Chapter Five: The Man Who Should Be Dead

Ryan couldn’t move. The stranger stood only a few feet away, his silver eyes shining beneath the dim streetlight. For six years, Ryan had dreamed about those eyes. He had seen them in nightmares, in memories, and sometimes when he closed his eyes at night. But nightmares were easier to accept. This was real. His father was standing in front of him. Alive.

Ryan’s chest tightened as his fingers curled into fists. Every part of him wanted to run, yet his legs refused to obey. Beside him, Betty glanced between Ryan and the stranger. Ryan, you know him, she whispered. Ryan swallowed hard. No. The stranger’s faint smile disappeared. You still lie when you’re afraid.

Ryan’s heart dropped. That voice. He remembered it. A younger Ryan sitting beside a fireplace while his father taught him how to control his wolf. Never let your fear control you. Never show them your eyes. And whatever happens, Ryan, never reveal your blood. Ryan’s breathing became heavier as he stared at the man standing before him. You’re dead, he whispered.

The man’s expression changed. I know. Ryan stared at him in disbelief. What does that even mean? The man took another step forward, but Betty immediately stepped between them. Stay back. The stranger’s eyes shifted toward her. You’re Betty. Betty froze, her fingers curling into fists. How do you know my name? The man ignored the question. Instead, his attention returned to Ryan. You need to leave.

Ryan’s eyebrows pulled together. Leave where? Anywhere but here. A cold shiver ran down Ryan’s spine. What are you talking about? The stranger glanced toward the school behind them. They’ve already found you. Ryan’s heart pounded harder. Who? The stranger didn’t answer. A distant howl suddenly echoed through the forest. Betty’s head snapped toward the sound, her eyes changing instantly. They’re close.

Ryan felt his wolf stir. Not with anger, but with fear. They’re coming, his wolf warned. Ryan’s jaw tightened. Who are they? His father finally looked at him again. The same people who killed your family.

Ryan stopped breathing. The world seemed to disappear around him. Betty slowly turned toward him. Ryan… Ryan couldn’t hear her. He could only hear those words repeating inside his head. The same people who killed your family. His father’s voice brought every memory rushing back. The fire. The screams. His mother’s cry. His father’s body lying in the snow. Ryan had spent six years believing that night had been the end. But now his father was telling him something different.

You survived, Ryan whispered. His father nodded. So did your mother. Ryan’s eyes widened. My mother? The man looked away. She’s alive. Ryan stumbled backward. No. Ryan— No! His voice echoed across the empty road. My mother is dead. She isn’t. I saw the house burn! I know. I saw my father die! His father’s jaw tightened. I know. Then how are you standing here? Silence followed.

Ryan stared at him, his entire body trembling. Tell me the truth. His father looked directly into his eyes. I couldn’t save you that night. Ryan’s throat tightened. But you saved me? Yes. Then why did you leave me? His father looked away. Because staying would have gotten you killed. Ryan laughed bitterly. You left me alone for six years. I watched you. Ryan’s expression hardened. You watched me? From a distance. While I was moving from place to place? Yes. While I thought everyone I loved was dead? His father’s expression tightened. I had no choice.

Ryan’s eyes filled with anger. You always had a choice. His wolf growled inside him. He’s hiding something. Ryan clenched his fists. Why did you let me believe you were dead? Before his father could answer, headlights suddenly appeared at the far end of the road. The stranger’s expression changed instantly. Get behind me.

Ryan didn’t move. Who are they? His father stepped closer. Ryan, now. A black vehicle appeared in the distance, followed by another. Betty looked toward the vehicles. There are three. Ryan’s senses sharpened. He could hear engines, doors opening, and footsteps approaching from the darkness. Too many. His wolf rose inside him. Run.

Ryan shook his head. No. Ryan, run. I’m tired of running. His wolf went silent. For a moment, Ryan felt something unfamiliar. Agreement. His father stared at him. Don’t do this. Ryan looked at him. Do what? Fight. Why? Because you don’t know what you are.

Before Ryan could respond, a howl exploded through the night. This one was closer. Betty’s eyes flashed gold. We have to move. Ryan looked toward the approaching vehicles, then toward his father. You’re coming with us. His father shook his head. No. Ryan’s expression hardened. I’m not leaving you again. You don’t understand. Then explain it! His father looked at him for several seconds before reaching inside his coat.

Betty immediately stepped forward, but instead of a weapon, the man pulled out a small silver pendant. Ryan’s eyes widened. He knew it. His mother had worn that pendant every day. His father’s fingers trembled slightly as he held it out. Your mother gave this to me the night before everything happened.

Ryan slowly reached for it. The moment his fingers touched the pendant, heat rushed through his body. His vision blurred. A woman’s voice echoed inside his head. Ryan… He froze. Mom? Betty’s eyes widened as Ryan’s knees nearly gave out. His father caught him before he hit the ground.

Ryan’s mind suddenly filled with images. His mother standing inside their old house, crying. His father holding her shoulders. A young Ryan sleeping upstairs. Then everything changed. Men in black entered the house. His father fought them while his mother screamed. Finally, a man stood inside the flames. Ryan couldn’t see his face, but he could hear his voice. The boy must never awaken.

Ryan’s eyes flew open. The pendant fell from his hand. His father caught him before it hit the ground. What did you see? Ryan stared at him, terrified. They weren’t trying to kill me. His father went completely still. What? Ryan’s voice trembled. They were trying to awaken something inside me.

His father’s face lost all color. What did you see, Ryan? Ryan looked toward the approaching vehicles, then back at his father. I saw them talking about me. His father tightened his grip around Ryan’s shoulders. What did they say? Ryan swallowed as his wolf suddenly whispered inside his mind. They know what we are.

Ryan’s silver-gray eyes began to glow faintly. They said the heir must never awaken. Silence fell between them. His father’s eyes widened, and for the first time, Ryan saw genuine fear in his father’s expression.

Then his father whispered the words Ryan had spent six years waiting to hear. You’re not a rogue, Ryan. Ryan stared at him. His father’s voice dropped even lower. You’re the last heir of the Silver Bloodline.

The first vehicle suddenly stopped. Its doors opened, and several wolves stepped onto the road. Ryan’s wolf growled inside him. This time, Ryan didn’t try to silence it. He looked at the wolves approaching him as his eyes slowly turned silver. Then he stood his ground.

Let them come.