Capitulo 15: the bonds that unite souls

Ethan walked into the Mystic Grill with his stomach growling, the smell of burgers and fries invading his nostrils like an irresistible invitation. He sat down in a corner of the restaurant, ordering an absurd amount of food: ten burgers, an extra plate of fries, and a can of guarana to go with it. As he waited, he drummed his fingers on the table, feeling a strange energy pulsing through his body—a hunger that seemed to have no end. When the food arrived, he began to devour everything with a voracity he had never experienced before. In less than half an hour, the plates were empty, and he leaned back in his chair, surprised at himself. He had never eaten so much in his life. His hunger was through the roof, and he began to suspect that his metabolism was hundreds of times faster than normal. It was strange, but at the same time incredible, the energy his body seemed to produce. He had never imagined that something like this could be possible in the "real" world.

He glanced at the clock on the wall—it was already past 3:00 p.m. Satisfied, but still feeling a slight tingle of energy, Ethan paid the bill, left a generous tip for the astonished waitress, and left the restaurant. He mounted his Harley, the deep roar of the engine echoing through the streets of Mystic Falls as he drove back to the Salvatore School. His mind raced with thoughts of the transformation he felt inside himself, but the wind against his face helped him stay focused.

When he arrived at the schoolyard, something caught his attention. A low, rhythmic sound echoed in the distance—heavy footsteps, as if something huge was moving across the ground. Before he could process it, he heard high-pitched screams cutting through the air: "Daddy!" alaric" It was Hope and Josie's voices, filled with panic. Without hesitation, Ethan acted on instinct. His superhuman speed took him from the courtyard to the main hall in the blink of an eye. The double doors flew open with a bang, ripped off their hinges by the force of his impact, and he was greeted with a chaotic scene.

In the center of the hall, Alaric Saltzman was cornered, his face pale and his eyes wide with fear. Before him loomed a grotesque creature—a monster made of stone, or something like it, with enormous wings that tore through the air and a gleaming dagger in one of its claws. It looked more like a demon than anything Ethan had ever seen, with glowing cracks in its rocky form, as if it were animated by some hellish energy. He recognized it immediately: a gargoyle, like the ones Alaric had mentioned in the stories about Malivore's first attacks on the school. The creature was about to plunge the dagger into Alaric's chest, but stopped mid-motion, as if it sensed Ethan's presence. Hope and Josie, who were standing next to Alaric, turned, eyes wide as they saw him. The gargoyle looked at him too, and for a brief moment, its stone eyes glowed a bright red, as if it recognized something in Ethan. He felt a chill, as if she knew exactly what he had become.

Wasting no time, Ethan rushed toward Alaric, positioning himself between the warden and the creature. His muscles tensed with a force he barely recognized, and he threw a punch straight at the monster's chest. The impact was deafening. The blow, stronger than anything Ethan had ever delivered, shattered the gargoyle into pieces. Shards of stone flew across the hallway, scattering across the floor like confetti from a surreal battle. The dagger the creature had been holding fell with a crash, and Josie rushed to pick it up, examining it carefully. "This dagger…it has runes engraved on it," she said, frowning. "It looks ancient, like the knife we ​​fought with earlier."

Silence filled the room, broken only by the sound of everyone's heavy breathing. Ethan turned to the group with a mischievous grin, trying to ease the tension. "Okay, the demon was exorcised with a beating. Are there any more?" he joked, raising his eyebrows as he brushed the stone dust off his hands.

Hope, Josie, and Alaric exchanged glances, sighing in unison as they tried to process what had just happened. Alaric, still catching his breath, stared at Ethan with a mixture of relief and suspicion. "How did you get so strong? That's not possible," he said, his voice firm but full of curiosity.

Hope stepped forward, her eyes shining with a mixture of wonder and confusion. "He's so much stronger than me," she said, almost as if she were talking to herself. "And I'm a tribrid! Sure, I haven't activated my vampire side yet, but…his strength is supernatural. How is that possible?"

Ethan took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the eyes on him. "I think…I probably triggered the werewolf curse when I killed the dragon woman," he said, his voice low but confident. "I mean, you've never killed a dragon before, have you? Maybe these creatures can trigger the curse too, in a way we don't understand yet."

Alaric frowned, crossing his arms. "A dragon?" he repeated, his tone thick with disbelief. "That changes everything. And that gargoyle… we dealt with one before, when Landon brought that knife. If Malivore is sending creatures like that again, it could be because of what you did, Ethan. Killing that dragon woman could have put a target on your back."

Hope stared at him, her heart still racing from the scene she had just witnessed. Ethan's strength impressed her, but it also reignited that almost supernatural attraction she had been trying to ignore. She wondered once again if there was more than a simple curse connecting them, but kept the thought to herself.

Josie stepped forward, still holding the dagger. "Well, whatever, you just saved my dad. Thanks, Ethan. But... what if there are more of these monsters out there? This dagger... if it's anything like the knife from before.

Ethan looked down at the crumb-covered floor, then looked at the group with renewed determination. "If there are any, I'll take care of them. But I think we need to find out where this thing came from before more show up."

Alaric nodded. "I agree. I'll gather the school board and research these creatures. Ethan, stay with me. We need to find out what's happening to you," he said, pointing to the office at the end of the lobby.

As they walked to the office, Hope took one last look at Ethan, her heart racing again. Something about him was pulling at her, and she didn't know if it was just the strength she'd just seen or something deeper. Josie, beside her, noticed the look and smiled slightly.

After the tension of battle, Ethan felt the weight of the moment lift, but stone dust still coated his hands and clothes, and sweat dripped down his forehead. He needed a moment to collect himself—and, honestly, a shower to wash away all the adrenaline and grime from that intense day.

"I'm going to my room to take a shower," he said, looking at Hope and the others with a quick nod. "If you need me, you know where to find me."

Hope watched as he walked away, his broad shoulders and confident stance contrasting with the slight tremor in his hands. Something inside her stirred, a mix of worry and an attraction she could no longer ignore. Being near Ethan made her feel a warmth she couldn't explain, as if a part of her—perhaps her werewolf side—was instinctively drawn to him. She wanted to understand what he was going through, but she also just wanted to…be near him. Without thinking, she followed him, her heart beating a little faster. "Hey, wait up!" she called, hurrying to catch up to him before he turned the corner.

Ethan stopped, turning to her with a faint smile that made Hope's chest tighten. There was something in his eyes—one blue and one green, so different yet so complementary—that left her breathless for a moment. "Hope? I'm fine, don't worry," he said, trying to reassure her, but there was a hint of exhaustion in his tone that only made Hope want to hold him closer.

"I know you're fine… or at least you seem to be," she replied, tucking a strand of brown hair behind her ear, a gesture that betrayed her nervousness. The simple act of talking to him made her strangely self-conscious, as if her every movement was amplified in his presence. "I just wanted to know how you're feeling. After all this, I mean." She hesitated, her eyes meeting his for a second before looking away, feeling heat rise to her face. "You… you were amazing in there, but it must be weird, right? Everything happening so fast."

Ethan chuckled lightly, starting to walk slowly towards the dorm, with Hope by his side. He could tell she was trying to make conversation, and, as a good listener, he decided to open up a little. But there was more to it than that — being by Hope's side made him feel a calm he hadn't felt since everything had started to change. Her presence was like an anchor, something that helped him keep his feet on the ground even with the storm of emotions that consumed him. "I'm feeling… different, to say the least," he began, putting his hands in the pockets of his leather jacket. "Today was a crazy day. I woke up with a nightmare that seemed all too real, I went to meditate in the garden to try to calm down, and then I discovered that I can move really fast. Afterwards, I got on my bike and went to a mountain I know, I tested these… powers a little more, I guess. And to top it off, I ate ten burgers at the Mystic Grill because I was so hungry I can't explain it."

Hope's eyes widened, a playful smile appearing on her lips. "Ten burgers? Seriously?" she asked, chuckling softly. Her laugh was light, almost musical, and Ethan felt something inside him light up when he heard it. He realized he liked making her smile, seeing that sparkle in her eyes that seemed to erase, even if only for a moment, all the confusion he felt. "That's… impressive," she finished, still smiling, and the way she looked at him made his heart race.

Ethan laughed along, the sound relieving some of the tension he still carried, but also making him feel an unexpected warmth in his chest. "Yeah. My metabolism is going crazy. I think it's because of the werewolf curse. My body is producing an energy I've never felt before. It's weird, but… it's also kind of amazing, you know?" He glanced at her sideways as they walked, and for a moment, he felt a connection he couldn't explain. It was as if, with her by his side, he could be himself, without fear of judgment.

They reached the hallway leading to the dorms, and Ethan stopped in front of his bedroom door, turning to face Hope. The hallway was silent, and their proximity seemed to amplify every little detail—the soft sound of her breathing, the faint scent of perfume she wore, the way her eyes seemed to glow even in the dim light of the hallway. Hope felt a knot in her stomach, a mix of nervousness and something deeper, something that made her want to stay there, talking to him forever. Ethan, on the other hand, felt a vulnerability he hadn't expected. Being so close to Hope made him want to open up, to share more than he was used to.

"Hope, can I ask you something?" he said, his voice more serious now, his blue and green eyes fixed on hers. There was an intensity in his gaze that made Hope's heart race, and she had to fight not to blush. "About turning into a werewolf… I know it hurts like hell, right? I've heard stories, but… what's it really like? You've been through it, haven't you?"

Hope was silent for a moment, her face softening as she considered her answer. Being so close to him, hearing his voice filled with curiosity and vulnerability, made her want to be completely honest. She felt an instinct to protect him, to help him through what was coming, and it scared and thrilled her at the same time. She took a step closer, her voice low and filled with empathy, and the movement made the space between them shrink even further, the heat from him almost palpable.

— Yes, I've been through that — she began, crossing her arms as if trying to protect herself from the memories. — And, yes, it hurts. A lot. It's like every bone in your body is breaking at the same time, and you feel everything, every crack, every muscle tearing to put itself back together. The first time is the worst, because you don't know what to expect. But… then, with time, you learn to control it a little better. The pain never goes away completely, but you get used to it, in a way. And there's the good side: the strength, the speed, the heightened senses… all of that stuff you're starting to feel.

Ethan listened intently, his face serious as he processed her words. He could feel his stomach knot just imagining the pain she described, but there was also a part of him that was fascinated by what was to come. And more than that, there was something about Hope's presence that calmed him, that made the idea of ​​facing this transformation seem less daunting. "So… how do you deal with it?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper, his eyes fixed on hers. "The pain, the anger… everything that comes with it?"

Hope smiled softly, a smile that held a mix of strength and vulnerability, and Ethan felt a tightness in his chest at the sight. He could see how strong she was, but also how much she opened up to him, and it made him feel a connection he had never felt before. "It was hard at first," she replied, her voice soft. "I had a lot of anger, and I didn't know how to control it. But I learned to channel it, to use my strength to protect the ones I love, to fight for what's right. My father… he taught me that being a werewolf isn't just about the curse. It's about finding a purpose, something that keeps you grounded." She paused, then added, almost shyly, her eyes meeting his with an intensity that made the air seem heavier, "And having people who support you helps a lot. You're not alone in this, Ethan."

Ethan was silent for a moment, her words echoing in his mind. He felt a warmth grow in his chest, a mixture of gratitude and something else—something he couldn't name, but it made him want to be closer to her, to hear more of her voice, to feel more of her presence. There was a reassurance in her eyes, a silent promise that made him feel like, for the first time since this had all started, he wasn't facing this alone. "Thanks, Hope," he said, his voice soft, almost husky with emotion. "Really. I think… I'm going to need help to figure all of this out. And it's good to know I can count on you."

Hope blushed slightly, heat rising to her face as she looked away for a moment, her heart racing. She felt a wave of relief and happiness at hearing those words, but also a vulnerability that caught her off guard. Being so close to him, feeling the sincerity in his voice, made her want to open up even more, but she didn't know how. "Always," she replied, the word slipping out almost by accident, loaded with a promise she herself didn't know she was ready to make.

Ethan opened the bedroom door, but before entering, he turned to her one last time. "I'm going to take that shower now, before the stone dust becomes part of me," he joked, eliciting a laugh from her that made his heart race once more. He loved the sound of that laugh, and he realized he would do anything to hear it again. "But… can we talk more later? About all this?"

"Sure," Hope said, the smile still on her lips, her eyes shining with something she couldn't hide. "See you around, Ethan."

As he closed the door behind him, Hope stood in the hallway for a moment longer, her heart beating faster than she cared to admit. Their conversation had been simple, but there was something about his presence that made her uneasy—an almost supernatural attraction that seemed to grow with every second she spent with him. She felt a need to protect him, to be near him, and it scared her as much as it thrilled her. Shaking her head to try to clear her thoughts, she headed back toward the lobby.

Inside the room, Ethan stripped off his jacket and T-shirt, tossing them into the corner as he turned on the shower. The hot water began to run, and he stood under the spray, letting the heat ease his tense muscles. But his mind was still on Hope—the way she looked at him, the way her voice seemed to calm the storm inside him. He'd never felt so connected to anyone before, and it both frightened and fascinated him. As the water ran down his body, he realized that no matter what came next with the werewolf curse, having Hope by his side made it all seem possible.

As Ethan showered, the Salvatore School lobby filled with voices again. Alaric, Josie, and Hope were discussing the gargoyle's dagger when the front door opened, revealing Jeremy Gilbert, wearing his signature leather jacket and looking like he'd seen it all before. Beside him were Landon Kirby and Rafael Waithe, the two boys Alaric had sent Jeremy to fetch.

Landon looked uneasy, his brown eyes darting around the lobby as if he expected an attack at any moment, while Rafael stood with his most confident posture, carrying a battered backpack over his shoulder. Jeremy nodded to Alaric, his expression serious. "I found them where you said, Alaric. It was a long drive, but they're here, safe and sound," he said, his voice husky as if he'd spent hours on the road.

Alaric sighed in relief, approaching the boys. "I'm glad you're back," he said, his tone firm but with a hint of concern. He looked at Landon, his eyes narrowed as he assessed him. There was something about the boy that intrigued him, a feeling he couldn't explain. Despite all the complications Landon had brought—the knife, the gargoyle from earlier, the lies—Alaric decided to give him a chance. "Landon, you can stay. We'll find you a place here at the school. But no secrets this time, understood?"

Landon nodded, a hesitant smile appearing on his face. "Understood, Mr. Saltzman. I… I just want a place to belong. Thank you for giving me this chance."

Hope, who had been watching the exchange from a few feet away, felt a tightness in her chest. She was still upset about Landon's lies—he had put them all in danger by stealing the knife and running away—but seeing him here, vulnerable and looking for a home, she decided to let it go. He was her friend, after all, and she knew how much he needed the Salvatore School. Still, his presence made her a little uneasy, especially now, when her mind was so full of thoughts of Ethan.

Meanwhile, Ethan emerged from the shower, feeling refreshed but still with his mind spinning. He pulled on a black T-shirt and jeans, his still-damp hair falling over his forehead. When he returned to the lobby, Alaric beckoned him over. "Ethan, I need to speak with you," the headmaster said, his voice thick with authority. "You've activated the werewolf curse, and that means you need guidance. No matter how strong you are, you're still new to this world. Starting tomorrow, you'll start classes on werewolves. Even though you may be a combination of… well, who knows what, you need education, especially about yourself."

Ethan nodded, a little surprised but grateful for the opportunity. "Understood, Alaric. I think I really need to learn more about all this."

The next few days were a mix of learning and adjustment for Ethan. The werewolf classes, taught by a professor named Dorian, were fascinating. Dorian, an experienced researcher and the school librarian, explained in detail the history of werewolves, the myths and truths surrounding the transformation, and how to control the instincts that came with the curse. Ethan absorbed every word, writing it down in a notebook as he tried to understand what it meant to be who he was now. He discovered that the anger he felt was normal, that his heightened senses were an advantage, and that the transformation, while painful, could be controlled with practice and support.

Outside of class, Ethan began to fit in naturally. During breaks, he chatted with other students, laughing and sharing stories as if he had always belonged there. In the cafeteria, he sat with MG and Rafael, who quickly became his friends. "So, dude, you punched a gargoyle and turned it into dust?" MG asked, his eyes shining with wonder as he munched on a sandwich. "You're like a superhero now, you know that?"

Ethan laughed, shaking his head. "I don't know if I'm a superhero, but… it was pretty crazy, that's for sure. I'm still getting used to all that strength."

Rafael, who was standing nearby, punched Ethan lightly on the shoulder, a smile on his face. "You're one of us now, bro. Werewolf or not, you're on the team. And man, it was cool seeing you at that basketball game yesterday. You're a great player."

"Thanks, Raf," Ethan replied, feeling a surge of gratitude. He enjoyed their company—MG with his easygoing demeanor and Rafael with his fierce loyalty. It was good to have friends, especially at a time when everything seemed so new and scary.

But it wasn't just the boys who noticed Ethan. The girls at school were completely smitten with him. During class, he would hear whispers and giggles as he walked through the halls. A curly-haired girl named Penelope Park would openly stare at him during a supernatural history class, biting her lip as she whispered to a friend, "He's gorgeous, isn't he? Those eyes… God, I could get lost in them all day."

Another girl, a vampire named Marjorie, who was sitting a few rows back, replied playfully, "Penelope, you don't stand a chance. He only has eyes for Hope, can't you see?"

Ethan, oblivious to the comments, continued talking to his new friends, but he couldn't help but feel the eyes on him. He wasn't exactly the type to let himself be carried away by attention, but it was impossible not to notice how much his presence seemed to affect people.

Hope, on the other hand, was struggling with her own feelings. During those days, she'd caught herself glancing at Ethan, unable to help herself. In magic class, as she mixed ingredients for a protection spell, her eyes would drift to where he stood across the courtyard, laughing with MG and Rafael. In the cafeteria, as she pretended to listen to Josie talk about a new spell, her eyes would betray her thoughts, following Ethan as he picked up his tray of food. Every time she saw him, her heart would skip a beat, and she'd feel heat rush to her face. She just wanted to be a normal high school girl, to feel butterflies in her stomach without the weight of being a tribrid, without the complications of the supernatural world. And somehow, Ethan's presence made her feel just that—normal, light, almost like she could forget everything for a moment. It was amazing, but also terrifying.

Hope realized that she was becoming more and more… in love with him every day. She didn't want to admit it, but she couldn't stop. It was like a bucket being filled with water with a small hole in the bottom: her emotions for Ethan were the water that filled the bucket every moment, overflowing with his every smile, every look, every word. And her will to not let herself get carried away so easily, to maintain control, was the small hole that did nothing against the flood of feelings that consumed her. Argh, this is crazy , she thought, almost pulling her hair out in frustration as she tried to concentrate on a class. She knew she needed to do something, something risky, but necessary. She needed to find out, once and for all, what this imprint thing she had heard in Ethan's conversation with his mother was. And the only person who could answer that was Ethan's mother.

A few days passed, and Hope began to plan how to get the information she needed. She began stalking Ethan, trying to find a way to get his phone without him noticing. It wasn't easy—Landon, who had become a constant presence again, was always on her tail. She didn't dislike him; he was one of her oldest friends, and things were fine between them now that things had calmed down. But his insistence on being around irritated her, especially when she needed space to carry out her plan. "Hope, are you okay? You're kind of distracted," Landon asked one afternoon as they walked through the courtyard.

"I'm fine, Landon, just… thinking about some things," she replied, forcing a smile. If only you knew , she thought, as her eyes searched for Ethan in the distance.

The opportunity finally came one sunny afternoon after an impromptu basketball game in the school gym. Ethan had played with the boys—MG, Rafael, Kaleb, and a few others—and the game had been lively, full of laughter and teasing. Ethan, with his newfound speed and strength, had dominated the court, scoring points with an ease that had left everyone in awe. After the game, he had left his cell phone and jacket on the gym seats while he chatted with Rafael near the court.

Hope saw her chance. Heart pounding, she crept toward the seats, pretending to pack her backpack. She glanced around to make sure no one was watching her, then snatched Ethan's phone in one swift movement, tucking it into the sleeve of her sweater. Her chest felt like it was about to explode with nerves, but she quickly moved away, walking to a secluded corner of the courtyard where she knew she wouldn't be disturbed.

With shaking hands, she opened the contact list on Ethan's phone, searching for his mother's name. She found the contact saved as "Mom – Tory" and hesitated for a moment, the weight of what she was about to do hitting her like a wave. But she needed answers. Taking a deep breath, she pressed the call button and held the phone to her ear.

Riiing… riiing… The sound of the phone ringing seemed too loud in her ears, and she almost hung up out of sheer nervousness. Then, a soft, warm voice answered on the other end. "Hello, son? Why didn't you call me earlier? I was worried…"

Hope swallowed, her heart in her throat. "Um, ma'am, I'm sorry, but I'm not Ethan," she said, her voice hesitant. "I called you because… I overheard you two talking a while back, and you said something about imprinting . That… that concerns me. I need to know what that thing is."

There was a brief silence on the other end of the line, and then Tory's voice, now more curious, answered, "Ohh, are you Hope?" The surprise in her voice was evident, but there was also a hint of warmth, as if she already knew who Hope was.

— Yes, ma'am, I'm Hope — she confirmed, feeling her face burn with embarrassment for doing this behind Ethan's back.

"Hmmm, that's interesting," Tory said, her voice now thoughtful. "Okay, Hope. What I know about the imprint came from Ethan's father, Clark. He only told me about it once, but it was enough to scar me forever. Clark said that some werewolves, the rare ones, the different ones, had this imprint . Not all of them, only those who carried a special connection to the supernatural world, a kind of ancient magic that ran through their veins. The imprint … it binds the soul of one person to another, in a way that transcends time and space."

Hope listened in silence, her heart racing as Tory continued, her voice softer now, almost poetic, as if she were reliving a moment in her own life. "Clark was… well, a degenerate, to be honest. He dated a lot of girls, lived a wild life, he even had a daughter with my best friend, can you believe it? At the time she was my arch-enemy, but nowadays she is one of the most important people to me," she said, her throat clearing.

about Clark he told me that the moment he saw me he felt something he had never felt before. The wolf half of him, the deepest part of his soul, connected to me as if I were the other half of a whole.

he said we were soulmates, but it was more than that. It was as if the universe had decided that we were destined to meet, to complete each other. He felt my presence even from miles away, he knew when I was in danger, and he said that my smile was the only thing that calmed the beast inside him.

An imprint isn't just about love, Hope. It's an eternal bond, an invisible thread that binds two souls together forever, no matter what. It's like finding the missing piece in your heart, the person who understands you without words, who makes you feel whole even on the darkest days. I remember one night, under the light of the full moon, when he took me in his arms and swore that our love was written in the stars, that no fate could separate us. It was like dancing with the wind, a connection that made me feel like the whole world stopped just to watch us.

Hope felt a lump in her throat, Tory's words echoing in her mind like a melody she couldn't ignore. She thought of Ethan—the way he made her feel, the way her heart raced just being around him, the feeling that with him, she was more herself than ever. Was this what she was feeling? An imprint ? Tears threatened to well up in her eyes as she tried to process it all, the weight of the revelation crashing over her like a wave.

Tory continued, her voice now gentler, as if she could feel Hope's emotion even from so far away. "If Ethan is feeling something for you, Hope, and if you feel him in a way you can't explain... maybe you have this bond. The imprint doesn't choose for convenience, it just happens. It's a force of nature, like the full moon that calls werewolves. There's no way to fight it, no way to run away. You just... feel it. And, little by little, you discover that you don't want to run away. I still keep in my memories what Clark used to say to me, he liked to call me hotheaded and tigress, hahaha that idiot... If you and Ethan have this, it's something precious, Hope. Take care of it."

Hope swallowed, her voice shaking when she finally spoke. "Thank you, Miss Tory. I… I needed to hear that. I'm sorry I called like this, I just…"

"No need to apologize, honey," Tory interrupted, her voice warm. "If you mean anything to Ethan, you mean anything to me. Just… take care of him, okay? He's going through a lot right now, and he needs someone like you by his side."

"I'll take care of it," Hope promised, her voice steady despite the emotion that was taking over her. "Thanks again."

She hung up the phone, Tory's words still swirling in her mind. The weight of the phone fell on her hand, and for a moment, she stood there, staring into space as she tried to make sense of what she had just discovered. The imprint … an eternal bond, a connection of souls. Was this what she felt for Ethan? And more importantly, did he feel the same way about her?

Heart pounding, she walked back to the gym, placing her phone back on the seat next to Ethan's jacket as if nothing had happened. But inside her, everything had changed. She knew she needed to talk to Ethan, but not now—not while her mind was still a whirlwind of emotions. For now, she would keep this secret, wait for the right time to talk to him about it—it was too embarrassing even for her—all of it.