The word hung in the air like a storm about to break.
"Werewolves."
Elara stared at the boy, unsure if she had heard him correctly.
"That's not funny," she said, her voice quieter than she expected.
"I'm not joking," he replied.
His golden eyes flicked briefly toward the windows at the end of the hallway, as if he were listening to something far away.
Something no one else could hear.
Mira crossed her arms. "Okay, this is weird. Who even are you?"
The boy ignored her.
His attention stayed locked on Elara.
"You need to take off that pendant," he said again. "Now."
Elara instinctively stepped back and covered the silver wolf pendant with her hand.
"No."
His expression hardened.
"You don't understand what it is."
"Then explain it," she shot back.
For a moment, he looked like he might actually answer.
But then—
A loud crash echoed from outside.
Students gasped and rushed toward the windows.
"What was that?"
"Did something hit the fence?"
Elara felt the pendant burn again.
Hotter this time.
Almost unbearable.
The boy cursed under his breath.
"They're here."
Her stomach dropped.
Before she could ask anything—
The fire alarm suddenly screamed.
Red lights flashed across the hallway.
Students shouted and pushed toward the exits.
"Everyone outside!" a teacher yelled.
The crowd surged forward.
Mira grabbed Elara's wrist so they wouldn't get separated.
"What is going on today?!"
But Elara couldn't answer.
Her eyes were searching for the mysterious boy.
He was gone.
Outside, the school courtyard was chaos.
Students stood in groups while teachers tried to organize them.
Elara scanned the area.
Then she saw him again.
Standing near the edge of the football field.
Watching the forest beyond the school fence.
His posture was tense.
Ready.
Slowly, Elara walked toward him.
"Hey," she called.
He didn't turn around.
"They followed you," he said quietly.
"What do you mean?"
He finally looked at her.
"You triggered the mark when you wore that pendant."
Elara frowned. "You keep saying that."
"Because it's true."
A cold wind swept across the field.
The trees at the edge of the forest shook violently.
Students nearby laughed nervously.
"Storm coming?"
But the boy's face grew darker.
"That's not the wind."
A deep howl rose from the forest.
Long.
Powerful.
Ancient.
This time, everyone heard it.
The courtyard fell silent.
Someone whispered, "Was that… a wolf?"
Elara's heart pounded against her ribs.
The boy stepped closer to her.
"You have two choices," he said.
"Run."
"Or learn the truth about what you are."
Her breath caught.
"What I am?"
He looked straight into her eyes.
And said the words that shattered her world.
"You're not just human, Elara."
"You're Lycan."