The crisp October air nipped at Jessica's exposed skin as she stepped out of Kevin's car. The lake harbor bustled with activity, a stark contrast to its usual sleepy atmosphere. Costumed teenagers milled about, their excited chatter punctuated by the occasional shriek of laughter.

Jessica tugged at the hem of her cheerleader skirt, suddenly self-conscious. Salina had insisted on the "sexy witch" look, complete with fishnet stockings and a pointed hat perched jauntily atop her carefully long black hair.

"Stop fidgeting," Salina hissed, appearing at Jessica's side. "You look hot, though."

Kevin, bringing up the rear in his half-hearted zombie getup, snorted. "Yeah, Jessica. You look hot enough for a slasher to come get you.”

Jessica elbowed him in the ribs, grinning despite herself. "Yeah yeah, dork. At least I don't look like I got into a fight with a makeup palette and lost."

Tiffany's shrill voice cut their banter short. "Jessica! Over here!"

Tiffany stood near the dock, waving enthusiastically. Adorned in her fairy princess costume, she sparkled with glittery wings and a regal tiara. Her boyfriend, Brad, loomed beside her in a knight costume that looked uncomfortably tight.

As Jessica approached, Tiffany's smile faltered. "Oh. You brought... them."

The disdain in her voice was palpable. Jessica felt her hackles rise, a low growl building in her throat that she quickly suppressed.

"Is that a problem?" she asked, her voice deceptively sweet.

Brad stepped forward, his brow furrowed. "We didn't exactly plan for extra guests, Jessica. The boat's pretty full as it is."

Jessica crossed her arms, fixing Brad with a steely glare. "Kevin and Salina are my friends. Where I go, they go. Got it?"

A tense silence fell over the group. Jessica could feel Kevin and Salina shifting uncomfortably behind her, but she didn't back down. After what felt like an eternity, Brad sighed.

"Fine, whatever. The more the merrier, right?" He forced a chuckle that didn't reach his eyes. "Just... try to keep up, okay?"

As Brad turned to help Tiffany onto the boat, Jessica heard Kevin mutter, "What a tool."

She couldn't help but agree.

The boat ride to Moon Island was a cacophony of excited chatter and nervous laughter. Jessica sat sandwiched between Kevin and Salina, her enhanced senses overwhelmed by the mix of perfumes, aftershaves, and the underlying scent of anticipation tinged with fear.

Tiffany conversed with Mia, Amber, and Camella, while Brad shared silly jokes with his football teammates. They all chattered away like chickens in a coop.

As they approached the island, Castle Dregan loomed into view. Jessica's breath caught in her throat. The castle was a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, all soaring spires and imposing stonework. In the fading light of dusk, it looked both beautiful and utterly terrifying.

"Holy shit," Salina whispered, echoing Jessica's thoughts. "That place is intense."

Kevin leaned in close, his voice low. "You okay, Jessica? We can still bail if you want."

Jessica shook her head, squaring her shoulders. "I'm fine. It's just a party, right?"

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But as they disembarked onto the island's rocky shore, Jessica couldn't shake the feeling that they were walking into something far more dangerous than a simple Halloween bash.

The group trudged up the winding path to the castle, their excited chatter dying down as the imposing structure grew closer. Jessica's skin prickled with goosebumps that had nothing to do with the chilly air.

Brad fumbled with an ancient-looking key, finally unlocking the massive front door. It swung open with an ominous creak that echoed through the entry hall.

"Welcome to Castle Dregan!" Brad announced, his voice roared in excitement, piecing the silence. "Let's get this party started!"

The teens filed in, their eyes wide as they took in their surroundings. The entry hall was cavernous, dominated by a grand staircase that swept upwards into shadowy depths. Cobwebs clung to elaborate chandeliers, and dust motes danced in the beams of their flashlights.

"This place is... something else," Kevin muttered, eyeing a grotesque gargoyle statue.

Jessica nodded, unable to shake the feeling that they were being watched. She scanned the room; her heightened senses on high alert. Nothing seemed immediately threatening, but there was an undercurrent of... something. A presence that set her teeth on edge.

“Hey, Brad. How did your parents brought this place?” Salina asked.

"Money. Alright, people!" Brad's voice cut through the hushed whispers. "Let's split up and get this place ready. We've got decorations to hang, snacks to set up, and a killer sound system to install."

As the group dispersed, Jessica grabbed Kevin and Salina's arms. "Let's stick together," she said, her voice low and urgent.

They nodded, understanding the unspoken concern in her eyes.

The next hour passed in a blur of activity. Jessica hung cobwebs (as if the place needed more) and arranging jack-o’-lanterns while trying to monitor every shadowy corner. Kevin and Salina worked nearby, their constant presence a slight comfort in the oppressive atmosphere of the castle.

As the sun set completely, the party began in earnest. Music blared from speakers set up in what must have once been a ballroom, the pulsing beat at odds with the ancient stonework. Colored lights flashed, creating an eerie disco effect that made the shadows seem to move of their own accord.

Jessica sipped at a lukewarm beer, grimacing at the taste. She watched as her classmates danced and laughed, seemingly oblivious to the unsettling aura of the castle. How could they not feel it? The weight of centuries pressed down on them, filled with secrets and whispered warnings.

"Hey, you okay?" Salina appeared at her side, concern etched on her face. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

Jessica forced a smile. "Just taking it all in. This place is... a lot."

Salina nodded, her eyes scanning the room. "Tell me about it. I keep expecting Dracula to pop out from behind a curtain or something. Also, don’t put candy in your drink. It will taste like shit."

As if on cue, a blood-curdling scream rent the air. The music cut out abruptly, plunging the room into an eerie silence broken only by confused murmurs.

"What the hell was that?" Kevin asked, materializing at Jessica's other side.

Before she could respond, Tiffany burst into the room, her face pale beneath her makeup. "Guys, come quick! There's... there's something in the basement!"

A ripple of excitement mixed with fear swept through the crowd. Jessica felt her heart rate spike, her wolf instincts screaming danger.

"We should check it out," she said, surprising herself with the steadiness of her voice.

Kevin shot her an incredulous look. "Are you insane? This is how people die in horror movies!"

But Jessica was already moving, drawn by some instinct she couldn't quite name. As she pushed through the crowd towards the basement stairs, she heard Kevin and Salina hurrying after her.

The basement was a maze of cramped corridors and low-ceilinged rooms. The air was thick with the scent of mold and decay, making Jessica's sensitive nose twitch. Their flashlight beams cut through the gloom, revealing ancient wine racks and rusted implements of uncertain purpose.

"Hello?" Jessica called out, her voice echoing unnervingly. "Is anyone down here?"

A muffled sob answered her, coming from somewhere deeper in the basement. Jessica pressed forward, her friends close behind.

They found Brad huddled in a corner, his knight costume streaked with dirt and cobwebs. His eyes were wide with terror, fixed on something in the shadows that Jessica couldn't quite make out.

"Brad?" she said softly, approaching him slowly. "What happened? What did you see?"

He turned to look at her, his face ashen. "There was... something. A creature. It... it spoke to me."

Jessica felt a chill run down her spine. "What did it say?"

Brad's voice was barely above a whisper. "It said... 'The wolf has returned.'"

Jessica froze, her blood turning to ice in her veins. Did he mean the werewolf she saw dissolving into the pool of molten metal inside the steel mill? But how could that be possible? How could he return from the dead?

Before she could process this bombshell, a low growl emanated from the darkness. It was a sound Jessica knew all too well–the growl of a predator about to pounce.