The world was silent when Elias woke, lying flat on his back in a dense forest. His body felt heavy at first, as if he had fallen from an incredible height, yet there was no pain. He blinked, adjusting to the dim light seeping through the towering canopy of trees. Everything felt sharper—the earthy scent of the forest floor, the distant rustle of leaves, the faint chirp of birds high above. Yet it was all wrong. The air was too still, too ancient. This wasn't Beacon Hills.

Pushing himself upright, he glanced down at his hands. Dirt clung to his palms, and his nails had elongated into claws during his unconscious state. He flexed his fingers, watching as they retracted with a thought. His instincts were already on high alert, and his Alpha senses thrummed beneath his skin. He could hear the forest breathe, the subtle shift of creatures moving far beyond his sight.

"Where am I?" he muttered, his voice hoarse. The sound of his own voice startled him in the oppressive quiet.

Elias stood, brushing off the dirt from his clothes. He was still wearing the jeans and leather jacket he'd been in before... before what? His memory was a blur—a flash of silver light, a searing pain, then nothing. Now, he was here, wherever here was. His breath fogged slightly in the cool air, and he instinctively scanned his surroundings, his heightened senses alert to any danger.

The forest stretched endlessly in all directions, ancient and foreboding. Trees, gnarled and massive, towered over him, their roots snaking across the ground like veins. The scents were unfamiliar—wild, untamed, and tinged with something faintly metallic. Blood. Not fresh, but recent enough to stir unease.

He took a step forward, his boots crunching softly against the undergrowth. The sound seemed unnaturally loud, and he froze, ears straining. A bird flapped its wings and took off somewhere to his left, but nothing else moved. Yet, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched.

Elias shook his head, trying to focus. "First things first," he said aloud. "Find water. Find people. Figure out what's going on."

Hours passed as Elias wandered through the forest. The sun was dipping lower, casting long shadows that danced eerily among the trees. His hunger gnawed at him, but his wolf instincts kept him moving. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was being stalked, though every time he turned, the forest seemed empty.

Finally, he stumbled upon a stream. The water sparkled faintly in the fading light, and Elias dropped to his knees, cupping his hands to drink. The cool liquid refreshed him, and he splashed some on his face, trying to clear his mind.

That's when he saw them.

Reflected in the water, just beyond the trees, were three figures. Pale, unnaturally still, and watching him. Elias didn't move. He straightened cautiously, his instincts screaming at him to remain calm. The figures lingered for a moment longer, then recoiled, stepping back into the shadows as if disturbed by something they couldn't explain.

Slowly, Elias turned his head slightly, scanning the area. The forest was silent once more, save for the soft gurgle of the stream. Whatever they were, they hadn't wanted to be seen. And they'd been afraid of him.

"Good," he muttered, a grim smile tugging at his lips. Whatever this place was, it wasn't ready for him.

Elias eventually came upon a small village as night fell. It was tucked into a clearing, surrounded by crude wooden walls. Smoke curled lazily from a handful of chimneys, and the faint hum of human activity reached his ears. He paused at the edge of the forest, studying the settlement. These people were nothing like those he'd known. Their clothes were simple, their movements cautious, as if they feared the shadows around them.

When he finally approached, a group of villagers eyed him warily. An older man, likely a leader of some sort, stepped forward.

"Stranger," the man said, his voice rough but firm. "You've come from the woods?"

Elias nodded. "I'm lost. I'm looking for answers."

The villagers exchanged uneasy glances. The old man's gaze lingered on Elias' face, but he seemed to decide against questioning too much. Instead, he gestured for Elias to follow.

Inside the modest village hall, the man spoke in hushed tones. "These are dangerous times, traveler. The woods are not safe, especially at night."

"I noticed," Elias replied, his voice calm but probing. "What's out there?"

The man hesitated before answering. "Bloodsuckers," he said finally, the word laced with disdain and fear. "Creatures that look human but are anything but. They prey on us, and they grow stronger with every drop of blood they take."

Elias leaned back, processing the information. Bloodsuckers. Vampires. He'd heard the term in folklore, but here it carried a weight that was all too real.

The elder poured a small cup of something for Elias and slid it across the table. "Drink," he said, his tone unreadable.

Elias hesitated, his senses catching a faint, sharp scent mixed into the liquid. He lifted the cup, sniffing subtly. The taste was odd, earthy, and slightly bitter, but it didn't affect him. If it was meant to be a test, it had failed. He drank without flinching and set the cup down.

The elder's gaze remained fixed on him, but after a moment, he gave a curt nod. "You're not one of them," he said, his voice softening slightly. "You can stay. But be warned: no one enters this village after dark. If anyone comes to your door, do not let them in."

Elias inclined his head, hiding the flicker of amusement at the man's caution. He was no stranger to danger, but this world's rules were quickly becoming apparent.

Elias stepped outside, the moon rising high above. He tilted his head slightly, letting his wolf instincts take over as he sensed the danger lurking beyond the village. A low growl escaped his throat as he prepared for whatever came next.