A Threat in the Shadows

Once home, Miria closed the door behind her and collapsed onto the couch. Her mind was still trying to process what had just happened. That girl, Alix... why did she have the feeling she knew her?

She shook her head. No point in overthinking it. She had groceries to put away. Jumping to her feet, she headed to the kitchen and focused on unpacking her shopping, trying to push away the strange sensation that refused to leave her.

Meanwhile, elsewhere, at school, Marlie sat in class, staring blankly into space.

Axel's words still echoed in her head. Since their last conversation, she had been avoiding him at all costs. She didn't want to see him, didn't want to talk to him, didn't want to fall back into what they had shared.

When the bell signaled the end of class, she wasted no time. She quickly packed her things and left the school, choosing to go straight home rather than hang out with her friends.

Marlie arrived home and shut the door behind her. She set down her bag, exhaled deeply, then… froze.

A barely perceptible noise. A presence.

Her werewolf instincts kicked in immediately. Her body tensed. She waited, every muscle ready to react. Then she sensed it—her enemy was close.

When a hand tried to grab her wrist, she dodged and, with a swift motion, seized the attacker and hurled him onto the couch. In one fluid movement, she was on top of him, claws out, ready to strike.

But as she sniffed the air, her expression changed. This scent…

She yanked off the hood of the intruder and froze.

— "Axel?!"

The young man smirked, unfazed despite the situation.

— "Relax, Marlie. It's just me."

— "But… what the hell are you doing?!" she snapped.

Axel shrugged.

— "Nothing. But you know… you're incredibly sexy when you're aggressive."

He brushed his fingers along her hip. Marlie frowned and immediately pushed him away.

— "That's not how you're going to earn my forgiveness. Not after what happened."

She got up to put some distance between them, but Axel grabbed her wrist.

— "Wait. I'm sorry about yesterday. I didn't mean to hurt you, Marlie. All I'm trying to do is protect you."

She kept a neutral expression.

Axel sighed.

— "Listen… there's something I need to tell you."