Chapter 1

Jayden POV：

I hated the way my heart pounded as I crossed through the gates of Westwood High. First days were supposed to feel like a clean slate  chance to start over with a new life. But this wasn’t a choice either.

I’d been forced here after… well, let's just say, my last school wasn’t too happy  die to the way I handled a bully. That idiot deserved what he got from me, but the humans? They didn’t see it that way I saw it, but I just couldn't care about that.

Now, here I was in a more new life. Same routine, different school, new life, new rules.

I tugged my hoodie up and kept my head low. Nothing about me stood out in this place at all: tall, dark hair, nothing fancy in my outfit.

Just a guy trying to survive another year of high school without revealing he truly is to the human world. I would’ve been invisible—if someone hadn’t been watching me.

“Yo, you’re the new kid, aren't you?” The voice sliced through my thoughts like a sharp knife piercing through my chest.

I looked up, and there he was, looking so fancy.

Liam Archer.

Blonde hair that practically glowed under the sun, green eyes as sharp as the edge of a broken beer bottle. He was the kind of guy you couldn’t miss, even if you tried. Everything about him screamed trouble and bully.

Rumor had it his dad practically owned the school, funding half the programs and buying his son immunity from any real consequences. I could feel the eyes of his friends circling us, sneering like they were in on some joke.

Liam crossed his arms and eyed me, like he was already bored.

“What’s your name by the way?”

“Jayden,” I replied, with my heart racing.

There was no way I was making this easy for him.

He smirked, glancing back at his entourage, who chuckled as if I’d just done something funny.

“Jayden, huh? Looks like we’re going to be spending a lot of time together here in school. You’ll be my sidekick.”

I let out a laugh, which wasn't what I wanted to do. Not a full one, just enough for him to hear the sarcasm in my voice.

“Sidekick? To you?” I gave him a short glance.

He raised an eyebrow, probably not used to anyone laughing at him the way I did.

“That’s right. You’re new, so I’ll make this easy for you. Do what I say, and no one here will touch you or harm you. Step out of line, and…” He gestured vaguely to his friends. They all grinned like vampire scenting blood.

I clenched my fists, the muscles in my forearms tightening, and my face not displaying any form of happiness.

Everything in me screamed to push him away, but I forced myself to stay calm, since this my first day in here.

"I've met guys like you before," I said, my voice low and calm. "You think everyone should follow you around like you're some kind of god or priest. But deep down, you’re just a scared little boy who can’t stand being alone.”

For a split second, I saw a flicker of something in his eyes.

Anger? Shock? But it was gone just as fast, replaced by his smirk and fake look.

“Brave words for the new guy. Let’s see if you’re still brave in about five minutes.”

That was all the warning I got before his fist jumped me. They dragged me into an empty hallway, shoving me against the lockers. Fists flew, but I barely felt them. Human strength was laughable and totally weak to match that of a wolf.

I could've snapped their arms like twigs if I wanted to, but nah.

But I didn’t move, didn’t react, couldn’t risk showing them what I really was.

I didn’t even flinch a bit. But Liam? He stood a few feet away, arms crossed, watching me with that cold smirk like I was some animal he got in a cage.

When they finally let go, I staggered to my feet, feigning weakness. Liam walked over, leaning in close. I could feel his breath against my cheek, smell the faint scent of something expensive on him. He looked at me like he was waiting for me to break.

“You’re pathetic,” he whispered, just loud enough for me to hear.

“Guess we’ll see about that.” I glared back, and for a second, he faltered.

Liam straightened, smirking again as if he hadn’t just been rattled.

“See you tomorrow, new boy."

I watched him and his friends walk off, their laughter echoing down the hall way. I rubbed my jaw, more out of habit than pain. I knew how to take a hundred punch. But what I couldn’t ignore was the slow burn starting to crawl up my spine. The full moon was tonight, and the beast inside me stirred up and was fully eager to do what would make me loss lot of things.

The day dragged on, my mind torn between keeping my head down and wanting to teach that arrogant jerk a lesson he wouldn’t forget in a hurry, or better I wanted an unforgettable scare on him, one which he would never get away from .

But as the final bell rang, the burning in my veins made it clear I didn’t have the luxury of picking a fight. I had to get home before my strength peaked. Full moons had a way of making things… unpredictable.

But as I rounded the corner, heading toward the gate, someone blocked my path. Liam again. Alone this time.

“You’re still here?” I muttered, keeping my eyes fixed straight ahead.

He leaned in, eyes glinting. “You didn’t run away crying like I thought you would have done.”

“Sorry to disappoint you, though, am quite not used to disappoint people.”

He smirked, stepping into my path again.

“You think you’re tough, huh?”

My jaw clenched as I felt the pull of the moon just beneath my skin. I had to get out of here before I do something totally strange.

“Get out of my way, Liam.”

“Or what would happen, Jayden?” He leaned closer, so close I could see the challenge in his eyes, feel the heat radiating off him. For a second, my focus shifted from his arrogance to… something else. His lips, his skin, the faint pulse at his neck. My pulse quickened, but not out of anger.

He had no idea who he was dealing with at this point. The heat of the full moon twisted through me, blurring my vision as the beast fought for control.

“Last warning,” I warned.

“Big words for someone who just got his ass kicked.” His voice was low, taunting, pushing me closer to the edge and making me want to react quickly.

I couldn’t stop it at this point.

My hand shot out, grabbing his collar, pulling him forward to myself. Our faces were inches apart. For a second, he didn’t move. His eyes, usually so cocky, flickered with something else—a strange curiosity, maybe even fear.

But before I could do something reckless, like show him exactly what kind of monster he was dealing with, I let him go. He stumbled back, regaining his balance, but not before I saw the flash of surprise in his eyes.

“You’re going to regret that action of your's,” he said, his voice trembling just enough to make me grin.

I turned and left, leaving him alone in the shadows, while my heart race with different thoughts.