The cold night air bit at Alexandra’s skin as she walked home from the library, her breath forming faint clouds in front of her. The campus was eerily quiet, the paths lit by flickering streetlights that barely cut through the darkness. She pulled her jacket tighter around herself, glancing over her shoulder for what felt like the hundredth time.
You’re just being paranoid, she told herself.
But the sound of rustling in the nearby bushes made her freeze mid-step. Her heart thudded painfully in her chest as her eyes darted around, searching for the source.
A low growl rumbled from the shadows. Alexandra barely had time to react before a massive wolf lunged at her from the darkness.
She screamed, stumbling backward as the beast snapped its jaws inches from her face. Her instincts kicked in, and she swung her bag at it with all her strength. The wolf growled in frustration but didn’t back off. Before she could catch her breath, two more wolves emerged from the shadows, circling her like predators sizing up their prey.
Alexandra’s mind raced. Her hands shook, but she refused to give in to fear. She picked up a heavy branch from the ground and swung it at the nearest wolf, landing a hit that made it yelp and retreat.
“Come on,” she muttered to herself, her heart pounding. “Don’t let them win.”
But there were too many of them. One wolf lunged at her, knocking her to the ground. Pain shot through her shoulder as she landed hard, and the wolf snarled, its sharp teeth inches from her neck. Alexandra struggled, trying to push it off, but it was too strong.
Suddenly, a blur of black and silver crashed into the wolf, sending it flying off her. Alexandra gasped, her vision clearing just enough to see Agor standing over her, his silver eyes blazing in the moonlight.
“Stay down,” he growled, his voice guttural and rough.
Before she could respond, he shifted mid-step, his body transforming with terrifying speed. His massive black wolf form was larger than any of the rogues, and his strength was ferocious.
Agor tore into the wolves with brutal efficiency, his fangs and claws ripping through fur and flesh. Alexandra watched in stunned silence, her chest heaving as the fight unfolded before her. One by one, the rogues were either killed or driven away, their snarls fading into the distance.
By the time it was over, Agor stood panting, his black fur matted with blood. He shifted back into his human form, collapsing to his knees.
“Agor!” Alexandra scrambled to her feet, rushing to his side. His chest was heaving, and a deep gash ran down his arm.
“I’m fine,” he muttered, wincing as he tried to push her away.
“Like hell you are,” she shot back, looping his arm over her shoulder. “You’re hurt. Come on, we’re going to your dorm.”
When they finally reached Agor’s dorm, Alexandra practically dragged him inside, her panic barely contained. She flipped on the lights, guiding him to the small bed in the corner.
“Sit,” she ordered, her voice firm.
Agor smirked weakly, his silver eyes glinting despite the pain. “You’re bossy when you’re worried.”
“Shut up,” she snapped, grabbing a first-aid kit from his desk.
She knelt in front of him, her hands trembling as she pulled off his bloodied jacket. The sight of his injuries made her stomach twist—deep claw marks ran down his chest and side, and bruises were already forming along his ribs.
“This is bad,” she muttered, reaching for a clean cloth.
“I’ve had worse,” Agor said, though his voice was strained.
Alexandra ignored him, focusing on cleaning the wounds. But as she pulled off the last layer of his blood-soaked shirt, her hand froze.
There, folded neatly in the corner of the drawer beneath his jacket, was another shirt—a black one emblazoned with the unmistakable emblem of the Black Stone Pack.
Her uncle’s pack.
Her blood ran cold.
“Is that…?” She trailed off, her voice trembling.
Agor followed her gaze, his expression darkening. “Alexandra—”
“You’re one of them,” she whispered, her chest tightening with a mix of anger and betrayal.
“It’s not what you think,” Agor said quickly, sitting up straighter despite the pain. “Let me explain.”
But Alexandra shook her head, stepping back as tears filled her eyes. “You lied to me. This whole time—you were working for him.”
“Alexandra, please,” Agor said, his voice rough. “It’s not what it looks like. I—”
Before he could finish, Alexandra slapped him across the face, the sound echoing in the small room.
“Stay away from me,” she said, her voice breaking as she stormed out of the dorm.
Alexandra didn’t stop running until she reached Liam’s apartment. Tears streamed down her face as she pounded on the door.
“Alex?” Liam opened the door, his face full of concern. “What’s wrong?”
The moment she saw him, the dam broke. She collapsed into his arms, sobbing uncontrollably.
“It’s him,” she choked out. “He lied to me. He’s with them—my uncle’s pack.”
Liam’s arms tightened around her, his hand stroking her hair soothingly. “It’s okay, Alex,” he murmured. “I’m here. You don’t have to deal with this alone.”
Alexandra buried her face in his chest, her body shaking with grief and anger. “I trusted him, Liam,” she whispered. “I thought—”
“You don’t have to say anything,” Liam interrupted gently. After Alexandra finally fell asleep on his couch, Liam’s gentle expression hardened. He reached for his phone, typing a quick message with steady hands.
“Mission successful. She doesn’t trust him anymore.”