The Hunter and the hunted

I lay there on my bed, staring out at the ceiling, my mind tangled in the day's chaos. Across the room, Mike was already asleep, his snores filling the small dorm. I tried to focus on the tour, the campus, the new faces—anything but the book.Those weird pointy symbols, like broken glass, all twisted and dark, and a low buzz, like a phone vibrating, but it was all coming from the book. It was like they were fused to the back of my eyelids."

And then there was her.

Lidia.

I couldn't shake the memory of her-dark hair, sharp features, those striking green eyes. "

When I felt her look earlier, it wasn't just, you know, looking. It was like she was running a diagnostic or something, totally throwing me off.

My phone buzzed, jolting me from my daze.

I grabbed it, already knowing who it was.

"Hey, Dad," I answered, keeping my voice low so I wouldn't wake Mike.

"How's it going? Settling in okay?" Dad's voice was steady, but I caught the underlying tension. He always seemed to be on edge.

"Yeah, all good," I replied, then hesitated.

The book. Should I tell him? But how could I explain it when I barely understood it myself?

"Everything's fine, Dad," I lied, my hand tightening into a fist.

A beat of silence. I could almost hear him weighing my words.

"Good. Remember to call if you need anything, okay?"

"I will, thanks, Dad."

Click.

The call ended, leaving a heavier silence. My thoughts drifted back to Lidia.

Those eyes... that strange, whiskey-green color. I couldn't get them out of my head.

I need to stop thinking about her.

**************************************

Meanwhile, across campus.

In a dimly lit room, Lidia sat cross-legged on her bed, phone pressed against her ear. Her fingers tapped absently against a book-"Myths of the Ancient World"-as she listened to the voice on the other end.

"I haven't found it yet," she murmured, glancing toward the window as if expecting to see something-or someone.

"Are you sure the Grail's prophecy is not mistaken?"

Silence.

The voice on the other end was firm, carrying a weight of expectation.

"Find it."

Click.

Lidia exhaled slowly, setting the phone down.

Her fingers traced the book's leather cover, as if the answers were etched onto its surface. "How am I supposed to find it?" she whispered.

She touched the pendant around her neck, feeling the cool metal against her skin. The needle inside spun aimlessly, as if it had lost its power.

But," I have to do this. If I mess this up, things would get really bad."she sighed.

Her mind, suddenly drifted back to the library.

Ethan.

His eyes... there was something disarming about the way he looked at her. She pushed the thought away.

A faint smile played on her lips. "He was kind of cute, I guess."

**************************************

Far away from Blackwood University.

A man stumbled out of a bar, his steps uneven but deliberate. The night was quiet, the distant hum of city traffic mixing with occasional bursts of laughter from nearby streets.

He turned down a darkened alley, the only light flickering from a streetlamp at the far corner.

Then he stopped.

Without turning, he spoke, "You can come out now. I smelled your scent a mile away."

From the darkness, Robert stepped forward, his expression grim. He held a military-style dagger in one hand, a revolver holstered at his waist.

His eyes focused intently on the man.

"I'm looking for someone," he said, his voice cold. "Someone who might be part of your pack."

"Considering only one pack exists in this town, I'm guessing you know who I'm looking for."

The man chuckled, a low, mocking sound. "And why would I tell you that?" His tone turned condescending.

"Tell me, and maybe this will go easier for you. If not, you'll be in a lot worse shape later when you're bleeding out on the pavement."

Then, as if realization dawned, he said, "Ah... you must be the hunter that's been sniffing around. What's the matter? Lost your way?"

Robert didn't respond. Instead, in one fluid motion, he drew the dagger across his palm, letting his blood soak its blade, its edge gleaming under the dim alley light.

The man's smirk faltered; his eyes suddenly tainted blue.

"Just an Omega," Robert muttered, like he was talking about a bug he stepped on."

"You must have been bullied to end up drinking alone in a bar. Or are you just that pathetic?"

The man snarled , his eyes glowing brightly as his form shifted. His amusement giving way to anger as silver fur sprouted across his skin, a guttural growl ripping from his throat, as if announcing his birth.

His bones snapped, and within seconds, his form stretched upward, muscles expanding, fur bristling as his full transformation took hold.

The air was thickened with a musky smell, the tension could be felt eeringly, like something was about to snap."

The man..no beast, now standing upright, without warning lunged-instantly.

Robert pivoted-almost too slow to react.

The beast's claws grazing his jacket. His dagger instantly finding its ribs as if instinct, the steel sinking deep, the beast wound hissing as the poisoned blood seeped into its muscle.

A kick to his sternum sent him sprawling across the pavement, gravel biting into his palms. He fired mid-roll, bullet punching through the beast fur, but the creature barely flinched, its eyes burning brighter with pain-laced rage.

Attacking once more, the beast's claws slashed through the air-

Robert leaned back swiftly, feeling the wind from the strike pass inches away from his throat.

Yellow eyes, soft laughter, dark fur, blood...

He pushed the memories down, focusing on the fight.

He quickly retaliated with a slash across the beast's legs.

Causing it to stagger.

It then paused-its chest heaving as it bared its teeth toward him.

Robert grinned, cold. "What's wrong? Getting tired?"

The beast roared, attacking with renewed fury.

Its sclaws swung just inches away from taking his head, but robert found an opening and with a swift, calculated swing, he drove his dagger deep into the beast shoulder, twisting it before yanking it free.

The beast staggered weakly, its wound refusing to close.

It slowly reverted it's form, collapsing against the alley wall , a crazed laughter escaping his lips despite the pain.

Robert stepped closer, revolver aimed. "Last chance. I know someone in your pack was responsible. Tell me who."

The man grinned through bloodied teeth. "And what makes you think I'd betray my own?"

The man's grin widened. "We all know why you're hunting us. But you'll never-"

The dagger flashed once more, silencing him mid-sentence.

Robert exhaled, stepping back as the body slumped to the ground.

He wiped his blade down, carefully, like it was some kind of important tool, then he holstered his revolver, letting out a quiet exhale, as if shaking off a ghost.

Robert's jaw tightened. Another dead end. Another failure."

Without another word, he turned and disappeared into the night.

Leaving a message to those still hiding in the dark.

The hunt wasn't over. It was just beginning.