Chapter 20: A day to remember

The afternoon sun still shone brightly in the Mystic Falls sky, casting a golden light over the Salvatore School field. Ethan sat on the wooden bench, the heat of the day weighing down on him even under the shade of a tree. The gentle wind that blew brought momentary relief, but it also carried the sound of distant laughter from the students running across the field. Ethan ran a hand through his messy black hair, feeling sweat trickle down the back of his neck. The heat was unbearable, and he needed some time to himself, away from the hustle and bustle of school.

"I need to get out of here for a while," he muttered to himself, his husky voice cutting through the air. He stood up from the bench with a purposeful movement, the sound of his heavy boots echoing on the dirt floor as he walked toward the boys' dorm. The idea of ​​getting on his Harley-Davidson and riding through the streets of Mystic Falls seemed perfect—a chance to clear his mind and feel the wind on his face.

Entering the room, Ethan opened the small wooden closet and took out a white, lightweight cotton shirt, ideal for the heat of the day. He removed the black leather jacket he was wearing, feeling immediate relief as the weight and heat of the material were removed. The white shirt was tight enough to highlight the defined muscles of his chest and arms, but comfortable enough not to chafe his skin in the scorching sun. He pulled it on calmly, his nimble fingers buttoning only the top few buttons, leaving the collar open to allow air to circulate. The light fabric contrasted with his tanned skin, and he glanced at himself quickly in the cracked mirror hanging on the wall, adjusting his black hair with a quick movement of his hand.

His heterochromic eyes glinted in the light streaming through the window. He picked up a pair of sunglasses from the table, the black lenses reflecting the dim light. Ethan put them on almost automatically, feeling the light weight of the temples against his ears. The sunglasses didn't just protect him from the sun; they gave him a sense of control, hiding the intensity of his gaze. With the white shirt, black glasses, and dark jeans he already wore, he looked like an outsider in Mystic Falls—a stranger with an air of mystery that would undoubtedly draw attention wherever he went.

Ethan grabbed his small backpack, slinging it over his shoulder, and walked down the stairs of the dorm toward the courtyard where he'd parked his Harley-Davidson. The bike, a symbol of his father Clark, gleamed in the sunlight, its black and chrome gleaming like the machine was alive, eager to roar down the open road. He mounted the Harley in one fluid motion, the leather of the seat warm against his legs, and turned the key in the ignition. The engine roared to life with a low rumble, a sound that echoed across the courtyard and made a few students turn their heads to watch him. Ethan didn't look back; he sped off, the hot wind whipping his face as he left the Salvatore School behind him, dust rising in a cloud behind him.

The road leading out of Mystic Falls was winding, lined with tall trees and open fields that stretched to the horizon. The sun was still high, but it was slowly sinking, turning the sky orange. Ethan rode his Harley with a steady hand on the handlebars, his sunglasses shielding his eyes from the harsh light. The warm wind whipped against his white shirt, the fabric clinging slightly to his body from sweat, but the feeling of freedom was intoxicating. He had no destination in mind; he just wanted to ride and leave the events of the day behind.

After about twenty minutes on the road, Ethan spotted a car parked on the shoulder, the hood up and white smoke coming out of the engine. A family stood beside the vehicle—a middle-aged man, a woman, and two small children, a girl of about seven and a boy of perhaps five. The man looked frustrated, wiping sweat from his forehead with a cloth as he tried to move the engine, and the woman held the children, who looked restless and scared.

Ethan slowed, the Harley's roar softening as he came to a stop a few feet from the car. He dismounted in one swift movement, removing his sunglasses and hanging them on the collar of his white shirt. His eyes glinted in the sunlight, and he approached the family with a steady stride but an expression that tried to be friendly despite his serious face. "Are you guys okay? You seem to be in trouble," he said, his husky voice cutting through the hot air.

The man looked up, clearly surprised by Ethan's arrival. "Yeah, the car overheated... I don't know what happened. We're trying to get to Mystic Falls, but I don't think we'll make it without help," he replied, his voice thick with concern.

Ethan nodded, moving closer to the engine. He wasn't an experienced mechanic, but he'd grown up tinkering with Tory's friends in Los Angeles on motorcycles and cars, and he knew the basics. He bent down, examining the radiator, the heat from the engine making sweat bead on his forehead. His white shirt was already starting to get damp on his back, but he didn't care. "Looks like the radiator's leaking. Do you guys have any water or coolant in there?" he asked, looking up at the man.

The woman shook her head, holding the children closer. "No, we don't have anything... and the signal here is terrible, we can't call a tow truck," she said, her voice shaking.

Ethan stood up, wiping his hands on his jeans. "Okay, I can help. I have a bottle of water in my backpack, it's not ideal, but it should help cool the engine down enough to get you into town. And I can call someone from Mystic Falls to come get you if you need them." He walked back to the Harley, grabbing the bottle of water from his backpack and handing it to the man, who carefully poured it into the radiator under Ethan's instructions. While the engine cooled, Ethan used his cell phone to call the Mystic Grill, asking them to send a tow truck to the family's location.

The little girl, who had been quiet until then, came up to him, her eyes widening at the sight of his heterochromic eyes. "Your eyes are two colors… are you a magician?" she asked, her voice full of curiosity. Ethan smiled slightly, a rare moment of lightness on his serious face. "No, I'm not a magician. I was just born this way," he replied, bending down to her level. "But I can tell you a secret: different eyes sometimes see things that other eyes don't." The girl laughed in delight, and Ethan stood up, feeling a quiet sense of satisfaction. The family thanked him profusely, and he stayed with them until the tow truck arrived about half an hour later. When he finally got back to his Harley, the sun was already setting, and he put his sunglasses back on.

Ethan continued his journey, the Harley roaring down the road as the sky turned a mosaic of orange and pink. The heat was still intense, and his white shirt was now plastered to his body, the fabric almost transparent where sweat had soaked through it. He didn't care; the wind that whipped against him as he rode was enough to keep him comfortable, and the sunglasses gave him a sense of anonymity that he appreciated. He was a few miles from a small village on the outskirts of Mystic Falls when he heard a sound that made him slow down: a high-pitched whine, almost a cry, coming from a thicket at the side of the road.

Ethan stopped the bike immediately, the engine quieting with one last low growl. He dismounted, taking off his glasses and hanging them back on his collar, and walked toward the sound, his heterochromic eyes alert. In the middle of the undergrowth, he found a small dog, a brown and white mutt with a visibly injured hind leg. The animal whined softly, its wide, frightened eyes fixed on Ethan. He bent down slowly, reaching out his hand carefully so as not to startle the dog. "Hey, little buddy... what happened to you?" he murmured, his husky voice softened by a gentle tone he rarely used. The dog sniffed his hand hesitantly, and Ethan realized that the paw was bleeding, probably from having gotten caught on a root or rock.

He picked up the dog carefully, holding him against his chest so as not to further injure his injured paw. His white shirt was stained with a little blood and dirt, but Ethan didn't care. He walked back to the Harley, holding the dog with one hand while using the other to open his backpack and take out a strip of cloth he used for minor repairs on the bike. With precise movements, he wrapped the dog's paw, making a makeshift bandage to stop the bleeding. "Let's get you to someone who can really help you," he said, climbing onto the Harley with the dog still in his arms. He rode slowly, keeping the animal safe against his chest, until he reached the village that was just a few minutes away.

There, he found a small veterinary clinic, where he handed the dog over to a middle-aged vet who thanked him with a warm smile. "You probably saved his life," she said as she examined the dog. "He wouldn't have lasted long out there with that paw." Ethan just nodded, a slight smile on his face as he put his sunglasses back on. "I'm glad he's going to be okay," he replied, before getting back on his bike and continuing on his way.

The sky was already darkening by the time Ethan reached the village, the sun setting completely and giving way to a purple, starry twilight. He decided to stop at a small market to buy a bottle of water, his throat feeling dry after hours on the road. His white shirt was now stained with dirt and dog blood, but he didn't care; the fabric was still light enough not to bother him, even in the heat that was beginning to subside. As he walked out of the market with the bottle in hand, he spotted an elderly man struggling to carry several shopping bags to a car parked a few feet away. The man, who looked to be in his eighties, was shaking under the weight of the bags, and Ethan didn't hesitate.

He put the bottle away in his backpack and walked over quickly, his sunglasses still on his face, giving him an almost intimidating air that contrasted with his gentle demeanor. "Let me help you with that, sir," he said, his voice hoarse but respectful. He took the bags from the old man's hands without waiting for an answer, carrying them easily to the car. The old man looked at him gratefully, his wrinkled eyes shining in the dim light from a nearby streetlight. "Thank you very much, young man. I don't know how I would have done it alone," he said, his voice shaky but filled with relief.

Ethan opened the trunk of his car and put the bags inside, closing it carefully. "It's nothing. Do you live far away? I can follow you on my motorcycle to make sure you get there safely," he offered, taking off his sunglasses to look the man in the eye. The old man smiled, shaking his head. "No, you don't have to. I live just a few blocks away. But you're a very kind young man... you don't see that much these days." Ethan smiled slightly, putting his sunglasses back on. "I'm happy to help. Take care, okay?" He waved to the old man before walking back to his Harley, feeling silent satisfaction as the man got in his car and drove off.

Dusk had already given way to a starry night when Ethan decided to return to the Salvatore School. The full moon shone in the sky, its silvery light reflecting off the asphalt and illuminating the winding path that led back to Mystic Falls. The cool night wind blew against his face, a welcome change after the scorching heat of the day, and he could feel the fabric of his white shirt, now dirty and wrinkled, sticking slightly to his skin because of the sweat, dust and stains of the day. He had taken off his sunglasses some time ago, stored in his backpack, and his heterochromic eyes shone under the moonlight.

Wow, this was really something today, Ethan thought, the deep rumble of the Harley nearly drowning out the sound of his own inner voice. He gripped the handlebars tightly, reviewing the day's events. In the morning, he had kissed Hope, an intense moment that had marked the beginning of a turbulent day. Later, in the cafeteria, he had teased Lizzie, which led to a conflict with Hope, who retaliated by using magic to knock Lizzie out of her chair. The tension between them had grown, and on the field, Hope had teased him back, stretching herself sensually to "punish" him for his prank.

The day hadn't just been about school drama, though. Ethan had also helped people on the road, and it had brought him a sense of purpose he hadn't expected. He thought about the family he'd found with their broken-down car, the way the little girl had looked at him with wonder because of his heterochromia eyes. Then there was the injured dog he'd rescued, the little stray dog ​​he'd taken to the vet's clinic. And finally, the elderly man at the grocery store who he'd helped carry groceries. The gratitude in the man's eyes had reminded him that even with all the chaos of his supernatural life, he could still make a difference for others.

Ethan arrived at Salvatore School around 9 p.m., the rumble of his Harley echoing through the quiet courtyard as he parked his bike in the same spot he always did. The campus was quiet, most of the students already tucked away in their rooms or in the common areas inside. He dismounted, his body tired from hours on the road. The cool night wind caressed his skin, and he ran a hand through his messy black hair, feeling the dried sweat on his forehead.

He walked up the stairs to his room, the sound of his heavy boots echoing in the empty hallway. As he entered, he tossed his backpack into the corner and took off his white shirt, now stained with dirt, dog blood, and sweat. He tossed it onto the chair, wrinkling his nose at how dirty it was. "I'm definitely going to need to wash this," he muttered to himself, before heading into the bathroom to take a quick shower. The warm water soothed his tense muscles, and he stood under the spray for a few minutes, letting the water wash away the day's grime.

After his shower, he changed into a simple black t-shirt and gray sweatpants, his body feeling heavy with fatigue. He threw himself onto the bed, the mattress creaking slightly under his weight, and stared at the ceiling, his heterochromic eyes fixed on an invisible point. Ethan closed his eyes, exhaustion finally overcoming him, and fell asleep quickly, the distant sound of a cricket outside the window being the last thing he heard.

Ethan woke up to the first rays of sunlight streaming through the window, the soft light illuminating the simple room. He sat up in bed, rubbing his eyes as he yawned. The clock on the wall read 7:00 AM, and he could hear the distant sound of students starting to move around the campus. It was Friday, which meant he had classes ahead of him. His body was still a little sore from the long motorcycle ride the day before, but he felt ready to face the day.

He stood up, wearing a gray T-shirt and dark jeans, and pulled on the same heavy boots he always wore. Before he left the room, he grabbed the sunglasses he had worn the day before and put them in his pants pocket. The day was promising to be warm again, and he knew he might need them. As he looked at himself in the cracked mirror, he ran a hand through his black hair, trying to fix it, but quickly gave up—his messy hair seemed to be a permanent part of who he was now.

Ethan walked down to the cafeteria, his stomach growling with hunger. He grabbed a tray and helped himself to pancakes, bacon, and a glass of orange juice, sitting at a table in the corner. As he ate, he noticed the stares of the other students. Some were staring at him in fear, probably because of his werewolf transformation and the confrontation with Rafael the night before. Others were looking at him with admiration, impressed by his strength and the way he had handled the recent challenges. And then there were those whose looks were a mix of both—fear and admiration—as if they weren't sure what to make of him. Ethan ignored the stares, focusing on his food, but the feeling of being watched was impossible to ignore.

After breakfast, Ethan headed to his first class of the day, a supernatural history class taught by Alaric. He sat in the back of the room, as usual, and opened his notebook, trying to focus on Alaric's words about the origins of witches in New Orleans. But the eyes of the other students continued to follow him. A girl with blond hair sitting a few desks away whispered something to her friend next to her, casting a quick glance in Ethan's direction before looking away, her face flushed. A boy up ahead, a werewolf Ethan recognized from Rafael's group, eyed him with a mixture of wariness and respect, as if assessing whether Ethan was a threat or an ally.

The second class of the day was practical magic, a session for students who either had magical abilities or were learning to control them. Alaric had insisted that he take a few magic lessons to better understand the supernatural world and how to interact with it. He arrived at the classroom a few minutes late, the sound of his boots echoing in the hallway as he opened the door. The room was full, with candles lit on every table and a faint scent of herbs in the air. The teacher, a witch named Emma, ​​was explaining a protection spell when Ethan walked in.

And then he saw her. Hope was there, sitting by the window, her brown hair falling in waves over her shoulders as she jotted something down in her notebook. She looked up when she heard the door open, and her blue eyes met Ethan's. For a moment, the world around them seemed to slow down. It was as if an invisible energy connected them, something that needed no words to be felt. The atmosphere between them was honeyed, almost palpable, filled with a passion that seemed to overflow with every glance. Ethan paused for a second in the doorway, his heterochromic eyes fixed on hers, and Hope tilted her head slightly, a subtle smile curving her lips.

The other students noticed the exchange of glances, and a low murmur ran through the room. Josie, who was sitting next to Hope, elbowed her, whispering something with a playful smile, while Penelope, on the other side, rolled her eyes in an exaggerated way, clearly finding the scene a bit much. One of the students who was also in class let out a low laugh and muttered to the boy next to him, "Seriously, those two are so touchy-feely it's almost weird." Professor Emma cleared her throat, drawing attention back to the class, and Ethan finally moved, walking to an empty seat in the back of the room.

He sat down, opening his notebook, but the energy between him and Hope still hung in the air, like an electric current that everyone in the room could feel. Hope glanced at him once more, her eyes shining with something that seemed like a mix of teasing and tenderness, before turning her attention back to the class. Ethan, for his part, focused on Emma's explanation, trying to ignore the whispers of the other students and the feeling that everyone was watching his and Hope's every move.

The third class of the day was physical training, a hands-on session in the field where students learned to control their supernatural abilities. Ethan joined the group of werewolves, following the instructions of an instructor who instructed them to channel their strength without losing control. He could feel the eyes of the others as he ran across the field, his speed and agility setting him apart from the rest. One of the boys, a vampire named Kaleb, patted him on the shoulder after a run, a smile on his face. "You're fast, man. I don't know whether to envy you or fear you," he said with a laugh, and Ethan just shrugged, a slight smile on his face.

The rest of the day passed in a blur of classes and activities, the eyes of the students following Ethan wherever he went. When the last class ended in the early afternoon, the students began to disperse, some heading to the cafeteria, others to their dorms or the field. Ethan packed his materials into his backpack and stood up, noticing Hope coming out of the practical magic classroom, chatting with Josie as she walked down the hall. He quickened his pace to catch up with her, the sound of his boots echoing on the wooden floor.

"Hey, Hope," he called, his voice husky but casual. Hope turned her head, her blue eyes meeting his, and Josie stepped aside, casting a curious glance between the two of them before mumbling something about needing to grab a book and walking away, leaving them alone in the hallway.

Hope stopped, adjusting her bag on her shoulder, and looked at Ethan with a slight smile. "Hi. What's up?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.

Ethan ran a hand through his dark hair, a gesture he did when he was a little nervous. "Can you… meet me at the special tree? The one where we… you know," he said, his voice a little lower, referring to the place where they had kissed the day before. "I wanted to talk to you about yesterday. Just a few minutes, I promise."

Hope hesitated for a moment, then nodded, a glint of curiosity in her eyes. "Okay. I'll meet you there," she replied, giving him a small smile before turning to head down the hallway.

Ethan let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding and walked toward the field, the afternoon sun still warm against his skin. The special tree stood in a more secluded corner of the campus, an ancient oak with wide branches that formed perfect shade. It was the same place where he and Hope had shared that intense kiss the day before, a moment that seemed to have marked them both indelibly. He arrived first and leaned against the trunk, arms crossed, waiting for her.

Hope appeared a few minutes later, her brown hair blowing lightly in the breeze as she approached. She stopped a few feet away from him, her blue eyes locked on his, and Ethan stepped forward, closing the distance between them. "Thanks for coming," he said, his voice husky but softer now that they were alone.

"Sure," she replied, her voice calm but with a hint of expectation. "So… what did you want to talk about?"

Ethan took a deep breath, then reached out, taking her hand in his with a gentle touch, his fingers intertwining with hers naturally. Hope didn't flinch, though a faint blush rose to her cheeks, tinting them a rosy hue that contrasted with the golden sunlight. "I wanted to apologize for everything that happened yesterday," he began, his voice firm but full of sincerity. "The joke with Lizzie… I was just joking, you know? I didn't think it would get out of hand like that, and I'm sorry for that."

Hope listened in silence, her eyes fixed on his, and Ethan continued, squeezing her hand lightly. "It's been a crazy day, hasn't it? I confessed to you, we kissed… and then everything went to hell. But I haven't been able to stop thinking about you since then, Hope. There hasn't been a minute since yesterday that you haven't been on my mind… since that kiss."

The blush on Hope's face deepened, and she looked away for a moment, a shy smile curving her lips. "Ethan…" she murmured, her voice soft, almost a whisper. She looked up at him again, and there was a mix of excitement and vulnerability in her gaze. "I… I couldn't stop thinking about you either," she admitted, her voice quiet but full of meaning.

Ethan smiled, a genuine smile that lit up his heterochromic eyes, and he released her hand with a small wave. "I'm glad we're on the same page," he said, his voice lighter now, though still thick with emotion. "Let's… try not to let things get out of hand again, okay?"

Hope laughed softly, the soft, melodious sound echoing beneath the shade of the tree. "Okay, deal," she replied, giving him a playful shove on the shoulder. "See you around, Ethan."

She started to turn to leave, but Ethan stopped her, his voice firm but with a hint of urgency. "What are you talking about? Come here," he said, reaching out quickly and grabbing her arm with a gentle but firm touch. He pulled her back to him, and before Hope could say anything, he bent his head and kissed her, his lips meeting hers in a kiss full of passion and longing.

Hope was taken aback for a moment, but soon gave in to the kiss, her hands coming up to rest on his shoulders as the heat of the moment enveloped them. The kiss was intense, a mix of relief and desire that seemed to erase any tension that still remained between them. When they finally broke apart, they were both a little breathless, Hope's eyes shining with a mix of surprise and happiness, her face still flushed.

Ethan smiled, his voice husky but full of tenderness as he stared down at her. "I've been wanting to do this all day, but I never got the chance," he confessed, a hint of teasing in his tone, though his eyes showed he meant it.

Hope laughed, the sound light and genuine, and shook her head with a smile. "You're impossible, you know that?" she said, her voice full of affection. "But… I wanted that too," she admitted, her eyes shining with an emotion that needed no further words.

Ethan took a step closer, wrapping her in a loving hug, his strong arms pulling her against his chest. Hope returned the hug, resting her head on his shoulder for a moment, feeling the warmth of his body against hers and she closed her eyes for a moment, enjoying the feeling of security that his embrace brought.

He pulled back just enough to look into her eyes, a mischievous smile curving his lips. "Hey, how about we go out for a bit? Come with me on my motorcycle," he suggested, his husky voice thick with excitement. "I want to take you for a ride, feel the wind on your face… what do you think?"

Hope didn't hesitate, the smile on her face instantly widening. "I'd love to," she replied, her voice full of excitement, her eyes shining at the thought of spending more time with him.

Ethan took her hand, lacing his fingers through hers, and led her toward the courtyard where his Harley was parked. The afternoon sun was still bright, but it was beginning to soften, tinting the sky with shades of orange and gold. He climbed onto the bike first, then reached out to help Hope climb in behind him. She settled in easily, her arms wrapped tightly around his waist, her body pressed against his as he turned the key in the ignition. The engine roared to life, the deep rumble echoing across the campus, and Ethan sped off, leaving the Salvatore School behind as they drove down the winding road that led out of Mystic Falls.

The wind blew against their faces, cool and invigorating, making Hope's brown hair fly behind her like a waterfall. She couldn't keep the smile off her face, happiness overflowing in every laugh that escaped her lips as they cut through the road. The heat of the day was still present, but the wind made everything lighter, and she tightened her arms around Ethan, feeling the freedom that the bike brought. Ethan was smiling too, the wind tousling his black hair as he rode with one hand firmly on the handlebars, the other occasionally covering Hope's hand on his waist, a small but affectionate gesture.

They drove for about half an hour, without a fixed destination, just enjoying the feeling of being together. Ethan decided to stop at a viewpoint that was a few kilometers from the city, a place he had discovered during one of his solitary outings. It was a small clearing at the top of a hill, with a stunning view of Mystic Falls in the distance, the horizon painted with the warm hues of sunset. He parked the bike and dismounted, helping Hope down with a smile.

"Look at this," he said, pointing to the view as he sat down on the grass, patting the space beside him for her to join him. Hope sat down next to him, her eyes wide as she took in the sights. The sky was ablaze with hues of orange, pink, and purple, reflecting off the distant waters of the river that ran through the city. "It's beautiful," she murmured, her voice full of awe.

Ethan nodded, turning to her with a soft smile. "I wanted to take you somewhere special… I thought you'd like it," he said, his voice husky but tender. He took her hand again, intertwining their fingers as they watched the sunset together.

Hope leaned against him, resting her head on his shoulder, the smile still plastered on her face. "I loved it, Ethan. Today was… perfect," she said, her voice soft but full of emotion. "Thank you for bringing me here."

Ethan wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer as the sun disappeared below the horizon, giving way to a starry sky. "Thank you for coming with me," he replied, his voice low, almost a whisper. They stood there for a while longer, enjoying the tranquility of the moment, the distant sound of wind and crickets filling the silence.

After a few minutes of silence, just enjoying each other's company, Ethan took a deep breath, as if gathering the courage to say something that was weighing on his chest. He turned his face to Hope, his heterochromic eyes shining under the dim light of the first stars. "You know, Hope... these last two days... they've been some of the best of my life," he confessed, his husky voice thick with emotion. "You being here with me, everything that's happening... honestly, it's impossible to measure in words how much this means to me."

Hope lifted her head from his shoulder, her blue eyes fixed on his, surprise and tenderness mixed in her gaze. Ethan continued, a slight smile curving his lips, although there was a vulnerability in his expression that he rarely showed. "I was even finding it a little strange, you know? I... I never show feelings to anyone. Usually, it's just anger that I let out. But with you... My girl... I'm doing all this, opening myself up like this. It's new for me."

Hope listened in silence, her heart racing at his words. She squeezed his hand tighter, a soft smile forming on her lips. "Ethan…" she began, her voice soft, almost a whisper. "You don't know how much this means to me too. I feel on cloud nine when I'm with you. You make me feel… like a normal teenager, you know? Without all this supernatural craziness, without the weight of everything I carry. With you, I can just… be myself."

Ethan smiled, the most genuine smile he had ever given, and bent his forehead to touch hers, his eyes closed for a moment as he absorbed her words. "You have no idea how happy this makes me," he murmured, his voice husky but full of affection. He opened his eyes, staring at her with an intensity that made Hope's heart race. "So… let's keep doing this…"

Hope nodded, a smile lighting up her face as she snuggled closer to him. "Deal," she replied, her voice light but full of promise. They stayed there for a while longer, holding each other under the starry sky, the view of Mystic Falls in the distance serving as the backdrop to a moment neither of them would soon forget.

While they were still sitting on the grass, Ethan gave Hope a playful tap on the nose, making her giggle and wrinkle her nose adorably. "We need to get back, you know," he said, his voice husky but light and playful. "It's getting late, and I don't want Alaric coming after me for keeping you out so late."

Hope laughed, shaking her head, but nodded. "Okay, you're right," she replied, standing up and offering her hand to help him up. Ethan took her hand, standing up in one swift movement, and the two of them walked back to the Harley, their hands still intertwined.

They mounted the bike, Hope wrapping her arms around Ethan's waist as before, and he accelerated, the low rumble of the engine echoing along the road as they headed back to the Salvatore School. Night had now fallen completely, and the starry sky was bright above them, the full moon illuminating the way. The cool night wind blew against their faces, and Hope rested her chin on Ethan's shoulder, the smile still present on her face as they approached the campus.

When they arrived at school, Ethan parked his bike in the courtyard, the sound of the engine quieting as he dismounted and helped Hope off. They walked together towards the main building, the campus silent around them, with only the distant sound of a few students chatting in the common areas. As they walked up the stairs, Hope stopped suddenly, turning to Ethan with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Hey, Ethan," she began, her voice soft but with a hint of excitement. "Would you… like to come up to my room and watch a movie? I'm not ready to call it a night yet."

Ethan arched an eyebrow, a smile curving his lips as he stared at her. "I'd be crazy to turn down anything from a girl as beautiful as you," he replied, his husky voice laced with flirtatious tones, his eyes shining with a mix of playfulness and sincerity.

Hope laughed, the soft, melodious sound echoing through the empty hallway, and gave him a playful pat on the arm. "Um, okay, Ethan. But those compliments of yours aren't going to get you anywhere, you know?" she teased, shaking her head with a smile, though the slight blush on her cheeks showed she wasn't immune to his charm.

Ethan laughed, raising his hands in surrender. "Okay, okay, I'll stop," he said, still smiling as he followed her down the hall toward her room. "But seriously, a movie sounds perfect."

Hope opened the door to her room, turning on the light and revealing a cozy space with a made bed, a small bookshelf full of books, and a laptop on the desk. She picked up the laptop and placed it on the bed, turning to Ethan with a smile. "Choose a movie while I get some snacks," she said, before quickly leaving the room.

Ethan sat on the edge of the bed, the smile still on his face as he opened his laptop and started searching for a movie. He found one that seemed perfect: an action-packed romance film full of heart-warming moments and a love story that he thought Hope would like. When she came back with a bowl of popcorn and two cans of soda, he pointed at the screen. "How about this one? It's got a little bit of everything," he suggested, his voice husky but with an excited tone.

Hope glanced at the screen and nodded, her smile widening. "Perfect," she replied, placing the popcorn between them and sitting down next to him on the bed, their shoulders almost touching as she opened the soda. Ethan pressed play on the movie, and they both leaned back against the headboard, the soft light from the lamp beside it illuminating the room with a warm glow.

As the movie progressed, Hope grew closer and closer to Ethan, almost without realizing it. With each action scene, she would laugh or make a lively comment, and with each romantic moment, she would glance at him quickly, a shy smile on her lips. Ethan could feel the heat of her body against his, her shoulder against his, her leg brushing lightly against his as they shared popcorn. Just the thought of being there with this girl was driving him crazy—his heart was racing, and he could feel a wave of heat rising through his body.

Ethan was going crazy. His "little brother" was growing up, a reaction he couldn't completely control, and he mentally thanked Hope for not noticing yet, since the bowl of popcorn on his lap helped disguise it. He took a deep breath, trying to focus on the movie, but her closeness, the soft scent she gave off, the sound of her laughter—all of it was stirring within him in a way he'd never felt before.

Wanting to get even closer but still keep the moment light, Ethan wrapped his arm around her back, wrapping one arm around her affectionately. Hope didn't hesitate; she snuggled against him, resting her head on his chest as they adjusted themselves on the bed, lying on their sides, still watching the movie. The bowl of popcorn had been set aside, and the sodas were almost gone. They were lying there now, her body pressed against his, but nothing more than that—just a light, intimate moment, like two newlyweds still discovering each other.

The movie ended with a romantic scene, the on-screen couple kissing in the rain after an adrenaline-fueled chase, and Hope sighed, a dreamy smile on her face. "I loved the movie," she murmured, her voice soft as she turned slightly to look at Ethan, her face inches from his.

"That's good," he replied, his voice husky, his heterochromic eyes fixed on hers. He felt her heat even more now, her body so close that he could feel her every movement. The night was calm and beautiful, the silence of the room broken only by the distant sound of crickets outside and their calm breathing.

Hope hesitated for a moment, then bit her lower lip, a gesture that made Ethan's heart race even faster. "Ethan… would… would you like to sleep here tonight?" she asked, her voice low, almost shy, but with a hint of hope.

Ethan didn't blink. "Sure," he said immediately, the smile on his face showing he didn't need a second to think. "There's no place I'd rather be right now."

Hope smiled, her face alight with happiness, and snuggled closer to him, pulling the blanket up to cover them both as they lay down again. They did nothing more than that—they just held each other, their bodies entwined comfortably, her breathing even against his chest. But inside Ethan, the feeling was mind-blowing. It wasn't just the feeling, but the desires he felt for Hope, a mix of affection and intense attraction that made him want more, much more. Still, he held himself back. It was too soon, and he knew it. He wanted things between them to be special, to grow in their own time.

The night went on peacefully, the two of them falling asleep in each other's arms, the sound of her breathing calming Ethan in a way he never imagined possible. He knew his presence at school was still something new, something others were trying to understand. And in a way, he was trying to understand himself too—but in that moment, with Hope in his arms, he felt like he was exactly where he was supposed to be.

In the middle of the night, as Hope's room was enveloped in silence, with only the soft sound of her breathing and the faint glow of the moon streaming through the window, Ethan began to shift restlessly in bed. His brow furrowed, and a soft groan escaped his lips as he drifted into a deep, dark dream.

In the dream, Ethan found himself in a dense forest, the air heavy and humid, the sky above covered in dark clouds that blocked out any light. The sound of snapping branches echoed around him, and he felt his heart race, as if something were watching him. Suddenly, a pair of fluorescent green eyes shone through the trees, the same green eyes he saw in the mirror when his wolf part surfaced. A figure emerged from the shadows—a massive monster, larger than any being he had ever seen before, with black fur and sharp claws radiating from its hands. But what caught Ethan's attention most was the grin on the creature's face. A wide, bestial and terrifying grin, full of sharp teeth that gleamed in the dim light.

Ethan knew who it was. It was his wolf part, his counterpart, the monster that had lived inside him since he had become a werewolf. But at the same time, he sensed that it wasn't something separate—the werewolf part of Ethan was one with him, a unit, an extension of who he was. He felt a mixture of fear and fascination as he stared at the creature, who seemed almost amused by his presence. The werewolf stood still, its fluorescent green eyes fixed on Ethan's, and then, to his surprise, it tilted its head, the smile widening even more.

Ethan took a deep breath, his chest tight, but a strange gratitude filled him. He took a step forward, his voice shaking but firm. "I… I need to thank you," he said, the words coming out almost as a whisper. "If it weren't for the bond between us… the Imprint with Hope wouldn't have happened and everything would be different for me, all of this, these feelings, this warmth that I feel… that had been gone from my chest for so long… wouldn't have come back. So… thank you."

The werewolf was silent for a moment, his green eyes shining with something that seemed to be a mixture of curiosity and disdain. Then, suddenly, he threw his head back and let out a loud laugh, a low, guttural sound that sounded more like a feral growl than a human laugh. " Hah! Hah! Hah! Sentimental! Weakling !" the creature growled, his voice deep and husky, the words coming out raw and almost animalistic, as if speaking were something foreign to him. Ethan's eyes widened, his heart racing even more. He… could… speak? What the hell was this?

The werewolf took a step forward, his smile now more mocking, his teeth bared as saliva dripped from the corner of his mouth. " Feelings? Hah! Strong and weak, that's all !" he growled, his voice full of contempt, the words coming out in short, rough sentences. " We'll take Hope for ourselves! She's strong! Her energy... fire! She gives strong pups! But... hah! Only one female! More females are coming! Our lineage... almost dead! Needs more pups! Stronger! "

Ethan froze, his eyes wide as he processed the wolf's words. A wave of anger and disbelief washed over him, and he took a step forward, his fists clenched. "No," he said, his voice firm but shaking with emotion. "You're wrong. I only have eyes for Hope. She's not just some… some random female. She's the only one for me."

The werewolf tilted his head, his fluorescent green eyes shining with a mixture of amusement and disdain. " Strong Hope! Hah! True !" he growled, his deep voice echoing through the forest. " But… other strong females! Many! Humans… hah! Weak! Always make mistakes! Humans… not perfect !"

Ethan felt his blood boil in his veins, anger mixing with fierce determination. "You don't understand anything," he snapped, his voice thick with emotion. "Hope is more than strength. She's… she's everything I need. And I won't let you turn that into something so… so cold."

The werewolf laughed again, the low, bestial sound reverberating through the forest, and then it began to dissipate, as if it were made of smoke, the fluorescent green eyes being the last thing to disappear. " Hah! You... Will learn... Ethan !" the voice growled, now just an echo, before disappearing completely.

Ethan woke up with a start, his heart pounding in his chest, his body covered in a light sweat. He blinked several times, trying to get his bearings, and realized that he was still in Hope's room, with her sleeping peacefully beside him, her head resting on his chest. The warmth of her body calmed him almost instantly, but the wolf's words still echoed in his mind, making him restless. He ran a hand through his messy black hair, taking deep breaths to try to calm himself.

Looking at Hope, who was sleeping with a slight smile on her lips, he felt a wave of protectiveness and affection wash over him. No matter what his inner wolf said—to Ethan, Hope wasn't just a "strong female" or a pawn in a repopulation plan. She was the girl who had brought light back into his life, who made him feel things he thought he would never feel again. He held her tighter, kissing the top of her head softly, and closed his eyes, trying to push away the echoes of the dream.

He knew his presence at school was still something new, something others were trying to understand. And in a way, he was trying to understand himself, too—but in that moment, with Hope in his arms, he felt like he was exactly where he was supposed to be.