Ava's knees buckled, the weight of Nathaniel's words sinking in like iron chains. Damon stepped forward, his stance unyielding, shielding her from the predator's gaze.
"I'm tired of your games, Nathaniel," Damon growled. "Whatever you think you're after, it stops here."
Nathaniel's smirk only widened, his eyes gleaming with malice. "Oh, Damon. Still playing the noble protector, are we? You can't stop what's coming."
Ava clenched her fists, forcing herself to step out from behind Damon. "What do you want from me?" she demanded, her voice steadier than she felt.
Nathaniel tilted his head, examining her like a puzzle he was eager to solve. "Your blood, darling. It holds the key to everything."
---
Before Ava could respond, Damon lunged, his movements fluid and precise. He clashed with Nathaniel, the force of their collision echoing through the clearing. Ava stumbled back, her heart racing as the fight unfolded before her.
Nathaniel moved like a serpent, his strikes calculated and deadly. Damon countered with raw power, his fists landing with bone-shaking force.
"You're out of your depth, old friend," Nathaniel taunted, dodging another blow.
Damon didn't reply, his focus unwavering. But Ava noticed the strain in his movements, the subtle signs of fatigue.
"Ava, run!" Damon shouted, his voice sharp and commanding.
She hesitated, torn between fleeing and standing her ground. But before she could decide, a pair of hands grabbed her from behind.
---
Ava thrashed wildly, her elbow connecting with her attacker's ribs. The man grunted but tightened his grip, dragging her closer to Nathaniel.
"Let me go!" she yelled, her voice laced with panic.
Nathaniel turned, his expression calm yet terrifying. "You have spirit. I'll give you that. But it's wasted here."
The silver charm in Ava's hand burned hot, almost as if it were alive. Without thinking, she clutched it tighter and swung her arm, slamming the charm into the chest of the man holding her.
A burst of light erupted, blinding everyone in the clearing. Ava fell to the ground, her body trembling from the sudden surge of energy.
When the light faded, Nathaniel's loyalist lay motionless, smoke rising from his chest.
"What the—" Ava whispered, staring at the charm in her hand.
Nathaniel's face twisted with fury. "So, the stories are true."
---
Damon seized the distraction, landing a brutal blow to Nathaniel's jaw. The man staggered but didn't fall, his rage fueling him.
"This isn't over," Nathaniel hissed, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. "You can't protect her forever, Damon. And when you fail, I'll be waiting."
With that, he vanished into the shadows, his remaining loyalist dragging the unconscious man behind him.
Damon turned to Ava, his chest heaving. "Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine," she managed, though her hands were still shaking. "What was that?"
"The charm," Damon said, his voice grim. "It's a relic. One of the few things capable of harming someone like Nathaniel."
Ava looked down at the silver charm, its surface now dull and cold. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because the less you knew, the safer you were," Damon replied, his tone laced with regret.
---
Back at the academy, the tension was palpable. Damon paced the room, his frustration evident. Ava sat on the edge of the bed, replaying the events in her mind.
"I can't keep doing this," she said finally, her voice breaking the silence.
Damon stopped, his gaze softening. "Doing what?"
"Running. Hiding. I need answers, Damon. Real ones," Ava said, meeting his eyes.
He hesitated, then sighed. "Your bloodline traces back to the original alphas, the first shifters to walk this earth. They were more than wolves—they were conduits of ancient magic. That magic runs through you."
Ava stared at him, her mind struggling to process his words. "So, what? I'm some kind of weapon?"
"Not a weapon," Damon said firmly. "A key. And people like Nathaniel will do anything to control you."
---
Elsewhere, Nathaniel stormed into Selene's lair, his mood darker than the night outside.
"She's stronger than I thought," he admitted, throwing a chair across the room.
Selene arched an eyebrow, her red lips curling into a sly smile. "A setback, nothing more. The girl is inexperienced. She'll slip eventually."
"And when she does?" Nathaniel asked, his voice low.
Selene stepped closer, her fingers trailing along his jaw. "We'll be ready. But for now, let her think she's safe. It'll make her fall that much sweeter."
---
Back in the dorm, Ava leaned against the window, staring out at the moonlit forest.
"What happens now?" she asked, her voice barely audible.
Damon stood behind her, his reflection sharp in the glass. "Now, we prepare. If Nathaniel wants a fight, we'll give him one."
Ava turned to face him, determination burning in her eyes. "No more secrets, Damon. If I'm part of this, I need to know everything."
He nodded, though the weight of his silence said more than words ever could.
Ava woke in the middle of the night, her chest tight and her skin slick with sweat. She wasn't alone.
A shadow moved in the corner of the room, and a cold voice whispered, "You can't escape your destiny, Ava. No matter how hard you try."