Chapter 5

One wrong step tonight and their secrets would spill into the open.

Dane waited in the shadows near the old storage sheds, the anonymous note burning a hole in his pocket. Footsteps approached fast and Ezra slipped into view, breathing quick.

"You really want to do this tonight?" Dane asked in a low voice. "After the trials and that note, it feels like a trap."

Ezra glanced around before answering. "We can't sit on it. The note mentions experiments and officials watching shifters. If it's real, we need answers before Crowe and Lang corner you again. You brought the note?"

"Right here," Dane said, pulling it out. "Hidden dangers, old buildings, trust no one. Who the hell sent this? And why me?"

"Exactly," Ezra replied. "That's why we check the abandoned wing near the east fence. Old labs back there. We move quiet, talk low, and watch for patrols. Ready?"

Dane nodded. "Lead the way. But if this goes south, it's on both of us."

They crept across the dark campus, sticking to tree lines and building shadows. The moon hid behind clouds, giving them decent cover. Ezra moved first, signaling stops with a hand.

"See that guard post up ahead?" Ezra whispered. "We circle left behind the dorms. What else did the note say exactly? Read it again."

Dane unfolded the paper carefully. "It says officials watch shifters too close. Experiments in old buildings. Your secret is safer than you think but not for long. Watch your back, Wilder. That's it. No signature, no clues."

Ezra kept his eyes scanning. "Sounds like someone inside knows stuff. Maybe another student who got tested. You think those officials are running something shady?"

"Has to be," Dane said. "They kept pushing me about shifts during trials. Like they wanted proof right there. Why target top athletes?"

"Power," Ezra muttered. "Or control. My family always says the academy rewards only the strongest. But this feels wrong. Faster now, before the next patrol round."

They picked up pace, ducking behind a row of benches. Dane's ankle twinged but he ignored it. "You really dug through library books for me. Why push so hard to help? You could have just blackmailed me and walked away."

Ezra gave a quiet laugh. "Blackmail gets boring fast. Plus I saw you in that clearing. Real. Not the perfect captain everyone cheers. Made me curious. Duck here, voices coming."

They pressed against a wall as two security guards passed nearby, flashlights sweeping. The beams missed them by inches. Dane held his breath until they moved on.

"Close," Dane whispered. "Too close. We should split up? Cover more ground."

"No way," Ezra shot back. "We stick together. You know the layout better on the main fields. I know the back paths from my night runs. Team up on this. What do you think the experiments could be? Forcing shifts?"

Dane nodded as they continued. "Maybe. Or worse. Testing why some can't shift at all. Like me. If they find out, I'm done. Expelled or turned into some lab case."

"Exactly why we investigate," Ezra said. "I found old records about rare cases. Wolves who needed triggers from outside help. That's why our sessions matter. You feel any difference yet?"

"A little less locked up," Dane admitted. "But still nothing big. Look, the old building is up ahead. Side door might be loose."

They reached the abandoned wing, a creepy structure with broken windows. Ezra tested the door. It creaked open. "Inside quick. Stay low."

Dane followed. "Smells like dust and old chemicals. See anything? Files, equipment?"

"Nothing yet," Ezra replied, searching shelves. "Just junk. Keep talking. What happened after your parents? Who raised you with all that pressure?"

Dane rifled through drawers. "An uncle. He drilled the family legacy every day. Be the Alpha. Lead. Never show weakness. Failing to shift felt like I killed their name. Your family the same?"

Ezra paused. "Worse maybe. Dad's a champion from the old days. Mom tracks every record. Second place means lectures for hours. They don't care how I feel, just the wins. That's why I act like I own the track. Keeps them off my back."

"Damn," Dane said. "Sounds heavy. I thought you were just naturally arrogant. Guess we both fake parts of it."

A loud click echoed from outside. Flashlights swept the building.

"Security," Ezra hissed. "Out the back. Run!"

They bolted through a rear exit. Alarms started wailing behind them. Boots pounded the ground in pursuit.

"Split? No, this way," Dane yelled. "Through the trees. Don't stop."

Ezra ran beside him. "Faster, Wilder. They're gaining. Left at the fork. What the hell are they guarding so hard?"

"Whatever is in that building," Dane panted. "The note was right. Keep moving. My dorm is too far. Head to the clearing."

They darted across open lawn, hearts hammering. A guard shouted. "Stop right there! Academy property after hours."

"Like hell," Ezra called back under his breath. "This way, Dane. Jump the low fence."

They vaulted it and sprinted harder. Branches whipped past as they entered the woods. The guards fell behind but kept chasing.

"Almost there," Dane said, breathing rough. "The hidden spot is just ahead. We lose them in the brush."

Ezra pushed harder. "Good call. I see it. Dive in."

They burst into the familiar clearing and dropped behind thick bushes, chests heaving. The guards' lights swept past in the distance before fading. Silence returned except for their heavy breathing.

"Close one," Ezra said after a minute, sitting up. "We made it. You okay?"

Dane leaned against a tree. "Yeah. Ankle held. That was insane. But we got nothing from the building. Just more questions."

Ezra wiped sweat from his face. "At least we know the note isn't bullshit. They're hiding something big. Sit a bit. Catch your breath."

They settled in the quiet spot. The tension from the chase slowly eased. Ezra looked over, his usual smirk gone.

"You know," Ezra started, voice quieter than normal. "All that family pressure I mentioned? It never lets up. Every race, every practice, I hear his voice. Be the best or you're nothing. I push everyone away because of it. Including rivals like you."

Dane listened, surprised at the shift. "I get it. I do the same. Act strong so no one sees the cracks. Tonight though, running together? Felt different. Not like enemies."

Ezra nodded slowly. "Yeah. First time the rivalry doesn't feel so sharp. Helping you, investigating this crap. It's weird but not bad. You ever think about what happens if we actually fix your shift?"

"All the time," Dane replied. "But right now, with these officials and the note, I'm more worried about getting caught. Thanks for not bailing during that chase. You could have left me."

Ezra shrugged but smiled a little. "We're in this now. Both of us. Family expectations suck, but maybe we don't have to carry them alone. At least for these secret nights."

Dane met his eyes. "Sounds good. Less sharp between us already. We try training again tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow," Ezra agreed. "But lighter after tonight. And we keep digging on that note. Deal?"

"Deal," Dane said. The air between them felt lighter, a small bridge forming in the dark clearing. The rivalry was changing, one risky step at a time.