Chapter Four
The knock at the door made Ergimi's heart stop.
She froze where she sat on the floor, still trembling from the fight. The smell of smoke and shattered plaster lingered, her ears ringing with the echoes of claws and snarls. Across the room, Scott stiffened too, his yellow eyes fading back to human as he straightened, every muscle taut.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
"Stay here," Scott said, his voice low but commanding, like a warning.
He moved toward the door with the slow grace of someone expecting a threat. Ergimi's breath caught, her pulse hammering in her throat. But before Scott's hand reached the handle, a familiar voice called softly from the other side.
"Ergimi? It's me ,Kate. Open up."
Her chest loosened with a shaky breath. She darted forward, slipping past Scott's tall frame, and yanked the door open.
Kate stood there, hair messy, eyes wide with worry. She wore a hoodie over her pajamas, her sneakers untied, as if she had run straight here.
"Where were you?" Kate blurted. Her gaze swept over Ergimi, searching for answers. "You didn't show up at the party, then I heard—God, everyone's saying something happened to John. And you never answered my texts." Her voice cracked. "I thought something happened to you."
Ergimi's throat tightened. Her best friend—her one piece of normal—stood in front of her, desperate and scared.
"I'm fine," Ergimi lied, forcing her voice to steady. "Really. Just… tired."
Kate frowned, unconvinced. "You don't look fine." Her eyes flicked past Ergimi, catching a shadow in the living room. "Who's here?"
Ergimi stiffened and stepped into the doorway, blocking her view. "No one. Just me. Can you come back later?"
Kate hesitated, biting her lip. Finally, she sighed and nodded. "Alright. But promise me you'll text. Please. You're acting weird."
"Yeah," Ergimi whispered. "I promise."
When the door clicked shut, the weight of silence pressed in again. She turned to Scott, her nerves fraying.
"What now?"
Scott's gaze was unflinching. He didn't sit, didn't relax. He was like a blade, always sharp.
"Now? You cut ties. All of them. Friends, school, this life. In a week, I'll come back for you. You need to be ready."
Ergimi's eyes widened. "Cut ties? With everything? With Kate? With… all of it?"
"Yes." His voice was steady, merciless. "If you hold on to this world, it will drag you down. And when it does, you'll die with it. You have seven days. Decide who you want to be."
Her chest caved under the weight of his words. "And if I don't?"
Scott's eyes burned into hers. "Then you die like your parents."
The room went cold. Ergimi felt her stomach twisting. She wanted to scream at him, to throw him out, to deny everything he said. But the image of claws tearing her skin, the shadow figure in her hallway, and the truth in his eyes silenced her.
---
The next morning, she tried to pretend life was normal.
The California sun rose bright, spilling across Ridgewood High. Students streamed through the courtyard, laughter filling the air. But as soon as Ergimi walked through the gates, the world shifted.
Whispers chased her steps. Heads turned. Eyes followed.
"…That's her."
"…John's in the hospital, you know."
"…She's such a freak."
Her stomach twisted. She pulled her jacket tighter, willing herself invisible.
But the voices grew louder. Laughter cut sharper. Each word pierced like a thorn.
Then Emily appeared. Ridgewood's queen bee. Perfect hair. Perfect smile. Perfect cruelty. She blocked the hallway like a wall, her clique lined up behind her.
"What the fuck did you do to John?" Emily's voice cracked like a whip, loud enough for the entire hallway to hear.
The crowd hushed, waiting.
Ergimi's throat closed. She could hear her own heartbeat, thudding in her ears. But she forced the words out.
"He tried to rape me."
Gasps echoed. For a second, silence.
Then Emily laughed. Cold and cutting, like shattered glass. She tilted her head, her eyes glinting. "John? With you?" Her voice dripped with venom. "Please. He wouldn't even look at you."
The crowd roared with laughter, cruel and merciless. Some shook their heads, some whispered, others pointed.
Heat rushed to Ergimi's cheeks. Her chest burned, her hands trembling. Shame crawled under her skin, wrapping tight around her ribs.
She shoved past them, the sound of their laughter clinging to her like smoke. Tears stung her eyes as she pushed through the school doors into the open air.
---
And there he was.
Scott.
Leaning against a sleek motorcycle parked by the curb, arms crossed, his dark jacket catching the sunlight. He looked like he belonged on another planet, not outside a high school. Students gawked as they passed, whispering about him too—but his focus never wavered.
Ergimi's feet carried her before her mind caught up. She rushed to him, her voice breaking.
"I want to leave. Now."
Scott raised an eyebrow. "You still have a week."
"There's nothing for me here," she said, her voice trembling but fierce. "Not anymore."
He studied her, his gaze steady, measuring. "Once you go, there's no coming back."
"Fine," she whispered. "I don't care."
For the first time, something flickered in his eyes. Maybe respect. Maybe pity. He swung his leg over the motorcycle and handed her a helmet.
"Where are we going?" she asked, her voice low, uncertain.
His lips curved into the ghost of a smile. "To Astex. The Lycans' territory. That's where your training begins."
The words sent a shiver through her, excitement and terror mingling in her veins. She gripped the helmet tight, her heart thundering.
---
But above them, perched on a rooftop across the street, another pair of eyes watched.
Kate.
Only she didn't look like the worried friend who had knocked on Ergimi's door. She wore black from head to toe—combat gear that hugged her frame, her hair pulled back tight. Her stance was sharp, disciplined, predatory. In her hand was a phone, the screen glowing faintly.
Her gaze was cold as she spoke into it. "They've made their move."
A pause. Then her lips curled into a thin, ruthless smile.
"Let the game begin