bChapter /bb52 /b

The at history ss dragged on longer than usual, the professor lost in a passionate rant about 14th century frescoes and forgotten techniques ofyered pigments. I tried to forss–really, I did but my mind kept drifting to the group project we’d been assigned arber that week. To my midortune –– or perhaps Tale’s cruel joke Thad been grouped with Jose and Mario.

“Tresco mural project due next Friday,” the professor reminded, waving his notes in the air as the students packed their things. “Presentations in pairser trios. Use visuals. Be creativeb” /b

Creative Right

I shoved my sketchpad into my bag, trying to suppress a sigh.

“L” Jose called out, jogging up beside me as we neared the door. “Mario and I were thinking–maybe dinner tonight to brainstorm? There’s that cafe off Via Lorenzo, near the bookstore. Quiet, good light, good food.”

Thesitated.

y with it, of course.

No pressure.”

“be added.

Mario was already walking toward us, his over present soft smile painted across his lips. “Only if you’re okay i his tone light and considerate.

From the hallway, Audrey gave me a look. She never stood far, never more than a few steps behind. My loyal shadow, guardian, and friend. One raised eyebrow was all it took to ask You sure?

“I’m bfine /bwith it,” I said finally, forcing a polite smile. “See you there?”

Mario nodded. “Seven. I’ll reserve a tableb./bb” /b

That evening, I arrived at the café ten minutes early.

Audrey entered silently behind me and chose a corner seat where bshe /bcould observe every entrance. Her posture was rxed–but I knew her senses were fully alert

The call was small, cozy, bathed in warm amber lights. The smell of roasted coffee beans and fresh bread filled the airb, /band a slow jazz tune dritted from hidden speakers. It felt sade. Normal.

I picked ba /btable bnear /bthe window and opened my sketchbook, flipping to the nk pages I’d saved for this project. A soft pencil rested in my fingers. untouched.

Minutes ticked by

7:10 p.m. No sign of either Jose or Mario.

bI /bchecked my phone. Nothing.

7:20. Still nothing. My fingers hovered over the screen before I finally typed a messaga.

“Where are you?”

Jose responded almost instantly.

“I thought we canceled? Mario texted me. Said you had somethinge up.”

My brows furrowed. A chill ran down my sping!

“What the hell?” I muttered, lowering my phone.

Audrey’s eyes locked with mine. She rose from her seat, every bmuscle /bin her body tensing

11:08 Monb, /b14 Ju

“Something’s wrong” she said quietly, her voice calm but sharp like a de.

And I felt it, ten

The air shifted.

Not with the scent of wolves but something darker.

men entered the cal

One by one. From separate doors. All dressed casually–hoodies, denim jackets, scuffed shoes. They looked like students, maybe travelers. But they moved like predators. Too smooth. Too synchronized,

To the untrained eye, they were harmless.

Tous…not even close.

Istood up, my heart beginning to pound. Audrey did the same.

One of the men reached into his coat.

“Move Audrey barked

Chaos erupted.

Screams pierced the air as patrons ducked beneath tables and sprinted for exits. One rogue lunged at me, but Mika surged within me. I spun, ducked under his arm, and mmed my elbow into his ribs. He hit the floor with a groan, smashing a nearby chair.

Another charged Audrey, only to be flipped midair bby /bba /bswift movement. Her silver dagger shed in the low light, precise and deadly

Three down in seconds

Two more rushed me, I dropped low, sweeping one’s blegs /band mming my palm into the chest of the other, sending him flying back into ba /btable.

Still no shift. Just sheer instinct and raw strength, Mika lent bme /benough

Audreyered thest one, disarming him before he even blinked.

Then, a shout came from the kitchen door

“Stop!

It was Mario.

He stumbled into the room, hair messy, face bpale /bas bdeath/b.

“What the hell is going on?” I growled, chest heaving av stared at him. b“/bbYou /blied to us

“I bdidn’t/b!” he shouted, hands in the air. “I swear, I didn’t n this! I didn’t even know who they were until they threatened my family. They told m canceled tonight’s meeting, you’d be safe. That they bjust /bneeded a name.

Audrey’s de gleamed in her hand, “What name?“”

“They’re looking for someone. A bgirl/b. A wolf. I didn’t know it was you. I swear I didn’t I didn’t even know werewolves were real until ba /bweek ago I was ju a student bon /ban exchange program. They found bout /bwhere I was staying–my little brother and sister–please, I didn’t want to hurt anyone.”

He was shakingb, /bbeyes /bwide and terrified. I could smell the fear. It was real

“You’re human,” I said softly, more to myself than anyone else. “And you’re just a pawn.”

Mario nodded helplessly. “I thought it was over. That they’d leave you alone i

But even as he said it, Mika howled leside me.

Behind you!

Ablur moved outside the window. A figure–cloaked, swift, withs

I turned toote…

A sharp pain exploded in my side,

I gasped.

A syringe.

Injected.

The figure vanished into the shadows before anyone bcould /breact.

“Eine!” Audrey caught me before i fall, bher /bgrip strong. My bknees /bbuckled.

“What–what wa

didn’t show up.”

Mario stood frozen, horror etched across his face. “I didn’t bknow /bdidn’t know–oh my God..

“What the hell did they inject her with?!” Audrey yelled, her voice cracking with fury.

“I swear I don’t know!” Mario cried. “They didn’t tell me. Just said it would weaken her. That’s all I know

Suddenlyb, /bba /bfamiliar voice thundered through the mind–link.

‘Audrey. What is happening?”

bFrancesco /b

Audrey’s thoughts sharpened. “Café off bvia /bLorenzo. Rogues attacked. She’s been injected–she’s weakening

I’ming. NOW!

Momentster, the windows trembled.

A ck SUV screeched to a halt outside, doors flung open before the engine stopped. Francesco stormed in, golden eyes zing with raw fury with his high warrior. His presence consumed the space like a wildfire.

All eyes turned to them. Even the unconscious seemed to inch.

He didn’t pause.

His eyes locked on me.

And in two long strides, he was beside me, scooping me into his arms as if I weighed nothing

“What did they do to her?” he growled, barely containing the beast beneath his skin.

b“/bbSyringe/b,” Audrey reported. “Unknown substance. She’s going under fast”

Ime consciou

My head lolled against his chest. Everything was spinning. Francesco’s scent the forest, the storm, the safety–it was all that kept me

Psiuu!

Another syringe fired–this time aimed at Francesco.

But he dodged it with terrifying speed.

Then… a voice echoed in my mind.

‘Deathly toxin.’

Anastasia’s voice.

What…?

They weren’t targeting me.

Their real aim-

Was Francesco.

AE

b-ment /b

bSend /bbgift /b

No

$ 11:08 Mon, 14 Jui

Chapter b52 /b

– kill them, he whispered. His gaze snapped to Mario, “You… HUMAN,

“No.” I managed to whisper,

His eyes returned to me, shocked at my interjection.

“A trap…“Trasped.

“What?” Francesco frowned.

A sudden bowl tore through the air.

“IT’S A TRAP!” 1 screamed-

formb, /bsending the remaining human patrons into a frenzy of shricks and panic.

just as more rogues burst in, this time in wolf fo

Psiuub! /b

Another syringe fired–this time aimed at Francesco.

But he dodged it with terrifying speed.

Then… a voice echoed in my mind.

“Deathly toxin.”

Anastasia’s voice.

What…?

They weren’t targeting me.

Their real aim-

bWas /bFrancesco.