As Jacob and I continue down the path toward the jacobs house, the silence between us hangs heavy. I haven’t said much—partly because I’m still ashamed of how I lost control earlier… and partly because I’m not even supposed to tell Jacob anything. Hell, I wasn’t supposed to tell Elodie either. But what was I supposed to do? Just vanish from her life after everything?

If Billy’s mentioned anything to Jacob about needing to talk to me… he probably knows exactly where I went after the garage. Knows I came up here to find her. So yeah—definitely not looking forward to another lecture today.

“You seriously not gonna say a single word to me?” Jacob asks suddenly, cutting through the quiet.

I sigh. “Sorry, man. It’s just been a rough week. And I’m sorry for… y’know, ruining the whole tour we were supposed to take together.”

He doesn’t brush it off. “If anyone deserves an apology, it’s Elodie. Not me.”

Then he smirks. “Besides, you’re the one who missed out on riding alongside her on that bike.”

I roll my eyes, trying not to let the comment get under my skin—but it still does. A part of me wants to say something back, wants to joke, to flirt, to deflect. But I bite it down. I can’t risk another slip.

“No comeback?” he teases. “Jeez. And don’t even get me started on how weird Dad’s been acting lately. He’s been hounding me nonstop—‘Keep an eye on Maya,’ ‘Tell me if anything weird happens.’ Like I’m some kind of spy or something.”

“So that’s why you ruined my moment with Elodie? So you could be a tattletale?” I say, half-joking. Mostly. But it still stings—knowing the one person I thought I could always trust… kind of betrayed me.

Jacob goes quiet for a second, the wind from the ride the only thing filling the gap.

“I’m sorry, Maya,” he says, and this time there’s no sarcasm—just quiet sincerity. “But you were acting off. You scared Elodie. You kinda scared me, too. And Dad… he told me it was for your own good. Whatever that means.”

We don’t say much after that and By the time we pull into the driveway of the Black residence, Billy is already outside—waiting. It doesn’t take long before his dad calls him over, dismissing him with a look that says now.

And me? Well… here it goes, I guess.

“Where have you been?”
Billy’s not asking. He’s demanding an answer.

“I went up to the cliff,” I say, trying not to sound too defensive. “I just needed to go somewhere quiet. To get my head around this whole… retreat thing.”
Technically, not a lie. I did need time to think after what he told me.

“Why can’t I tell anyone about it?” I add, trying to shift the focus. “Why does it have to be some big secret?”

“I already told you, Maya. You’ll understand once we’re there. I promise—once and for all—you’ll get the full story.”
And somehow, the way he says it makes me believe he actually means it.

“…Okay,” I say quietly—somewhere between defeated and hopeful. At this point, I’ll take anything.

“Good,” he replies with a gentle smile. “How about you stay over tonight? Tomorrow, me, you, and Sam will drive you back to pack a few things. Then we can leave for the retreat.”

“Do they even know about it?” I ask as we head toward the house. All I want now is for this crazy day to be done.

“Don’t worry. I contacted them while you were off on your little cliffside adventure—flirting with Skye’s kid.”
He says it so casually, I nearly trip over my own feet.

“I wasn’t—” I start, flushing red, but he stops me with one of those looks. The kind that says, I’m old, not blind.

“I… I just had to say goodbye, Billy. You should’ve heard what she said earlier—about how her own family and friends abandoned her after she came out. I couldn’t let her think I’d do the same. I couldn’t.”
The words catch a little in my throat. It’s still raw.

Billy’s expression softens. “I know, Aya.”
His voice is quiet. Honest.
“I know you’re a good kid. That’s exactly why this retreat is so important.”
But he doesn’t explain further. He just leaves it at that.

When I finally head to Jacob’s room, I’m relieved to find he’s already asleep. Ever since we were kids, I’ve stayed over often enough that Billy eventually added a second bed in there just for me.

I slip off my boots as quietly as I can and crawl under the covers, trying not to wake him.
And for the first time in what feels like forever, I let myself rest.

I hear the sound of crunching snow under small feet, the soft rustle of a bush not far off—then, as my vision sharpens, I suddenly see something pulled straight from a nightmare.

A woman.

Her skin is shockingly pale, her long blonde hair wild and tangled in every direction, and her once-elegant dress hangs in tattered ruins. From this angle, I can only see part of her face… but her eyes—those deep, blood-red eyes—burn into me. Cracks line her exposed skin like fractured porcelain. But what really catches my attention is what’s wrapped around her wrists: it looks almost like a leather bracelet, glowing with a reddish-gold hue, weaving across her hands.

And flanking her on either side... two giant wolves. Silent. Watchful.

But for some reason—I’m not afraid.

Standing in front of the kneeling woman is a tall man. Broad-shouldered. Familiar, though I can't place why.

“I won’t ask you again,” the man says coldly, eyes sharp with fury. The wolves growl low, rumbling threats in their throats.

The woman begins to speak, but I can’t hear her. I inch forward, trying to catch her words—until a twig snaps beneath my foot.

Everything goes still.

“WHO GOES THERE?” the man’s voice booms, fierce and commanding. Yet oddly... I don’t feel fear. Just disappointment. That I got caught.

Before I even think to stop myself, I push through the bushes and step into view. He stares down at me.

Then—he sighs. His expression softens immediately.

“Tahlia? What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be asleep?”

“Sorry, Daddy,” I say, dropping my eyes. “I heard weird noises. I just wanted to see…”

He exhales again, heavier this time. “Take her to her cell,” he commands, and two of the wolves shift into human form, moving to escort the pale woman. But before she’s taken away, she turns to look at me—with a softness in her eyes that doesn’t match the stories Daddy used to tell.

Once they’re gone, the man—my father—kneels before me, cupping my face like I’m the most important thing in the world.

“It’s not safe out here at night,” he says gently. “You know that, don’t you?”

“…I know, Daddy,” I mumble, ashamed.

Just then, another voice breaks the moment.

“Ephraim. Bad time?”

My father—Ephraim Black—shakes his head. “No. But summon someone to escort my daughter back to her hut. And make sure she stays there.”

He glances back at me with a mix of amusement and worry.

The man leaves, and soon returns with a kind-eyed woman. “Come on, sweetheart,” she says softly. “Time for bed.”

I give Daddy one last look. He nods, so I follow her back. Mom and my brother are still fast asleep. The guard outside doesn’t know it, but I have a secret.

A way out.

I sneak over to the chest near my mattress, grab the leftover meat I saved from earlier, and carefully slide it into my mouth. I’ll need my hands to climb.

Shifting the chest aside, I squeeze through the tear in the tent wall—my secret passage—and move through the camp like a shadow. Eventually, I reach a cave I’ve been told never to enter. The prison. A guard stands at the front, but I know better. The prison has a roof filled with holes—"to annoy them," they said. I climb a nearby tree and edge along a thick branch until I’m above the roof.

Peering through one of the holes, I see nothing at first—then, suddenly, two glowing red eyes look right back at me.

Her eyes.

The same pale woman…

Still silent, still unmoving, with that strange glowing cord wrapped around her wrists.

I gently drop the meat through the hole. It lands with a soft thud in front of her.

“I hope you like it,” I whisper. “My mom cooked it. It’s really tasty.”

She doesn’t reach for it. Doesn’t move. Just stares.

Then she speaks—softly. “Thank you… Tahlia, isn’t it?”

I nod. “Yes! What’s your name?”

“Rosemarie,” she says, her voice gentle. “But you can call me Rose, if you’d like.”

“That’s such a beautiful name,” I say sincerely.

“Thank you, sweetheart. But now… why don’t you head to bed?”

I puff out my cheeks. “Okay… but I’ll come back tomorrow and bring more. Nite nite, Rose.”

She smiles faintly as I begin the climb back down.

But before I make it far—everything turns to black.

A loud noise jars me awake.

My eyes fly open. I’m alone in the tent.

I must’ve overslept.

As I head outside, the first thing I notice is smoke—thick plumes rising in the distance. Three spots. Fires.

But what makes my heart drop is the one nearest the prison.

Rosemarie.

If it’s the prison last to be saved… she could be in danger.

I sprint toward it. The closer I get, the more I see—claw marks gouged into the dirt, strange red smears on the ground.

Two guards. Motionless.

I’m about to check if they’re okay when someone yanks my dress hard, spinning me around.

“Well, well. What do we have here?” a man sneers, shoving me to the ground.

He looks like Rosemarie—but twisted. Darker. His red eyes… they’re not like hers. They’re hungry.

He steps closer, but then—

“STAND DOWN!”

The voice stops him cold.

Rosemarie.

But not cracked or bound. The glow is gone. She looks… whole. Powerful.

“My lady,” the man says, bowing his head. “It’s an honor. Your father feared the worst when these beasts took you.”

He throws a venomous glance my way.

Another woman at Rosemarie’s side speaks next. “What shall we do with the child, my lady? You haven’t fed since your capture. She’d make a lovely appetizer.”

My heart races. I look to Rosemarie, terrified. Was Daddy right?

But she steps forward, her voice steel.

“If anyone lays a finger on that child, you’ll answer to me.”

Her words freeze them in place.

Despite her weakened state, they’re afraid of her.

She kneels in front of me again, her expression soft, protective.

“I won’t let them hurt you. I promise.”

She slips a ring off her finger—gold, heavy, marked with a strange symbol—and presses it into my hand.

“If you ever run into one of my people, show them this. It means you’re under my protection. Always.”

I nod, clutching it tight.

“Consider it repayment… for that lovely meat you gave me,” she adds with a quiet smile.

As she stands and turns away, the man protests. “But my lady—won’t the girl tell them?”

In a flash, she’s gone. And then she reappears—hand clenched around the man’s throat.

“YOU DARE QUESTION ME?” she snarls.

His bones crack beneath her grip before she releases him, letting him crumble.

“You’re lucky this child is here,” she growls. “If she wasn’t, I’d use your spine as a trophy.”

She turns to the woman. “Get him out of my sight before I change my mind.”

Then, finally, she looks back at me one last time. Her voice, once more gentle.

“Until we meet again.”

And with a blur, she vanishes into the smoke.

“Tahlia? Tahlia?! Maya! Maya!”

I jolt upright.

“Ugh… I’m up, damn it,” I groan, rubbing my eyes, trying to cling to the dream—but it’s already fading.

“I wouldn’t test him, Aya,” Jacob says, fully dressed and clearly already over this morning.

“God, is there like no one on my side anymore?” I mutter, swinging my legs off the bed.

“My dad’s downstairs—he’s making you breakfast,” Jacob says, leaning casually against the doorframe.

“Just me?” I ask, a little confused.

“Aww… you do care,” he teases, flashing a grin. “Don’t worry, I already ate.”

I don’t take the bait. I’m still not entirely over yesterday. I get why he did it—he was worried, for Elodie and for me—but that doesn’t make it sting any less.

“So… Dad said you’re going on that retreat thing with him and Sam,” Jacob tries again, his voice softer. “Excited?”

“Not really,” I admit with a small shrug. “But apparently it’ll help with… whatever’s been going on with me lately.”

Before he can respond, Billy’s voice calls from downstairs, letting me know breakfast is ready. I start to get up, brushing some sleep-tangled hair out of my face. Jacob hesitates before speaking again.

“Look, Aya… I don’t know how long you and Dad are gonna be out there, so I wanna say this now. I know it probably felt like I betrayed you yesterday—and maybe I kinda did—but I swear, when you get back from this thing, I’ll make it up to you. I promise.”

It’s clear he means it. And for the first time since yesterday, something in me softens.

“Good luck,” I say, smirking just a little before opening the door and heading downstairs to breakfast.

As I step into the kitchen, I find Billy on the far side, drying his hands on a kitchen towel—he must’ve just washed up.

“Eat up,” he says without looking up. “You’re going to need your energy today.”

I glance down at the plate waiting for me, and… okay, he definitely went all out. Full English breakfast, complete with eggs, bacon, toast, beans, grilled tomato—even a glass of juice to wash it down. It’s the kind of meal people make when they think you’re heading into something big. Or dangerous.

Part of me wants to ask why. Like, what exactly are we supposed to be doing at this “retreat” that requires this much protein? But I already know I won’t get any real answers. So instead, I sit down and let the silence stretch between us while I eat. It doesn’t last long—I guess I was hungrier than I thought.

Just as I’m finishing the last bite, a car horn breaks through the quiet, long and low. Our ride.

The engine’s already running by the time Billy wheels us outside, the low growl of it curling through the early fog like it’s been waiting longer than we have.

And then I see him.

Leaning against the driver’s side door like he’s part of the trees behind him. Not the car. Like he grew out of the forest and only stepped into the clearing because someone asked him nicely.

Sam Uley.

I’ve seen him before, mostly at a distance—community events, grocery store aisles, those times our parents spoke in hushed tones and we pretended not to notice. But up close, in the cold morning light, he feels… different. Like someone turned the gravity up around him.

He’s tall—really tall—but it’s more than height. There’s a stillness to him that feels carved out of stone. Broad shoulders under a worn-in jacket, long legs planted like he’s bracing for something. His skin carries that deep, coppery warmth some of the elders have, and his hair is cropped short, still damp—either from an early run or a cold shower, I can’t tell.

Then there are his eyes. Dark. Still. Watching.

When they meet mine, I feel it—this strange, quiet pressure. He’s not looking at me exactly. He’s looking through me, into something I haven’t grown into yet. Something even I don’t understand. It makes my stomach twist in a way I don’t have words for.

He doesn’t smile. Just nods to Billy and opens the passenger door like it’s second nature. Maybe it is.

“Morning,” he says, voice low and smooth, like a river that’s cut through stone for a thousand years.

“Morning, Sam. Thanks for helping us with all this,” Billy replies, wheeling himself closer to the car.

Sam doesn’t answer—he just nods again. Before I can even offer to help, he’s already lifted Billy out of his chair with effortless care and settled him gently into the front seat. Like he’s done it a hundred times. Like Billy weighs nothing at all.

I blink once, then open the back door and slide into the seat before I start overthinking the whole scene. Because something about this morning is… off. Too calm. Too quiet. Like the air’s holding its breath.

As Sam climbs into the driver’s seat and buckles in, Billy speaks again. “First stop’s the Tahki household. You know where that is, right?”

Sam just nods, already starting the engine.

And all I can think is—How the hell does he know where I live?

It takes a bit of time to reach my house. It’s tucked away on the outskirts of our lands, almost like it doesn’t want to be found—just like the people inside it. When we finally pull up, I hop out of the car and head straight for the front door, ringing the bell with a familiar flick of my finger.

Talon answers.

My little brother, twelve years old and somehow always grinning like the world hasn’t managed to knock the wind out of him yet. His skin’s a touch lighter than mine and Dad’s—something he got from Mom’s side of the family—along with those piercing evergreen eyes that somehow always see right through me. His shaggy black hair looks like it belongs to a cartoon hippy, sticking out in every direction like it has its own opinions. But his best feature? That smile. No matter what I’m going through, seeing Talon’s smile always gets one out of me in return.

“Maya!” he beams, and before I can even blink, he tackles me into one of his signature hugs.

“Hey, Tal,” I say, laughing softly as I ruffle his hair into even more chaos.

He pulls back just enough to look up at me, brows furrowed. “Is it true? Are you really going on that retreat thingy Mom told me about?”

His voice is soft, like a kicked puppy, and it nearly guts me. Honestly, if it were up to me, I’d rather stay here too.

I untangle from his hug and crouch down to his level. “It’s true, bud. But I promise—once I’m back, we’ll have a whole day together. Just you and me. We’ll go wherever you want, do whatever you want. Sound good?”

His smile returns, slow and bright. “You better not break that promise.”

“Have I ever broken a promise, Tal?” I ask, holding his gaze. I mean it—and he knows I do.

“Nope,” he says, grinning even wider. “Come on, Mom and Dad are in the kitchen. You kinda missed breakfast, but I bet Mom’ll make you something else if you ask.”

He grabs my hand and leads me inside, straight to the kitchen, where my mom’s rinsing dishes in the sink and my dad’s off to the side carving something—probably just out of habit. The moment I step in, my dad looks up with the same amber eyes we share.

“Morning, Aya,” he says with his usual calm smile.

My mom, on the other hand, immediately sets the dish aside, wipes her hands on a towel, and wraps me in one of her warm, all-encompassing hugs. “Morning, sweetheart,” she murmurs, holding on a second longer than usual.

When she pulls back, she gives me a quick once-over. “While you’re here, go take a quick shower and change, alright?”

I nod, but before heading upstairs, I glance at my dad again.

“Um… did Billy say anything to you about this retreat thing?” I ask gently, not wanting to worry them. Still… I need to know if they’re as in the dark as I am.

He holds my gaze, and I already know the answer before he speaks.

“You know the truth, honey. No one tells us much of anything—not really. Billy said you might come back… changed. Didn’t explain what that meant exactly. And I wasn’t thrilled about that, not at all. But the Black family… they’re the only ones who’ve ever treated us with real respect. I trust Billy, even if I don’t always understand him. Still…” He trails off, the weight of unspoken fears hanging between us. “If things get too weird—if anything feels wrong—you leave. I don’t care what kind of promise you’ve made. You get out. Billy’s not the type, but… you never know.”

His voice is even, but the concern is real. I nod and head upstairs without another word.

I pack quickly, throwing the essentials into a duffel before hopping in the shower. The water’s hot, grounding, and I try not to think too much about what I’m walking into. When I finally dress, I choose something lighter than usual—just in case this retreat involves hiking or worse.

As I come down the stairs, I find all three of them waiting near the base—Mom, Dad, and Talon. They all look… worried. Understandably.

So, I put on my best smirk. Not to hide it, just to soften it. “Mom. Dad. Talon. Don’t worry too much, alright? I know Billy can be vague as hell, but I trust him. He’s never led me wrong before. I really believe this is his way of trying to help me… figure things out. And I’ll try to come back as soon as I can.”

My words seem to ease something in their expressions. Just a little. So I wrap them all in a tight hug.

“I’ll miss you,” I whisper, before turning toward the door.

But before I can step out, my dad’s voice stops me.

“Be safe, okay?”

I pause, look over my shoulder, and nod. “I will, Dad. I promise.”

I step outside and almost shut the door behind me—but before I can, I hear whispering coming from their car.

“I still think it’s too risky, Billy,” Sam is saying. “How are we supposed to know it’ll work?”

Great. Too risky? That’s just what I wanted to hear.

Before I can catch more, the front door closes behind me—probably one of my family thinking I forgot to shut it—and the conversation cuts off like a blade.

I exhale through my nose, toss my bag into the back seat, and climb in after it, shutting the door behind me.

“Got everything you need, Aya?” Billy asks, turning to glance at me.

“Yeah. At least… I hope so,” I say, eyeing both of them warily.

“Good,” Billy replies simply, as Sam starts the car.

I think about asking where we’re going. But honestly? I doubt they’ll give me a straight answer.

So instead, I lean back in my seat and think, If I get murdered tonight, I’m haunting this entire damn tribe.

I’m not entirely sure how long the drive lasts — maybe half an hour, give or take — before the car finally pulls to a stop in what feels like the middle of nowhere. No signs, no road, no cottage in sight. Just endless forest and a thick, oppressive silence that settles around us like fog.

Billy doesn’t look at me when he speaks, which is never a good sign.

“This is where you’ll get out, Aya,” he says simply, eyes fixed on the treeline.

I stare at him, blinking. “Here? Are you serious? There’s nothing here.”

“I know how it looks,” he says, voice low and edged with guilt. “And I don’t blame you for not fully trusting me. But this is part of the retreat. The cottage is nearby — not visible from here, but close. You’ll find it. Several of the trees along the way are marked. Follow them.”

I squint through the windshield. Trees. Forest. More trees.

“That’s it?” I ask, irritation bubbling just beneath the surface. “You’re just dumping me in the woods? Alone?”

“You won’t be alone,” he says calmly, still not meeting my eyes. “We’ll be close. And if you’re not back in an hour, we’ll come find you — I promise.”

I don’t believe him. Not fully. But I’ve known from the start that this wouldn’t be easy… so screw it.

I reach for my bag, ready to sling it over my shoulder, when Billy stops me.

“Leave it,” he says. “It’ll only weigh you down. And your phone, too.”

I glare at him. “Seriously? What if something happens?”

“You won’t be in real danger,” he says firmly. “Not tonight.”

That… is not comforting.

But fine. Whatever. I unzip my bag and slide my phone inside, muttering a curse under my breath as I open the car door.

“Stay safe,” Billy mumbles behind me.

But it’s Sam’s voice that chills me more than the forest air.

“See you soon, pup.”

I freeze.

Since when does he talk?

And more importantly — what the hell did he mean by that? Pup? The tone wasn’t friendly. It wasn’t even neutral. It was... knowing. Like he saw something in me I didn’t.

But when I glance back, Sam is already starting the car. A moment later, the tires crunch the gravel and they disappear down the narrow road — leaving me standing alone at the edge of the trees.

I take a breath and scan the area. Thankfully, the first marked tree isn’t far — a faint slash near the base, like a blade scraped clean through bark and years of moss. I start walking. Step by step, following faint carvings and directional gashes as the forest swallows me whole.

I pass another mark. Then another.

The fourth tree makes me stop.

Unlike the others, this one isn’t clean-cut. The bark is shredded — thick gashes carved deep into the trunk in a wild, diagonal pattern. These weren’t made with a knife.

Claws.

Big ones.

The image triggers something — a memory, maybe? No, not mine. A dream. Tahlia, when she was going over to rosemarie at the prison and saw similar gashes across the floor,I shake it off. No point standing here imagining things.

So I keep walking. Twenty minutes pass. Maybe more. I lose track of time, just counting marked trees and trying to ignore the tension coiling in my gut. The forest grows thicker the deeper I go, shadows pooling like ink between the trunks.

And then I hear it.

A howl — long, deep, and soul-wrenching — echoing from somewhere in the distance. Not close. But not far, either.

I freeze.

Great.

Billy’s words come back to me — his warning to Elodie and Skye the first day they arrived. “Don’t go wandering the woods alone.” I remember thinking it was overprotective then. But now?

Now it feels personal.

I glance over my shoulder. I could still turn back. But something in me says it wouldn’t help.

Then — another sound. Lower this time. A growl. Familiar in a way that makes my skin crawl.

It’s the same sound I heard in that strange dream, when Tahlia was listening in on her father — a low, ancient rumble threaded with something human and something… not.

I turn slowly toward the sound.

And that’s when I see them.

Two massive, glowing eyes staring at me from between the trees — deep and dark and just slightly luminous, like coals that never stopped burning.

“Took you long enough.”

The words don’t come from my ears. They bloom inside my mind — not a voice, exactly, but a presence that feels heavier than thought.

I stagger back a step.

Before I can breathe, the figure shifts forward, stepping into view.

It’s a wolf.

No — a monster of a wolf.

Towering. Massive. Bigger than any normal animal has a right to be. Its fur being as dark as the midnight shadows. The sheer weight of him makes the earth feel smaller.

But it’s the eyes that stop me.

I’ve seen them before.

Not in a dream. Not in some vision.

Earlier today — in the car.

Sam.

I don’t know how I know it. I just do. Something in the way those eyes pinned me — calm, knowing, unflinching. Watching.

And now they’re watching me again.

The wolf doesn’t growl. Doesn’t move.

He just stands there, like he’s waiting.

I want to scream. I want to run. But something deep in my bones holds me still — something that knows this moment was coming long before I did.

Something ancient.

I take a shaky breath.

"Sam, is that you?" I ask, baffled at how things have escalated so fast.

"I did say 'see you soon,' didn’t I, pup?" he replies—in my head again.

What the hell is going on?
What even is he?

"I’m only going to explain this once, pup," Sam says, pausing briefly. "You come from a bloodline similar to mine. One that carries the ability to shift into a wolf."

"What the hell do—" I start, but he shuts me up with a low, warning growl.

"Keep your mouth shut a second and listen."
His tone sharpens. "The reason Billy brought you out here—why I’m here—is because you’ve already started showing signs: the anger you can’t control. The dreams. The sudden bursts of strength."

And, shit, he’s not exactly wrong.
The dream I had this morning.
The way I reacted to Rosalie.
To Elodie.

He's right, even if I don’t want him to be.

"I can see it in your eyes—you’re putting it together. Good. The sooner you understand the basics, the sooner we can move on."

He goes quiet for a beat, like the next part actually matters to him.

"I went through the same thing, you know. And do you want to know what it cost me?"

Before I can even open my mouth, he answers:

"Everything. I hurt the person I loved most. She still has the scar. Because of me. Because I couldn’t control myself. That’s why you’re here, Maya. We're trying to prevent that from happening to you. To keep you from shifting at school, or at home… or near the new girl."

His words hit hard.
If he’s telling the truth…
If I could lose control and hurt someone—Elodie… my mom, dad, Talon—
I couldn’t live with that.

"How? Is there a way to stop it?"
My voice cracks under the weight of it.

"Once the shift begins, there's no way to stop it. The best you can do is control it. That starts by shifting somewhere safe, away from people. Away from anyone you could hurt."

Makes sense. Explains the whole middle-of-nowhere setting.

"But why are you here?" I ask cautiously. "Wouldn’t you be in danger too?"

Instant regret. His eyes sharpen—just slightly—but enough to make my instincts scream.

"I wouldn’t worry about me, pup. I’d be a hell of a lot more concerned about your own safety."

…Well, shit.
And here I was thinking he almost sounded like a decent guy.

"So, what now?" I ask, already bracing for the worst.

"It’s simple." There’s an edge to his tone now, something dangerous laced in. "Our first transformation is triggered by intense emotion—fear, the need to protect, anger. My job is to trigger it. Whatever it takes."

Fuck.
How am I supposed to survive that?
I glance at his massive form—he could crush me without even trying.

"I’m giving you a ten-minute head start," he says. "If you make it to the cottage, you’re safe. Then we’ll do this all over again tomorrow."

"Wha—"

"Run."

And I do.
But I’m not running to the damn cottage.
I’m getting the hell out of here. If I make it out of this forest, maybe he’ll back off.

Wishful thinking.
Because less than a heartbeat later, he’s right in front of me. His growl now carries a warning that’s impossible to miss.

"Wrong way, pup. You’ve got five minutes left. If you try to leave this forest again…"
His voice sharpens into a blade.
"I start the hunt."

"Shit, shit, shit," I mutter, spinning on my heels and bolting the other direction.
There goes that plan.
He’s too fast—inhumanly fast. Maybe that’s the point. Maybe I’m not supposed to outrun him.

Maybe I’m supposed to fight.

Five minutes vanish in a blink, marked by a soul-splitting howl that sends ice down my spine.
I run toward the markers billy mentioned, hoping—pretending—I’ve got a shot at making it.

But who am I kidding?

Then he’s in my head again.

"Billy told me so many good things about you. But it’s clear age is making him soft. Because you? You’re nothing special. Weak. Pathetic. Honestly, I’ve always thought your little family didn’t belong here. And if our ancestors could see you now? They’d be ashamed of what their bloodline became."

He’s trying to get under my skin. Trying to piss me off.

And… it’s working.

It’s one thing to insult me.
But no one—no one—talks about my family like that.

And then… something shifts.

Not fully.
But my legs are faster. Lighter. Like I’m moving differently. More precise. More wild.

He notices too.

"Good," he says. "But it’ll take more than that if you plan to make it out of here alive."

Just as I’m catching my breath, I sense something hurtling toward me. Reflex kicks in—I dive sideways just in time, barely avoiding the strike. Sam’s claws dig into the ground to stop him from sliding further, sending shards of dirt flying.

“Good,” he says, his voice low and sharp. “Those senses? They’re the only thing keeping you alive.”

He steps closer, eyes locking onto mine with that unnerving intensity. “After Billy dropped you off, he told me some interesting things… well, I already knew about your family.” He pauses, watching my anger flare. “But no, I want to talk about that pretty little pup you -.”

He doesn’t get to finish.

I lose it.

Adrenaline surging, I sprint at him with a speed that surprises even me. But Sam is faster—he sidesteps smoothly, and I slam hard into a tree.

“Oh, has the pup already imprinted on someone? How cute,” he sneers.

“Leave Elodie out of this!” I growl, the fury bubbling past words. “She has nothing to do with this!”

Sam’s eyes narrow. “And what can a weakling like you do about it?”

I know exactly what he’s doing—pushing me, trying to crack me open—but my body moves before I can stop it.

This time, I don’t hold back.

I hit him square in the face.

He barely blinks, as if I was nothing more than a pesky fly.

Before I can brace myself, he grabs my shirt and flings me aside like I weigh nothing. I slam into the rough bark of another tree, wind knocked out of me.

That definitely sucked.

I scramble to get up, but Sam’s already on top of me, his massive maw inches from my face. His breath is hot, his growl low and threatening.

“Maybe Elodie’s better off with Rosalie, after all—” Sam’s words cut through me like a blade, striking deeper than anything before.

A sudden surge of something fierce and uncontrollable ignites inside. Before I fully realize what’s happening, I shove with everything I have, pushing Sam off me. He stumbles back just as the change seizes my body.

My human ears vanish beneath my thickening hair as a wild, white mane bursts forth, tumbling down my shoulders and back. From the top of my head, two sharp wolf ears sprout, twitching instinctively as they catch the sounds of the forest.

Bones crack and reshape painfully—my fingers elongate, nails morphing into razor-sharp claws that dig into the ground beneath me. My skin prickles, then thickens into a shimmering pearl-white fur that glistens softly in the morning light.

Muscles ripple beneath the new coat, taut and powerful, reshaping me into a creature built for speed and stealth. A long, supple tail unfurls behind me, balancing my form with practiced ease.

My senses explode—every scent sharper, every sound clearer. The forest around me breathes alive, no longer just a place but an extension of myself.

My eyes blaze with a glowing reddish-gold light, reflecting the ancient power running through my veins. My teeth sharpen into formidable canines, framing my newly formed muzzle.

The mane frames my face wildly, fierce and untamed—a crown of my dual heritage.

I rise on all fours, the shift complete.

When I finally look in Sam’s direction, I see something I never thought I’d see: fear.

“Is this what you wanted? To turn me into... this?” I growl—not with anger, but with pure fear. Fear of losing myself to whatever this is.

Sam is clearly on full alert. He’s not attacking, nor is he saying anything—he just stands there, ready, just in case. But unlike the way he shifted, I still feel in control of myself. Don’t get me wrong—I’m insanely mad. Mad that Billy planned this, that I was practically hunted. Sure, he could have done so much worse, but it still stings.

I look down at my shifted form and can’t help but feel astonished. The white fur—almost beautiful—my razor-sharp claws along my hands and my bipedal legs. But the weirdest part? What’s twitching on my head. After feeling around, I discover elongated ears—similar to Sam’s.

As I’m trying to take in what this form even is, Sam disappears. For a moment, I fear he’s left me—but then he comes back, a bag in his mouth—the same one I brought with me. He disappears again, though I can hear him nearby. After a minute or two, he returns with the same clothes he had on.

“Do you think you can shift back?” Sam asks gently—so different from the guy who was practically ready to rip my throat out ten minutes ago.

“Shift back? I can do that?” I ask, hope sparking in my eyes.

“I’d assume so,” he explains. “You’re not a full shifter, but considering you shifted in the first place, it should mean you can shift back.”

“And how do I do that?” I ask, eager to be myself again.

“Well, usually when I want to shift back, I try to relax, calm down—focusing on my breathing usually works,” Sam says, his tone softer now.

“Okay.” I close my eyes and start focusing on my breath—breathing in, breathing out. It doesn’t take long before I feel that fiery sensation in my chest again—but this time, it feels cooler. Slowly, I begin to shift back. It’s not painless, but it’s nowhere near as brutal as before. Hopefully, it’ll get easier with time—and less exhausting.

Looking down at my body, I finally realize why Sam brought me my duffel bag—my clothes are in tatters. Thankfully, Sam has already turned around by the time I start shifting back. I take the bag and slip behind a tree, dressing as quickly as possible.

When I return to where Sam is waiting, he still has his back turned.

“You can look now, Sam,” I say gently.

He finally turns and gives me an oddly gentle smile—nothing like the hard edge he had this morning. Was that all an act?

“You okay to go to the cottage now? Billy said he’d finally fill you in on everything,” Sam asks.

I simply nod. I’m too tired to argue, and honestly, I’d love to just lie down for a second.

The walk to the cottage isn’t long—it’s surprisingly close, which is encouraging. Before I know it, the walk turns quiet. I don’t blame him; after everything that just happened, I’m too drained to make small talk.

when we finally reach the clearing, I spot the cottage—tucked between the trees, smoke curling gently from the fire pit out front. Billy’s there, waiting. He’s parked near the flames like he's been sitting there a while, and the guilt on his face is obvious the moment he sees me.

Good. He should feel guilty.

As I step closer, he starts, “Look, May—”

“No.”
I cut him off, not out of anger—but sheer exhaustion. “I’ve literally spent who knows how long stuck in the woods, being hunted by him.” I jab my thumb toward Sam. “No offense, by the way.”

“None taken, pup,” Sam replies smoothly.

Pup? Really?
I shoot him a look, but I’m too tired to bother saying anything.

“That’s not the point,” I continue, turning back to Billy. “The point is I’m exhausted. Everything hurts. I’m covered in so much dirt I’m genuinely afraid of where I might still find it. So I’m going inside, taking a very long shower, and I’m not doing anything else for the rest of this damned day. Got it?”

I don’t wait for permission this time—I’m done asking.

Thankfully, Billy doesn’t argue. He just nods, solemn and silent.

Good. Because this day has been long enough.