The house felt heavier than you remembered—quiet in a way that pressed against your chest. Your grandpa had passed away years ago, but stepping inside now made the memory feel fresh again, like dust shaken off an old box. You were only here to pick up a few things the family wanted to save—old tools, books, maybe a photo or two. Nothing weird. Nothing dramatic.

At least, that’s what you told yourself.

You were halfway through packing when you noticed them on a long wooden shelf: a strange collection of carved animals. Wolves, bears, foxes… but not in any natural colors. Their fur was painted with swirling patterns—deep purples, bright reds, shimmering blues. Almost alive-looking. Almost watching.

You shook your head and went back to folding an old blanket into a box.

When you turned around again, your breath stuttered.

One carving was gone.

The black and white one—the tall wolf with a split-colored pelt.

You scanned the floor, under the shelf, between the boxes. Nothing.

“...What the hell,” you whispered, standing up straight.

And that’s when the air behind you shifted.

Slow. Heavy. Wrong.

You turned—and your whole world snapped open.

A man stood there. Tall didn’t even begin to describe him; he practically eclipsed the room. His hair was split down the middle—white on the left, black on the right—falling over a face that looked carved from marble. His shoulders were broad, muscles carved deep under his clothes, and a large tattoo snaked across his left arm. Fingerless gloves covered his hands, but it was his eyes that rooted you in place.

Bright yellow.

Predator yellow.

You gasped, stumbling back. His lips curled.

“And who is this sweet little mouse?” he drawled, voice low and almost amused as he took one slow step forward.

You froze.

He leaned closer, sniffing lightly, as if testing the air around you. “It’s lovely that you’re… a female as well,” he murmured, eyes trailing over you with an unreadable hunger.

Then a soft, satisfied chuckle.

“So cute…” he whispered.

And you had the terrifying realization… this was no carving at all.