A large black wolf thundered down the narrow streets, its paws pounding the pavement as startled people scattered in fear. Someone hurled a stone. It struck the wolf's side, drawing a deep, guttural growl. But it didn't stop. It pressed on fast, until the concrete gave way to grass and trees.

The forest embraced it in darkness and silence. The wolf kept running, deeper and deeper. For another half hour, it pushed forward before finally collapsing beneath an old oak, chest heaving, limbs trembling.

Night was falling. The moon slowly rose above the treetops, casting silver light across the forest floor.

The wolf lifted its gaze to the sky. Tears glistened in its eyes, spilling slowly onto the earth. 'We shouldn't have got close to her', it thought. 'I never touched her,' a voice inside it replied. 'I never even wanted to. I only ever longed for our mate.'

But no one believed Ashton. He couldn't give the police what they wanted-he couldn't risk revealing what he was.

A heavy silence settled in the trees, broken only by the wind brushing against the leaves.

'We don't know who did that to her. But it was a werewolf. And now she's gone. And...I can't even prove my innocence.'

The wolf lowered its head.

'Lupus, How am I supposed to return now? How can we walk among humans again? They'd cage us. Turn us into something to be studied.'

A bitter exhale.

'So what now Ashton? Are we to wander these woods alone? A rogue.'

'I don't know.'

Lupus' eyes lifted once more to the moon, shining high above.

'Tomorrow's our mate's 18th birthday. The day he would have finally felt the bond between us. Will we ever get to see him again?'

Lupus stared at the moon, eyes full of regret.

'He must hate us now. After everything.'

The wind stirred again, and Lupus closed his eyes, breath catching.

'Moon Goddess... if we had a second chance, I'd never let things fall apart like this. Even if he rejected us... even if he never loved us back... I'd never let this happen.'

Lupus' eyes filled with tears again. He curled in on himself beneath the oak, swallowed by shadows and sorrow.

**

"James! James! Get up! It's already seven!"

James groaned softly as his eyes fluttered open. His grandmother stood at the edge of his bed, her voice laced with urgency.

She paused, frowning as she got a better look at him. "Oh my-your eyes! They're so puffy! Didn't you sleep at all last night?"

"I don't even remember when I fell asleep," James mumbled, his voice hoarse.

His grandmother brushed a hand through his hair. "James, are you really going to ask her out today? You sure you like her that much?"

James blinked at her, confused. "Grandma... are you feeling okay?"

She tilted her head at him. "Of course I'm okay," Her fingers paused in his hair. "I just wonder... don't you think you should wait a little longer? Maybe ask her out after you turn 18? Things might feel clearer by then."

His heart skipped a beat. This is the same thing his grandma told him the day he was going to ask Melanie out.

"Grandma..." His voice dropped, panicked. "She's dead."

"What?" The old woman squinted at him, clearly concerned. "Don't tell me you already confessed over the phone last night and she turned you down?"

James sat up abruptly, his breath hitching in his throat. For a fleeting moment, he thought his grandmother had wokem him up because today was his birthday. But that warmth twisted into confusion, then dread.

"Oh, it's alright, Jamie. You deserve someone better," his grandmother said with a grin tugging at her lips. She quickly turned away to hide it. "Anyway, come on now. I made breakfast. Get up and eat before it gets cold," she said, already heading out of the room.

He stared at the doorway for a long moment, baffled. What's happening?

Then he heard it. A soft meow.

His eyes widened. He bolted out of bed and rushed into the hallway. There, curled up in the corner was Meow.

"Oh my God... you're back!" he gasped, scooping the cat into his arms. "Grandma! Did you see? Meow's back!"

From the kitchen, his grandmother called out, "Back? What are you talking about? You fed him yourself last night, didn't you?"

James's voice trembled. "No... he went missing. I thought he died."

She let out a loud laugh. "What on earth, James? Did you have some crazy dream last night?"

James didn't respond. His heart was thundering in his chest. Something was wrong.

His gaze swept the room, suddenly landing on the clock on the wall. It was ticking steadily, its hands pointing to 7:05. But that clock had been dead for two days. The batteries were out.

What the hell...?

His arms loosened around the cat. Meow leapt down and padded away as James bolted back to his bedroom.

He skidded to a stop just inside the door.

His room was spotless. His books were neatly stacked on the desk-books he clearly remembered knocking over in frustration.

Then his eyes found the small calendar beside his lamp.

October 3.

His breath hitched.

Yesterday, it had been November 27th.

Did I go back in time?

Or... was it all just a dream?

No way!

Does this mean Melanie is alive?

Wait! October 3! It's the day I planned to confess to her...

And Ashton Everett beat me to it.

Ashton stirred with a low growl, thick fur brushing against his bedsheets. His limbs ached slightly and his head felt heavy.

Why am I in wolf form?

He was sprawled across his bed in wolf form. Disoriented, he rolled onto his side, paws clumsy against the fabric. With a sharp breath, he began to shift. Bones cracked. Muscles twisted. And in seconds, he was standing in his room, barefoot, naked, and confused.

"What the hell...?" he muttered, dragging a hand through his hair. "Why did I shift last night? I don't remember anything."

Lupus? he called out to the presence in his head.

There was a long silence before his wolf replied, I don't know. I blacked out too.

What do you mean you don't know? You were in control, not me.

I wasn't, Lupus said, sounding unsettled. I remember nothing after we got into bed.

A strange chill swept over Ashton's skin. That had never happened before. Lupus always remembered everything. Always knew when and why they shifted.

Still frowning, Ashton turned to the digital clock on his nightstand.

7:27 AM.

His eyes widened. "Shit!"

He groaned and rushed into the bathroom, grabbing his toothbrush and scrubbing furiously. There was a strange fog in his head, like he'd been drugged or pulled out of a long, too-real dream. Something tugged at the edge of his memory, but he couldn't quite grasp it.

He stared at his reflection.

Why do I feel so... off?

He shook his head, spitting into the sink. Forget it. We're late.

He jumped into the shower, letting the hot water pound against his skin, trying to wake himself up. That's when it hit him, like a gut punch.

"Damn! Are you seriously staring at her again?"

"Shut up, Cole."

"You're hopeless. Will you ever confess to her?"

"I will."

"When?"

"Tomorrow. I'm going to do it. I'm going to tell her."

"REALLY?!"

Ashton's eyes flew open. He remembered now, the conversation he'd overheard yesterday in Geography. James and Cole were sitting just in front of him, too lost in their chat to notice he was listening.

James had made up his mind. He was going to confess to Melanie.

He'd been crushing on her forever. Ashton didn't know all the details, but ever since he transferred to Crestwood a month ago, it had been obvious. James only had eyes for her.

At first, it had shocked Ashton. Then disappointed him. His destined mate was a human. A hybrid boy. One who had no idea werewolves even existed. One who had lost both his parents young, who never knew that his mother was probably a werewolf. And worst of all, the boy was hopelessly in love with a girl. A human girl. Ashton had tried ignoring him, tried keeping his distance. But it was useless. He soon found himself sitting near him in every class, drawn in by his scent, utterly addicted.

And now, his mate was about to give his heart to someone else.

Ashton had made a decision last night. He wasn't going to let that happen. If anyone was going to ask Melanie out, it would be him. Not because he wanted her but because he couldn't bear the thought of James being with someone else.

This is a bad idea, Lupus said suddenly, his voice low and hesitant in Ashton's mind.

Ashton blinked, startled by the interruption. What? Why? You agreed with me last night.

I know I did, Lupus muttered, almost sheepish. But now I think it's not a good idea anymore.

Why the sudden change? Ashton frowned. You were the one who said we needed to stop him. That we couldn't let him give his heart to someone else.

I don't know... Lupus paused. Something feels off. I can't explain it.

Ashton gritted his teeth. You're the one who helped me come up with this plan in the first place. And now you're backing out?

I told you I don't remember everything from last night, Lupus said. Maybe that should be a warning. Something's not right, Ashton.

Ashton let out a frustrated sigh, shaking his head. "Whatever," he muttered, jaw clenched. "I'm doing it anyway. It's just less than two months. Once James turns eighteen, he'll feel the bond. We just need to hold things together until then."

Lupus didn't respond.

When is James going to do it? Before class? Shit-

Ashton rushed out from the shower, barely drying off, heart thudding in panic. He pulled on his clothes jeans, a hoodie without much thought. While brushing his hair back, he began rehearsing the lines in his head. Keep it casual. Be confident.

Would you like to go out with me?

Grabbing his bag, he slung it over his shoulder and darted down the stairs, taking them two at a time.

His parents and older sister sat at the breakfast table, the scent of eggs and toast wafting through the air.

"I'm eating at the canteen!" he called out, already halfway out the door.

"You'll regret that when you're starving by ten!" his sister yelled after him.

But Ashton was already gone, sprinting toward his car, heart pounding for reasons he refused to name.

James scrambled for his phone on the nightstand, knocking over a half-empty water bottle in the process. His fingers fumbled with the screen, unlocking it on instinct. Instagram. Story tab. Melanie.

There it was, a photo she'd posted an hour ago. A blurry shot of her morning coffee with some indie song lyrics layered on top. She was alive. Real. Breathing.

She was here.

It still didn't feel real. After everything, after all that had happened, seeing her smile again, even just on his phone screen, felt like something sacred. Like a second chance.

But there was no time to sit with that.

James bolted upright, heart thudding fast. He needed to move. Now. Today wasn't just any day. It was the day. The day it all went wrong last time. The day he'd hesitated. The day Ashton got to Melanie before he could even open his mouth.

Not again.

He pulled on his clothes in a rush, barely managing to comb his hair before dashing out to the kitchen.

"You got ready so quickly," his grandmother said with a smile, placing a plate of pancakes on the table.

Hurriedly sitting down, James wolfed the meal down without a word. Every bite felt like chewing on air, but he forced it down. He couldn't afford to be late. Not today.

"I made extra pancakes. Share it with Cole too," his grandma said, sliding a small box into his bag. Her smile faltered when he barely acknowledged it. And he was already tying his shoelaces and running out the door.

The morning air bit at his cheeks as he sprinted toward the bus stop. Sweat beaded at his brow despite the chill.

I won't let him take her this time.

He reached the stop, breath ragged, only to find a small group of students already waiting. No bus yet.

His eyes drifted across the street, and his stomach turned.

The flower shop.

It stood just like it did that day, neat and unassuming, a small chalkboard sign propped outside reading Fresh blooms today!

He remembered it so clearly. That day, the way he'd run into the store, palms sweating, picking out the reddest rose they had. He'd missed the bus. Had to take the next one.

By the time he got to school, Ashton was already there. Already standing in front of Melanie. Already smiling.

Already winning.

James clenched his jaw and looked away from the shop. No rose this time. Ashton didn't have flowers.

But Ashton didn't need anything. He had charm, and money, and girls who practically begged for his attention.

And James wasn't Ashton.

But that was okay.

He didn't need to be better than him. He just needed to be faster. This wasn't about impressing Melanie anymore. It was about protecting her. From him. From what she didn't know.

From what he did.

The bus screeched to a stop in front of him, and the doors wheezed open. He got in, body bumping against the wave of other students cramming inside. Elbows jabbed at his sides. Someone's bag hit his back. But he held on tight to the metal bar, eyes fixed ahead like a soldier heading to war.

His phone buzzed in his pocket. He didn't need to look-he knew it was Cole. Texting him if he was really going through with it. If he was actually going to confess to Melanie. He remembered this part too well. He had read that message while waiting for the next bus. So this time, he didn't check it.

The only thing that mattered now was getting there before Ashton did.

The ride felt like forever. When the school gate finally came into view, James was already pushing through the crowd, heart climbing into his throat.

Then he saw it.

A sleek black car parked at the students' parking.

Ashton's car.

He was already here.

"No, no, no-" James broke into a sprint, lungs burning, legs screaming with each step.

His backpack slammed against his spine as he tore down the path toward the main entrance. The hallway loomed ahead like the mouth of a beast, inevitable, and full of the past.

He couldn't let it happen again.

This time, he would get there first.

This time, he would save her.