Ethan watched as Amelia stepped into his dorm room, her movements graceful and deliberate. She was calm, almost too calm, as if she had rehearsed this encounter in her mind a hundred times.
"Thanks for letting me in," she said, flashing a quick smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I know it's late, but I really needed to talk to you."
Ethan nodded, trying to keep his composure. The Red Hood was silent now, but he could still feel its presence lurking in the corners of his mind, waiting for a reason to resurface.
"What's this about?" he asked, leaning against the wall to put some distance between them. Amelia's aura was unsettling; something about her felt off, like a predator hiding its true intentions.
She hesitated, as if choosing her words carefully. "You know who I am, right? I mean, you've probably heard about me—about my family."
"The Silver Fang Clan," Ethan replied, his voice neutral. He knew enough about the Silver Fangs to be wary. They were known for their speed, their agility in battle, and their fierce loyalty to their own kind. But beyond that, they were ambitious, always looking for ways to strengthen their position among the werewolf clans.
"Right," Amelia said, nodding. "But this isn't about my clan—it's about you, Ethan. About what you are."
Ethan's pulse quickened. He had expected as much, but hearing it confirmed made his heart pound harder in his chest. "What do you mean?" he asked, though he knew exactly what she was getting at.
"You're the last of the Red Hoods," Amelia said bluntly, her green eyes locking onto his. "Everyone knows it. The other clans—Silver Fangs, Blood Moon, Nightshade—they're all talking about you. They want your power, Ethan. They want your bloodline."
Ethan clenched his fists, trying to keep his emotions in check. "And what about you, Amelia? What do you want?"
She took a step closer, her expression softening slightly. "I'm not here to hurt you, if that's what you're thinking. I came to warn you. Things are getting dangerous. You need to be careful who you trust."
"Why should I trust you?" Ethan asked, his tone sharper than he intended. "How do I know you're not here for the same reason everyone else is?"
Amelia sighed, running a hand through her silver hair. "I get it—you have every reason to be suspicious. But believe me, I'm not like the others. My clan... we don't want to hurt you. In fact, we want to help you."
"Help me?" Ethan echoed, skeptical. "Why?"
"Because we know what's coming," Amelia said, her voice lowering to a near whisper. "The Blood Moon Pack—they're planning something big. They've been gathering allies, preparing for a move against you. And it's not just them—there are rumors that the Nightshade Order is involved too. If they get to you first... well, let's just say it won't end well."
Ethan's mind raced. The Blood Moon Pack was ruthless, and if they were planning to make a move, it meant trouble. But the idea that the Nightshade Order was involved made his blood run cold. They were known for their dark magic, their willingness to dabble in the forbidden to achieve their goals.
"And what's in it for you?" Ethan asked, narrowing his eyes. "Why would the Silver Fangs care what happens to me?"
Amelia bit her lip, hesitating again. "My father—Lysandra Silver—thinks you could be an ally. She believes that with your power, we could put an end to this feud once and for all. No more wars, no more power struggles. But... it's not just about politics for me. I've seen what happens when power falls into the wrong hands. I don't want that for you, Ethan. I don't want you to become a pawn in their game."
Ethan studied her, searching for any hint of deception. But all he saw was sincerity—or perhaps, desperation. The Red Hood stirred within him, its voice a low growl. *She's hiding something, Ethan. They always are. Don't be fooled by her pretty face.*
"Even if I believe you," Ethan said slowly, "what am I supposed to do? I can't control what's inside me. Every time I let it out, people get hurt. How can I trust myself, let alone trust anyone else?"
Amelia stepped closer, her hand reaching out as if to touch his arm, but she stopped short, pulling back at the last moment. "You don't have to do this alone," she said softly. "There are ways to control it, to harness it without losing yourself. My clan... we can help you learn how. But you have to trust me."
Ethan's heart warred with his mind. He wanted to believe her, wanted to accept the help she offered, but the Red Hood's voice was a constant reminder of the danger he posed—to others and to himself.
*Trust her, Ethan,* the Red Hood murmured. *Let her get close. And when the time comes, use her. That's what they would do to you.*
Ethan shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. "I need time to think about this," he said finally. "This is a lot to take in."
Amelia nodded, though disappointment flashed briefly in her eyes. "I understand. But don't take too long, Ethan. The others won't wait. And when they come for you..."
She trailed off, letting the warning hang in the air.
Ethan nodded, his mind heavy with the weight of her words. As Amelia turned to leave, she paused at the door, looking back at him with an expression that was almost... sad.
"Just remember," she said, "not everyone is your enemy."
With that, she was gone, leaving Ethan alone with his thoughts—and the Red Hood's laughter echoing in his mind.
*Not everyone is your enemy,* the Red Hood mocked. *But that doesn't mean you have any friends.*
Ethan sank onto his bed, burying his face in his hands. The world was closing in on him, the danger growing with every passing moment. And deep down, he knew the Red Hood was right. The time would come when he'd have to make a choice—a choice that could change everything.