Chapter 3 - Evander

I still remember the day she walked into school - the way the hallway seemed to quiet, the way every head turned to follow her. I was no exception. From that moment on, I couldn't help but notice her, my eyes drawn to her like a magnet. There was something about her that captivated me and I couldn't take my eyes off her, even if I tried. I was stuck in place, watching her every move.

My eyes kept drifting back to her, a habit I couldn't shake. It was infuriating, really. I didn't want to notice her, didn't want to be drawn to her. But I was.

Her face was etched in my mind like a work of art - the sharp angle of her jawline, the slight upturn of her nose, the full lips that seemed to pout even when she wasn't trying. I knew every curve, every contour, every freckle on her face. My sharp eyes taking in every detail of her. The shape of her eyes, like almonds, with a sharp outer corner and a soft, rounded inner curve. The color, a deep, rich brown that seemed to sparkle, taunting me. The way her eyelashes curled slightly at the tips, like a whispered secret. The gentle slope of her forehead, the delicate arch of her eyebrows. I knew it all.

As our eyes met, I could hear her heartbeat faster, like a drumbeat echoing through my chest. I sensed the faint tremble of her breath, the flutter of her eyelids. Her dark brown hair cascading down her back in gentle waves. I could smell the sweet scent of her skin, like honey and rare, exotic flowers, and taste the faint tang of her fear. I'd become attuned to the softest rhythms of her body, the quietest beats of her heart. I was consumed by her scent, obsessed. The air was charged with tension. Her gaze felt like a touch, stirring something deep within me.

I knew I should look away, but I was transfixed. I breathed deeper, hungry for more of her scent. The curve of her neck enticing, drawing me in like a moth to a flame. Only I was the monster here. Oh, what I'd do to her if I got my hands on her.

My palms tingled with the urge to claim her, to feel her soft skin against mine, her warm breath on my skin.

My best friend, Liam, shot me a cautious glance, his eyes searching for any sign that I might lose control. It had been weeks since I first laid eyes on her, and every time our paths crossed, he tensed, bracing for the worst. He'd picked up on my obsession, aware of how hard it was to control the primal urges simmering just below the surface. I couldn't blame him for worrying; the thought of claiming her was all I could think of, and it took everything in me to resist.

Our gazes broke apart, and she quickly looked away, hurrying down the hall. She took the next turn, disappearing from view. I took a step forward, my instincts screaming to follow her, but Liam's hand shot out, his palm pressing firmly against my chest. 'Don't,' he whispered, his voice low and urgent. It took everything in me not to rip his head off his shoulder.

I struggled to contain the bloodlust I felt, a low growl rumbled in my chest, my heart racing with the hunger for blood. Instead, I forced my way through the crowded hallway, in the direction away from her, Students parted way, and I ignored their curious glances following me as I passed. I brushed past them, my long strides eating up the distance, and burst through the doors, sprinting across the field and into the woods as fast as I could.

I ran in the woods, my feet pounding the earth, dodging trees and branches. My, the wind whipping through my hair. I pounded through the trees, running so fast that I my feet barely touched the ground.

As I ran, the rhythm of my footsteps and the rush of the wind cleared my head and dissipated my anger. But beneath the surface, I could feel it: the stirring of my wolf, the power that lay dormant within me. It was still weeks away from my 18th birthday when I would have full control. But I could sense the our bond growing stronger with each passing day, our thoughts merging as one.

My wolf was already straining against its bonds, eager to break free from the confines of my human form. I could sense its frustration, its anxiety clawing at my mind like a caged animal trying to escape. The alpha wolf within me seethed with a feral. I could feel it's rage at being confined for so long, it's bloodthirst threatening to consume my whole. I was unsettled, my emotions raw and on edge. The tension between my me and my wolf was building, a constant tug-of-war that left me feeling drained.

As the days passed, I knew the struggle within me would only grow stronger. And I knew that as the my eighteenth birthday approached, the struggle would get worse.

I pushed open the door, sweat-drenched and shirtless, after my long run. As I stepped into the living room of the pack house, I immediately spotted my father and Liam speaking in hushed tones. My father straightened as he faced me. I could feel his eyes scanning me, taking in my disheveled state.

I raised an eyebrow, my voice even. "You know I could hear you guys, right? You didn't need to whisper."

I strode over to the armchair, grabbed a towel draped over its back, and began to wipe the sweat from my face and chest. My father's gaze lingered on me, his expression unreadable. "Liam told me what happened today."

Liam looked away, clearing his throat nervously.

Unfazed, I turned to face my father, my eyes locked on his. "I'm sure Liam told you that I handled it well."

"Evander," my father began, his voice low and serious, "you almost went to her. She's human, you can't have anything to do with her."

"But I didn't," I replied, my voice firm as I swallowed. There was a point that I probably would have, but I stopped myself.

I knew the implications of being with a human and, as the son of the Alpha, I couldn't afford to indulge in such. I had a duty to uphold the laws of our pack.

My father's expression softened, and he placed a hand on my shoulder. "If you think you can't handle being around her anymore, then I think it's best you stay home for your transformation."

I considered his words, weighing the risks and I refused to back down. I wouldn't let a some fragile human girl have such an effect on me. I was an Alpha, destined to lead and I would not be swayed by my urges, no matter how intoxicating her scent was.

"That won't be necessary," I said finally, my voice deadly. "I can handle it."