Chapter 23 – When Dark Secrets Are Revealed

I slammed the cafeteria door shut behind me, my heart racing, adrenaline still pumping from the chaotic showdown with Luca. My fingers fumbled to lock it from the outside. It wouldn't keep him out forever—there were plenty of other doors—but it would buy me time. Just as I turned to run, a thunderous crash reverberated against the door. My breath caught as I watched the wood splinter and dent beneath his furious kicks.

Then I heard it—a low, guttural growl that wasn't human.

For a second, disbelief flooded me. Did he just—growl? Like some wild animal?

A nervous laugh escaped my lips. Luca was that pissed? I didn't have time to dwell on it. The bashing suddenly stopped, but as the cafeteria filled with fading laughter and hurried footsteps, a cold realization hit me. He was going for another entrance.

"Oh, crap," I muttered, breaking into a full-on sprint toward the courtyards.

I knew where Nick and Kimmy always hid when Luca was in the cafeteria. They thought I didn't know, but come on—I wasn't that oblivious. I figured they were just trying to avoid trouble by staying friends with me in secret.

Thankfully, I found them tucked away under the shaded archway where they always sat.

"Hey, Kimmy! Nick!" I called out breathlessly. "I got some cake. Wanna have some?" I shoved the plate forward. "Sorry, no forks."

Kimmy squinted at me. "Why are you out of breath? And how did you even find us here?"

"Oh, I've always known you were hiding," I admitted with a shrug. "Just didn't want to get you in trouble."

Nick crossed his arms. "We're not hiding from Luca."

"Sure you're not," I snorted. "Anyway, I gotta eat this and run."

I grabbed a massive piece of cake and shoved the whole thing into my mouth.

Kimmy and Nick froze, staring at me like I'd grown a second head.

"Uh, Quinn?" Kimmy blinked. "What are you doing?"

I finished chewing, barely managing to swallow. "No time to explain," I said, thrusting the plate at Kimmy. "Take this."

Nick grabbed my arm before I could bolt. "Quinn, what's going on?"

I sighed. "Fine. Quick version: Luca loved the cake so much that most of it ended up on his face instead of in his mouth."

Kimmy gasped, her face turning ghostly pale. Nick's jaw dropped before a grin spread across his face. He doubled over, laughing so hard he turned red.

"Can I go now?" I asked, exasperated.

Nick barely managed to wheeze out, "Run as fast as you can, Quinny!"

That was all I needed. I bolted out of the courtyard and headed straight for the forest—the only place where I could breathe, where I could escape.

Once I was deep enough into the woods, I slowed down, the pounding of my heart finally easing. The trees towered above me, their branches forming a protective canopy. I found a clear stream, knelt down, and splashed cool water on my face. The chill was a welcome shock.

I closed my eyes for a moment, letting the calmness wash over me.

But then the peace shattered.

A presence loomed behind me—heavy, dark, and suffocating. I didn't need to turn around to know who it was.

Luca.

"Go ahead! Hit me, throw me in the bushes; I don't care. Just do what you came to do!" I snapped, spinning around to face him. My voice was sharp, my patience nonexistent.

His jaw was clenched, his eyes burning with fury. "I want you to stay away from me," he growled.

I threw my hands up in disbelief. "You're the one chasing me, you psycho!"

He took a step closer, his presence suffocating. "How dare you humiliate me in front of everyone!" His voice was raw, on the verge of breaking.

"You deserved it," I shot back. "You ruined my birthday, you arrogant, self-absorbed jerk!"

His eyes darkened, and I swear I saw his hands tremble. "You don't get it," he muttered. "You drive me insane."

Before I could respond, he grabbed my arm and yanked me toward him. His breath was hot against my face, his grip unyielding. And then—

His lips crashed into mine.

It wasn't sweet. It wasn't gentle. It was raw, desperate, filled with a chaotic mix of anger and something else I couldn't name. His hand tangled in my hair, pulling me closer, while his other hand gripped my waist as if he couldn't let go.

For a moment, I was lost in it, caught in the intensity of the kiss. My anger melted away, replaced by a whirlwind of emotions I didn't understand as he pinned me against a tree while his tongue went deeper into my mouth.

But then reality slammed back into me.

I shoved him away with all my strength. "What the hell, Luca?" I gasped, my voice trembling.

He stumbled back, his chest heaving, eyes wild. His expression was a mix of regret and defiance.

"I shouldn't have—" he started, but before he could finish, a rustling sound came from the trees.

Both our heads snapped toward the noise.

Ethan.

He charged out from the shadows, his eyes blazing with fury. His entire body was tense, like a coiled spring ready to explode.

Without a word, he lunged at Luca, tackling him to the ground.

"Ethan!" I screamed, but it was useless. They were already locked in a brutal fight, fists flying, bodies slamming into the dirt.

Luca landed a punch square on Ethan's jaw, but Ethan barely flinched. He was relentless, driven by something primal.

"Stop it!" I cried out, but they were too far gone.

Then it happened.

The air around them shimmered, distorted. Their bodies convulsed, muscles bulging unnaturally. Bones cracked and reshaped. I watched in horror as their human forms twisted and morphed.

Within seconds, two massive wolves stood where they had been.

Luca's fur was dark and sleek, his eyes glowing with rage. Ethan's coat was lighter but no less fierce. They circled each other, growling and snapping.

Then they clashed.

Fangs bared, they tore into each other with savage ferocity. The sounds of their snarls and the thud of their bodies hitting the ground echoed through the forest.

I was frozen, unable to move, unable to breathe.

This couldn't be real.

But it was.

Ethan and Luca had just turned into wolves.