Chapter 3 Werewolves

Kate's POV

My city is in danger, and everyone is at risk-even if they don't know it yet. The werewolves are going wild, and the vampires are growing stronger by the night.

My school, for one, is crawling with werewolves. Most students can't tell, of course. They laugh with them, sit beside them, share notes and secrets-completely unaware they're dining with predators.

But I'm not like the others. My parents trained me early. I know how to identify them-how they move, how they smell, the slight change in their eyes when the moon is near. I know their weaknesses, too.

Wolfsbane weakens them. A silver blade to the heart ends them.

I know because I've done it before-killed one. It was self-defense. I didn't have a choice. But ever since that day, I've lived with the weight of it-and the fear that they might one day find out.

No one must know that I know about their kind. That knowledge alone is a death sentence. Vampires and werewolves have their own code-protect their kind at all costs. Anyone who exposes the truth... doesn't live long enough to regret it.

And with the full moon rising tomorrow night, I know they're preparing. They'll be at their strongest-and their most unstable.

Tonight, my parents are leaving the city on a mission far more dangerous than anything we've faced before. They're going to awaken him-the ancient hunter who's been asleep for over a century.

According to my mother, he must be awakened when the moon is at its apex-when the sky is at its fullest and most vulnerable.

I don't like it. The whole thing feels wrong. But my mom believes in it, and I trust her. I have to.

---

I woke up late. Again.

I stayed up way too long last night going through Dad's journals-maps, symbols, handwritten entries about vampire covens and werewolf bloodlines. I barely understood half of it, but I couldn't stop reading.

"Honey, come down here! We're about to leave!" Mom shouted from downstairs.

"Ugh," I groaned and yelled back, "I'm coming!"

I tossed my notebook aside, grabbed my jacket, and hurried down the stairs-only to find the living room filled with luggage.

"What's with all the bags?" I asked, pointing at the pile by the door. "You guys planning to move in with him or something?"

Dad chuckled, slinging his backpack over his shoulder. "He's been asleep for a hundred years, sweetheart. He's going to be starving when he wakes up. These are supplies-for him."

"We packed food, clothes, weapons," Mom added. "We don't know what state he'll be in, or what he'll need when he wakes."

"Wait... weapons?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Just in case," Dad said, eyes darkening for a moment.

"How long will you be gone?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

"We'll be back in five days," Mom replied, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. "We're bringing him back with us."

"Are you sure you'll be alright on your own?" Dad asked, eyeing me with concern.

"Really, Dad? I'm seventeen, not seven." I rolled my eyes. "I'll be fine."

"No offense. Just making sure," he replied, raising his hands in surrender.

"Did you tell Mason?" I asked, referring to my twelve-year-old brother who'd been sent off to boarding school for his safety.

"He doesn't know everything," Mom said. "But he knows we're on a trip. That's enough for now."

I nodded, stepping forward and wrapping my arms around both of them. I didn't want to let go.

"Please be careful," I whispered.

"You're such a drama queen," Mom said with a teasing smile, though I noticed the way her eyes shimmered with emotion.

"You know why I'm worried," I replied, holding on tighter.

"We're trained for this," she assured me. "We'll be fine."

After loading their bags into the car, I waved goodbye as they drove off down the street.

A strange ache sat in my chest as I watched the taillights disappear.

---

An hour later, I finally arrived at school-just in time to miss the first lecture. Perfect.

I spotted Abby and Emily outside the lecture hall, already waiting for me. The moment they saw me, they rushed over with worried faces.

"Hey babe, what happened?" Abby asked, tugging at my sleeve.

"Yeah, we were expecting you earlier. We even saved you a seat," Emily added.

"My parents left town this morning. I was helping them pack," I replied, keeping my voice neutral. It was the only safe answer I could give.

"You sure everything's okay?" Emily asked, eyeing me closely.

"Yeah, totally fine," I lied with a smile. "Where's Evan?"

"He went to meet someone. Said he'd join us soon," Abby said.

Just then, a wave of tension rippled through the air. I turned and saw them.

Kira and Aaron.

The two worst werewolves in the school.

They strode toward us with that same arrogance, their eyes narrowed, full of heat and rage. They've been a menace to us since our sophomore and we've been doing everything to avoid them.

We are not the only one they are being mean to, they have a reputation for being a bully.

"You really pulled a stunt back there in the hall," Kira sneered and I wondered what she's talking about.

"What is she talking about?" I asked, glancing between my friends.

"She wanted the seat we saved for you," Abby explained. "We told her it was taken, but she refused to listen."

"She almost started a fight, but the professor came in," Emily added.

"We don't want trouble, Kira. Just leave us alone," I said firmly.

"You should've thought of that before running your mouth," Kira hissed.

She lunged toward Emily, hand raised to strike-

-but Evan was there.

He caught her wrist mid-air and shoved her backward. She hit the floor hard, her eyes burning with fury.

"Oh crap," I muttered.

Aaron didn't wait. He rushed Evan and tackled him to the ground. The two began to fight with brutal strength and from the look of it, Aaron was gaining points.

I tried to intervene but Kira turned on me, slamming me down. I kicked her off, but she came back harder.

Her punches were fast, too fast for a normal person. I blocked most of them, trying not to reveal what I knew or what I could do.

I couldn't use my training-not unless I wanted to blow my cover. They are also trying not to show their full strength to avoid suspicion, so I guess we have to fight clean.

She grinned wickedly. "You're not as helpless as you look."

Then I saw Evan again-he was winning. Somehow, he had Aaron pinned.

Evan was quiet, reserved, gentle-but something inside him had snapped. He was fighting like a savage.

But then I noticed something happening with Aaron and I believed Kira noticed as well because she went to him.

"Aahh" -Aaron let out a monstrous cry.

His eyes glowed, bones cracked, muscles twisted.

"He's shifting," I whispered, heart racing.

"No, no, no-not here," Kira gasped rushing to Aaron.

"Aaron, no! Not here! Please control it!"