. The hours seemed to drag as he went through the motions at school, every second bringing him closer t

et, casting long shadows across the shimmering water. He spotted Lily sitting on their favorite rock, her si

as he approached, his v

a smile that quickly faded when she sa

imself. "There's something I need

e reached out to take his hand. "You can

ng down on him. "You remember that night a

r grip tighteni

ing that changed me." He struggled

ame from the nearby bushes. Both of them

Lily whispered, her

s on high alert. "Stay

h you," Lily insist

e noise. As they parted the bushes, they saw a figure darting away into th

figure ahead was fast, but Ethan's newfound agility allowed him to keep up. Fina

s Gab

t her here," Gabriel said sternly

here?" Ethan demande

to warn you. The full moon is r

usion and worry etched on her

elling her, but now was not the time. "Lily, pleas

voice trembling. "

serious. "The transformation is starting

gin. Pain wracked his body, and he fell to

d leaving, but finally, she took a step

Gabriel knelt beside Ethan. "Focus

ed his fear and agony into control, fighting to stay himself. The be

ood, his senses sharper, his body stronger, but his mind clear. H

y the beginning. There is much more to l

mination in his eyes. He knew he couldn't keep the secret much lo

prehension. The road ahead was uncertain, but with Gabriel's guidance and the