Chapter 5 – Threats Close In
The city never truly slept. Ava learned that quickly. Even at midnight, shadows moved with intent, whispers traveled through the alleyways, and the air carried more than the scent of rain and asphalt. She had begun to notice things she hadn't before: fleeting glimpses of eyes in the darkness, a ripple in the wind that spoke of energy, and the low hum of the supernatural that threaded through the city like an invisible current.
Tonight, the city felt alive—and dangerous.
---
Ava paced the apartment, restless. The mark on her collarbone throbbed faintly, almost as if it were trying to warn her. She had been practicing controlling it, focusing her energy, following Dante's instructions, but she still felt like a novice stepping into a storm.
A soft knock at the door made her jump. She turned to see Luca Moretti, Dante's beta, standing there. His silver hair fell slightly into his eyes, which gleamed with both charm and mischief.
"Ava," he said smoothly. "Mind if I come in?"
Ava hesitated, unsure. Dante hadn't mentioned him coming tonight. But something about Luca's expression suggested both urgency and a hidden warning.
"Alright," she said cautiously, stepping aside. "What do you want?"
Luca entered, closing the door behind him. "You've been marked by Dante. That makes you… special. But also a target."
Ava's pulse quickened. "A target? For who?"
He ran a hand through his hair, his charm replaced by seriousness. "Rival clans. Hunters. Even some of our own. The mark you carry isn't just a bond—it's a symbol of power. And symbols attract attention."
Ava's chest tightened. "So… what does that mean for me?"
"It means," Luca said carefully, "you have to be ready. Now. Tonight."
---
Before she could ask more, Dante returned. His presence filled the apartment like a storm, golden eyes scanning every corner, every shadow. "You've met Luca," he said simply. "Good. He will train you tonight. You will learn more about controlling your instincts in real scenarios, not just practice drills."
Ava nodded, heart pounding. She had faced simulations before, but now it felt real. Immediate. Dangerous.
---
The three of them moved through the city streets under the cover of darkness. Dante's aura was protective but tense; Luca's energy was alert and watchful. Ava felt the mark pulse stronger with every step, as if aware of the approaching danger.
They reached a deserted warehouse near the docks. Rusted metal and broken windows gave it an abandoned look, but Ava could sense the hidden threats. Energy rippled through the walls, subtle but unmistakable.
"Stay close," Dante instructed. "Tonight, you face your first real threat. Not a test. Not a simulation. Real danger. And you will need every ounce of control you've learned."
Ava swallowed hard, gripping the mark. Her chest tightened with a mix of fear and anticipation.
---
Suddenly, shadows moved inside the warehouse. Figures emerged, faster than any human could move. Wolves, shapeshifters, and creatures she didn't recognize surrounded them. Their eyes glowed, reflecting malice and hunger.
One stepped forward, a massive wolf with black fur, fangs bared. "The Alpha's new mark… interesting," it growled.
Ava felt her heart leap into her throat. The pulse of the mark accelerated, warm and insistent against her skin. She realized, in a flash of clarity, that it wasn't just a bond—it was a tool, a weapon, a guide.
Dante stepped forward, golden eyes gleaming. "Do not engage unless necessary. Let her control it first."
---
Ava's instincts screamed. The wolf lunged at her. Time slowed. She felt the mark flaring, resonating with the creature's energy. She sidestepped instinctively, mirroring its movements. The warehouse echoed with growls and crashes as Ava dodged, blocked, and pushed with bursts of energy she didn't fully understand.
Luca called out instructions, guiding her movements. "Use the mark! Feel it! Control it!"
Ava focused, letting the warmth spread from her collarbone through her arms and legs. She sensed the wolf's intentions before it acted, anticipating its strikes, countering with precise movements. The mark pulsed stronger with each action, syncing with her heartbeat, enhancing her reflexes, sharpening her perception.
For the first time, she felt truly powerful.
---
After minutes that felt like hours, the attackers retreated. Ava stood panting, heart racing, hands shaking, yet exhilarated. The mark glowed faintly, as if approving her efforts.
Dante approached, expression unreadable. "Well done. But remember—this is only the beginning. Others will come. Stronger. Smarter. And they will not hesitate."
Ava nodded, chest heaving. "I understand. I… I think I'm ready."
Dante's eyes softened slightly, a flicker of pride passing through them. "Good. But don't let confidence blind you. Control is temporary. Survival is permanent."
---
Later, back at the apartment, Ava sat on the sofa, exhausted but exhilarated. The city outside was quiet, yet she felt it alive with hidden threats. Every shadow, every whisper, every flicker of light reminded her that the world she had entered was more dangerous than she had imagined.
Dante sat nearby, his gaze fixed on her. "You did well tonight," he said softly. "But you also learned something important: power attracts attention, and attention brings danger. You must always be vigilant."
Ava looked at him, chest tight. "And… you'll be here with me?"
His golden eyes met hers, unwavering. "Always. But remember, I cannot shield you from everything. You must learn to rely on yourself… and the mark."
Her gaze drifted to her collarbone, where the faint glow pulsed in rhythm with her heartbeat. She realized that the mark wasn't just a symbol of Dante's power—it was a part of her now, guiding her, tethering her, and strengthening her.
Ava also realized, with a shiver she didn't entirely understand, that her feelings for Dante were no longer simple admiration or fear. They were something more tangled, dangerous, and intoxicating. A pull that matched the mark itself.
The night stretched on, filled with unspoken tension, lessons learned, and the knowledge that threats were closing in. Ava's life had become a dangerous game of power, survival, and desire—and the first round had already tested her in ways she could never have imagined.