Asher's POVI sat still, my back against the low wall of the rooftop, eyes locked on Dante’s unconscious body. The moon still hung heavy in the night sky. Its light made his skin look almost translucent, like he could shatter at any moment. I swallowed hard. Dean was pacing in my head, snarling, restless. "You let him see us," he growled. "Let me finish what you can't.""No," I snapped mentally, gritting my teeth.“I love him, but he is a human, he is a threat. He saw everything. He saw me."I clenched my fists against the cold floor. “He is not saying anything. I will make sure of it.”Dean howled again, pushing against the inside of my skull, frustrated and violent. But I did not move. I couldn’t. The image of Dante’s eyes widening in horror before he collapsed still lingered. I had not meant for this to happen. Not like this.I exhaled slowly, trying to calm myself down. The full moon's pull was fading now. I was fully back to my human form, my breathing was ragged, with sweat cl
Dean's POVThe shift was glorious. Finally! Every time I took over, it always feels like liberation. A full moon would plaster on the sky, making the environment just right and the energy that pulses through me is raw, ancient and of course intoxicating. Tonight was no different, except maybe... better. Because Asher was weak. He had gotten drunk, his human mind dulled by the after-party, the thrill of a match won. It makes slipping through so easy. He did not even fight me.I stretched my limbs as fur exploded across muscle and bone. My paws touched the cool rooftop gravel with a satisfying crunch, my claws clicked, my tail flicked in satisfaction. The air was crisp. Chill. But it did not bite me. It welcomed me with open arms. And then, the scent hits me.Dante. Why did he of all people have to be on the rooftop tonight, alone…. And vulnerable. He looked concerned having seen me come out of Asher. I stared at him, I could barely hold myself back. His scent was maddening. I saw
Dante's POVThe sky was bright and beautiful tonight. The darkness did not consume the town and it would not do that this night. A pale, stretched moon hung lazily in the sky, glowing cold and indifferent. The kind of night where the world felt still, too quiet. And yet, here I was, again, on the rooftop. My stupid makeshift safe haven. Blankets pulled up to my chest, hoodie zipped tight, and breath fogging in the air like ghosts.It was getting harder to lie to myself.I kept saying I was fine. That Nora’s breakup text did not get to me. That I had not read it a hundred times, looking for some nuance I missed. That her sudden, effortless exit had not left a hole I did not know how to patch.But truth was? I had been going crazy. Everything I did the last few days had been, weird. Cleaning my side of the room with obsession. Skipping meals. Sleeping all day and staying up all night. Snapping at people who asked me what was wrong. And now this, curling up on a freezing rooftop like
Dante’s POVWarmth. Sweet satisfying warmth. That was the first thing I felt when I opened my eyes.Not the ache in my limbs and chest. Not the hum of the dorm’s radiator or the faint scent of fabric softener clinging to the sheets I laughed on. No, it was warmth. Deep, layered warmth that wrapped around me like safety. My heart stumbled. I sat up slowly, blinking into the soft morning light.I was in my bed. My dry bed. And I was wearing clean clothes. The hoodie I had on was not mine. It smelled like Asher's. The memory hit me in fragments. The rooftop. The rain. My fingers so cold I could not feel them anymore. My pride burning even as my body trembled. I remembered pushing him away, snarling at him through clenched teeth, telling him to leave me alone. Or did I? I could not recall everything, but I know for a fact I had tried to fight his help. And then, I remembered arms. Strong arms. Steady hands. He did not yell back, just said shut up and lifted me carefully. He carried m
Asher’s POVHe did not answer. His head rolled against my shoulder. When we left the rooftop, I removed my hoodie and wore it on him. I bolted back down the stairs, two steps at a time, water dripping from both of us. My arms ached, but I did not stop.When I burst into our room, I kicked the door shut behind me and carried him straight to the bed."Stay with me," I whispered.I walked up to the door and locked it. Dante lay curled on his side in my hoodie, chest rising and falling in shallow breaths. Water pooled on the sheets and hoodie, but the chill had receded. I pressed a hand to his shoulder.“Dante.”His eyes fluttered open, confused and distant. A catch in his breath.“You are soaked,” I murmured. His teeth chattered. I swung my legs over the bedside, scooped him up carefully, and carried him into the bathroom.The tiles were cold, but I did not hesitate. I stripped him of wet clothes, set them aside in a heap. Then I fished fresh sweats and a clean T‑shirt out of his box o
Asher's POV “Hey, good game today Asher.” Some random dude said to me, on my my way. “Yea, thanks man.” I had replied absent-mindedly, I had been doing that for the past thirty minutes or thereabout. My jaw was starting to ache from the smile I was giving. But I did not stop. The energy buzzing in my veins as I walked back to the dorm was electric.My phone would not stop vibrating, messages, mentions, memes, and very importantly praise from the team group chat. I had my AirPods in, laughing along with the guys on a voice call."Asher, bro! What was going through your mind when you got the ball for that third goal?" Malik asked, his voice full of awe.I grinned, slowing my steps. "Honestly? I saw that gap between the defenders, and everything else just went quiet. It was like... tunnel vision you know. The ball, the goal, it all lined up. Eye for goal, man. You know how it is."They all howled. "That eye needs to be insured!" someone yelled. "He is the goddamn MVP!""For real, we