Aria stood frozen in the hallway.
Students brushed past her on both sides, laughing, talking, shoving lockers closed, completely unaware that her entire world had just tilted sideways.
He's lying.
The voice echoed again in her head.
Clear.
Calm.
And definitely not her own.
Her fingers slowly curled into fists.
Okay… I'm losing my mind, she thought.
Aria turned her head slightly, glancing behind her.
Kael was still standing a few steps away, watching her carefully.
His expression had changed again.
Now he looked tense.
Almost… alert.
Like a predator that had just sensed something dangerous.
Their eyes met again.
The burning sensation in her chest flared.
Aria quickly looked away.
This is not normal.
She forced herself to keep walking down the hallway, trying to ignore the strange pounding in her heart.
Behind her, Kael didn't move.
But his wolf was restless.
Very restless.
He had seen the moment she froze.
Seen the confusion flash across her face.
Something had happened.
Something she hadn't told him.
And his instincts were screaming that it was important.
Dangerously important.
"Alpha," one of the boys beside him muttered quietly.
It was Rowan, one of his closest friends.
Rowan crossed his arms and looked down the hallway where Aria had disappeared.
"You felt it too, right?"
Kael didn't answer immediately.
His eyes were still fixed on the empty corridor.
"Yes," he finally said.
Rowan exhaled slowly.
"That girl is not normal."
"No," Kael replied quietly.
"She's not."
The third boy, Marcus, stepped closer.
"What are we going to do?" Marcus asked.
Kael's jaw tightened slightly.
"That depends."
"On what?"
Kael's golden eyes darkened.
"On what she really is."
—
Aria pushed open the school doors and stepped outside.
The cool morning air hit her face, but it didn't calm the storm inside her head.
She walked quickly down the steps, her mind racing.
He's lying.
The voice repeated.
Aria rubbed her temples.
"Stop," she whispered.
But the voice didn't sound threatening.
If anything, it sounded… protective.
That somehow made it worse.
Because it meant she wasn't imagining it.
Her mind replayed the moment in the hallway.
Kael telling her to leave town.
The way his voice had suddenly turned serious.
Almost urgent.
You need to leave Blackridge.
Why would he say that?
And what had he meant earlier when he said she didn't smell human?
Aria let out a frustrated breath.
"None of this makes sense."
"Talking to yourself already?"
Aria jumped slightly.
Maya stood a few feet away, leaning against the railing with a curious expression.
Aria forced a small smile.
"Just thinking."
Maya walked over.
"I saw Kael stop you in the hallway."
Of course she did.
Aria sighed.
"Is he always that weird?"
Maya raised an eyebrow.
"Weird?"
"He grabbed my arm and started asking what I was."
Maya's expression slowly shifted from curiosity to confusion.
"He asked… what you are?"
"Yeah."
Maya frowned.
"That's strange."
"You think?"
Maya glanced toward the school doors.
"Well… Kael doesn't usually talk to people like that."
"Meaning?"
"Meaning he mostly ignores everyone."
Aria crossed her arms.
"Lucky me."
Maya studied her face carefully.
"What exactly happened?"
Aria hesitated.
She didn't know how to explain the strange pain in her chest.
Or the voice.
Or the way Kael's eyes seemed to glow slightly.
Because saying any of that out loud would make her sound insane.
"Nothing important," Aria said finally.
Maya didn't look convinced.
But she didn't push.
"Come on," Maya said. "You'll get lost if you try finding your next class alone."
Aria followed her across the courtyard.
But even as Maya talked about teachers and schedules, Aria couldn't focus.
Her senses felt… different.
Sharper.
The wind brushing against her skin felt stronger.
The smell of pine from the surrounding forest was clearer.
Even the distant sound of birds in the trees seemed louder.
It was like the entire world had suddenly turned up its volume.
Aria slowed her steps.
"Do you hear that?" she asked.
Maya looked around.
"Hear what?"
Aria frowned.
"The birds."
"Yeah?"
"They're… really loud."
Maya laughed softly.
"I think that's just called nature."
Aria forced a small smile, but unease crept into her stomach.
Because it wasn't just the birds.
She could hear footsteps on the gravel path behind them.
A conversation happening near the parking lot.
Someone opening a soda can across the courtyard.
All of it.
At the same time.
And somehow her brain understood it all.
Something is wrong with me.
But deep inside her mind…
The wolf stirred again.
Nothing is wrong.
The voice was soft this time.
Gentle.
Aria stopped walking.
Maya looked back.
"You okay?"
Aria nodded quickly.
"Yeah."
But inside her head, her thoughts were spinning.
Who are you? she thought silently.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then—
Yours.
Aria's heart skipped.
Her breath caught in her throat.
That answer had come immediately.
Without hesitation.
Like the voice had been waiting for the question.
"Aria?"
Maya waved a hand in front of her face.
"You spaced out again."
Aria blinked.
"Sorry."
"You sure you're okay?"
"Yeah."
Aria wasn't sure if she believed that anymore.
Because every minute she spent in this town, things kept getting stranger.
And somehow—
Deep down—
She felt like this place already knew her.
—
Across town, deep within the forest, Kael stood at the edge of a cliff overlooking the valley.
The wind moved through the trees below, carrying scents from every direction.
His wolf was pacing restlessly beneath his skin.
Mate.
The word echoed again in his mind.
But the situation didn't make sense.
A Luna-level aura.
A human girl.
And now the possibility that her wolf was… awakening.
Which should have happened years ago.
Unless someone had prevented it.
Kael clenched his fists.
"That girl is hiding something," Rowan said from behind him.
Kael didn't turn.
"No," he replied quietly.
"She's not hiding it."
Rowan frowned.
"Then what?"
Kael's eyes hardened as he stared toward the town.
"Someone else did."
Marcus stepped forward.
"You think another pack sealed her wolf?"
"It's possible."
"But why?"
Kael's voice dropped.
"Because if she is who I think she is…"
The wind suddenly shifted.
A new scent drifted through the forest.
Kael's entire body went rigid.
His head snapped toward the eastern tree line.
Rowan immediately noticed the change.
"What is it?"
Kael's golden eyes narrowed.
"Rogues."
Marcus swore under his breath.
"How many?"
Kael inhaled again.
The scent was faint.
But unmistakable.
And far too close to town.
"Too many."
Rowan's expression darkened.
"They shouldn't be this close to pack territory."
"No," Kael agreed.
His gaze shifted toward Blackridge in the distance.
Right toward the school.
And toward the girl who had just arrived yesterday.
Realization hit him like a punch.
"They're not here for the territory," he said quietly.
Marcus looked confused.
"Then what are they here for?"
Kael's voice turned cold.
"They're hunting."
At that exact moment, far across town, Aria suddenly stopped walking again.
A strange chill ran down her spine.
Her instincts screamed.
Run.
The wolf's voice whispered urgently inside her mind.
Danger is coming.
Aria turned slowly toward the forest beyond the school field.
And for the briefest moment—
She could have sworn she saw something move between the trees.
Watching her.