Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Elena's POV

The living room glowed with warmth, the fire crackling against the chill of the snowy night outside. My family had gathered, laughter and chatter filling the air, the scent of cinnamon and roasted turkey lingering. It was the kind of Christmas Eve I had always loved; cozy, familiar, safe.

"Werewolves." My cousin whispered dramatically, leaning forward so the younger kids hung on her every word. "They hunt in the night, their eyes glowing red, their claws sharp enough to tear through bone. And when they catch you..." She paused, lowering her voice to a chilling whisper. "...They drink your blood and turn you into werewolves!!"

The children shrieked in unison, clutching each other, their wide eyes reflecting the firelight. My cousin burst into laughter, clearly pleased with herself.

I rolled my eyes, though a smile tugged at my lips. "Alright, that's enough." I said, shaking my head. "There's no such thing as werewolves, okay? It's just a story."

My cousin crossed her arms, defiant. "You don't know that. They could be real, just hidden from the world."

I laughed, brushing her words aside. "It's only fantasy. Werewolves don't exist."

The room quieted for a moment, and though I didn't notice it then, my parents exchanged a glance. Something flickered in their eyes, something I couldn't quite name. But I was too busy smoothing my sweater and standing up to pay attention.

"I'm going out for a bit." I said.

"Where are you going, dear?" My mother asked.

"To see Jason. I promised to spend the evening with him." I explained. "His family isn't visiting this Christmas, and I don't want him to feel alone." I added quickly, before she could argue.

"And don't worry, Mom. We'll come by tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? You mean you're staying the night? The whole family is here, you can't just—"

"It's fine, honey." My father cut in. "She's grown up now. Let her do what she wants. She'll be back tomorrow anyway." He nodded toward the door, urging me to go.

I sighed, mouthing an "I love you" to him, grateful for his support.

"Bye everyone. See you later." I said, hurrying out with my coat, cap and gloves.

Outside, I bundled up quickly against the cold. My boots crunched in the snow as I stepped into the night, the icy air stinging my cheeks.

I didn’t know it yet, but that single step into the snowy dark would change everything.

Jason's house was only a few blocks away, so I walked through the snow until I reached his door. I knocked, but no one answered. My brow furrowed, Jason hadn't said anything about going out tonight.

Maybe he was asleep. Shaking my head, I bent down and lifted the flowerpot where he always hid his spare key. I unlocked the door and stepped inside, grateful for the sudden warmth.

I had only taken a few steps when my boot caught on something. Looking down, I saw a jacket lying on the floor. I picked it up—it was Jason's.

"Why would he leave his clothes here?" I muttered, rolling my eyes.

As I climbed the stairs, more clothes littered the floor—his shirt, trousers, socks, even his shoes. A lump rose in my throat. A terrible feeling gnawed at me, but I refused to believe it. Jason would never betray me. He would never hurt me.

At the top of the stairs, I froze. A dress lay crumpled on the floor. My body trembled as I bent to pick it up, my hand shaking. The moment I recognized it, pain stabbed through my chest.

I knew this dress too well.

"It can't be." I whispered.

My gaze shifted to Jason's bedroom door, and that's when I heard it. Loud moans spilled into the hallway, each sound cutting through my like a blade.

I slapped a hand over my mouth, tears burning my eyes. "No... Jason." I whispered. My legs felt heavy. I wanted to turn and leave, but something inside me demanded the truth. I prayed I was wrong, prayed it wasn't him, but deep down I already knew.

Step by step, I forced my trembling legs forward. The door was slightly ajar. My hand shook as I pushed it open.

And then my world shattered.

Clara. My best friend. Jason. My boyfriend. Together.

Tears gushed down my face, the betrayal hitting me harder than any pain I'd ever known. How could they do this to me? What did I ever do to deserve this? And Clara, the person I took like my own sister, the one I had sacrificed so much for even if it hurts me would betray me like this.

I shook my head, muttering. "No... no, this isn't real. It can't be real."

Jason's eyes widened when he saw me. "Elena—oh, shit!" He shoved Clara off him, scrambling for words.

I just stared, broken, my tears falling freely. I looked at Clara, and the cold expression on her face made me wonder how long this had been going on. How long have they been making a fool of me? I recalled those times we'd go out together, the secret stares they shared when they thought I wasn't looking.

The realization crushed me. The two people I loved and trusted most had played me for a fool.

Pain stabbed my chest. I clutched my heart, unable to bear the sight any longer. Turning away, I fled.

Jason called after me, his voice desperate, but I ignored him. I ran as fast as my legs could carry me, tears blurring my vision, refusing to look back.

And then, suddenly, I collided with someone. My body slammed into theirs, the impact jolting me out of my grief for a moment.

I looked up to see a pair of green eyes staring down at me. I immediately wiped away my tears. "I'm sorry, I didn't—" I didn't get the chance to complete my sentence when I heard Jason's voice behind me.

"Elena!" He called.

I sniffed, then I turned to face him. Staring at him now made my blood boil with so much rage. I stormed towards him and slapped him hard. "How could you do this to me, Jason?!" I yelled. "Two years! We've been together for two whole years, and after everything I've done for you, this is how you choose to repay me? What happened to those promises you made huh? And you had to cheat on me with my best friend." I pushed him hard, my tears starting to fall once more.

"How could you cheat on me? How could you and Clara do this to me?" I questioned, my voice breaking. "How long have you been cheating on me with her? How long has this betrayal been going on?" I asked, but Jason didn't answer.

I scoffed. "I bet you two must have had so much fun fooling me." I let out a bitter laugh. "God! I'm so stupid! I...I should have known. I should have taken those signs seriously, but I was so naive and I trusted you both, but what did you do? What did you do?!" I yelled, shoving him hard again.

"That's enough, Elena!" Jason barked, and I froze.

"You're the cause of all this." He accused, pointing his index finger at me. "You're the reason I started developing feelings for Clara."

"W..what?" I questioned, my lips trembling.

"Yes, Elena. You heard me right. We've been together for two years and you've never for once let me touch you! You keep on going about keeping yourself until marriage, but I'm a man, Elena. I have needs, needs you clearly can't satisfy. So yes, I've been hooking up with Clara and I'm not ashamed of it!" He stated, unremorseful. "And you want to know what? I found out that I love Clara more, and I was going to tell you about it but I couldn't find the right moment. Clara is way better than you, Elena. She's prettier and classier than you. If I had met her first, I bet I would have fallen in love with her and not you."

His words pierced my heart deeply. "Jason." I cried. I didn't even know what to say. For the past two years, I've done nothing but love this man, I literally worshipped him, and this is what he has to say to me.

"So y...you've just been using me the whole time?"

"You're just too naive, Elena. I can't stand you anymore, and if you don't change, I doubt any sane man would want to be with a woman like you."

"You're the foolish one." A voice said behind me.

I spun around and saw the man I had bumped into earlier. I hadn't even realized he was still here.

He stepped forward, placing himself between me and Jason, as if shielding me.

"What?" Jason barked. "And who the hell are you? Why are you sticking your nose where it doesn't belong? Just get the fuck out of here, this doesn't concern you." His voice dripped with disgust.

"One more word." The man replied, his tone calm but cold, commanding. "And I guarantee it'll be your last."

Something in his voice made my skin prickle. He wasn't joking.

I couldn't see Jason's face from where I stood, but I heard the silence stretch, and then, suddenly, Jason fled without another word. My breath caught. Jason was the kind who always fought back, even when it didn't matter. For him to run... what had this man done to him?

After a moment, the stranger turned to me. His features came into focus under the moonlight, sharp and striking, his eyes holding a power that made my heart stumble.

"Thank you." I managed to whisper, my voice barely audible.

The man didn't reply. He simply stared at me, his gaze steady, unyielding. Yet the longer I looked into those piercing green eyes, the softer they seemed, and the more I felt myself drawn to him, for reasons I couldn't explain.

I shook my head, trying to clear the strange thoughts swirling inside me. "Who are you?" I asked, my voice trembling. "And why did you stand up for me like that? You don't even know me. Things like this... they hardly ever happen."

For a moment, he said nothing. The silence stretched between us, heavy and unsettling. Then, finally, he spoke a single word.

"Mate."

I frowned, confused. "What?" I began, but before I could ask what he meant, he leaned in and kissed me.

I froze, my eyes wide with shock. My first instinct was to push him away, but I couldn't move. It was as if I were rooted to the spot. Sparks danced across my skin. My heart raced, and for a moment, the world around us disappeared.

When he pulled back, his expression shifted. There was apology in his eyes, regret shadowing his features.

I hadn't even recovered from the kiss when he whispered. "I'm sorry." Then, before I could react, his hand struck the side of my neck.

Darkness swallowed me instantly. My body went limp, and whatever happened next... I had no idea.