Chapter 5 Whispers Beneath The Moon

• The moon hung low that night, silver and soft, like it was watching over me. But even its light couldn’t drown out the whispers that followed me everywhere.
• “Why’s she still here?”
• “She thinks the Stones like her?”
• “She’s just a stray, not even a real wolf.”
• Their laughter echoed down the hallway, sharp and cruel. I clenched my fists around my books and kept walking. I’d learned that reacting only made things worse. But tonight... something inside me felt different—louder.
• “Aw, look who decided to show her face,” Vanessa Grey said, stepping into my path. Her long blonde hair shimmered under the hall lights, perfect as always. Beside her, Tessa Langford folded her arms, smirking like she’d already won.
• “Move,” I said quietly.
• Tessa snickered. “Or what? You’ll cry again?”
• Vanessa tilted her head, her tone dripping with fake sweetness. “We’re just trying to help you understand your place, Scarlet. People like you don’t belong near the Stones.”
• My heart pounded, but I kept my voice steady. “And what place is that supposed to be?”
• Vanessa’s smile widened. “Somewhere far beneath us.”
• Before I could reply, the air shifted. I didn’t even have to turn to know they were there.
• The scent of strength and dominance filled the corridor — Liam and Lucien Stone.
• Vanessa’s smirk faltered, though she tried to hide it. “We’re just talking,” she said smoothly as Liam stopped a few feet away.
• “Didn’t sound like it,” Liam said, his tone cool but firm. His gaze slid to me, soft and unreadable. “You okay, Scarlet?”
• I nodded stiffly. “I’m fine.”
• But Lucien’s eyes told a different story. Dark. Sharp. Protective. He didn’t say a word, but the air between us pulsed.
• “Let’s go,” Liam said, his voice steady, almost commanding.
• Vanessa crossed her arms. “Maybe she should learn her place first.”
• That was it.
• Something inside me snapped—loudly.
• One second she was smirking; the next, a rush of energy burst from my skin.
• Lockers slammed open down the hall, papers flew into the air, and a faint blue shimmer surrounded me like a shield.
• Everyone froze. My pulse thundered in my ears as the energy crackled around me.
• Liam took a step forward. “Scarlet—”
• But Lucien moved faster. He grabbed my arm, grounding me. “Breathe,” he whispered, voice rough but steady. “Don’t fight it. Control it.”
• The glow flickered, then faded. The papers drifted slowly to the ground.
• Vanessa stared at me, wide-eyed. “What the hell was that?”
• Liam turned to her, his tone dark. “Nothing you’ll ever understand.”
• He led Vanessa and Tessa away, but Lucien didn’t move. He stayed beside me, his gaze steady and unreadable.
• “You felt that, didn’t you?” I asked quietly.
• He nodded once. “Yeah. And it scared the hell out of me.”
• There was silence for a beat—thick and charged.
• “I don’t know what’s happening to me,” I whispered.
• Lucien’s voice softened. “Maybe it’s not what’s happening to you… maybe it’s what’s finally waking in you.”
• Later that night, I couldn’t sleep.
• His words replayed in my mind, over and over.
• And when I finally drifted off, I dreamed of him again—
• the faceless man beneath the blood-red moon.
• Scarlet… find me before they do.
• I woke gasping, the mark on my skin burning hot beneath my collarbone.