"The Morning after the Haunting."

"Guys, forget everything else," Aliyah said softly, wrapping her arms around unconscious Prizey. "Just be grateful that she's safe and back with us…"

John stood silently behind her, his heart thundering in his chest. He wanted to run up to Prizey, to hold her tight and tell her how worried he had been. But the words wouldn't come out. He didn't have the courage... not yet.

Prizey lay motionless, unresponsive. Her breath was steady but light, and the group was trying their best to bring her back.

"I think we need to get her to a hospital," Sonia suggested urgently.

Max glanced at the clock and then at the dark, vast forest around them. "It's way too late for that. We'd have to take the highway—and you know what that means..."

"No, no, no!" Rozy panicked instantly. "Not the highway at this hour! What if a ghost or some possessed witch tries to—ugh, eats us alive!"

"Rozy, for once, please…" Max sighed. "We're not going anywhere. Not tonight."

He looked back at Prizey. "We'll just keep trying to wake her up. Actually, this isn't the first time this has happened. Sometimes she gets nightmares so bad she passes out... or gets sleep paralysis."

Before Max could finish, John quickly stepped forward. "Wait—what does her mom do in these situations? How does she help her wake up? Please... tell me."

Everyone turned toward John, surprised at the desperation in his voice. But no one questioned it.

Aliyah knelt beside Prizey and nodded. "I think she'll come around on her own. And when she does, we'll ask her what happened. For now, let's all try to rest. I'll stay with her."

Max hesitated. "Aliyah, you need rest too—"

"No," she interrupted, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Prizey matters more right now."

Everyone else slowly disappeared into their tents, leaving Aliyah sitting beside Prizey, watching over her like a sister guarding her heart.

The Next Morning....

Prizey slowly opened her eyes, only to feel a storm raging inside her.

Her hands shot up and slammed against her forehead.

"Why… WHY can't I remember?!" she cried. "What happened last night? What did I see? Why was I there? HOW did I get back?! Nothing… nothing is coming back to me!!"

"Prizey, please!" Rozy rushed forward, grabbing her wrists gently. "Relax, okay? Nothing happened. You were just talking to us... and then fainted. That's all. You're safe now."

Soon, the whole group gathered, watching her cautiously. They wanted to ask—where had she vanished? How did she return like that? But when they saw how fragile she looked, they chose silence.

Sonia broke it first, with her usual snark. "Probably just fainted from seeing me beat her score on the hike."

Aliyah rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. Her blood pressure dropped, that's it. Rozy was right. She just passed out suddenly."

Max clapped his hands. "Okay, enough. John and I already packed everything into the van. Let's just head home."

"I'll drive," Prizey said suddenly, her voice steady.

Everyone objected, but she didn't back down—and in the end, they let her.

-----

At Max's House....

Later that day, Max set the breakfast table while his mom, Sandra, welcomed them all with warm hugs.

"Thank you, Auntie," Prizey said as she hugged Sandra tightly. "You really take such good care of me…"

"Of course I do, my dear," Sandra smiled. "You're my sister's daughter. You're family."

Prizey looked around at her friends as they chatted and filled their plates with food. She smiled softly.

"Alright guys, once we finish breakfast, meet me in my room," she said. "I'll explain the parts of our assignment you missed. Then John, Sonia, and Rozy can head home—I'll drop you myself. And tomorrow… we go to college for the final presentation. Let's crush it."

"YESS!" they all cheered.

-------

Meanwhile... In the Shadows of the Castle

Far away, in the silence of his ancient stone chamber, Xavier stood before a wall—eyes burning, fists clenched.

With one enraged shout, he slammed his fist into the wall, cracking the stone.

"No! I can't lose her… not again…!" he roared.

His voice echoed like thunder.

"I couldn't protect my family… but I won't let the same happen to Prizey. Not her."

He paced, his mind spiraling.

"Braxtara found her once… The others might come next. And if they do—no, I can't wait any longer."

He looked up at the moonlight cutting through his window.

"I have to find her. I don't care what I have to do. My mate is out there… and she's my only reason to keep breathing."

For a werewolf, tracking a human—especially one bound to his soul—was nothing more than instinct.

And so, the hunt began.

The college campus buzzed with chatter and excitement. Prizey walked through the halls like she owned them—head held high, eyes forward, her every step echoing with confidence. Behind her, students whispered, turned, stared, followed. Some in admiration, others in envy. She didn't care.

She was fire and frost.

Later, in the classroom, groups were busy presenting their research. The teacher called out names, inviting each team to the front. Then came the moment.

"Next group... Miss Prizey and her team," the teacher announced.

But of course, Prizey—being Prizey—was napping at her desk, arms folded, head down.

Aliyah noticed immediately. Her eyes widened in panic. "Crap!" she whispered, quickly balling up papers and tossing them toward Prizey.

One missed. Another hit her back. Still no reaction.

The group stood up nervously, all eyes turning to the empty leader's spot. The teacher sighed.

"Miss Rebel is asleep again, I presume?"

Laughter echoed through the room.

But just as the teacher turned to continue, a hand touched her shoulder. She jumped slightly and turned around.

It was Prizey.

"Oops... Sorry, ma'am. But I wasn't sleeping this time," Prizey said, with a half-smirk.

She stepped forward confidently. "My brave team, let's show them what we've got."

With poise, she guided her group as they delivered the presentation flawlessly. Her leadership radiated not through pride, but empowerment—she didn't hold the trophy alone when their win was announced; she handed it to her teammates, making them the center of attention.

The principal took note. She smiled—clearly impressed.

Later that night, at the winning party…

The celebration was wild. Music, dancing, cheering. But as usual, Prizey stood on the edge of the crowd—lost in her own world, sipping a cold drink, her mind somewhere far away.

Two Days Later...

It was a normal morning at college. First lecture.

Prizey and Aliyah sat at their desk. While the rest of the class seemed alert, Prizey was preparing for her favorite activity—napping. Her head leaned down, eyes heavy.

But something wasn't right.

"Wait," she whispered. "Isn't this supposed to be math class? Why is the history teacher here?"

Aliyah chuckled, shaking her head. "You're hopeless."

Prizey groaned. "History is cursed... I swear if I get another medieval war thrown at me, I'll start one myself."

Then, the teacher spoke.

"Students, I apologize for the surprise," she said. "But today we have a new member joining our class. I expect everyone to welcome him with kindness. Please meet... Simon."

The door opened.

Gasps spread across the classroom like wildfire. Even the boys stared.

There he stood—towering at 6'4", broad chest under a black tank top, ocean-blue eyes glowing like deep waters, tousled black wolf-cut hair tied into a small ponytail, and low white cargo pants hanging with lazy confidence.

A walking sin.

Girls lost their minds. Phones dropped. Whispers flew.

Aliyah slapped Prizey's arm. "Girl. Get up. Get up now. You're about to thank the gods."

Prizey groaned, raising her head lazily. "What is it now—another transfer zombie or—"

And then she saw him.

Her words faded. Her mouth parted.

"He's... so majestic," she murmured, without even realizing.

Aliyah turned slowly to her. "Ohooo... So my so-called savage Prizey just fell in love?"

Prizey snapped out of it. "What? Wha—No! I wasn't talking about him! I was... I meant the... history teacher, obviously. Yeah, he's looked... majestic today."

Aliyah burst into laughter, nearly falling off her seat. "Oh my God! Prizey, your sense of humor is criminal. Majestic? History sir?"

Meanwhile, at the front of the class, Simon—or rather, Xavier in disguise—kept his eyes locked on only one person.

Prizey.

He didn't need the mask anymore. Not today. Today, he wanted her to see him.

And she had.

The savage girl just didn't know yet—he wasn't here for college.

He was here... for her.

Simon quietly took the seat beside Max, but his piercing gaze never left Prizey — like she was the only soul in the room that mattered.

Max, curious as ever, nudged him playfully.

"Hey new friend! I'm Max."

Simon smiled slightly. "Hi. I'm Simon."

Max leaned closer. "So... where were you before this college?"

Simon hesitated, thinking quickly. "Uhh... not from here. I was living in... the Amazon."

Max nearly jumped out of his seat, eyes wide.

"WHAT?! You lived in the Amazon?! Like... the jungle? Seriously?!"

The class went silent. Whispers broke out. Even the teacher paused mid-sentence and looked up sharply.

"Max!" she snapped. "What's going on?!"

Max pointed toward Simon like he'd found Bigfoot.

"Ma'am, Simon just said he's from the Amazon!"

Before she could react, Simon quickly stood and clapped a hand over Max's mouth.

"NO, no ma'am — misunderstanding! I meant... amazing country. Max just heard it wrong and thought I said Amazon. Haha... funny, right?"

The teacher stared at both of them suspiciously. "Sit down. Now. And not another word."

They both dropped into their seats.

Simon glared sideways. "Couldn't you wait to hear the whole sentence?"

Max snorted. "Sorry! But dude — it really sounded like jungle vibes. I mean... you do look like a wild guy."

Simon's eyes narrowed. "Wild guy? What's that supposed to mean?"

Max shrugged innocently. "Chill! I didn't say you're a chimpanzee or anything... or like, a fox or—"

Simon choked. "EXCUSE ME? You think I'm a chimpanzee?!"

Max laughed harder. "No! I'm saying I didn't think that! You're taking it wrong. It's not like I called you a werewolf or something."

Simon suddenly went stiff.

"W-What did you just say?" His voice dropped.

"I said werewolf. Relax! I was joking. Unless... wait—" Max leaned in. "You're not seriously a werewolf, are you?"

Simon panicked. "No! I mean — of course not! Werewolves aren't real, okay?! Just... stories."

Meanwhile, in Simon's head:

Oh Moon... this kid's gonna expose me! Mummyyy someone stop him before I shift mid-class!

"Silence!" the teacher snapped. "Both of you! Last warning!"

Simon quickly muttered, "Sorry, ma'am," and slouched down, trying to disappear.

---

💬 Prizey (overhearing them, internally):

Amazon? Chimpanzee? Werewolves? What kind of boy is this… and why does his energy feel so familiar?

Simon couldn't help it—his gaze stayed locked on her.

Prizey.

Sitting two rows ahead, with an aura colder than winter nightfall. Her every glance behind sent sparks through his chest, though she looked at him like he was a bug on a windshield.

She turned again.

He smiled.

A slow, soft smile. His chin rested lazily on his hand as if he were posing for a romantic painting.

She scowled and turned back, annoyed.

But Simon? He was enjoying every second.

Max, beside him, glanced up while scribbling something in his notebook.

"Bro… you just walked into class and already crushing on someone?"

Simon blinked. "What? No, I—uh—I was just—"

Max smirked without looking. "That girl? Yeah, she's my cousin."

Simon immediately sat up straighter.

Max continued writing, his voice low and casual.

"Let me give you some advice, new guy. Don't fall for the face."

Simon blinked.

"She looks innocent," Max said with a dramatic pause. "But she's not."

Simon tried to chuckle. "What do you mean?"

Max glanced at him sideways. "I mean… if you're thinking about making her your girlfriend…"

He leaned in slightly.

"…you better make peace with your life."

Simon froze.

Max's grin widened. "She's already sent half the guys who flirted with her straight to the hospital."

He tapped his pencil against the desk.

"Didn't even say hi to them. Just boom. Hospital. Wheelchair."

Simon gulped.

In his head: What kind of moon-blessed savage goddess is she…?