amusement. "Gotta get home."

As I walked through the front door, the familiar hum of the TV greeted me. Mom was in the living room, Oreo sprawled across her lap, purring contentedly as she scratched behind his ears. The news anchor's voice filled the room—grim and urgent.

"Authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant as a growing number of disappearances grip the city. Several bodies have been discovered in alleyways, each showing signs of severe mutilation. While police continue their investigation, no suspect has been identified at this time."

I froze mid-step, the words sinking in like ice.

Disappearances. Mutilation. No suspect.

A chill crept along my spine, the weight of those words settling deep.

"Dang," I muttered, the sound breaking the tense silence.

Mom jumped, letting out a startled scream that sent Oreo leaping off her lap in a blur of black and white fur.

"Anna!" she gasped, exhaling sharply. "You scared me half to death!"

Before I could apologize, hurried footsteps echoed down the hallway. My twin brothers burst out of Jackson's room, their expressions mirroring each other—part concern, part full-blown action movie mode.

"What's going on?" Bryan demanded, fists clenched.

"It's just me," I said quickly, holding up my hands. "Relax, guys."

They exchanged a glance and relaxed.

"Hey, sis," Jackson offered, voice lighter.

"Hey, guys," I replied, still pulling myself back into the room.

Bryan crossed his arms. "So... how was your first day?"

I breathed deep, replaying it all.

Nick's smirk. His steady grip. His voice. "I love it already," I said. "Can't wait for tomorrow."

"Great," Jackson said, grinning. "Maybe you'll stop hogging the Wi-Fi."

I rolled my eyes. "Very funny."

Mom turned back to the TV just as the anchor's tone dropped again.

"Witnesses near the crime scenes have reported hearing unsettling noises—low growls and sharp scraping sounds, resembling claws against pavement. Authorities are urging residents to avoid walking alone at night and report any suspicious activity immediately."

The camera cut to a dimly lit alley, police tape fluttering in the breeze.

"Shredded," the reporter added, her voice trembling. "As if by some kind of animal. But no known predators have been reported in the area."

"Okay, that's enough," Mom said, snatching the remote and killing the broadcast.

She turned to me, eyes dark with worry. "You be careful out there, Anna. I mean it."

"I will, Mom," I promised. The weight in my chest? It didn't lift.

"Well," I said, forcing a lighter tone, "I think I'll head upstairs and relax for a bit."

"Good idea," Bryan said, ruffling my hair. "Don't let the alleyway monster get you."

He said it in mock seriousness, lowering his voice like a campfire storyteller.

I rolled my eyes, but the unease still coiled tight in my stomach.

"Ha-ha," I shot back, swatting his hand away.

As I climbed the stairs, the weight of the news clung to me like a shadow—silent, pressing.

I told myself it was nothing. Just another string of bad news.

But deep down... something refused to settle.

The shredded bodies. The growls. The echo of Nick's voice.

I flopped onto my bed, letting the tension bleed out into the mattress. The soft hum of my laptop filled the silence.

4:45 p.m.

I clicked through streaming options, settling on anime to drown out the unease gnawing at me, slipping on my headphones so Mom wouldn't hear.

But despite the colors, the sounds, the comfort of something familiar—

my mind wasn't here.

Nick.

He kept slipping into my thoughts. Effortless. Warm. Magnetic.

His voice. His patience. The way he almost smiled when he thought no one was looking.

And that outfit—black, tailored, sculpted like armor over myth.

I groaned, shutting my eyes. Why was I thinking about him again?

Was it...?

No. No way.

But then... Henry surfaced.

The warmth in his gaze. The soft edges of his easy kindness. Henry had always been a safe crush—the type that felt familiar. Comfortable. Never complicated.

Nick, on the other hand?

Nick wasn't safe.

Nick was something else entirely.

Something that made my heart stumble. My thoughts twist. Something I didn't want to admit.

Because admitting it?

That meant something was already shifting.

I sat up, rubbing my temples, frustration bubbling in my chest.

Henry was safe. Nick was...

Dangerous.

Not in a threatening way. In the way that pulled.

The way that made my heart betray me.

I groaned again, flopping back onto my pillow, yanking it over my face like I could block him out. Like I could erase the choice my heart had already made.

Oh god.

I was doomed.

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Hey, lovely readers 🖤

Thanks for reading Chapter 6 of True Love’s Bite. Anna started her new job with nerves… and left with something heavier.

Nick’s presence felt warm. Steady. Too steady. And every moment near him pulled—not just emotionally, but instinctually.

She thought she was settling into a routine. But WYAO isn’t just fluorescent lighting and flirtation. It’s teeth behind smiles. Glass that gleams like it’s already seen her bleed.

This chapter is for anyone who’s ever tried to ignore their own instincts. For anyone who's felt attraction and alarm, tangled like vines. For those who know that some eyes don't just look—they consume.

If you felt the chill when the news dropped, if your heart twisted when her thoughts did, let me know. Drop a comment, share your theories, and tell me—what would you do if someone like Nick looked at you like that?

We read it all—every spark. Every warning.

—Luna-chan 🥀

Next time...

He didn’t scream. But someone heard him. The bite wasn’t random. It was chosen. Something ancient stirred—testing the edges of power. And Anna? She’s circling closer. Not to danger… but to design.

⊱ ────── {.⋅ ✯ ⋅.} ────── ⊰