I got into the car as Lucas started the engine, and we drove off.

Lucas drove with one hand on the wheel, the other resting near the gearshift, his posture loose in a way that only looked relaxed. Anyone who didn't know him would've missed the tension in his shoulders, the way his jaw flexed every few seconds like he was grinding his teeth down to bone.

He didn't speak, and neither did I.

The forest swallowed us quickly once we left town. Trees thickened, shadows stretched, and the road narrowed into something only locals were used to. My wolf stirred as the iron gates came into view, but Lucas didn't slow down. They opened automatically, sensing us.

I swallowed hard.

"Lucas," I said finally.

His eyes flicked to me for half a second. "Yes, Ethan. What is it?"

"Please," I added. "Talk to me."

The car hummed beneath us. Tires rolled over gravel. Then he sighed.

"You're old enough now, I guess," he said slowly. "Your father would've had this conversation with you soon anyway."

My hands curled into fists on my thighs. "I need to know more about the hunters. I need to know more about the Ashbounds."

Lucas nodded once. "The Ashbound."

I took in a deep breath and exhaled softly.

"I've heard the stories," I said. "Pack legends. Nothing but warnings. But these stories don't attack elders."

"No. You are right about that, Ethan. Stories don't hurt us," Lucas said grimly. "People do."

He took a turn sharper than necessary, then steadied the wheel. "The Ashbound aren't like the ones humans whisper about. They don't chase shadows or burn villages with pitchforks. They're organized, well-trained, and fanatical."

I looked out the window as the trees blurred past. "Fanatical how?"

"They believe supernatural blood is a corruption," Lucas said. "That we're an infection that needs to be burned out of the world. Wolves. Vampires. Witches. Anyone who isn't fully human."

My stomach twisted.

"They've been around for centuries," he continued. "And over these years, they've had different names, with different ways they present or show themselves. Different masks. But they all had the same ideology. They mark their weapons with ash and silver. They hunt in small groups. Always in new territory."

"And now," I said quietly, "they're here."

Lucas's knuckles whitened around the wheel. "That's the problem. Or it could be they've always been here."

Silence fell again.

"Why now?" I asked. "Why us? Do you think they managed to know we moved in?"

"That's what your father's trying to figure out," Lucas said. "But if I had to guess? They didn't stumble into our land by accident."

I turned toward him. "You think they're tracking us."

"I think," he said carefully, "that something drew their attention."

Something like an Alpha pack hiding just outside a human town. Something like me. The thought slithered through my chest.

"They don't usually strike elders," Lucas added. "Not unless they're testing boundaries. Or sending a message."

My throat felt tight. "I know I asked this before, but you didn't say anything. But is the elder-"

"Alive," Lucas said quickly. "Barely. If he hadn't fought back, we'd be burying him right now."

I exhaled shakily. "You've seen them before."

Lucas nodded. "Once. Years ago. Different pack. Different territory."

"And?" I pressed.

"And they didn't leave survivors."

The words settled into me like stones. The rest of the drive passed in uneasy quiet.

By the time we reached the main house, the pack had already begun to gather. Cars lined the gravel clearing. Wolves paced just beyond the treeline in half-shifted forms, their agitation bleeding into the air.

My mother burst through the front door the moment she saw me.

"Ethan."

She crossed the porch in three strides and cupped my face in her hands, eyes scanning me with fierce precision. "Are you hurt?"

"I'm fine mother," I said softly. "I promise."

Her hands slid down my arms, checking anyway. "And how was school?"

"It was... good," I said. "Different. But good."

She searched my eyes, sensing the lie, but she didn't push. Instead, she pulled me into a tight embrace, breathing me in.

"I'm glad you're home," she murmured.

"So am I."

Lucas cleared his throat. "Meeting's starting, ma'am. I need to get Ethan in the hall with the rest of us."

My mother stiffened. She released me reluctantly, brushing my hair back from my face. "Go," she said. "Your father needs you."

I nodded.

The pack hall buzzed with tension. Elders sat along the far wall. Warriors stood in clusters, voices low, expressions grim. My father stood at the center, tall and immovable, his presence commanding without too much effort.

When I entered, the conversations died. I took my place at his right. He glanced at me once. Just once, and his eyes softened for half a heartbeat before the Alpha returned.

"Enough," he said.

The room stilled.

"You all know why we're here," he continued. "One of our elders was attacked within our borders. That alone is unacceptable."

A murmur rippled through the room.

"We will hear from those who were there," my father said. "Step forward."

Three wolves shifted back into human form near the center of the hall. Blood still stained one of their shirts. My pulse spiked at the sight of it.

The first spoke. "We were patrolling near the eastern ridge. Elder Rowan stayed behind, said he sensed something off."

My father nodded. "Go on."

"We heard the struggle minutes later," the second said. "By the time we reached him, they were already retreating."

"How many?" my father asked.

"At least four," the third answered. "They were all very fast and coordinated."

"They used silver," the first added. "Blades and pellets."

A low growl rolled through the hall.

"Did you see their face?" My father asked.

"Not really. They wore masks," the second continued. "Ash-gray. It covered their faces completely."

My father's jaw tightened. "Did you see anything else?"

The first wolf hesitated. "Rowan fought them. Hard. He managed to grab two of them before they escaped."

My chest tightened.

"He pulled their masks off," the wolf said. "Just for a second."

Every muscle in my body locked.

"And?" my father demanded.

The wolf swallowed. "Their eyes."

The room held its breath.

"They were bright blue," he said. "Not normal like anything we've seen in all our years. Their eyes were glowing."

The word echoed in my skull. Blue. My vision blurred for a moment. Sharp blue eyes filled my mind. 

Could it be? Derek? No... no no no.

Fear surged through me. I forced myself to breathe.

My father nodded slowly, absorbing the information. "Thank you. You may step back."

As the witnesses retreated, my father turned to the pack.

"The Ashbound have crossed into our territory," he said. "This changes everything."

I barely heard him. All I could see were blue eyes in a crowded hallway. And for the first time since meeting Derek Jack, I wasn't sure if what twisted in my chest was desire or dread.

After a few more hours, the meeting ended. The pack began to disperse in small clusters, conversations muted and tense. Wolves who usually lingered now moved quickly. But I remained where I was.

My father spoke with the elders, his voice was calm and even, but I could feel the strain beneath it. I watched the way his shoulders never slumped, even as the last witness stepped away.

When the hall finally emptied, I turned to leave.

"Ethan."

My father's voice stopped me instantly.

I paused, then turned back. "Yes, Father?"

He gestured subtly to his side. "Wait."

I did.

The doors shut behind the last of the pack members. The hall felt cavernous now. It was too large and too quiet. My father stood there for a moment longer, staring at the space where his pack had been, then he turned to me.

"How was the first day of school?" he asked. "Is it any different from the other high schools you've been to?"

The question caught me off guard.

"It was... fine," I said carefully. "Like the others, father. No difference at all."

He stared at me the way he always did, not as a father first, but as an Alpha gauging a threat.

"We're in a different town, Ethan," he said. "With different people. I don't expect every school to be thesame. So I need you to be completely honest with me. I can't believe that every school you've been to has been nothing but calm and peaceful. You're not in the midst of robots or soulless creatures."

"Yes, father," I replied. "But still, it's just school. I can't imagine how random it can be."

He nodded slowly. "Hmm. And you didn't draw attention to yourself."

It wasn't a question.

"I didn't, Father," I said. "I promise."

His eyes narrowed slightly. "Are you sure?"

"Yes."

A long pause stretched between us.

"Ethan," he said quietly, and something in his voice softened. "You know I need the truth from you. Especially now... after all you've heard. I need to be certain my son is still in the clear."

My chest tightened.

"I didn't bring any attention to myself, father," I repeated. "You don't have to worry about my safety. I blended in perfectly."

He searched my face one last time. Then he stood and crossed the distance between us, placing a heavy hand on my shoulder.

"Good," he said. "That's all I ask."

I instantly felt relieved that he wasn't asking me about it anymore, because I didn't know how long I could keep it to myself before I told him about the incident in school. Guilt slid in behind my relief. Very sharp and unwelcome.

"Come," he added. "Walk with me."

We left the hall together, stepping into the house through the long corridor. My mother was in the dining room, placing the last dishes on the table. The scent of cooked meat and herbs filled the air.

"You're just in time, my darlings," she said, smiling when she saw me. "Dinner's ready."

I shook my head. "I hate to say this mum, but I'm not hungry."

My father didn't even look at me. "Well, your mother put in a lot of effort into this dish, and you will eat it. So sit."

"I really don't-"

"Ethan," he said firmly. "I don't think I made myself clear. This isn't optional."

I hesitated, then sighed. "Okay. But can I eat somewhere else?"

My mother glanced between us. "He's had a long day," she said gently. "I think we should let him-"

"No," my father replied. "He eats with the family. I don't care what type of day he's had. He eats with us."

I clenched my jaw.

"I'll just grab something quick," I said, reaching for the bread.

Before either of them could stop me, I took a piece and slipped out the door, and I headed toward the woods, moving quietly while letting the shadows swallow me. I knew Lucas would be out there, and if there was anyone I could be alone with. It was him.

When I got deep into the woods, I saw Lucas and quickly hid behind a large tree. And I almost made it unnoticed, but...

"Still not very good at hiding," Lucas's voice called out.

I scowled. "Someday, I will be. You'll see."

He laughed. "Sure. I'll be waiting."

He stood near a small fire, turning a spit where meat roasted slowly, the scent rich and wild. He tossed me a piece without asking if I wanted one.

I caught it and sat across from him. We ate in silence for a moment.

"Fought with your dad again?" he asked.

"Not really," I said. "Just... dinner problems. He wouldn't let me eat in my room."

"Is that it?"

"I'm kinda tired of eating at the table with them. All we do is just eat, and nobody ever talks."

Lucas snorted. "You're the only one who can walk away from the Alpha and live to tell the tale."

"That's not funny."

"It kind of is," he said. "Your pure Alpha blood has its perks. Not being able to be controlled by an Alpha like your dad."

I frowned. "I don't want to talk about him."

Lucas raised a brow. "Then what are you doing out here? You always come to find me whenever you want to talk to someone or when you want to be alone."

I hesitated. "You're right. But I don't want to talk about my dad. I want to talk about the Ashbound."

His smile vanished instantly.

"Don't ruin my dinner Ethan."

"I need to understand," I pressed.

His voice sharpened. "Ethan-"

"Please."

He exhaled harshly, then stood and pulled his shirt over his head, showing me an old, ugly scar.

"Your scar? But I've seen this," I said. "In case you've forgotten, you don't always wear a shirt around people."

"Yeah. But you don't know how I got it," he replied.

My throat went dry. "The Ashbound?"

He nodded. "Yes."

"How's that possible? We have the ability to heal our injuries, except if they were inflicted on us by the Alpha. How is it possible that the human hunters did this?"

"Yeah. It wasn't your father who did this, or any other alpha from other packs. It was the Ashbounds."

"How could they have done something to you that would leave a scar? I always thought my father did this."

"The Ashbounds used something supernatural," he said. "Something that stopped me from healing myself."

My stomach dropped.

"I was ten when it happened," he continued quietly. "I wandered off to watch a carnival and got mixed up with some humans during the events. Being ten, I was unable to control my wolf. Some Ashbounds present then found me, and they didn't care I was a child."

He met my eyes.

"They don't show mercy, Ethan," Lucas said. "Not to anyone. Not even newborns. I was lucky I scurried my way out of there."

The fire crackled between us.

"I am sorry," I muttered. "I can't believe something like that happened to you."

"I was treated by one of the pack members who managed to study human medicine. And because the beatings I got weren't severe, I lived," he added. "And for you to understand how bad these hunters are. The ones who caught me and attacked me... were teenagers like you. Imagine the type of hatred they had for our kind to be so ruthless at that age."

"I-I"

"You have to keep a low profile, Ethan. It's the only thing that's kept us safe for years."

For the first time, I truly understood what hunted us.

Bright morning. It's a new day. I pulled my backpack over one shoulder and headed for the door, already halfway gone in my head with school sitting heavily in my thoughts, and not because of classes, nor was it because of homework, but because of a pair of blue eyes I hadn't been able to stop thinking about since yesterday.

The front door opened before I could even reach for the handle. Lucas's car idled at the curb, already waiting for me.

Of course he was.

I stepped outside as the cool morning air brushed against my face, just enough to stop me from smiling like an idiot. Lucas leaned out of the driver's seat, one arm draped lazily over the door.

"You planning on standing there all day, or are you getting in?" he asked.

I rolled my eyes. "Good morning to you too."

I reached for the door-

"Ethan!"

My mother's voice cut through.

I groaned inwardly and turned just in time to see her rushing out of the house, apron still tied around her waist, hair half-pinned like she'd dropped everything just to stop me.

She grabbed my arm gently, her eyes scanning my face as if she was staring into my soul.

"Be careful today," she said. "Please, baby."

"I'm always careful, Mum," I muttered.

She didn't look convinced, but she leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to my forehead, and then stayed in that position for a while.

"Mum," I protested, stepping back. "I'm not a baby anymore."

She smiled sadly. "Don't say that. You'll always be my baby."

"I can take care of myself," I insisted. "Nothing's going to happen."

She opened her mouth to argue-

Beep.

Lucas hit the horn. I shot him a glare, but he just grinned.

"I have to go, mum," I said quickly, shifting away from my mother's grasp. "I'll be fine. Really. You don't have to worry about anything at all."

She sighed, brushing invisible dust from my jacket. "Make sure to come straight home when school is over for the day. Okay?"

"I will."

That was a lie, and we both knew it.

I gave her a quick wave and climbed into the car, shutting the door behind me. As Lucas pulled away, I caught a glimpse of her standing in the driveway, arms folded around herself.

I hated that look.

Still... my chest fluttered as excitement bubbled up inside me. I was going to see Derek again. Even if he might be Ashbound.

The drive was quiet for a while. Lucas drummed his fingers against the steering wheel, eyes flicking to the rearview mirror more often than necessary.

"You're smiling," he said eventually.

"I am not."

"Oh, you are. I just wonder what's making you smile like that."

I scowled at the window. "Mind your business."

He chuckled but didn't press.

We reached the school earlier than usual. The parking lot was still mostly empty, morning dew clinging to the pavement like a thin sheen of glass.

Lucas pulled up near the entrance. "I'll be nearby," he said. "You call if anything feels off and you need me to get you."

"I will, but you don't have to act like my parent and be worried about me," I replied, already opening the door. "I know a lot of you in the pack feel I'm weak."

"That's not what I meant."

I paused, then nodded. "I know. Thanks."

He looked surprised for a moment, then waved me off. "Go. Before you're late."

I stepped out of the car and slung my backpack properly onto my shoulders. As Lucas drove away, I turned toward the building, my heart picking up speed with every step. I was almost inside when-

"Ethan!"

I froze. Then I turned.

Bri came running toward me, her red hair bouncing, face lit up as if she'd just won something. She skidded to a stop in front of me, breathless and grinning.

"I was hoping you'd be here early!" she said. "We weren't able to exchange contacts after school, so we could talk while we were home."

"Yeah," I said. "I had to leave. Besides, you saw that someone came to pick me."

"Yeah." She tilted her head, staring at me. "Everything okay?"

I hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah."

I reached into my bag and pulled out the folded shirt she'd lent me yesterday after Derek had spilled juice on mine.

"I cleaned this up and just want to say thank you for helping me out yesterday," I said. "You can have it back now."

Her eyes widened, then she laughed. "Oh my God, I didn't think you'd actually return it."

"I wasn't just going to keep it."

She waved a hand dismissively. "You can. I've got like ten of those."

"I really should-"

"Ethan," she said, smiling brightly. "Keep it."

I opened my mouth to argue, but she shook her head. "Seriously. By the way, it suits you better."

Heat crept up my neck. "Fine. But only because you asked me to."

She laughed again, clearly pleased, and hooked her arm through mine as we walked inside.

"So," she said casually, "are you worried about what Derek's planning to do to you today?"

I snorted. "I'd love to see what he tries."

She stared at me, chuckling. "You say that like you want him to."

"I'm not scared of him."

"That's not what I asked."

We stopped at my locker. I spun the dial, my ears half-tuned to the hallway, eyes scanning instinctively. Bri noticed. Of course she did.

"When do you think he'll get here?" I asked, trying to sound indifferent.

She smirked. "I'm not his mother, Ethan. Derek will pop up when Derek wants to."

"Why are you so impatient?" she asked suddenly. "And why do you care so much?"

I shrugged. "Just curious about who's been threatening me."

"That's a weird way to talk about someone."

"Then I guess I'm a weird person."

Before she could respond, an arm suddenly hooked around my neck. My entire body went rigid, and Bri stiffened beside me.

"Hey," a voice drawled.

I instantly recognized the voice. It was Derek. Still, for some reason, I couldn't get his scent.

He nodded at Bri first. "Morning."

Then he turned to me, and because I had my head turned to him already, our faces were barely inches apart.

I could see every detail, like the faint scar near his eyebrow, the way his lashes cast shadows against his cheeks, the startling blue of his eyes. One wrong move and our lips could-

Heat rushed through me, sudden and overwhelming. My chest felt tight, breath shallow. Everything inside me buzzed, like static under my skin. Derek must've noticed because he shoved me back roughly, stepping away.

"What the hell? Why are you so close?"

I didn't answer. I couldn't. I was still staring.

"Stop looking at me like that," he snapped. "Ugh... It's creepy."

Bri let out a nervous laugh. "Derek-"

"Watch your back," he said to me quietly, eyes sharp now. "I mean it."

Then he turned and walked off, disappearing into a group of his friends as if nothing had happened.

Bri grabbed my arm. "Ethan, that could've gone really bad."

"He wouldn't hurt me," I said automatically.

"You don't know that!"

I watched Derek's retreating figure, my heart still racing.

I told myself it was nothing, that he wasn't an Ashbound, and that I wasn't falling for him.

I told myself a lot of things, and believed every single one.