Chapter 25 — First Day in Beacon Hills High
The morning sun glinted off the windows of Beacon Hills High, reflecting across the newly paved parking lot. Red Dagonian adjusted his backpack, golden eyes scanning the bustling students milling about. Hallways stretched before him, a maze of lockers, chatter, and the occasional laughter. To anyone else, it was ordinary, mundane — but Red sensed every heartbeat, every ripple of energy.
Allison walked beside him, her draconic form hidden under normal clothes, though her posture carried the innate power she refused to conceal. "Relax," she said, nudging him. "First day of school isn't a battlefield… mostly."
Red smirked faintly. "Mostly," he echoed, scanning a group of students nearby. A faint shimmer of energy brushed past his perception — subtle, almost imperceptible. Supernatural. He noted it and moved on, keeping it hidden from Allison.
Inside the school, the chatter intensified. Lockers slammed, papers rustled, and students rushed through the hallways, some glaring at each other, some oblivious. Red's eyes caught familiar patterns immediately: clusters of humans, pockets of unusual energy, and even the faintest traces of creatures lurking at the edges of perception.
Allison leaned closer. "You're taking notes mentally, aren't you?" she whispered, smirking.
"Observation is key," Red replied smoothly. "This school, these people… there's more here than meets the eye."
They reached the cafeteria, the aroma of warm food filling the air. Red spotted Scott McCall sitting with Stiles Stilinski at a table, animatedly gesturing as he spoke. A faint aura emanated from Scott — subtle, wolfish, but untrained, unlike anything Red had sensed before. The Dream Dragon tilted his head, intrigued.
"See them?" Allison asked quietly. "That's Scott McCall and his… partner in crime, Stiles. You'll meet them eventually."
Red's gaze lingered on Scott, analyzing the rhythms of his heartbeat, the undercurrent of supernatural energy, and the untrained potential that pulsed faintly beneath the boy's surface. "Interesting," he murmured. "Potential. Unaware… but strong enough to notice subtle changes in the environment."
Classes passed in a blur for Red, though he remained outwardly attentive. Inside, he quietly scanned the aura of every student he passed, noting energy patterns, emotional fluxes, and traces of latent abilities. Allison guided him subtly, whispering occasional insights about who might be normal and who was likely supernatural.
During lunch, Red carefully observed the social hierarchy. He noted Lydia Martin at a nearby table, her aura sharp, vibrant, carrying hints of power — banshee energy, delicate but potent. He filed the observation away for later, curiosity piqued.
Allison nudged him gently. "Don't stare. You'll creep her out."
"Observation is discreet," Red replied, though his lips twitched with amusement.
A minor disturbance caught his attention — a sudden ripple of energy near the gym. A shadow shifted unnaturally, fleeting, but enough to pull Red's instincts on alert. He rose slightly from the table, motioning Allison with his eyes.
Outside the cafeteria, near the gym, a stray creature lurked, a remnant of Peter Hale's influence. It moved with unnatural grace, eyes reflecting faint malice. Red stepped forward, energy flaring subtly, creating a dream construct shield to mask his presence.
"Allison," he whispered, "help me guide it away. Keep it controlled — subtle, non-lethal."
Allison's wings flexed invisibly under her clothes, energy coiling into controlled tendrils. "Got it," she whispered back. Together, they redirected the creature, leading it away from students and into a secluded corridor. Red's dream constructs acted in harmony with Allison's draconic energy, containing the threat effortlessly without revealing their powers.
Afterward, Red returned to the cafeteria, smooth and composed, as if nothing had occurred. Allison smiled faintly. "See? You can do this without anyone knowing. But you're enjoying yourself."
"Observation and protection," Red said, sliding back into his seat. "Two sides of the same coin."
By the end of the day, Red had noted everyone important — Scott, Stiles, Lydia, and even a few others whose energy patterns suggested latent supernatural abilities. He realized that Beacon Hills High wasn't just a school — it was a microcosm of the supernatural world, a place where potential allies and threats mingled unknowingly.
As the final bell rang, Red and Allison walked toward the exit, energy still subtly resonating between them. Allison glanced at him, teasing lightly, "You're going to get us into trouble eventually… or at least into a lot of curious looks."
Red smirked. "I'm aware. But the information we gather… it's necessary."
Outside, the sun dipped low in the sky. Shadows lengthened across the parking lot, and distant energies shifted subtly. Red's golden eyes caught a faint shimmer — Peter Hale, watching, calculating, waiting. The apocalypse-level threat wasn't over; it had simply taken a new form.
Allison nudged him gently, catching his gaze. "Tomorrow, we'll meet the pack officially. I hope you're ready for the real introductions."
Red's smirk widened, wings brushing lightly against her side. "I've been ready since before I arrived. Let's see what Beacon Hills High truly holds."
> Day one complete, Red thought, golden energy flickering in his eyes. And already, the threads of destiny are weaving tightly around us.
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Chapter 25 Complete — 1,002 words
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If you want, I can continue with Chapter 26 — "Encounters in the Hallways", where Red meets Scott, Stiles, and other key cast members more directly, with light supernatural incidents to showcase powers subtly.
Do you want me to continue with Chapter 26 next?