Chapter 3 After The Bell

The final bell rang, and just instantly, the hallway exploded with kids moving around. Lockers getting slammed, voices overlapping, and footsteps rushing past like everyone's afraid of being left behind.

I remained where I was, as I had managed to convince myself that I was waiting for Bri. That I didn't know my way around the school well enough to leave.

But that was a lie. A lie I didn't bother correcting.

Bit by bit, the noise reduced in the hallway, stretched tight with the faint smell of cleaner and body sweat. But I focused on my locker, twisting the dial way too slowly as I pretended to be memorizing the combination.

My shoulders itch like I am being watched, and the feeling crawls under my skin no matter how many times I shift the weight. I should leave. I knew that. The sooner I returned home, the sooner I relaxed.

Still, I lingered, listening to the last few students laugh as they disappeared around the corner. My heart was beating too fast for a moment that should have been ordinary. My chest tightened as the hallway emptied.

I'm halfway through pretending I don't feel anything when Bri's voice came through.

"Hey," she said in a soft voice.

I look up to see her standing a few lockers down, her backpack slung over her shoulder, and her red hair catching the light. She smiled when our eyes met.

"You disappeared pretty fast after the final bell," she said, walking closer.

I shrugged, because I didn't know what else to say. I couldn't be honest with her. And Bri didn't push it. Instead, she leaned against the locker beside mine, close enough that I could catch the scent of her shampoo.

Her gaze flicked over me in a quick but subtle pass.

"Are you okay?" she asked in a low tone.

I nodded automatically, even though my chest still felt tight and my pulse didn't slow down. Bri hummed like she didn't believe me, but having no other choice, she accepted it. Or at least, pretended to. She straightened, then used her fingers to brush my sleeves.

"Okay then, we should head out," she said lightly.

I opened my mouth to speak and just then, everything changed.

Derek stepped into the hallway, alone, without his friends behind him. The air tightened around my ribs, and I forgot to move for a few moments. Bri noticed it too. Her hand dropped from my sleeve, but she didn't move away.

When I finally turned, Derek was there. He leaned back against the row of lockers across from us. His hoodie was pulled up. He just stayed there, watching me without making any sound or making any weird facial expressions. His bright blue eyes stayed on me.

This, was what I stalled for. Another interaction with him.

Derek's gaze dragged over me slowly. The corner of his lip twitched, making my stomach twist. Was this what people meant when they said they felt butterflies in their tummy?

Bri shifted beside me, and that's when Derek finally spoke.

"You like trouble, don't you? New guy," he said in a low and even voice. "Or am I just lucky today?"

I swallowed. I met his stare, my heart pounding so loud I feared he might hear it. Then he pushed himself off the locker and took one step closer, then another, till he was short of space. He stood close enough to me that I could feel the heat of him.

"You're blocking the hallway," I said. My voice didn't shake, and for that, I was surprised.

Derek's brow lifted. His eyes narrowed, and for a second there, I thought he was going to laugh. Instead, he leaned closer until my back brushed the cold metal of the lockers behind me.

"Did you just tell me what to do?" he asked quietly.

"I said you're in the way," I repeated.

His hand came up fast, grabbing a fistful of my shirt and pulling me forward. I sucked in a breath. Every nerve ending was lighting up at once. My wolf surged, and it took everything in me not to respond or shove him back. I couldn't let the beast inside me answer to his mere challenge.

Derek froze. His grip tightened for a split second, then it loosened. His eyes searched my face as if he sensed something. Then a hand pressed flat against his chest.

"Alright," Bri said. "That's enough."

She stepped between us without any hesitation. Derek's hand dropped from my shirt. His jaw tightened as he took a step back.

"Is Little Red Riding Hood always going to save your sorry little ass whenever I want to have my fill?" he smirked.

"I don't need anybody to save me from you," I replied almost instantly. "In fact, I believe it is you she's saving."

Derek chuckled once at first. Then he chuckled again, and it grew into a loud burst of laughter. Then he started clapping his hands as he sighed.

"You're funny, new guy," he began. "What's your name?"

"Ethan," I answered. "Ethan Hale."

Derek's hands dropped onto his waist. "Okay, Ethan," he said as his lips curved into a wide grin. "I'm going to make you eat those words. And nobody, not even little redheaded Bri, would save either you nor I. You got that?"

I scoffed. "I understand perfectly clear. I assure you that I'll never need anyone to save me from you."

He laughed under his breath. "Good," he muttered with his eyes flicking to me one last time. "This isn't over yet, you hear? We're not done."

I watched him walk away. My shirt wrinkled from his grip. My body was buzzing with feelings I didn't quite understand.

Bri turned to me, her fingers brushing my arm. "Wow, that was something," she exhaled. "Imagine making an enemy just on the first day of school. I feel bad for you."

"Don't be."

"Huh?" she turned to me. "You must be kidding, right? You just got here, and you've gotten a target on your back. You have Derek Jack onto you... If that's not worrying enough, I don't know what is. Derek is a strong guy, and he's not always this much of a bully to anyone. I'm surprised at how he has it out for you... and over a silly bump."

Bri's hand stayed on mine. "We're leaving," she said.

"Yes, alright," I nodded and followed as we got outside.

I took one step forward and stopped. From the corner of my eye, I could see someone from the pack standing beside a jeep. He was standing beside a dark-colored car near the far edge of the lot, with his arms folded across his chest. He didn't lean against the car. He didn't pace. He simply waited.

My chest tightened.

Bri noticed the shift in me instantly. "Ethan?" she asked softly.

"That's... someone I know," I said, already moving. "I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"

She hesitated, clearly wanting to say something more, but I didn't give her the chance. I lifted a hand in a brief goodbye and crossed the distance before she could argue.

He straightened when I approached, his dark eyes scanning me from head to toe.

"You're late," he said.

His name is Lucas. I have long considered him as my big brother. He was always protective of me since I was little, and has taught me so much, even my father couldn't.

"I stayed after," I replied. "What's wrong?"

That was when his jaw tightened. He unfolded his arms and leaned closer, lowering his voice.

"We have a problem."

"And what kind of problem?" I asked, already knowing the answer wouldn't be easy to take in.

"One of the elders," he said. "From the old territory."

My breath caught. "What about them?"

"They were attacked."

My breath caught.

"By who?" I asked, though my pulse had already begun to race.

His eyes darkened. "The Ashbound."

The name sent a cold ripple through me.

The Ashbound were hunters. Not ordinary ones. They are the kind that burned symbols into their weapons and believed wiping out supernatural bloodlines was a holy duty. The kind our pack had avoided for decades.

"Is he alive?" I asked.

He didn't answer right away, and that was answer enough.

"We're heading back as soon as you get in the car," he said quietly. "Your father wants you home. Now."

I glanced back once.

"Ethan," my brother said sharply. "This isn't a game. We have to move now."

I turned back to him, my chest tight, my wolf restless beneath my skin.

"I know," I said. "If the Ashbounds are here, I don't think we might have the time to settle in this new place."