He could feel the night air as he finally found his way outside.
The sprawling estate was surrounded by dense forest. Jace took a deep breath, his senses overwhelmed by the rich, earthy scents.
He broke into a run, the sound of his own heartbeat roaring in his ears.
The farther he ran, the darker the forest became. He didn't know where he was going; all he knew was he had to get away.
But then the howling started again, closer this time. Jace skidded to a stop, his breath hitching.
The sound wasn't just from one creature; it was a chorus of predators closing in.
Fear clawed at him as he turned in circles, searching for an escape. The glowing eyes emerged first, piercing the darkness like twin flames.
Then came the hulking forms, their massive bodies moving with lethal grace. Wolves, but not ordinary ones. These were Lycans, beasts that defied nature. They were all real.
Jace stumbled backward, his foot catching on a root. He fell hard, his palms scraping against the ground.
The pack advanced, their growls ringing in his ears. The leader, a silver-furred giant, stepped forward, baring its teeth.
"No… Stay back!" Jace shouted, his voice cracking.
He found a stick close to him and hurriedly picked it up. "I don't want to hurt you." He shivered.
The silver Lycan lunged, its jaws snapping inches from Jace's face. He braced for the end, but it never came.
A deafening roar split the air, and the silver Lycan was thrown back. Jace blinked in confusion as a massive figure stepped between him and the pack.
It was Mike. But he wasn't Mike, like he was changing, shifting to something else.
In the blink of an eye, Mike was in his Lycan form.
He could see Mike's beastly muscle and fur, his black eyes glowing with an otherworldly light.
He let out a guttural snarl, and the pack hesitated, their aggression faltering. One by one, they backed away until they disappeared.
Jace stared in disbelief as Mike turned to face him. The transformation was seamless, his beastly features melting away until he was human again.
"You're lucky I followed you," Mike said, his voice calm but firm. "Running into the woods without knowing your place in this world is suicide."
Jace scrambled to his feet, his legs shaky. "What… what the hell was that?"
Mike placed a hand on his shoulder, petting him as if trying to calm Jace's nerves.
"That was your future staring you in the face. If you want to survive, you need to learn. And if you want revenge on those who wronged you, you'll need to embrace the power you've been given."
The mention of revenge lit a fire in Jace's chest. The betrayal of Jade, Great, and even his own mother replayed in his mind like a cruel loop.
He realized he didn't know who wanted him dead. He clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. "Teach me."
Mike's lips curled into a small smile. "Good. But remember this… this power comes with responsibility. Fail to control it, and you'll either become the very monster you despise, or you'd be tremble upon."
Before Jace could respond, another howl cut through the night. Mike's expression darkened, and he turned towards the sound. "Stay close, Jace. Things are about to get dangerous."
The two men disappeared into the forest, the shadows swallowing them whole.
"What are we looking for?" Jace finally asked, his voice breaking the silence.
Mike glanced back, his expression unreadable. "Answers."
Jace frowned. "That's vague. Care to elaborate?"
Mike stopped abruptly, turning to face Jace. His dark eyes glinted in the moonlight. "Out here, questions can get you killed. You'll understand soon enough."
Before Jace could press further, the wind shifted. A pungent scent hit him, sharp and metallic. His stomach churned, but his senses heightened. Blood.
Mike's gaze hardened. "Stay close."
The trees gave way to a small clearing. In the center, the grass was stained dark with fresh blood.
A lifeless body lay sprawled across the ground, its chest torn open by vicious claws. Jace's stomach lurched, but he forced himself to look.
"What the hell happened here?" he whispered.
Mike crouched beside the body, examining the wounds. "A warning."
"A warning from who?"
Before Mike could answer, a low growl rumbled from the shadows. Jace turned, his heart leaping into his throat. A figure emerged, tall and imposing, its eyes glowing an unnatural red. It wasn't a Lycan but something else—something else.
"Well, well," the figure said, its voice a deep, guttural snarl. "The leader of the Jacob's pack himself, gracing us with his presence."
Mike stood slowly, his posture calm but alert. "Malik. I should've known you'd be behind this."
The creature, Malik, smirked, revealing sharp, red teeth. "Always so quick to blame me, Mike. I'm hurt."
"What do you want?" Mike didn't flinch.
Malik's gaze shifted to Jace, his smile widening. "This one's new. Fresh meat, I see."
Jace felt a chill run down his spine as Malik took a step closer.
He instinctively backed away, but Mike's hand shot out, gripping his arm. "Don't show fear," Mike murmured. "It'll only make him feel superior."
Malik chuckled, the sound low and menacing. "Protective, aren't we? What's so special about this pup?"
"He's none of your concern," Mike said, his voice firm.
"Oh, but he is," Malik replied. "A fledgling in your pack means a potential threat to mine. You know the rules, Mike. No new alphas without council approval."
Jace's confusion deepened. "Council? What council?"
"He's under my protection." Mike ignored him, his focus remaining on Malik.
Malik's eyes narrowed, his smile fading. "Protection doesn't exempt you from the law. You're playing a dangerous game, old friend."
"Then make your move," Mike challenged, his tone icy. "You always do."
For a moment, the clearing was silent, tension crackling like electricity. Malik seemed to consider his options before taking a step back, his smile returning. "Another time, then. But don't think this is over."
With that, Malik disappeared. Jace let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.
"Who was that?" he asked.
"Trouble," Mike said simply. "Come on. We're not safe here."