-Ethan
As I watched his back fade into the night, I couldn't help but be amazed by him. The power of a supernatural creature was distinguishable by certain features. For werewolves, it was their fur and eyes. Red eyes and dark fur meant an alpha; gold eyes and brown or any other fur meant a beta; blue eyes and white or silver fur meant an omega.
Even though he was an alpha, I didn't fear him. Maybe it was because I, too, was a hybrid—vampire and werewolf. But unlike him, I could turn into my wolf form.
I was about to leave when the girl I had helped called out to me.
"Hi, thank you very much. My name is Lylia. And you?" she asked, smiling softly.
I didn't want to make small talk. I had already gotten what I came for. But then again, I could use her for something more.
"Ethan," I replied shortly.
"I just want to thank you for your help. Is there anything I can do for you?" she asked, her eyes full of genuine gratitude.
I smirked, entertained by her offer, but I simply said, "I got what I needed."
And with that, I walked away, knowing very well that we'd meet again.
-Nicolas
The next day at school, I still couldn't shake the anger from the previous night. I opened the classroom door, and the lesson had already started.
"Mr. Reed, you're late," the teacher scolded.
I simply replied with a commanding, "So?"
I took my seat at the back of the room, my gaze falling once again on Lylia. I couldn't help it. She had been the one thing on my mind since last night.
Then, the classroom door opened again.
A boy walked in, and my body tensed. No way.
Alice, sitting beside me, smirked. "It's him," she murmured in amusement.
"You must be the new transfer student," the teacher addressed him.
"Yes," he replied coolly. "My name is Ethan Blackwood, and I just transferred from Sky State High."
Sky State High? That was the best high school in the US.
"Sky State, huh?" the teacher muttered, clearly impressed. "I guess some people will have to learn manners now that they're not gonna be on top anymore."
I knew he was referring to me. The thought of this boy coming in and messing up my position only fueled my irritation.
"Calm down, Nick," Nathan whispered, sensing my growing frustration.
Mr. Gordon adjusted his glasses. "Are you a werewolf or a vampire?"
"Vampire," Ethan answered casually.
Something felt off. I didn't sense a vampire aura from him.
"Alright," Mr. Gordon nodded. "Where do you sit?"
"Sir, he can sit with me," Lylia interjected, motioning to the empty desk beside her.
"Yes, your previous desk mate transferred," Mr. Gordon agreed.
The moment Ethan took his seat beside Lylia, my mood soured. The entire lesson, I couldn't focus. He and Lylia were talking—too much. Laughing, whispering. I hated it. I kept staring at them, watching how she looked at him.
It twisted something inside me.
Lunch
At lunch, Nathan, Alice, and I made our way to the cafeteria. As soon as I entered, my eyes scanned the room.
And, of course, I spotted them.
Ethan and Lylia were sitting together, chatting with a group of students.
Then I saw it.
Her eyes lit up at something he said.
That was the last straw.
She was supposed to be mine—not fawning over some newcomer.
I stormed over to them and grabbed Lylia's wrist, pulling her up.
"We need to talk. Now," I growled.
Lylia yanked her hand back, eyes flashing. "No, I don't want to."
My gaze locked with Ethan's, and I saw it—the glint of amusement in his eyes.
"The infamous Nicolas Reed," he drawled. "It's a pleasure to meet you... in a more civilized way."
I clenched my fists, my voice dropping to a low venomous tone. "Likewise."
Lylia folded her arms. "What do you want, Nicolas?"
I snapped, "What's yours, Lylia? You're calling me Nicolas now? What happened to 'Nick'? Have you forgotten you're my—"
"You're what?"
Ethan's voice cut through the tension like a blade.
"Your girl?" He scoffed, his voice cool and taunting. "Remember, Mr. Reed, but I won the bet."
I stepped closer, my anger boiling over. Grabbing Ethan by the collar, I forced him to face me.
"You don't know what you're dealing with, Ethan," I spat. "I'm not someone you can mess with."
Ethan chuckled, his eyes glimmering with something dangerous.
"Oh, I think I have a pretty good idea, Nicolas," he murmured. "And I'm not impressed."
The air was thick with tension as we stood there, locked in a silent battle of wills.
Lylia's voice was somewhere in the background, trying to diffuse the situation. But I tuned her out.
This was between Ethan and me.
And it was far from over