Chapter 5: Claws in the Dark

Logan's POV

Beacon Hills High had never looked less inviting.

The parking lot was a blur as Logan stepped out of his truck, his boots crunching on the gravel with every step. It wasn't that he didn't like the town—he just didn't like the feeling of being tied down. Every place he'd ever been, he'd made sure to leave before it got too comfortable. But something about this town, this school, itched at the back of his mind. And if he was being honest, it wasn't just the werewolves that were making him feel this way. It was her.

Allison.

He didn't know what it was about her, but the moment she'd walked into the school that first day, everything in him had frozen. Her smile, the way she moved, the sharpness in her eyes—it made something inside him stir, something primal, something that had long been dormant. She wasn't just any human girl. She was more than that. And part of him knew, in some deep, unspoken way, that she was destined to be wrapped up in this mess.

But not now. Not yet.

He shoved his hands into the pockets of his leather jacket, glancing at the entrance to the school. Focus. He was here for one reason, and one reason only: to keep an eye on things. Be the silent protector, just like his father had taught him. No distractions. Especially not from her.

But when he turned his head, there she was.

Allison Argent.

Her eyes met his across the parking lot, and for a split second, something in the air shifted. She tilted her head slightly, as if she could sense his presence, as if there was something about him she couldn't quite figure out.

Logan gave her a short nod, a brief acknowledgment. He wasn't here to make friends. But it didn't stop the tightness in his chest. Dammit.

Allison's POV

She hadn't expected to see him today. But there he was, leaning against his truck like he owned the place, staring out over the sea of students moving in and out of the school.

Logan.

Every time she saw him, it was like she was seeing him for the first time. His sharp jawline, the way his eyes seemed to pierce through everything, like they were seeing straight into her. And despite the fact that he was always so calm, so collected, there was a wildness about him. A dangerous edge that kept her on her toes.

Today, there was something different in his gaze—something that made her wonder if he was actually paying attention to her.

She should've just walked away. But instead, she found herself walking toward him. Her feet moved on their own, pulling her closer, even though she tried to stop herself.

"Hey," she said, her voice steady but with a hint of uncertainty.

Logan straightened up at her approach, his expression unreadable. "Hey, Argent." He gave her a slight nod, the same one he always gave her. Nothing special, nothing out of the ordinary. But to her, it felt like a challenge.

"How's the new kid life treating you?" she asked, crossing her arms over her chest, trying to mask the curiosity bubbling up inside her.

"It's fine," Logan replied, his tone as neutral as always. "Just here to watch the world burn." His eyes flicked to the school, but his gaze didn't linger long.

Allison raised an eyebrow. "A little dramatic, don't you think?"

"Not really," Logan said, his lips twitching upward ever so slightly. "Seems fitting for a place like this."

Before she could respond, the bell rang, signaling the start of class. Logan took a step back, as if he were about to leave. But then, just as quickly, he stopped and looked back at her.

"See you around, Argent," he said, his voice low but carrying a weight that she couldn't ignore.

And with that, he turned and walked off, disappearing into the throng of students.

Allison watched him go, feeling a mix of frustration and something else she couldn't quite put her finger on.

James Howlett's POV

It had been years since James Howlett had walked into a classroom, let alone a high school. But here he was, standing in front of a group of teenagers, giving them his first lecture on history. History—a subject he could teach in his sleep. Hell, he had lived through most of it. But today wasn't about history. It was about something far more important.

His son.

Logan.

The boy was out there, somewhere in the school, and James had no doubt that he was already making an impression. But he wasn't here to keep an eye on Logan—he was here to teach, to blend in. He had a reputation to uphold, and while the idea of being a "normal" teacher made him want to roll his eyes, he knew it was necessary.

Besides, it gave him a chance to really see how Logan was handling things. His son was different, but he didn't need to admit it to the world just yet. They were both still walking a tightrope, one step away from revealing far more than they should.

James cleared his throat, standing at the front of the classroom, looking out over the sea of bored faces. "Alright, class. History is fun—whether you believe me or not."

A few kids snickered, and James smiled inwardly. He knew how to break through their boredom. He always had.

But as the students settled into their seats, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. The Argents had a lot more history tied to them than anyone realized, and that was something James wasn't sure he was ready to deal with yet.

Logan's POV

The day dragged on, the hours stretching longer than he would've liked. But he kept his distance, watching from the shadows. He saw her in the halls, talking to her friends, laughing, but there was something different in the way she looked at him now.

It was like she was waiting for something. Like she knew he was hiding something. And maybe, deep down, she was hoping he'd tell her.

He wasn't ready.

Not yet.

When the final bell rang, signaling the end of the day, Logan slipped out of the school. But just as he reached the parking lot, he heard someone calling his name.

"Logan!"

He turned, his eyes narrowing when he saw who it was.

Allison. Again.

"Need something?" he asked, his voice almost a growl, but he couldn't keep the curiosity from seeping through.

She hesitated for a moment, her hand running through her hair. "I— I don't know. I just thought… maybe you could help me with something."

Logan raised an eyebrow. "Help you with what?"

She bit her lip, her hesitation only making her more intriguing. "I don't know. Just… talk to me. About you. About whatever's going on with you."

For a moment, Logan was silent, staring at her as if she were asking for something he couldn't give. But then, a chuckle escaped his lips, low and rough. "You don't know what you're asking for, Argent."

Her eyes flashed with something he couldn't read. But for the first time, he didn't look away.

End of Chapter 5