LOGINMike didn’t slow down until the motorcycles disappeared from sight.He took one street after another, making sharp turns without saying a word. My heart was still pounding from the chase. Every few seconds, I looked through the back window, expecting the three bikes to appear again.Nothing.The road behind us stayed empty.A few minutes later, Mike finally pulled into the parking lot of a small building. I looked up. The sign hanging above the entrance made me freeze.The animal clinic.The same place. Memories rushed back. This was where Mike had brought me after Deucalion nearly killed me. I could still remember waking up in one of the treatment rooms, confused and covered in blood but healed.I looked at Mike. “Why are we here?”He switched off the engine and grabbed the keys. “Because if anyone knows how to hide us from werewolves, it’s the doctor.”“They are not werewolves, they are wolves” I said. “Same thing to me." Mike said. Without wasting another second, he climbed out.
The motorcycles exploded forward the second we pulled onto the next street.Mike cursed and slammed his foot on the gas. The Jeep shot ahead so hard my back hit the seat.“Hold on!” he yelled.The engine roared as we raced through Beacon Hills. Behind us, the three motorcycles split apart with perfect timing. One moved to the left, another stayed behind us, and the third came from the right.“They’re fast,” Lila whispered.The streets were busy. Cars honked as Mike squeezed through traffic. A delivery van barely missed our front bumper. Someone shouted from the sidewalk. Pedestrians jumped away as the Jeep sped past them.I grabbed the handle above the door to steady myself. “Can you lose them?”“I’m trying!” Mike replied.The motorcycles slipped between cars like they were riding through open air. No matter how hard Mike drove, they stayed close.Lila twisted in her seat and looked through the rear window. “They’re gaining!”I turned to look. She was right.The riders weren’t driving
My heart pounded as Eli stood right in front of me. His voice was low enough that only the three of us could hear. “Give me the artifact.”For a second, I just stared at him. “What?”“The artifact, my pack is coming. They know you have it. If they find it on you, they won’t ask questions. They’ll take it by force. ” he repeated. “Give it to me. Right now!”I tightened my jaw. “No.”His expression darkened. “Jax, this isn’t the time to be stubborn.”“I said no.” I repeated. The hallway suddenly felt smaller. Students walked past us, laughing and talking about homework.Eli took one step closer. “You don’t understand what’s happening.”“I understand enough not to trust you.”“No, you don’t.”I folded my arms. “That artifact belongs to my family, the shadowfang took it from us when they wiped us all out.”Eli stayed silent.I continued, “I don’t know what secrets it’s hiding yet. But one thing I do know…” I looked him straight in the eyes. “…the Shadowfang pack doesn’t want it for anyth
The morning air was cool as Eli stood alone behind an old gym. His hands rested in his pockets while he watched students arrive through the front gate. Cars and bikes pulled in one after another. Laughter echoed across the parking lot. To everyone else, it looked like another normal school day. Eli knew better. A soft flutter made him turn. A black raven landed on a nearby fence. Tied to its leg was a small leather tube. Eli sighed. “So… you have come for me.” The raven stayed still as he untied the message. He opened it. His expression hardened. Only a few words were written inside. Return to Shadowfang immediately. Your disappearance is an act of betrayal. They have sent scouts to monitor you. Eli folded the paper without another word. For a long moment, he stared toward the school building. Then he crushed the message in his fist. “I’m not going back.” The raven let out a loud cry. “They can call me a traitor if they want,” Eli muttered. “I’m staying.” The bird spread its wing
I woke up with a sharp gasp. For a second, I didn’t know where I was. My room was dark. The only light came from the moon shining through the window. My heart pounded so hard I could hear it in my ears. I rubbed my face and took a slow breath. “It was just a dream…” But it didn’t feel like one. I had seen the battlefield again. Only this time, it was different. The blue light from the artifact had appeared before me, brighter than ever. It pulled me into another vision. I stood in the middle of a broken field covered with blood, fallen wolves, humans and Hunters. A beast bigger and stronger than Deucalion was there. His eyes locked onto mine. Then someone stepped beside me. Eli. He looked injured. Blood stained his shirt, yet he stood tall with his claws out. “I’m not leaving you,” he said. Before I could ask him anything, more figures appeared around us. My pack. Their eyes glowed different colors depending on their species. They stood with me, shoulders squared, claws ready.
Lila had never been the patient type. More than thirty minutes have passed. She glanced toward the boys’ restroom again. “He’s taking too long,” she muttered. Another minute went by then she sighed. “I’m checking on him, even if it's the boys restroom, I don't care.” she said to herself. She started walking. In the restroom. A few minutes later, after we had both composed ourselves. My heart was still racing when I reached for the restroom door. I pulled it open and glanced at the Hallway. “Lila?” I froze. She was already walking toward the entrance, worry written all over her face. “Jax!” she called. Everything happened in a split second. Eli was right behind me and was about to come out too. Before she could notice someone was behind me, I shoved him back into the restroom. He stumbled one step before catching himself. Amusement flickered across his face. I didn’t wait to hear whatever sarcastic comment he was about to make. I stepped into the hallway and qui







