Claws And Cartels Chapter 7

Title: Between Shadows and Dawn

Jerry’s POV

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The last thing I remembered was the wolf’s crimson eyes, seeing two people in the forest and the word Vasilias burning in my skull.

Cold air brushed against my skin. Damp earth pressed against my back, and the sharp metallic scent of blood filled my nose. My head pounded like drums, my chest heavy. Somewhere close by, I heard faint voices.

“…still breathing.”

“…damn lucky, Levin.”

“…look at the mess.”

I wanted to open my eyes fully, but they stung, glued with sweat. My body refused to move. It felt like being trapped between dream and reality.

Then I felt it—strong arms lifting me from the ground. My body sagged against the warmth of a chest that smelled familiar. Dad. His heartbeat was steady, confident. It gave me a sense of safety, but equally I was scared. If Dad was carrying me then something bad must have happened. Why did I feel paralyzed? Why was I so exhausted? What was happening?

My heart began to race, terrified. So many bad thoughts crossed my mind—was I attacked? Did I attack someone? Where’s Mom? Is Mom safe?

With every new thought came a sharper rush of blood.

The movement suddenly stopped. I drifted in and out, catching pieces of conversation.

“…He’s alive.”

“…what about the wolf?”

“…gone. Torn apart.”

The words stabbed me awake for a moment. Did I… do that? My stomach clenched, and I slipped under again before I could face myself.

I woke to the smell of lavender and salts. The atmosphere was full of fear, love, and sadness. Someone was crying. I could hear her sob. I blinked my eyes open. And there she was—Mom. Looking pitiful and funny. For a moment I swear she looked like a rabbit when she tried to smile through her crying.

Her hair was a mess, her eyes puffy like she’d cried all night. She sat on the edge of the bed, her hand gripping mine so tight it almost hurt.

“Jerry.” Her voice cracked. “Baby, don’t leave me?”

I tried to answer, but my throat hurt. Only a croak came out.

She bit her lip, shaking her head. “Levin—how could you—” She sobbed, squeezing my hand harder. Her tears spilled fresh. “He’s just a boy.”

Before I could gather strength to speak, the door opened. Dad walked in. He didn’t look like a man who had just dragged his son out of the woods half-dead. His shirt was clean, hair slicked back, face carved in stone. He carried himself like nothing unusual had happened.

“Good. You’re awake.” His eyes locked on me, sharp and unblinking.

He closed in on me, placed his hand on my forehead, and all of a sudden, all my pain disappeared.

Stand up. He urged me in a soft tone.

Mom stood, her body tensing like she was ready to fight him. As soon as I sat straight, ready to stand, Mom burst out. “Levin, this is madness. Look at him—he needs rest, not—”

“He’ll be fine,” Dad cut her off, his tone final. He didn’t even raise his voice, yet the air felt heavy. “This is part of his training.”

“Training?” Mom’s voice trembled with fury. “He’s a child, not a soldier!”

Dad ignored her. His focus stayed on me. “Get dressed, Jerry. You’re going to school.”

I blinked, sure I’d misheard. “What?” My voice was raspy.

Dad stood with one hand in his pocket. “Go prepare and get something to eat. You’re starting Crescent High today.”

Mom stepped in front of him, her arms spread like she could shield me. “Absolutely not. He barely survived last night. What if—”

“He must learn to balance both lives,” Dad said flatly. “The supernatural won’t pause for him. Neither will the human world. He’s not just any kid—he’s a werewolf. He’s stronger than you think.”

Their voices rose, clashing like thunder and lightning, but all I could think about were the flashes in my head—the hunter’s terrified eyes, the wolf’s crimson stare, the blood on my claws. Everything was suddenly coming back to me. I was overloaded with emotions I didn’t want. I’d had enough—the dreams, the whispers, Dad and Mom’s fighting. Frustration erupted from inside me like a volcano.

“STOP!!!... Please…”

The room fell silent, everyone confused—including me.

Had I really done that?

Mom turned to me, desperate. “Jerry, tell him you can’t. Tell him you need rest.”

I swallowed hard. My body ached everywhere. My wolf was silent, like it had retreated deep inside me. But Dad’s eyes—sharp, commanding—burned into me. And somewhere inside, part of me agreed with him. If I couldn’t control what I was becoming, it would control me.

“I’ll go,” I whispered.

Mom’s face fell, like I had betrayed her. Dad only nodded once, satisfied.

He turned to Mom, looking over his shoulder. “Debby, he’s stronger than you imagine. Watch and see.”

By morning, I was in the car with both of them, dressed in fresh uniforms. Crescent High. The name rolled down my throat with a fancy taste. My reflection in the window stared back at me. The thought of seeing Sasha again sent butterflies flying all over my belly. I smiled.

When we arrived, students turned to stare the moment I stepped out. Their whispers filled the air, a swarm of curiosity. Some pointed fingers like I wasn’t literally standing there.

“I told you?”

“Looks like him…”

“No way. Levin’s son in Crescent High.”

My stomach tightened. So that’s why everyone was looking at me the other day. They weren’t looking at me. They were looking at Dad.

Dad walked beside me, his presence towering over the campus. Everyone knew him here—teachers straightened their spines, older students dropped their voices. His reputation stretched longer than I’d imagined.

And me? I was the boy with his face, his name. Jerry Levin.

For a moment, I felt taller, like Dad’s reputation was mine too.

Sasha waved at me and all eyes moved to her, like they were waiting to see my reaction. Her cute smile was the right distraction I needed. It took my mind off the weight of their stares for a moment. And I smiled back. The stares didn’t seem to faze her. She handled it well, glowing under the pressure like a pearl.

The principal exchanged pleasantries with my parents. “Nice to see you, Levin Jr.,” he said with a weird smile.

For the first time, I wondered—was I Jerry? Or just Levin’s son?

The meeting was short, and the sound of my name pulled me out of my thoughts.

“Show him to his class.”

I stood up before I got the chance to catch a breath. Jacked my bag and turned to leave.

Mom’s voice cut through the air. “Ain’t you forgetting something?”

I turned to her, shy, but years of practice pushed me. We did our special handshake. Everyone froze in amazement. Dad’s been getting all the limelight today, but Mom wasn’t one to back down from a contest either.

“WOW…” Sasha murmured. No one heard it but I did.

“Jerry, be a good kid,” Dad said.

“Bye, Dad,” I answered, and left.

Surprisingly, Sasha and I were in the same class. And guess what, my seat was right next to hers.

This was too much of a coincidence, and as I turned to ask her—

“You’re welcome,” she said with a smile.

“Sasha, do you have anything to share with the class?”

“No, ma’am,” she said, sitting up with eyes fixed on the teacher.

“Class, meet our new student. Levin—sorry, Jerry,” the teacher said and everyone burst into laughter.

“In this class, blah blah blah…”

I just sat there wondering, why is everyone so obsessed with Dad?

I tuned her out. Then the bell came to my rescue.

Gringggggg…