The air was heavy as Jayden emerged from the alley, his fists were still wet with blood, his metallic claws retracting slowly, glinting under the streetlight before fading back into his hands. His breathing was steady, calm, but his eyes were distant, as if a storm was still raging inside him.

Behind him, footsteps rushed closer.

"Jayden!"

Jessica's voice was the first to break through the silence. She and the others… Tasha, Cassandra, and Aileen hurried to his side, circling him with wide, worried eyes.

Jessica reached out, grabbing his arm, but pulled back when she saw the blood smeared across his knuckles. "You're hurt!"

Tasha's voice was soft but sharp, carrying concern. "Jayden, are you okay? You're bleeding."

Cassandra's face was pale, her lips trembling as she studied him. Even Aileen, usually so composed, couldn't hide the way her hands fidgeted. They had just witnessed him face down fifteen men and their leader. The sight of blood on him made it all the more real.

Jayden exhaled slowly, unclenching his fists. His eyes met theirs one by one, steady, calm, almost reassuring.

"I'm fine," he said simply. His tone was flat, but there was a quiet warmth to it. "They won't bother us anymore."

The girls glanced at each other, still worried, but none pushed further.

"Let's go home," Jayden added.

They all agreed.

The walk back was a quiet one. The earlier joy they had felt leaving school was gone, replaced with a heavy silence. The fight had shaken them. The brutality of it all, the terror of coming face to face with danger lingered in their minds.

Jessica kept her eyes down. Cassandra walked close to her, her thoughts silent and restless. Aileen bit her lip the whole way, avoiding Jayden's gaze.

But Tasha… Tasha kept stealing glances at him.

Her mind replayed the words the thug leader had spat out in rage before the fight broke out.

You killed one of us.

She remembered Jayden's face then. He hadn't denied it. He had stood there, silent, as if silently confessing. And later… he gave himself up, and didn't fight the claim.

Which meant it was true. He had killed before. And today, he had done it again.

Tasha's chest tightened at the thought. It wasn't something easy to accept.. the boy who lived under the same roof, who smiled at her, who laughed with them, was also someone who could kill without hesitation. But then again… he hadn't done it out of cruelty. He had done it for them. To protect them. To survive.

Her gaze lingered on him again. He looked lost now, conflicted, and tired. His eyes weren't glowing anymore, but there was a haunted look in them, a weight in his silence that she couldn't name. She thought about going to him, about breaking the silence and offering words of comfort. After all… it's not every day you just kill people.

But she stopped herself. Her lips pressed into a thin line. "Maybe… some other time," she thought.

But she wasn't the only one thinking it. Jessica, Cassandra, and even Aileen felt the same… each in their own conflicted way. But for Cassandra and Aileen, there was something else too: they had seen him vanish during the fight, something that looked a lot like invisibility. It unsettled them, left questions gnawing at the back of their minds. But neither wanted to bring it up now. That would be a conversation for another day.

For now, they were just grateful. Grateful to be alive. Grateful to Jayden.

When they finally arrived at Jacob's house, the atmosphere was already tense.

Penelope was there, pacing the floor anxiously. Aileen's driver stood rigidly by the door, his face lined with worry. Jacob and Harleen were both present, their eyes darting every time a car passed.

The moment the girls entered with Jayden, all three parents sprang up.

"Jayden! Jessica! Tasha!" Harleen rushed forward, pulling them all into a warm but frantic hug. Relief poured out in her voice as she whispered, "Thank God you're safe."

But after the embrace came the scolding. Her tone sharpened, though her hands still clung to them. "Do you have any idea how worried we've been? You should have called immediately!"

Penelope was already at Cassandra's side, dropping to her knees to hug her tightly. "Cassie, oh my sweet girl, are you alright?" Her voice trembled, betraying the fear she had carried.

"I'm fine, Mom," Cassandra muttered softly, clinging to her.

Jacob stepped in then, his voice calm but firm. "I'm glad you're all safe," he said, his eyes sweeping over Jayden and the girls. "But don't walk home on your own again. Not after this. It's clearly too dangerous."

Meanwhile, Aileen's driver hurried to Aileen. His face was etched with concern. "Young Mistress, are you hurt? Are you okay?"

Aileen chuckled lightly, trying to ease his nerves. "I'm fine, Walter. You don't have to worry so much." she said.

The air buzzed with emotions.. fear, relief, and the lingering shadow of what had happened.

Jessica finally spoke up, unable to hold it in. "Everything was fine at first… until they ambushed us." Her voice was soft, almost guilty. "They were stalking us. Waiting for us. And then… Jayden…" She trailed off, glancing at him. "Jayden fought them. All of them. He took them on so we could escape."

Gasps and uneasy looks followed. But Jacob, Harleen, and Penelope didn't look surprised. They exchanged quiet glances instead. They already knew Jayden's strength. They had seen it firsthand during the tournament. Jayden was no ordinary boy, he was something far more.

Still, gratitude filled the room.

"Thank you, Jayden," Harleen said sincerely.

"Yes, thank you for protecting them," Jacob added firmly. "I am forever grateful."

Penelope, her arms still around Cassandra, lifted her head and gave Jayden a soft nod of thanks.

Even Walter, hesitant but earnest, murmured, "Thank you for protecting the young miss. We are in your debt."

Jayden rubbed the back of his neck, uncomfortable with the praise. "It's fine. It was my job to protect them," he said quietly. "They were my responsibility."

Then, with a tired smile, he added, "I'm going to rest."

Jacob placed a hand on his shoulder. "Go. You've done enough."

Jayden nodded, gave a small smile, and turned away, heading upstairs. His body felt heavier with each step, exhaustion settling deep into his bones.

At his door, he reached for the knob… but paused when a voice floated across the hallway.

"Good job today," it said gently. "You were a real hero."

Jayden turned, surprised.

Penelope stood there, leaning against the wall with a small smile.

Jayden let out a tired chuckle. "It was nothing, really. They just… had a score to settle with me."

Penelope's smile turned faintly amused. "You mean they were out for revenge… for killing one of them."

Jayden stiffened. His eyes narrowed, though his voice stayed level. "Cassandra told you, didn't she?"

Penelope pushed away from the wall, slowly walking toward him. Her eyes glimmered with something unreadable. "She would be hurt to hear you say that."

Jayden raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

Penelope stopped in front of him, close enough that he could feel her breath. Her gaze locked onto his. "Because she didn't tell me."

Jayden's eyes widened slightly.

"She left that part out," Penelope continued softly. "She's covered for you, so you wouldn't get into trouble."

Jayden's voice was barely a whisper. "So… how did you know?"

Penelope's lips curved into a knowing smirk as she leaned closer. "Because I saw it happen."

Jayden's breath caught in his throat. He was utterly stunned.

Penelope's voice dropped lower, intimate, almost conspiratorial. "Who do you think moved your body to another alley that day? Jacob found you there, but that's not where you fell. You were unconscious in the middle of your enemies, Jayden. If one of them had woken up first, you would've been killed."

Jayden blinked, stunned. He hadn't known that. "But… why? How? We hadn't even met then."

Penelope chuckled softly. "Oh, we had. At the restaurant. Remember?"

"But don't worry, I wasn't stalking you." Her eyes sparkled mischievously. "I was just driving home when I saw you, claws out, fighting for your life in that alley."

Her smile dimmed slightly. "And then… I saw you kill him. Saw your claws go through his throat. By the time I reached you, you were unconscious. So I moved you and made an anonymous tip online to whoever was looking for someone that fit your description. Then I waited nearby until Jacob and the girls found you."

Jayden was speechless. For weeks he had wondered about that night. About what happened after. He had never guessed she was the missing piece.

Finally, he whispered, "Thank you… for saving me that day. I don't know what would've happened if you hadn't been there."

Penelope's eyes softened. She reached up and cupped his cheek, her thumb brushing against his skin. "I did save you," she said gently. "But only because you saved me first, by saving my daughter in that lightning storm. And again today."

Before Jayden could respond, she leaned in and kissed him.

His eyes widened at first, caught off guard, but instinct won out and he kissed her back. The kiss was warm, slow, lingering. When they finally pulled apart, Penelope's smile was soft, her hands still holding his face.

"You're a hero, Jayden. Nothing can change that."

Jayden's lips curved into a faint smile, his chest tight.

"Now go rest," she said finally, stepping back. "You've earned it." Then, with a sly smirk: "And I hope you haven't forgotten about our date on Monday."

Jayden chuckled. "I thought it was a gala."

"Same thing to me," she teased.

"Well, I didn't forget," Jayden said.

"Good," Penelope replied, brushing her lips across his cheek before turning away gracefully. "I'll send your outfit in time for the event. Make sure you arrive before eight… and bring a flower."

Her heels clicked softly as she disappeared down the hallway.

Jayden stood there for a moment, smiling faintly to himself. Then he turned, opened his door, and collapsed onto his bed. Sleep came quickly, the events of the day pulling him under at last.