Chapter 22 – Excuses, Lies, and Best Friends
By the time Ayla crept back into the city, dawn was smudging the horizon in pinks and grays. Every step felt heavy, her body aching from transformation. Her shredded jeans clung damp with snow, and her hoodie—once white—was now more crimson than cotton.
She prayed no one saw her as she slipped down the quiet street toward her house.
Of course, fate laughed in her face.
The second she stepped through the front door, a shriek nearly burst her eardrums.
"Oh. My. GOD."
Ayla froze mid-step, like a thief caught red-handed.
Maya stood in the foyer, one hand holding a tub of ice cream at six in the morning, the other clutching her phone like she was ready to dial emergency services. Behind her, Lila leaned over the banister in an oversized sleep shirt, while Zoe stumbled out of the kitchen, rubbing her eyes.
Three pairs of wide, horrified eyes zeroed in on Ayla.
"Ayla," Maya said slowly, "why do you look like you wrestled a bear and lost?"
Cover Story, Take One
Ayla opened her mouth, panicked. "Um… I—"
Zoe gasped. "Is that blood?!"
"No!" Ayla blurted. "Yes. But not mine. Mostly. Probably. Maybe."
"Probably?!" Lila yelped, racing down the stairs. "What happened? Are you hurt? Should we call an ambulance? Should we call—"
"—a priest?" Zoe cut in, eyes wide.
"I'm fine!" Ayla raised both hands, backing into the wall. "Seriously. It looks worse than it is."
Maya narrowed her eyes. "Spill it. Now."
Excuses, Lies, and More Lies
Ayla scrambled. "So… funny story. I, um, went camping. Alone. At night. In the snow."
Lila's jaw dropped. "Who does that?!"
"I do! Sometimes. Apparently." Ayla winced. "And, uh, a… wild animal showed up. But it's fine, because I, you know, scared it off with… my… feral energy."
Maya blinked. "Your what?"
"My feral energy." Ayla nodded solemnly. "It's a thing."
There was a beat of silence.
Zoe snorted so hard she almost dropped her cereal bowl. "Ayla, you're about as feral as a kitten in a tiara."
"Okay, rude."
The Lucien Problem
Maya crossed her arms, still glaring. "Wait. Was he with you?"
Ayla's stomach flipped. "Who?"
"Don't 'who' me. Lucien. Mr. Quiet-and-broody with the tragic cheekbones."
Ayla groaned. "First of all, his cheekbones are not tragic—they're amazing. And second, no, he wasn't—" She stopped, caught herself, then mumbled, "—technically."
All three girls gasped in unison like a chorus.
"Oh my god," Lila whispered dramatically. "You are sneaking out to see him!"
Zoe smirked. "Forget tragic cheekbones. He probably gave her those scratches."
Ayla's face went scarlet. "WHAT?! No! Ew! It's not like that!"
"Sure it isn't," Maya said smugly. "You just 'went camping in the snow' and came home looking like the main character in a horror movie. Totally normal."
Ayla buried her face in her hands. "Why are you guys like this?"
Best Friend Pact
Despite all the teasing, the worry in their eyes softened. Lila tugged her toward the couch.
"Seriously, though. You scared us. Don't disappear like that again, okay?"
Ayla hesitated. The warmth of their concern pressed against the cold, violent night she had just lived through. She couldn't tell them the truth—not yet—but she also couldn't brush off the fear in their voices.
"I promise," she said quietly. "I won't."
They nodded, satisfied enough for now. Maya shoved the ice cream at her. "Eat. You look like death."
Ayla took the spoon, laughing weakly.
And for a brief, blissful moment, she forgot about blood, fangs, and hunters.
She was just a girl again.
Chapter 23 – The Queen of Shadows
The laboratory reeked of iron and rot. The bodies of guards lay in awkward heaps on the concrete floor, their eyes wide, frozen in terror. Broken glass crunched under Vivienne's stiletto heels as she walked into the containment hall, her pale cloak dragging through the blood.
She stopped in front of the cage.
Empty.
Only claw marks remained, deep gouges in the steel walls, and a trail of destruction that ended in nothing.
Vivienne's lips curved in the faintest smile, though her crimson eyes burned with fury.
"They killed it." Her voice echoed like silk stretched over knives. "He killed it."
Behind her, a trembling technician adjusted his glasses. "M-Mistress Vivienne, the trackers confirm… it was destroyed in the woods near the northern ridge. The readings—gone."
Vivienne tilted her head, as if savoring the words.
"Lucien Draven…" she whispered, almost lovingly. "Always meddling. Always defying his place."
The Throne Room Below
She descended to the chamber beneath the lab, where candles burned black flame and shadows curled like living smoke. A dozen figures knelt in the dark — vampires with silver veins, half-beasts stitched with runes, witches with eyes of obsidian. Her court.
Vivienne stood at the head of the hall, her cloak unfurling like wings.
"The hybrid was meant to test him," she said, her voice ringing like a sermon. "And he triumphed. Even worse—he wasn't alone. The girl was with him."
A murmur rippled through the court.
"The human?" one snarled.
Vivienne's smile sharpened. "Not human anymore. He turned her."
Gasps, curses, whispers filled the chamber.
"Good," Vivienne said coldly, raising a hand for silence. "It means I won't just break him. I'll break them both. And when I do, the city will see what happens to rebels who forget where their loyalty lies."
Her New Plan
She paced before them, her heels striking sharp against stone.
"If a beast was not enough… then we shall release something older. Something he has no right to face."
A witch raised her head, her black eyes gleaming. "Mistress, the bindings barely hold. If we open that seal, it will not obey you."
Vivienne leaned down, caressing the witch's cheek with long, deadly fingers.
"Obedience is not what I require," she purred. "I require chaos. I require fear. And fear will drag Lucien Draven and his little wolf-girl into the dirt."
She turned, cloak swirling, eyes burning with violent promise.
"Summon the Forgotten. Tonight, we wake the old blood."
The shadows in the hall stirred, whispering like the dead.
And far away, Lucien and Ayla slept under a fragile dawn, unaware that war had just moved one step closer.
Chapter 24 – Whispers Before the Storm School Days and Secrets
"Okay, spill."
Maya Torres slapped her tray onto the cafeteria table with all the force of a courtroom gavel. Ayla nearly jumped out of her seat, the fork halfway to her mouth.
"Spill what?" she asked innocently, stabbing at her fries.
Lila Alvarez narrowed her eyes, chin resting on her palm. "Don't play dumb. You've been glowing lately. And it's not your skincare routine. Which, by the way, is rude not to share."
Zoe Park leaned across the table, grinning like a fox. "Mmhmm. Ever since that excursion trip, you've been… different. Less moody. More… I don't know. 'I have a secret hot boyfriend and I can't tell anyone' vibes."
Ayla choked on her soda. "I—what? No! I—"
"Busted." Maya smirked, tossing her hair dramatically. "Ladies, we got her."
The three of them leaned closer, like sharks circling blood. Ayla raised her hands defensively.
"It's not like that!" she protested. "I just… had some stuff happen, okay? Family stuff. Stress. That's all."
"Uh-huh." Zoe squinted. "Family stuff explains why you come to school smelling faintly like campfire and mystery cologne?"
Ayla's face turned crimson. "Zoe!"
Lila laughed so hard she almost dropped her apple. Maya leaned back smugly. "Don't worry, Ayla. Whoever he is, he's lucky. But if he breaks your heart, we'll destroy him."
Zoe nodded solemnly. "Like… girl squad vengeance."
Ayla couldn't help but smile, warmth flooding her chest. For a moment, it almost felt normal — like she could laugh with them forever. Almost.
Because somewhere, deep in her veins, a hunger stirred.
Lucien's Instincts
At the edge of campus, Lucien sat beneath a tree with a book open in his lap. His posture was calm, but his eyes scanned the horizon.
Something was wrong.
The wind carried no birdsong. The squirrels that usually darted through the branches were silent. Even the air tasted different — sharp, metallic, like a storm that hadn't yet formed.
Lucien closed the book.
The shadows stretched longer than they should've, curling in unnatural shapes. He clenched his fists, his skin prickling as if his wolf form itched just beneath the surface.
He had felt it all day — that crawling sensation at the back of his neck. Not just danger. Something older. Something hungry.
When Ayla crossed the quad with her friends, laughing too loudly at something Maya said, Lucien's chest eased for half a second. She looked radiant. Normal. Safe.
But then his jaw tightened.
Because he knew safety was an illusion.
Something was coming. Something Vivienne had unleashed.
And when it arrived, he wasn't sure even his strength would be enough to keep Ayla — or her bright, teasing friends — from being swallowed by the darkness.
Chapter 25 – The Party and the Shadows A Night of Normalcy
"Ayla, if you don't come, I swear I'll throw this entire party in your living room," Maya declared, standing in Ayla's doorway with her hands on her hips.
Ayla groaned. "Maya, I'm not in the mood."
"You're always not in the mood," Zoe chimed in from behind, scrolling on her phone. "You need socialization. Wine. Music. Possible bad decisions."
"And hot people," Lila added, adjusting her hoop earrings. "I bought this dress, and if you're not there to hype me up, I'll die."
Ayla rolled her eyes, but deep down she felt warmth in her chest. Her friends weren't going to let her drown in shadows.
An hour later, she found herself at Maya's house — the music pulsing through the floors, lights dimmed, and people crammed into every corner. It wasn't a huge crowd, but it felt alive. Ayla, in a sleek black dress Maya had shoved at her, stood awkwardly near the snack table.
"Stop sulking," Zoe whispered, elbowing her. "You look gorgeous."
"I feel like I'm wearing a disguise," Ayla muttered.
"Exactly," Zoe winked. "That's the point."
Before Ayla could argue, Maya's eyes lit up across the room. "Oh. My. God. Is that…?"
Ayla turned. Her heart almost stopped.
Lucien stood at the edge of the crowd.
He wasn't dressed like the others — just dark jeans and a simple black shirt, hands in his pockets, eyes scanning the room with that calm, unreadable face. But the moment his gaze landed on her, Ayla felt like the world blurred.
"Oh-ho-ho," Lila whispered. "Mystery boy alert."
Maya smirked. "You didn't tell us your secret's six-foot-tall and brooding."
Ayla's face burned. "He's—he's just—"
"Yours," Zoe interrupted, grinning. "Got it."
Lucien walked over slowly, each step quiet but purposeful. When he reached them, Maya crossed her arms, appraising him. "So. You're the guy."
Lucien tilted his head slightly. "The guy?"
"The guy who keeps our girl distracted," Lila said with a sly smile.
Lucien's lips curved just barely. "I try."
Ayla nearly melted into the floor.
The night carried on — Maya dragging Lucien into small talk ("Do you… like pizza or do you brood 24/7?"), Zoe snapping selfies with Ayla ("For evidence when you get famous"), and Lila joking that Lucien probably wrestled bears in his free time.
For a moment, Ayla laughed so hard her stomach hurt. For a moment, she felt human again.
The Woods Speak
But later that night, Lucien slipped away.
He told Ayla he needed to clear his head, and she, still buzzing from the party, let him go. Her laughter still echoed faintly in his ears as he disappeared into the trees.
The forest was silent. Too silent.
The moonlight spilled through the branches, glinting against patches of frost that hadn't melted. Lucien's wolf senses sharpened — his ears twitching, his eyes narrowing. The air smelled wrong.
Then he saw it.
A tree trunk, clawed to ribbons. The marks were deep, unnatural — not wolf, not bear. Too jagged, too purposeful.
Further on, he found the carcass of a deer, drained but not eaten. The ground around it was scorched as if fire had licked the soil.
Lucien knelt, brushing his hand over the earth. The dirt was warm. Still pulsing.
Vivienne's scent was everywhere.
And then… a sound. Low, guttural, echoing through the trees. Not near. Not far. Something massive moving in the shadows.
Lucien's skin prickled, his jaw tightening.
He shifted — not fully, just enough for his eyes to glow and claws to slip through.
Whatever Vivienne had woken was close. And if it reached the city before he stopped it…
Lucien looked back toward the glowing lights of Maya's house, where Ayla was still laughing with her friends. His chest tightened.
He didn't have much time left.
Chapter 26 – The Mask and the Hunt Friends, Teasing, and a Quiet Wolf
The next morning, Ayla's phone buzzed nonstop.
Maya:Breakfast at my place. No excuses.
Zoe:We need answers.
Lila:Bring Broody McTallDark with you. I want proof he's real.
Ayla groaned into her pillow. Her head still hurt from laughing too much last night. She half-expected Lucien to say he didn't want to come, but when she looked over, he was already standing by her window, arms crossed, gazing at the city skyline.
"You don't have to come," she said softly. "They're just… a lot."
Lucien glanced at her, his face unreadable. "They're your friends. That makes them… tolerable."
Ayla blinked. "Wow. That's the nicest thing you've ever said."
At Maya's house, the girls pounced the moment they walked in.
"Well, well, well," Maya drawled, handing Ayla a mug of coffee. "You do exist."
"Confirmed," Zoe said, circling Lucien like he was an exotic animal at the zoo. "But I have questions."
"First question," Lila cut in. "Are you single? Second: do you like dogs? Third—"
"Stop interrogating him!" Ayla snapped, cheeks blazing.
Lucien, to Ayla's horror, simply sat down at the table and started buttering a piece of toast. Calm. Unbothered. As if being grilled by three teenage girls was just another part of his day.
Maya leaned forward, chin in her hands. "So, Lucien. What do you… do?"
Lucien chewed slowly, swallowed, and said flatly: "I exist."
Zoe choked on her juice. "Oh my god. He's like if Batman got social anxiety."
Lila giggled. "No, no. He's like one of those brooding anime boys. You know—the ones with dark hair, tragic past, and killer abs."
Ayla covered her face with her hands. "Please. Stop."
But despite her embarrassment, she couldn't help laughing too. For a brief, golden moment, the world felt almost normal.
Into the Woods
That night, Lucien couldn't ignore the pull.
The moment the moon rose, he felt it — the distant, vibrating hum through his bones. Something unnatural stirring.
He slipped away after walking Ayla home, his quiet footsteps swallowed by the dark streets until he reached the forest. There, he let go.
Bones shifted. Muscles stretched. Skin rippled into fur.
In seconds, Lucien stood in his wolf form — a massive black beast, his fur bristling, eyes glowing faintly gold. The snow beneath his paws hissed in the cold air.
He ran.
The forest blurred around him, each sound sharp in his ears: the scuttle of rabbits, the creak of branches, the whisper of wind. And then — silence.
The scent hit him first: blood, acrid and burned.
He slowed, lowering his head, growl rumbling from deep in his chest.
Ahead lay carnage. Trees ripped apart. Snow stained red. And at the center — claw marks, larger than any wolf's, gouging deep into the earth.
Lucien padded closer, sniffing. The stench of Vivienne clung here, heavy and choking. She was building something. Not a wolf. Not a vampire. Something in-between.
Then came the sound.
A distant, echoing howl. Deep. Wrong. The kind that made the forest animals scatter in terror.
Lucien froze, hackles raised, his own breath steaming in the night air.
Whatever Vivienne had unleashed wasn't just a monster.
It was a rival.
And it was coming.
Chapter 27 – The Pull of Shadows Ayla and the Teasing Trio
Ayla spent the next morning pretending she was fine.
Her three best friends didn't buy it for a second.
"You're glowing," Maya announced the moment Ayla walked into class. She poked Ayla's cheek like it was a crime scene. "Suspiciously glowing. Like… you had a good night's sleep and a good dream."
Zoe leaned across her desk, smirking. "Or maybe not a dream. Maybe a certain tall, brooding neighbor—"
"Stop," Ayla hissed, cheeks heating. "He's just… he's Lucien."
"Yeah," Lila said, sighing dramatically. "Lucien, the mysterious transfer student who eats toast like it's a weapon. I'm starting to think you've got a vampire anime boyfriend."
Ayla laughed with them, but something gnawed at her.
Lucien hadn't texted. He hadn't even appeared at her window like he usually did. He was… gone.
All day, her friends joked and teased, pulling her back into bursts of laughter, but underneath it all she felt the strange hum again—the tug in her chest that told her Lucien was out there, somewhere, fighting something she couldn't see.
The Forest Clash
Lucien's wolf form moved through the broken forest, nose low, ears sharp.
The stench of blood and corruption clung to the trees. Each pawstep pressed into snow littered with bones.
Then the growl came.
It wasn't a wolf's growl. It was deeper. Wrong.
From the shadows, the beast emerged.
It was wolf-shaped, but twisted: fur patchy and white, jaws too long, claws curving like sickles. Its body towered, nearly twice Lucien's height, glowing red lines searing across its skin as if fire lived beneath it.
Lucien braced, hackles high.
The abomination lunged.
Snow exploded as the two collided, fangs snapping, claws raking. Lucien's teeth sank into its shoulder, but the beast barely flinched, swinging him off like he weighed nothing. Lucien hit a tree, shook it off, and charged again.
The fight was savage. Snow turned crimson beneath them. The beast's strength was raw, unnatural, but Lucien had speed, precision, fury. He tore chunks of fur, ducked under swipes, slammed his weight into its ribs.
Still, the monster laughed — an awful, gurgling sound — before retreating into the dark, leaving claw marks in the ground that steamed with heat.
Lucien stood panting, blood dripping from his muzzle, heart pounding with more than rage.
This thing wasn't just strong. It had intelligence.
And it had chosen him.
The Pull
Back in the city, Ayla froze mid-laugh as a sharp pain sliced through her chest.
Maya's smile faltered. "Ayla? You okay?"
She forced a nod, but her hands were trembling under the desk.
Because in that moment, she knew.
Lucien was bleeding.
And the bond between them pulsed stronger than ever, calling her into the shadows.
Chapter 28 – Blood in the Snow The Pull of Instinct
Ayla tried to ignore it.
She really did. She laughed when Maya cracked a joke, nodded when Lila asked for notes, even rolled her eyes when Zoe started another dramatic impression of Lucien brooding in a corner with "a tragic violin playing in the background."
But her chest kept tightening. Her skin prickled like someone was pulling invisible threads through her veins. The bond wasn't quiet anymore. It was screaming.
Maya leaned in, frowning. "Ayla, you look like you're gonna pass out."
"I'm fine," Ayla lied, clutching her pen like it might anchor her. "Just… tired."
Zoe narrowed her eyes. "Nope. That's not tired. That's the you're thinking about him face."
"I am not!"
"Sure." Lila smirked. "So when he's absent, you suddenly go pale as a ghost and twitch like you're in a soap opera?"
Ayla groaned, shoving her books into her bag. "I just need fresh air."
But the truth was, she couldn't stay another second. Something in her bones screamed Lucien's name, dragging her out the door before her friends could chase after her.
The Wounded Wolf
Lucien staggered through the trees.
His wolf form had dissolved miles back, leaving him human, his shirt torn and streaked with blood. His pale skin gleamed in the moonlight, but his eyes were dull, heavy with exhaustion. Every step toward the city felt like wading through broken glass.
He didn't want her to see him like this.
He didn't want anyone to.
So he kept to the shadows, planning to clean up, heal, pretend nothing happened. Pretend he wasn't marked by something ancient and wrong.
But the bond betrayed him.
Because before he reached the city, Ayla was already there.
Collision
"Lucien!"
Her voice cracked through the night.
He froze, body tensing, blood dripping from his arm. Slowly, he turned.
She stood in the snow, breath fogging, eyes wide with shock and something fiercer.
He tried to step back, cloak the wounds with his arm. "You shouldn't be here."
Ayla marched forward anyway, ignoring the crimson staining the snow. "You're bleeding."
"It's nothing," he muttered.
"Nothing?!" She grabbed his wrist, shoving his hand away to see the deep gashes across his torso. "Lucien, this isn't a paper cut. You look like you fought a bear—"
"Not a bear," he said darkly.
She blinked. "Oh, of course. Not a bear. Because why would it be something normal with you?"
Even through her panic, she managed to glare at him.
His lips twitched despite himself. "You're insufferable."
"And you're an idiot!" she snapped. "Trying to hide this from me? What were you gonna do, show up at school tomorrow with duct tape and pretend you tripped on the stairs?"
Lucien almost smiled. Almost.
But the truth burned behind his eyes. "I didn't want you to see this part of me."
Ayla's chest ached. She reached up, cupping his jaw, forcing him to meet her gaze. "Lucien… you don't get to protect me from you. Not anymore."
The bond thrummed between them, hot and alive, like the air itself bent toward them.
And for a moment, in the snowy clearing, the blood and fear didn't matter.
Only the fact that she found him.
The Choice
"Come on," she whispered, looping his arm over her shoulder, staggering under his weight. "You're coming with me."
Lucien let her, though his pride burned.
But as they stumbled back toward the city, his thoughts stayed dark.
The abomination had retreated tonight.
But it would be back.
And next time, it wouldn't just be him bleeding in the snow.
Chapter 29 – The Bus Ride Stumbling Shadows
By the time they reached the edge of the road, Ayla's arms burned from supporting Lucien's weight. He wasn't unconscious, but his silence was unnerving.
Snow crunched beneath their shoes as headlights cut through the mist.
A bus.
"Oh, thank God," Ayla muttered. She flagged it down with one arm, practically dragging Lucien toward the stop.
The doors hissed open, and the driver gave them both a look. "You two alright?"
"We're fine," Ayla said quickly, forcing a smile. "He just… tripped. Long story."
Lucien shot her a look — tripped? — but didn't argue.
They shuffled inside, Ayla steering him to the back.
Eyes Watching
It was impossible not to notice the stares.
Every passenger turned to look — not just because Lucien was bleeding slightly through his shirt, but because the sight of the quiet, pale boy leaning heavily on the glamorous Ayla Richards looked like something out of a drama series.
Ayla sat him down beside the window, clutching his hand like an anchor.
Across the aisle, a middle-aged woman with kind eyes leaned over. "That's a good man you've got there," she said warmly.
Ayla blinked. "Oh—"
"He saved you, didn't he?" the woman continued, her voice carrying. "I can see it in his eyes. Strong, quiet type. The kind who carries the world and doesn't say a word about it."
Lucien froze, staring out the window as if it might swallow him whole.
Ayla's cheeks burned. "Um… yes. He's… he's a good man."
The woman smiled knowingly. "Hold onto him, dear. Men like that don't come around often."
The entire bus seemed to nod in agreement. Someone even muttered, "Lucky girl."
Ayla wanted to sink into the floor. Lucien's lips twitched, fighting a smirk.
"Don't you dare laugh," she hissed under her breath.
"I wasn't going to," he whispered back, voice low and amused.
"Yes, you were."
"Yes," he admitted.
Quiet Between Them
The bus rattled on through snowy streets. Ayla still held his hand, fingers wrapped tight, not caring who saw.
She risked a glance at him. Despite the blood, the exhaustion, the sharpness of his features in the passing streetlights, he looked almost… at peace.
For the first time, she realized how the world saw him. Mysterious. Dangerous. Untouchable.
And yet here he was, leaning against her shoulder, letting her hold him up.
Her chest tightened, the bond humming again.
"Lucien?" she whispered.
His eyes flicked to her.
"You don't have to carry it all alone anymore."
For a moment, his expression softened — so rare it made her breath catch.
And then the bus slowed, their stop approaching.
Reality waiting again.
Chapter 30 – Wounds and Warnings Sneaking In
By the time they reached Ayla's neighborhood, the snow had thickened. Their footsteps crunched against the quiet street, and Ayla clutched Lucien's arm tighter.
"Okay," she whispered, glancing toward the towering white mansion. "We have one problem."
Lucien raised an eyebrow. "Just one?"
"My father is definitely awake, and if he sees me sneaking a bloodied boy into the house, he'll kill me. And then kill you. And then resurrect me just to kill me again."
Lucien smirked faintly. "Your concern for me is touching."
"Shut up." She gave him a quick nudge, ignoring the smirk tugging at his lips. "We're going through the back."
He let her drag him along, despite the fact that his steps were slower, heavier. The sight of him — bruised, bleeding, his shirt torn — made her chest ache in ways she couldn't put into words.
They slipped through the back garden, over polished stone tiles dusted in snow. Ayla fumbled with the sliding door.
Click. Open.
And just like that, she pulled him inside her world.
The Bedroom Clinic
"Sit," she ordered, shoving him gently onto the edge of her bed.
Lucien glanced around at the rich-girl décor — the plush bedspread, posters from her favorite bands, vanity mirror glowing faintly with string lights.
His lips curved. "So this is the lair of Ayla Richards."
"Don't get comfortable." She rummaged through drawers until she found her emergency first-aid kit — glittery pink, decorated with stickers.
Lucien eyed it skeptically. "That's… threatening."
"Bite me."
"Already did."
Ayla froze, glaring at him over her shoulder, cheeks flaring hot. "That's not funny!"
The corner of his mouth twitched. "Wasn't a joke."
She let out an exasperated groan, marching back with alcohol wipes, bandages, and a determination that far outweighed her actual skill.
"Okay. Shirt off."
Lucien raised an eyebrow.
"Don't look at me like that! I mean so I can patch you up."
With infuriating slowness, he pulled off the tattered shirt, revealing pale skin stretched over taut muscle, streaked with blood and claw marks. Ayla's throat went dry.
"Holy hell…" she muttered before snapping herself back. "I mean, uh… wow, you're really… injured. Yep. Injured."
He almost laughed. Almost.
Clumsy Healer
She dabbed at a gash with trembling fingers. He didn't flinch, but his eyes followed her every move.
"This is the part where you say thank you, Ayla, you're saving my life," she muttered, trying not to focus on how close she was.
"I'd rather say you're terrible at this."
Her eyes shot up. "Excuse me?"
"You've used three alcohol wipes on the same spot. My arm is clean enough to eat off of."
"Sorry for not being a professional battlefield medic!" she hissed, pressing a fresh bandage firmly against his chest.
He didn't even blink.
Ayla leaned back, sighing, strands of hair falling across her flushed face. "You're impossible."
Lucien tilted his head, studying her like she was some strange, stubborn miracle. "And yet… you stayed."
The air shifted.
Her hands stilled on his skin, heat blooming between them. For one fragile heartbeat, it felt like the rest of the world didn't exist.
Shadows in the Room
Then Lucien's expression darkened. He leaned back, eyes shadowed, voice low.
"What I fought tonight wasn't a wolf."
Ayla frowned. "What do you mean?"
"It looked like one… but wrong. Twisted. Its scent was off. Its bones didn't belong in its skin. It wasn't born — it was made."
A chill crept through her veins.
"You mean—"
"Vivienne," he said, eyes glinting with a predator's warning. "She's building something. An army. That creature was only the beginning."
Ayla's throat tightened. "But… why?"
"Because she knows what we are." His gaze flicked to her — not angry, not accusing, but heavy with meaning. "She'll come for you, Ayla. Our bond makes you her target."
Her heart hammered.
For the first time, Ayla realized their quiet nights, their laughter, their fragile warmth… were balanced on the edge of a knife.
But instead of pulling back, she lifted her chin.
"Then let her come."
Lucien's eyes widened slightly, searching hers. For defiance. For fear. For something he couldn't crush.
And when he found it, his lips curved — not in mockery, but in something dangerously close to pride.
Chapter 31 – Secrets at Sunrise
The alarm clock blared.
Ayla groaned, slamming it with one hand while the other instinctively clutched at the empty side of her bed. For a split second, she expected to see Lucien sitting there, his sharp eyes watching her like always. But of course, he was gone. Wolves didn't stay the night.
She rolled out of bed, muttering, "Great. Saved my life, nearly got torn apart, and still vanishes like Batman."
By the time she stumbled into school, she had convinced herself she looked normal — casual jeans, messy ponytail, totally-not-hiding-anything vibes.
That illusion lasted exactly thirty seconds.
"Ayla Richards," Maya sing-songed, sliding into step beside her. "Why are you smiling like you just committed arson and got away with it?"
"I'm not smiling!" Ayla shot back too quickly.
Lila raised an eyebrow, appearing on her other side. "You're glowing. Actually glowing. Like you spent the night with a secret boyfriend."
Zoe leaned in dramatically, gasping. "Don't tell me the ice queen finally melted for someone!"
Ayla nearly choked on air. "Wh—what? No! I didn't— I mean—"
"Oh my god, she's stuttering." Maya grinned wickedly. "Confirmed. There's a guy."
"There is no guy!" Ayla protested, clutching her books tighter.
"Name," Zoe demanded, poking her side.
"There is no—"
"Name," Lila echoed, smirking like a cat about to pounce.
Ayla groaned, dragging her hands down her face. "You guys are literally the worst friends ever."
"Correct," Maya chirped. "Now spill."
The Cafeteria Interrogation
By lunch, the teasing had reached legendary levels.
Zoe had created an entire "Guess Who" board with potential mystery guys. Lila kept humming cheesy love songs every time Ayla opened her mouth. Maya? Maya was scribbling "Mrs. Ayla Mystery-Boy" all over Ayla's notebook margins.
"Okay," Zoe declared, stabbing her fork in the air like a gavel. "We're down to three suspects: the guitarist from chemistry, the tall exchange student, or—" she leaned in dramatically "—someone so dark and broody he's hiding from society itself."
Ayla shoved a fry into her mouth to avoid answering.
"Her silence speaks volumes!" Maya gasped.
"Shut. Up." Ayla hissed, cheeks on fire.
The Wolf at the Gates
It was then, mid-argument, that Ayla noticed him.
Outside the cafeteria's glass wall, standing just beyond the school gates like a shadow that didn't belong in daylight, was Lucien.
His posture was calm, hands in his pockets, his black hair falling into his eyes. To everyone else, he might've looked like a wandering stranger. To her, he was a storm waiting to break.
Her heart tripped over itself.
Lila followed her gaze. "Wait. Who's that?"
"No one!" Ayla squeaked, grabbing her tray. "Definitely no one. Ha ha, excuse me."
And before her friends could pounce again, she bolted out of the cafeteria.
The Warning
"You know you're terrible at hiding," Lucien said quietly when she reached him, his eyes scanning the area rather than her face.
"You know you're terrible at not looking like a vampire stalker at my school," Ayla shot back, panting a little.
That earned her the faintest ghost of a smirk.
Then his expression hardened. "I didn't come for jokes. One of Vivienne's creatures was spotted in the city last night."
Her chest tightened. "Already? I thought—"
"She's moving faster." His eyes flicked toward the school, to the halls buzzing with laughter and shouting teenagers. "She knows you're with me now. That makes this place a target."
Ayla swallowed. Hard. "So… what do we do?"
Lucien's gaze finally locked on hers, dark and unyielding. "You stay alive. No matter what."
For once, she didn't argue.
Chapter 32 – The Wolf Within
The next morning, Ayla found herself standing in the middle of an abandoned soccer field.
It was freezing. The grass was stiff with frost, and the metal goalposts glimmered with a thin sheet of ice.
She pulled her hoodie tighter. "Explain to me again why I'm awake at six in the morning?"
Lucien, who looked infuriatingly unfazed in his black coat, raised an eyebrow. "Because you almost froze to death two nights ago. Because your body is changing. And because if you don't learn to control it…" He let the words hang ominously in the air.
"…I'll accidentally turn into a wolf during math class?" Ayla muttered.
His lips twitched. "Worse. You'll smell cafeteria food and start tearing throats open."
Her eyes went wide. "Lucien!"
"Kidding," he said flatly.
"…Are you, though?"
He didn't answer.
First Lesson: The Senses
"Close your eyes."
"Why?"
"Because I said so."
Ayla groaned but obeyed, folding her arms.
"Now listen," Lucien murmured. "Don't just hear. Listen. What's around you?"
At first, all she caught was the cold whistle of the wind. But then—
The faint squeak of a door two streets over.
The heavy rumble of a bus engine miles away.
And even—her eyes shot open—"There's a couple fighting in the apartments across the street!"
Lucien smirked. "Good."
"Good? That's… creepy! I'm literally eavesdropping on strangers."
"Get used to it." He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Your senses will betray you if you don't control them. The world will be too loud, too tempting."
Ayla sighed. "Great. So I'm basically a walking radio tower."
Second Lesson: Strength
Lucien pulled a thick log from the sidelines, dropping it with a thud.
"You want me to… what? Carry that?"
"No," he said calmly. "Snap it."
Ayla blinked. "Are you insane? That's like—"
"Try."
Grumbling, she crouched, wrapped her fingers around it, and pulled. For a moment nothing happened. Then, with a sharp crack, the wood split in two like a breadstick.
She stared at her hands in horror. "Okay, nope, this is illegal. My manicure is a weapon of mass destruction."
Lucien actually laughed. A low, quiet sound, but genuine.
She gawked at him. "Did you just laugh? Out loud?"
"Don't get used to it," he muttered, looking away too quickly.
Third Lesson: Control
Of course, that's when things went wrong.
Lucien had her running drills, telling her to tap into the speed coursing under her skin. Ayla sprinted across the field, exhilarated by the rush of wind and the way the world blurred around her. She felt unstoppable—free—until she stumbled, and something inside her shifted.
Pain seared down her spine, her nails sharpening, her vision tinting silver at the edges.
"Ayla!"
Lucien's voice cut through the haze, grounding her. Strong hands caught her shoulders, steadying her as her body trembled on the edge of transforming.
"Breathe," he ordered. "Don't fight it. Control it."
Her chest heaved, breath ragged, but slowly the burning subsided. The silver faded, leaving only her wide, frightened eyes staring up at him.
He didn't let go until she steadied.
"See?" His voice was softer now. "This is why you need training."
Ayla swallowed. "So I don't wolf-out in gym class?"
"So you don't wolf-out on yourself."
The Warning
They sat in silence for a while, Ayla hugging her knees, Lucien staring out over the frosted field.
Finally, she asked, "Do you ever wish you weren't like this?"
Lucien's jaw tightened. "Every day."
The weight in his tone silenced her, and for a moment she wanted nothing more than to reach for his hand. But before she could, his head snapped up. His nostrils flared.
"What is it?" she whispered.
Lucien's eyes darkened. "Something's coming. Something that shouldn't be this close."
The cold air thickened around them. In the distance, a crow took flight, cawing sharply into the pale morning sky.
Ayla's skin prickled with unease. For the first time, she understood: training wasn't just for fun. It was survival.
Chapter 33 – Shadows at the Gate
By Monday morning, Ayla swore she'd never walk straight again. Every muscle ached from Lucien's "training" weekend.
She shuffled into the school courtyard with her hoodie up, muttering, "This is cruel and unusual punishment."
"Girl, you look dead!" Maya exclaimed, appearing at her side like she'd been waiting all morning.
Tara and Lila were right behind her, arms crossed in perfect judgmental sync.
"She's definitely hiding something," Tara said, squinting. "This isn't just a late-night Netflix binge."
Lila gasped dramatically. "Did you finally… you know… with someone?"
Ayla nearly tripped. "WHAT? No! Absolutely not!"
Maya's grin widened. "That's a yes face if I've ever seen one."
Ayla buried her burning cheeks in her hoodie. "You guys are the worst."
Gym Class Disaster
The day only got worse in gym.
"Alright, pair up for dodgeball!" Coach bellowed.
Ayla groaned. Normally, she was the first target—nobody wanted to be on the "rich girl team." But now, her body buzzed with restless energy. Every sound echoed sharper, every ball whizzed toward her in slow motion.
When the first throw came, she ducked. The ball missed—barely.
Second throw. She sidestepped, lightning fast. The ball flew past so hard it knocked over an entire basket.
Everyone stared.
Then came the third. Without thinking, Ayla caught it mid-air.
"Whoa!" Maya shouted. "Since when are you Spider-Woman?!"
"Beginner's luck!" Ayla squeaked, tossing the ball back.
Except—she didn't toss. She launched. The ball rocketed across the gym and slammed into the wall with a thunderous BOOM, leaving a dent.
The silence was deafening. Even Coach's whistle froze in his mouth.
Lucien, leaning against the bleachers with his usual bored expression, muttered just loud enough for her to hear:
"…Smooth."
Ayla wanted to melt into the floor.
Lunch Table Banter
By lunch, the story had spread across the school.
"Did you hear? Ayla 'Iron Arm' destroyed the gym wall."
"She's on steroids, right?"
"No, she's secretly a government experiment."
Ayla dropped her tray onto the table with a thud. "Kill me now."
Tara smirked. "If you've got super strength, can you at least carry my books?"
Lila giggled. "Forget books. Carry me."
Maya raised an eyebrow. "Or admit who's been training you."
Ayla froze. "…What?"
Maya tilted her head toward the far end of the cafeteria, where Lucien sat alone, pretending to read. His presence was like a black hole—quiet, intense, untouchable. And yet, her best friends all noticed the tiny glance she gave him before quickly looking away.
"Uh-huh," Maya said knowingly. "I knew it."
The Shadows Stir
The laughter of the cafeteria felt almost too loud, too normal. That's when Ayla's skin prickled—the same way it had on the field during training.
She looked up. Outside the cafeteria windows, something flickered. A blur of black moving too fast for human eyes.
Her tray rattled as her hands clenched. "Lucien," she whispered, almost instinctively.
As if he'd heard, his head lifted. His eyes locked on hers, sharp, unreadable. Then he moved—swift and silent—slipping out of the cafeteria doors without a word.
"Ayla?" Maya asked. "What's wrong?"
But Ayla was already on her feet. "Bathroom. Be right back."
The First Attack
She followed Lucien out toward the front gate. The air was unnaturally still. No chatter of students, no hum of traffic—just silence.
Then she saw them.
Figures stepping out from the shadows of the trees across the street. Their forms were wrong—elongated arms, faces hidden beneath bone-like masks, movements jerky like broken marionettes.
One hissed, its voice like cracking glass. "The girl… she reeks of him."
Ayla froze. Her heart pounded, her body screaming to shift. But fear tangled her nerves.
Lucien moved in front of her, his coat billowing as if pulled by the cold wind. His voice was calm, but deadly.
"You shouldn't have come here."
The nearest creature lunged.
In a blur of black, Lucien caught it mid-strike, snapping its arm like a twig. He shoved it back with inhuman force, but more emerged, surrounding them in a tightening circle.
Ayla's breath came fast. Her vision burned silver again. She felt the wolf inside her clawing to be free.
Lucien's voice cut through the chaos. "Stay behind me, Ayla. You're not ready—"
Another creature leapt, this time from behind. Ayla spun—her body moving before her mind caught up—and with one swipe of her arm, she struck it down. The thing crashed against the pavement, shrieking as its body dissolved into ash.
Both she and Lucien stared.
"…Well," Lucien muttered, almost impressed. "Maybe you are ready."
The rest of the creatures hissed in unison and lunged.
Chapter 34 – The Wolf's Embrace
Snow still clung to Ayla's hair like shards of frost, her breath coming in sharp, ragged gasps. The smell of blood and smoke lingered in the air outside the ruined courtyard of the school. Lucien's arm was tight around her waist as he half-carried, half-dragged her toward the old abandoned greenhouse behind the campus. His shirt was torn, his knuckles bleeding, his jaw clenched in silence.
She could still hear the echo of claws scraping against the school's stone walls, the monstrous howl of the thing Vivienne had unleashed. It had taken all of Lucien's strength — and hers, though barely awakened — to push it back into the shadows.
Now, alone in the dim light of the greenhouse, Ayla finally let the sob escape her throat.
"I—I couldn't control it," she whispered, her fingers shaking. "Something inside me… it wanted to tear everything apart. I'm scared, Lucien. What if I turn into one of them?"
Lucien's eyes, normally unreadable, softened. He crouched down in front of her, his hand reaching for hers, steady and warm despite the blood on his skin.
"You're not one of them," he said quietly, firmly. "You're you. Ayla."
Her lips trembled. "But I felt it. The hunger, the rage… What if one day you can't stop me?"
Lucien didn't answer at first. His jaw tightened, and he looked away as though searching for words in the shadows. When he finally met her eyes again, his voice was raw.
"Then I'll stop you the only way I know how. By staying at your side. By reminding you who you are. Because I won't lose you, Ayla. Not to her. Not to anyone."
The words cracked something open inside her — a dam of fear, adrenaline, longing. Before she could think, she surged forward, pressing her forehead to his chest. His heartbeat thundered against her skin, strong and relentless.
"Don't leave me tonight," she whispered. "Please. I don't want to be alone."
Lucien stiffened, his breath catching. For a long moment, the only sound was the drip of melted snow through the greenhouse glass. Then, slowly, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her fully into his lap as though he'd been resisting this for far too long.
"You have no idea what you're asking," he murmured against her hair. "If I stay… I don't think I'll be able to stop myself."
"Then don't," she said, her voice trembling but certain. "Don't stop."
Something broke inside him then — the walls, the restraint, the centuries of solitude. His mouth found hers in a kiss that was at first hesitant, then hungry, desperate, alive. She clutched at him, her hands tangling in his dark hair, her body pressed against his as though she feared he might vanish if she let go.
The greenhouse around them faded into nothing — no monsters, no shadows, no Vivienne. Just heat, breath, and the raw electricity of finally giving in.
Later, when the storm of passion quieted, they lay tangled together on the old dusty floor, Lucien's coat thrown over them. Ayla rested her head against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heart. For the first time since all this began, she felt safe.
"You're warmer than I thought," she murmured sleepily, tracing circles on his skin.
He gave a quiet laugh — rare, unguarded. "Don't tell anyone. It'll ruin my reputation."
She giggled, muffling it against his chest, then yawned. Her eyelids grew heavy, but before sleep claimed her, she whispered, "I think… I think I was meant to find you."
Lucien's arms tightened around her, his lips brushing the crown of her head.
"And I was meant to protect you."
The Next Morning
A beam of light filtered through the cracked glass roof, falling across Lucien's face. Ayla blinked awake, momentarily forgetting where she was. Then the memories of last night came rushing back — the fight, the kiss, the way they'd clung to each other as if the world would end.
Lucien was still asleep beside her, his usually stern features softened in slumber. Without the weight of his guarded expression, he looked almost boyish, almost human. She smiled despite herself.
Then his eyes snapped open, sharp and golden for just a second before fading to their usual human brown. He smirked faintly.
"Staring at me, Ayla?"
Her face flushed crimson. "N-no! I was just—uh—making sure you weren't dead."
"Mm." He stretched lazily, clearly enjoying her embarrassment. "That's what they all say."
She swatted at his arm, but he caught her wrist easily and kissed her fingers instead. Her heart nearly stopped.
The moment was broken by the distant sound of school bells. Reality crashed back, and Ayla groaned, covering her face.
"Oh no… how am I supposed to explain being gone all night? Maya, Lila, and Zoe are never going to let me live this down."
Lucien chuckled, standing and offering her his hand. "Then let them tease. You survived your first battle, Ayla. That's more important than gossip."
She took his hand, and as he pulled her to her feet, she realized something had changed forever. Whatever war Vivienne was bringing, whatever monsters lurked in the shadows — she and Lucien weren't just allies anymore. They were bound, body and soul.
And nothing could tear that apart.
Chapter 35 – Whispers and Shadows
The school courtyard buzzed with chatter the next morning, a sea of uniforms and restless laughter. Ayla clutched her backpack strap with one hand, the other buried deep in her coat pocket. Her cheeks still felt hot, and she couldn't tell if it was from the brisk morning air or the memory of Lucien's lips on her skin just hours before.
Lucien walked beside her, silent as always, but somehow the air around him felt different now. He wasn't just the quiet, mysterious boy anymore. To her, he was a secret, a fire hidden beneath layers of stone.
And everyone was staring.
It didn't help that they'd arrived together, stepping off the public bus like some dramatic couple from a movie. The old woman from last night's ride — the one who had smiled and murmured, "He's a good man, my dear, stay close to him" — had made Ayla blush so deeply she almost melted into the seat. And now, the lingering stares of their classmates made her want to vanish altogether.
"Why are they all looking at us?" she whispered to Lucien.
"They're curious," he replied flatly, eyes scanning the crowd like he was evaluating threats.
"That's easy for you to say. You look like some… broody Calvin Klein model. I look like—"
"—a girl who survived a storm," he finished for her, without looking at her.
Her breath caught. Damn him. He always knew exactly what to say to shut her up.
Before she could recover, a familiar shriek cut through the courtyard.
"Aylaaaa!"
Maya, Lila, and Zoe stormed across the lawn like a squadron of angry generals. Maya's hair was wild, Lila's hands were waving dramatically, and Zoe had her "serious mom" face on.
Ayla groaned. "Oh no…"
The trio reached her in seconds.
"Do you have ANY idea what time you got back?" Zoe scolded, hands on hips. "We were about to call the police!"
"You disappeared after the attack," Maya added, clutching her chest. "I thought you were eaten alive, girl!"
"And don't even get me started on showing up this morning with him," Lila said, wagging her finger between Ayla and Lucien. "Together. Looking like you just walked out of some vampire romance novel."
Ayla turned crimson. "It's not like that!"
Lucien raised an eyebrow but stayed silent, clearly enjoying watching her flounder.
"Oh, it's exactly like that," Maya teased, elbowing her. "Look at her face. Guilty as charged."
Zoe crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes at Lucien. "You. You better not hurt her."
Lucien finally spoke, his voice calm but carrying that quiet gravity that made people stop and listen. "I'd sooner let the world burn than hurt her."
The girls froze, caught between swooning and suspicion. Maya clutched her chest dramatically. "Ugh. Okay, that was unfair. Why do all the mysterious ones get the good lines?"
Ayla covered her face with her hands. "Kill me now. Please."
But under her embarrassment, warmth bloomed in her chest. Even with all the teasing, her friends were still here. And Lucien—Lucien wasn't backing away.
Shadows on the Edge
The day passed in a blur of awkward stares, hushed whispers, and Ayla's best friends plotting a full-scale interrogation over milkshakes after class.
But as the final bell rang, Lucien stiffened beside her. She followed his gaze to the far edge of the courtyard.
A woman in a long, dark coat stood beneath the shadow of an old oak tree. Her posture was too still, too deliberate. Even from across the yard, Ayla felt the cold weight of her stare.
When she blinked, the woman was gone.
A chill ran down Ayla's spine. She didn't need Lucien to tell her who it was. Vivienne knew.
And she was watching.
Chapter 36 – Milkshakes and Shadows
The diner at the corner of Fifth Street was alive with chatter, neon lights buzzing against the frosted windows. Ayla sat squished in a booth between Maya and Lila, while Zoe leaned across the table with her usual detective glare. Across from them sat Lucien, calm as ever, sipping black coffee like he was born in shadows instead of fluorescent lights.
And Ayla was dying inside.
"So," Maya began, sipping her milkshake with deliberate slowness. "When exactly were you going to tell us you were sneaking around with Mr. Mysterious Cheekbones here?"
Ayla groaned. "We're not sneaking around—"
"Uh-huh." Zoe tapped the table like she was in an interrogation room. "You vanish during a school attack, reappear with him, and then show up this morning looking like you both committed at least five felonies together. Not suspicious at all."
Lucien raised an eyebrow. "Felonies?"
Lila leaned forward, smirking. "The felony of stealing her heart, duh."
Ayla nearly choked on her drink. "Lila!"
Even Lucien's lips twitched at that, though he hid it behind his coffee cup.
"You see that?" Maya whispered loudly. "He almost smiled. I saw it. It was like… a solar eclipse. Rare. Beautiful. Terrifying."
Lucien muttered, "You're all insufferable."
"And you," Zoe pointed at Ayla, "are avoiding the question. Where were you? What happened after the attack?"
Ayla froze. Her friends were sharp, sharper than she wanted them to be. She couldn't exactly say, Oh, nothing, just watched my not-boyfriend turn into a giant wolf and tear apart monsters while I nearly froze to death.
Lucien's hand brushed hers under the table, grounding her. He gave the faintest shake of his head — a warning.
"I… I just panicked, okay?" Ayla said quickly. "Lucien found me and made sure I got home safe. That's it."
Her friends exchanged looks. They didn't buy it, not fully.
Maya broke the silence with a grin. "Well, whether he's secretly a vampire, werewolf, or international spy, at least he's hot."
Ayla dropped her head onto the table with a groan.
The Shift
The laughter lingered for a while, milkshakes disappearing and fries being stolen from each other's plates. For the first time in days, Ayla felt almost normal.
Until the bell above the diner door chimed.
A woman stepped inside.
Long black coat. Sharp heels clicking against the tile. Her beauty was sculpted, ageless, but her eyes—cold and piercing—locked on Ayla with surgical precision.
Vivienne.
Ayla's blood turned to ice.
Lucien noticed instantly. His body stiffened, his hand sliding subtly toward Ayla's thigh under the table, protective. His jaw clenched.
Vivienne didn't approach right away. She simply stood by the door, lips curving into the faintest smile, as though she were savoring the moment. Then, without breaking eye contact, she slid into a booth at the far end of the diner.
The air grew heavier.
Maya leaned close to Ayla, whispering, "Okay… who is that? Because she looks like she eats diamonds for breakfast."
"More like hearts," Lucien muttered darkly.
Ayla swallowed hard. "We… we should go."
But before they could stand, Vivienne raised a hand and beckoned with one elegant finger. A silent summons.
The lights above flickered. The hum of the neon sign outside buzzed louder, as though reality itself strained around her presence.
Zoe blinked. "Uh… guys? Why does this suddenly feel like a horror movie?"
"Because it is," Lucien said, his voice low.
He leaned toward Ayla, his breath warm against her ear. "Stay behind me. No matter what."
Ayla's heart pounded, her friends staring in confusion, the diner's chatter dimming into background noise. Vivienne's smile widened, her eyes gleaming with something between hunger and delight.
The first move had been made.
And there would be no turning back.