“How do you know me? This is the first time we’re meeting.” Derek’s voice was low, laced with suspicion as he and Enoch walked side by side through the thick woods.Enoch gave a dry chuckle. “Collins talks about you non-stop. I didn’t need to meet you to know who you are.”Derek stopped walking, his expression tightening. “And who exactly is Collins to you?”Enoch turned to face him fully. “He’s part of our pack.”“Wait... pack? You mean werewolf pack?” Derek asked, even though he already knew the answer. His body tensed.Enoch rolled his eyes. “Obviously. What other kind of pack do you think I’m referring to, Derek?”Derek nodded slowly, things finally starting to click. “So you’re a werewolf too…”“Yeah,” Enoch replied, almost regretfully. “And Collins… he sent me to get close to Ashley. He wanted me to lure her in—to make her his. In what way? I still don’t understand, but I knew I couldn’t follow through. I couldn’t let him have her. Not just because I know what he’s capable of… b
Enoch stood concealed behind the thick trunk of a tree, his eyes fixed on the scene unfolding before him. His heart pounded with a mix of confusion and dread as he watched from the shadows."Why is Noah with Collins? And what are they doing at her place?" he wondered aloud, though no answer came—only the rustling of leaves and the quiet hum of the wind in his ears. Something didn’t feel right.A heavy sigh escaped him. “I need to warn her… Collins isn’t who she thinks he is. He’s dangerous, and she has no idea.”Still hidden, Enoch continued to observe them, waiting until they disappeared from view before cautiously stepping out of his hiding spot. His expression hardened with resolve as he began making his way to Ashley’s house.When he arrived, he knocked on the door, his heart still thumping in his chest. Footsteps approached from within, and moments later, the door creaked open. Ashley appeared, her hand mid-motion as she was about to call out for Collins—only to freeze when she s
“Just tell me where it hurts the most—where should I press, where should I hold?” Derek asked softly, his tone filled with concern.Ashley gave a small nod in response, shifting slightly to offer him better access. Derek climbed onto the bed, settling beside her with care. Gently, he placed his hand on the curve of her back.His gaze lingered. Her body, so close and vulnerable, completely distracted him. His fingers remained still, and his mind wandered, captivated by her presence.After a few quiet minutes, Ashley turned her head slightly, her voice low and expectant. “Derek… you’re not doing anything.”Snapped from his daze, Derek blinked quickly. “Oh—oh my God. I’m so sorry. I zoned out,” he admitted, flustered, before finally beginning the massage.His hands moved with a steady rhythm, gentle but firm. Ashley exhaled, her eyes drifting closed. The sensation of his hands gliding over her shoulders and down her spine made her feel safe, grounded—almost like she could breathe again
“I need to do some research on these werewolves,” Ashley said after they had rested for a bit.“I was just about to suggest the same thing. We need to know the truth… whether they’re real or not,” Maggie added.They both moved to Ashley’s desk, where her laptop sat. Ashley powered it on and waited for it to boot up.Just then, a knock sounded at the door.“I’ll—” Maggie began, but Ashley cut her off.“Dad will get it,” she said, and Maggie nodded.The laptop finally came on, and Ashley quickly opened a browser and started typing.Another knock came.“Are you sure your dad’s answering that?” Maggie asked, uncertain.“Are you expecting anyone? Whoever it is can wait. I’m not in the mood to see anyone right now,” Ashley replied—until a familiar voice called out from outside.“Ashley, are you in there? Please say something. I’m really worried!” Derek’s voice rang out.Ashley and Maggie exchanged glances. Maggie gave her a small nod.“You should go talk to him,” she said gently.Ashley sig
Ashley blinked in disbelief, then let out a soft, almost mocking scoff. “So… what you’re actually saying is that werewolves are real?” she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.Thomas nodded solemnly, his expression serious and unwavering.“Yes. They’re very real. And they’re not just some story in a book or movie. They’re here—in this town. Every time you hear on the news that someone was attacked by a mountain lion… it’s a lie. A cover-up. It wasn’t a lion. It was them. Werewolves.”Ashley’s eyes widened as she stared at him, stunned. The words swirled in her head, too many truths hitting her at once like a wave. “Wait… so you’re telling me we’ve been living among werewolves? All this time?” she asked, her voice climbing. “How do you even know this? How could you possibly know?”“Because,” Thomas said, pausing before revealing the weight of his identity. “I’m a werewolf hunter. I always have been. Long before you were born.”Ashley took a small step back, processing. “You’re a…
Noah stepped quietly to Enoch’s side at the riverbank, his eyes scanning the ripples dancing on the water. "Hey... what’s going on with you lately?" he asked gently, his voice low and concerned. "You’ve been distant. Like... really off. Is something wrong?"Enoch didn’t look at him. His gaze stayed on the river. "I’m fine, Noah," he said curtly.Noah sighed, not buying it for a second. "Come on, Enoch. Don’t do that. Don’t brush me off with ‘I’m fine’ and expect me to pretend like everything’s normal. This isn’t you. I know you. You can talk to me, alright?"There was a heavy silence between them. Enoch finally let out a long, weary breath. "Why do you always let Collins get his way?" he asked suddenly, his tone sharp and unexpected.Noah blinked, caught off guard. "What? What are you talking about?"Enoch turned to face him now, eyes clouded with frustration. "I’m talking about the fact that you’re still letting him go to that school, stirring up trouble over one random girl. H