LOGINShould Axel open up to his friends?
NARRATIVE POV 18 December. When Theo Thompson flipped his bedside calendar that morning to see the date, dread sank into his guts. Like it always did on this godforsaken day. Now, standing by a locker door with his flask of alcohol in hand, he waited for it. The hallways were buzzing with raucous tension, but in spite of the noisy chaos, he listened for it. The one sound he had come to dread more than anything else. The omen of terrible luck on this day every year. The beep of his stopwatch. In all his teenage years, the sound of his stopwatch had taught Theo that coincidences didn't exist. Four years ago on this day, as a kid, he watched an oncoming vehicle maul his golden retriever right before his eyes. The incident happened only seconds after his watch’s timer beeped. “It was a coincidence, boy,” his Father had said. But in the years that followed, it was always something else. 18 December, Freshman year. The stopwatch beeps. He breaks an ankle before a big game. 18 Decem
NARRATIVE POVFlakes of snow began raining down as Sheriff McKenna headed for the school. A coat of white was forming on his windscreen, making it hard to sight his way through the road. The night's darkness was only pierced by his head lights—then he saw it. “Goddamnit!” The man stepped on his brakes hard, cussing at a vehicle parked awkwardly by the side of the road. “Who the hell parks like a lunatic out here?” Taking out his torchlight, he scanned the vehicle from the side, noting the absence of a driver in the car. Biting back another cuss, Sheriff McKenna turned on his ignition and drove farther up the street. He pulled into the school’s parking lot, where a black and white vehicle with the police insignia was parked. His team had arrived. The Sheriff was met by his deputy as he stepped out of the vehicle. “Turns out the school is holding a party tonight. Or a ball. I'm not sure,” Morales said. “A Formal, Deputy.” Detective Hannah strode to meet both men as they walked towa
AXEL“Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. I can't believe this. I just can't…” Lucas's face goes pale as his words trail, his chin trembling by the second. “Christ, Ax. Are you certain?” I stare down at my oxford shoes, where the edges are stained with blood. Mrs Jenkins blood. “Rock certain. We both saw her body—Hayley and I.” As Lucas spirals in panic with the news of Mrs Jenkins death, my gaze moves to the chair propped by the wall, where Hayley sits with her face in her palms, her knees jammed together in fear. It's been almost ten minutes since we stumbled on the body of the school's librarian in the hallway, and since then, she's become unnervingly quiet. “...and for all we know, we might as well be in fuckin danger right this minute—” “Keep your voice down, Luke,” I caution.Lucas pauses, dragging a hand through his hair. “All I'm saying is, we've got to tell someone about it.”“We already did. Principal Hawthorne has been alerted.” A small voice cuts in behind us. “Alerted about what?” W
NARRATIVE POVMaria McKenna raised an eyebrow, chuckling, as she watched her husband wallow in deep thought. “You've really not given thought to what we'll name our child?”“I mean, I’m thinking now, ain't I?” The woman walked up to her husband by the kitchen counter, gently cradling her lower back with every step. “And?” Sheriff McKenna turned to her, grinning. “I’ve got it—Jamie Junior. It's got a ring to it, doesn't it?” “Six months,” his wife said to him, muffling a fit of laughter. “That's how long you've had to pick a name, and your best shot is Jamie Junior?” “Come on, babe. I'm doing my best here,” Jamie mumbled. Maria draped an arm across husband's broad shoulders, smiling up at him. “Of course you are. And Jamie Junior and I are grateful.” The man met her gaze, and they both chuckled. Seconds later, Jamie leaned into his wife, planting a warm kiss on her lips. When they came apart, Maria guided her husband to her bulging belly. “Feel him.” Jamie let his hands cradle h
HAYLEY Stupid. Stupid, Hayley. The music playing in the auditorium crescendos to an end as I step out into the hallways. I drag the back of my hand across my cheeks, furious with the tears, as I head for the bathroom. So much for Theo having no hold over you. Thankfully, every stall in the bathroom is empty when I arrive. Gripping a faucet with both hands, I stare at my reflection in the mirror before me, where my makeup is now muddied. Anger and hurt blooms in my chest as the words of Theo stir rage in my bones—and yet, I can't completely erase the thought that he might be right afterall. Axel truly has never confessed love to me. Not when we made out at my place. Or when we kissed right after the game. Nor when he asked me out to the Winter Formal. For all my disdain at being an “in-between”, I find myself tethering on the very edge of it. I've fallen hopelessly in love with Axel and I can't say for certain that he loves me too. God, I'm a mess. “Hayley?” Axel’s voice rings o
HAYLEY “You've got to stop staring, Hayley.” Axel’s grip on my fingers tighten, like a subtle warning. “Don’t give him a reason to be suspicious.” “Right,” I murmur. “My bad.” But pulling my gaze away from Mr Hale does very little for the thudding in my chest. He's the murderous wolf. A week has passed since I made the discovery with Axel, and in that timeframe, Chem classes have felt like walking into a den. The thought of my teacher being a primal wolf responsible for the multiple murders in and around Greystone fills my every breath with trepidation. Axel runs a finger across my cheek softly. “I'm right here,” he coos. “Nothing's gonna happen tonight. I promise.” The words douse the panic in my chest, and a small smile breaks on my face. Principal Hawthorne emerges out onto the yard and holds out both arms, beaming. “Good evening, students. Let me take the moment to formally welcome you all to this year's Winter Formal.” Applause rings out from the crowd of students. “As is
NARRATIVE POV. Sheriff McKenna stood in front of the house listed on the card in his hand, checking the number to be sure he had the right place. 1388 Moonstone Drive, Greystone, CA 09101. He looked up at the burgundy cobblestone cottage, sitting alone in the middle of what felt like no man’s
NARRATIVE POV. Sheriff McKenna knew something was wrong the moment the police office landline rang more than once that night. Their small town rarely saw enough trouble to trigger multiple calls—at least not until recently. Not until the damned murder in the woods over a month ago. And now, h
AXEL. I swallow hard as a rush of panic burns through my veins. Dreadborn is here. And if Shane's words at the cliff meant anything, I'm the reason it’s been drawn here. Hayley stops her narration and arches a brow, noting the shift in my demeanor. “Ax, are you all right?” But I hardly he
AXEL I’d already suspected it, but hearing Shane confirm it in a hushed voice sends a shiver racing through me. There’s another werewolf on the field. And I know who it is. I glance at brown-haired Conor, huddled with the rest of the Ridgeclaw boys as their coach gives instructions, then I tur







