The following morning, I walked into school expecting it to be just like every other day. A few glares from Damon's pack, some whispered rumors about the Shadow Crescent wolves, and maybe, if I was lucky, a little bit of peace before lunch.
Instead, I walked into chaos.
Kian was leaning against my locker, arms crossed, watching two wolves square off in the middle of the hallway.
"What the hell is going on?" I asked, stopping beside her.
Kian snorted. "Apparently, one of Damon's wolves thought it was a good idea to run his mouth about us."
Nova popped up beside me, her red hair practically sparking with her energy. "Said we weren't real wolves. That we only fight the way we do because we cheat."
I raised a brow. "And what, exactly, did we cheat at?"
"Existing, apparently." Kian rolled her eyes.
I sighed, rubbing my temples. "And I'm guessing our wolves didn't take that well?"
Nova grinned. "Not even a little."
The fight hadn't escalated past growls and tense posturing yet, but I could feel how close it was to turning into a full-blown brawl.
Damon's Beta, Jackson, stood off to the side, looking torn between stepping in and letting it play out.
Smart choice.
Because if he stepped in, I would have to step in.
And I wasn't in the mood to play nice.
Just as I opened my mouth to shut this whole thing down, a voice cut through the tension.
"What's the matter?"
Luca.
His smooth, unbothered tone sent a ripple through the crowd as he strolled forward, hands in his pockets, eyes gleaming with amusement.
The two wolves in the center froze, their gazes snapping to him.
Luca tilted his head, smirking. "Did you finally figure out that you can't fight for shit? Must be humbling."
The Silver Ridge wolf let out a low snarl, stepping closer. "And who the hell are you?"
Luca's smile widened.
"I'm the guy who's been watching your pack fumble around like a bunch of untrained pups for days now," he said, his voice calm but sharp as a blade. "And I've gotta sayâif I had wolves this weak, I'd be embarrassed too."
A shocked silence fell over the hallway.
Damon's wolf lost it.
He lunged, aiming straight for Luca's throat.
But Luca was faster.
One second, he was standing there, relaxed. The next, he sidestepped the attack effortlessly, catching the wolf's arm and twisting it behind his back in a single, fluid motion.
The wolf yelped.
Luca leaned in, his voice barely a whisper. "Try that again, and I won't be so gentle."
For a moment, no one moved.
Then, slowly, Luca let him go, stepping back like nothing had happened.
The wolf stumbled forward, clutching his arm, glaring daggers at Luca.
But he didn't attack again.
Because he knew.
Knew that whatever Luca was hiding beneath that calm exterior was something he didn't want to mess with.
The hallway stayed deadly quiet as Luca turned, meeting my gaze for half a second before giving me a knowing smirk.
Then, without another word, he walked away.
Nova let out a low whistle beside me. "Well, damn."
Kian just grinned. "I think I like this one."
I exhaled slowly, watching Luca disappear down the hall.
Yeah.
That was the problem.
I did too.