Chapter 5

Danny’s POV.

“I think I can die happy now ‘cause I’ve just seen a piece of heaven,” Jarred said, grinning playfully at me. I choked on my stale French fry.

“Are you referring to the French fry?” I asked, feigning disbelief, though I was laughing inside.

“Gah! Can’t you let me have fun? That’s twenty pick-up lines, and they usually work! Why are you so good at this?” he asked, frustrated, then smirked. “I wonder what else you’re good at,” he added suggestively, arching an eyebrow. I tossed a fry at him, hitting his gray shirt and leaving an oil spot. “Gosh, this was new!”

“Don’t you have a washing machine?” I laughed.

“Babe, expensive stuff doesn’t matter. All I want is you,” he pouted. I laughed again, enjoying Jarred and the Stone Pack—Jarred, Abigail, Charles, Dustin, and Alex’s crew. This school ran in “packs,” not cliques. I’d asked Jarred why, and he’d laughed like I was nuts.

Now, I was at lunch with them. I’d meant to eat with Jade but couldn’t find her, so I tagged along with Jarred after our last class. The cafeteria was typical—noisy, gross food, but surprisingly clean, no gum under tables.

I was warming to the Stone Pack. They were easygoing. Jarred flirted playfully, Abigail and Charles were lost in love—stinging my chest with memories I shook off—Dustin was quiet, eyeing me like a puzzle, and Alex read a book, dreaming of being an author.

“Danny, did I tell you you’re like a light switch? You—” Jarred started.

“Shut the fuck up, Jarred. She’s not interested,” Alex cut in. I laughed, then froze as the Crescent Pack appeared with their trays. Eli looked pained at Abigail, Jet seemed ready to pounce, Weston’s mouth was a thin line, Warren looked mad, and a new girl with perfect white-blonde hair and sapphire eyes smiled stunningly. Tension crackled—clearly, these packs weren’t pals.

“Danny, want to sit with us?” Jade asked warmly. “This is Stacy,” she said, gesturing to the girl. “You’ve met the boys, right?”

“Not me. I’m Warren,” the Channing Tatum lookalike said, his deep, smooth voice cutting in. I shook his hand, introducing myself. Weston shifted uncomfortably nearby. “So, want to join us?” Warren asked.

“War, I don’t want some new chick at our table,” Weston spat, his voice sending shivers through me. “She could be insane. Look at her—ketchup on her mouth, oblivious.” I wiped my face with a napkin, frowning at the red smear, my cheeks burning. His words inexplicably hurt.

“What the fuck, Weston?” Jade smacked his head. He flinched, glaring at me. She smiled apologetically. “Excuse my idiot brother. Something’s up his panties today.”

Alex and Dustin snickered; Charles, Abigail, and Jarred glared. “Don’t talk to her like that again,” Jarred growled, his tone startlingly fierce.

“You barely know her and you’re defending her?” Weston scoffed. “Like she’d go for a worthless guy like you.”

Jarred looked down, defeated. Oh hell no. Nobody talks to my friends like that. A growl rumbled from my chest—everyone stared. I didn’t care; I was pissed. “Who the fuck do you think you are?” I stood, facing Weston. The cafeteria hushed. Fury coursed through me. “High and mighty because your dad funds this school? A king who can humiliate anyone?” He glared. I stepped closer. “You are the king,” I said, feigning defeat. Whispers started; his mouth twitched up. “Yeah, king of dumbasses.”

I smirked and returned to my seat. “You’ll regret that,” Weston growled, fury in his eyes. I ignored him, basking in the Stone Pack’s grins. Jarred slung an arm around me.

“Did I tell you you’re one badass chick?” he whispered. I chuckled.

“About a hundred times, babe. Love hearing it.”

Weston yanked Jarred’s arm off me, growling, hands shaking, eyes flickering blue to yellow. I stared, shocked—not normal. I shook it off, ready to smack him. “Don’t touch her like that, ever,” he snarled.

Gasps and whispers filled the room; both packs looked stunned. Before anyone spoke, Weston stormed out, shoving people aside.

I sat silently, itching to punch something. Weston Marshall was a selfish, egoistical player. He’d been all over Karen, the head cheerleader, all day—even nearly hooking up in Mr. McCarthy’s class. I had them every period, shuddering at their displays. He had a girlfriend yet acted possessive. I hated his jerkishness, hated wanting his kindness, hated how he hurt me most.

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“Aunt Feli, I’m home!” I called, entering the house. Mom had left for a business trip this morning—disappointing but expected.

“Welcome home, dear,” Aunt Feli said, smiling from the staircase. “I made cornbread for your snack. How was your first day?”

“Eventful,” I said, wincing as my back ached, the shoulder pain spreading. “Aunt Feli, I’d love cornbread, but my back hurts. More Epsom salt?”

“Gosh, dear, I’m fifty-three, and you’re getting back pains before me?” She chuckled. “It’s in the shed out back.”

“Wait, I’ll get it,” I said. She froze mid-step.

“You sure, hon?” Worry tinged her voice.

“Yeah, it’s been a while since I’ve been out there.” I smiled, softening her expression.

“Alright, be careful. Don’t go into the woods,” she said sternly. I chuckled—she’d said that often when I was little. Those woods terrified me.

Outside, the frigid air hit me, raising goosebumps. I rubbed my arms, staring at the woods, wondering what lurked in its foggy depths, why Mom never fenced it off.

Something blurred through the trees. I froze, panicking. Looking again, I saw nothing—just fog and darkness. Hallucinating again, I laughed at myself and headed to the shed.

As I reached to unlock it, a growl and rustling stopped me. I dropped the key, spinning around. What was that? I scanned nervously, hoping it was my mind.

But luck wasn’t with me. A massive gray wolf emerged—too big for a wolf, too small for a bear, unmistakably werewolf-like. I shook as it approached slowly, cautiously.

Too late—I bolted for the house. It growled, chasing me. I screamed, but Aunt Feli wouldn’t hear over laundry and humming. I glanced back—big mistake. I tripped on a rock, fell, tears streaming as I awaited death. The wolf pinned me, its weight crushing. I screamed as its teeth sank into my shoulder, pain searing. Tears flowed faster.

Before the darkness engulfed me, I looked up to see deep blue eyes staring back at me. Where have I seen those before? I asked myself. However, before I could answer that question, I was already pulled into the pitch black.