In a shadowy alley, Thalia—the vampire who had narrowly escaped death—crouched behind a garbage bin, hidden in the dark.
That…
That was close.
For a moment, it felt like her heart had actually started beating again.
Grabbing her neck, she trembled, the memory of the werewolf's hot breath against her side burned in her mind—just inches from ripping her to pieces.
She inhaled deeply—then let it out.
Even if she was technically dead, it still helped.
Steadying herself, she took a quick glance around the corner.
Letting out a sigh of relief, she wiped away a sweat that wasn't even there from her forehead.
Goddamn it… What were you thinking John, trying to take on a werewolf?
That idiot.
She clicked her tongue in frustration.
He was her responsibility.
Now he is dead.
"Lady Aurora isn't going to be happy about this…"
In an instant, she felt a cold breath behind her, sending a chill down her spine.
"Oh? Not going to be happy about what?"
Thalia's eyes widened, turning her head slowly.
Standing under the moonlight was a silver-haired girl who looked no older than seventeen. Her piercing blue eyes staring at her, waiting for an answer.
"Oh— Lady Aurora! Um, well, you see—"
Thalia stumbled over her words, struggling to find the right thing to say.
"Get to the point. School starts in a few hours, and I don't plan on standing here all day," Aurora said, crossing her arms.
Thalia looked down, defeated.
"John's dead."
A heavy silence settled between them.
Aurora finally let out a sigh.
"He was a promising vampire… with telekinesis, no less."
Her eyes locked onto Thalia's, cold and piercing—like she was staring straight into her soul.
"And here I thought you could handle the new guy."
"There… there was an Alpha in the woods… I didn't expect one here, not after everything that happened."
Aurora's blue eyes darkened, shifting in a flash to a glowing crimson red as anger flared across her face.
"Who told you it was a great idea to hunt during a full moon?" she snapped.
She lowered her head, unable to meet her eyes.
"I'm sorry," Thalia said softly. "I take full responsibility for what happened."
Aurora glanced up at the moonlight, her expression softening as her eyes slowly returned to their usual blue color.
"You are forgiven. As for the wolf—was it alone?" she asked quietly.
"From what I could tell, there were no other wolves."
Aurora narrowed her eyes.
"A lone wolf is a dead one walking. It will stay in the shadows, only coming out when it is hardest to kill."
"Then for John," Aurora said, raising her hand—frost blooming across her fingers, forming a delicate, frozen rose in the palm of her hand.
"We may have never met… but I've heard much about you from Thalia. Your bravery, your courageous spirit—may the Moon forgive you and grant peace to your soul."
Aurora lifted the rose toward the moonlight as Thalia watched closely. A soft blue glow lit within the flower, humming as if the moon itself was answering.
Then with a graceful flick of her wrist, the rose shattered—pieces scattering into a million shimmering fragments, carried gently on the wind.
They stood there in silence—like hours, though only seconds had passed.
Aurora shot her a sharp look.
"And you… you're officially banned from watching over the new bloods."
Thalia nodded in agreement. This was her fault to begin with.
John had been a kind soul when she met him—always quick with a joke and a warm smile.
And because of that… she had turned him.
"Wha… What about the hunters?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Aurora raised an eyebrow, "oh? You didn't mention running into hunters."
Thalia tapped her fingers together nervously. "I, uh… kind of used them to escape the Alpha."
Aurora sighed, her expression hardening.
"Have the curse ones take blood bags from the hospital And make sure to stay low profile while I'm in school. Understood?"
"Yes, Lady Aurora," Thalia said, bowing her head.
Aurora tilted hers slightly.
"That's not necessary. I'm not my mother."
Thalia looked up.
"Maybe not… but you are her daughter," she said, then paused.
"Not by blood, but she raised you like her own."
Aurora lowered her head.
"Be that as it may, I'd prefer you not to bow." Her eyes flickered, sensing a powerful presence nearby.
"Is he the one?" Aurora asked, staring behind her.
Thalia turned around. In the distance, a man in a leather jacket stood beneath a flickering streetlight, watching silently from afar.
"No," she said softly. "His emotions… they're different. There's a deep sadness in him."
Thalia glanced at Aurora. "And why does he keep staring? It's kinda creepy. We're vampires—shouldn't he be trying to sink his teeth into our necks or something?"
Aurora turned, motioning for her to follow.
"Come along."
She paused, glancing over her shoulder.
"As for your question… not all wolves are blinded by the urge to attack supernaturals, especially vampires."
Back at the Vasilios household, Iván was fast asleep, mouth open, snoring loudly—like nothing in the world could wake him.
Then his door slammed open, jolting him awake.
"What the—?" Iván blinked, looking around in confusion.
Standing in the doorway, his mother—arms crossed and staring him down at him was a deathly stare.
"Levántate! (Wake up) School starts in an hour!"
Wiping the drool from his mouth with his elbow, he mumbled, "Ah, yeah, I'm up, I'm up."
"Don't you 'yeah, me," his mom snapped, pointing a firm finger at him. "Food downstairs. Get dressed and eat—don't make me ask twice, young man."
"Yes, ma," he said, stretching, arms reaching high above his head.
"Wow… that was an amazing sleep," he murmured to himself.
Somehow, he slept like a bear.
Rolling out of bed, he began getting ready for the day.
Pulling on his clothes and brushing his teeth, giving himself one good look in the mirror. His silver eyes sharp, his hairline clean, and his black hair neatly styled.
Slipping in his contacts, Iván gave a small smile.
First day at a new school… let's hope I make some friends—maybe even get a girlfriend.
The drive to school wasn't far from their new house. Just a few turns around the corner, and there it was:
Beacon Hills High School.
Butterflies stirred in his stomach as the school building came into view.
How could he not be nervous? He always was on the first day of school.
Once his mom pulled into the parking lot, she handed him a folded sheet of paper.
"Right, here's your schedule."
"Wait—what? How do you have this already?"
She smirked.
"I work here, remember?"
"Right…" he muttered, a bit embarrassed.
How did he forget?
Well, at least he probably wouldn't have any classes with her—this was just his freshman year.
Wait, don't jinx it!
He unfolded the schedule and let out a quiet breath.
No Daniela Vasilios listed anywhere.
Calling his mom Mrs. Vasilios in front of the whole school? Yeah, that would've been super awkward.
Phew—dodged a major bullet.
"Don't be disappointed, mijo. You're a freshman—you don't get Spanish or finance classes until junior year."
He looked at her with a fake smile.
"Man, I really wanted to have a class with you."
His mom gave him a sharp glare.
"I'm not stupid—I can sense sarcasm," she said, lightly smacking him on the head.
"Ouch! You didn't have to hit me," he said, rubbing the top of his head like it was a mortal wound.
"Now, after school, you're picking up your sister," his mom added, ignoring his banter.
"I'll be tied up with meetings, so I'm letting you borrow my keys. Don't do anything stupid, got it?"
Iván nodded as she handed him the car keys.
"Once you pick her up, bring her straight home. I should be wrapping up by then."
Grabbing his backpack, he was just about to step out when his mom stopped him with the door half open.
"Yes, mamá?" he asked.
"Te quiero mucho," she said with a gentle smile.
"Love you too," he muttered—just loud enough for her to hear.
"Now go on—have fun on your first day," she added, waving as he stepped out of the car.
Approaching the front doors he took a deep breath.
Here we go.
Walking inside, he searched for his first class—the worst possible way to start the day: morning math.
Why does it have to be math? My brain barely works before noon, he sighed.
Passing through the hallway, he noticed two older students—probably a year ahead of him—standing off to the side, deep in conversation. Their expressions were serious, like someone had died.
Then, one of them started lifting his shirt, revealing a large bandage wrapped around his side—before the other quickly pulled him into what looked like the boys' locker room.
Only one thought crossed his mind:
Damn… I guess teenagers really are wild in this school.
Now, where's my classroom?
Oh—there it is.
Spotting the room number, he headed inside.
Taking a seat in the back, he pulled out a notebook from his bag. Just as he opened it, the door creaked, and another student walked in—a girl with striking silver-blue eyes and long hair, dressed in warm clothing meant for the cold weather.
Then it happened.
Her gaze locked onto his—
and his locked right back.
For a moment, his heart skipped a beat.
"You. What's your name?" she asked, walking toward him.
"Huh?" He blinked, pointing at himself. "Me?"
"Yes. You. Tell me your name."
"I… I'm Iván. Iván Vasilios."
"Vasilios…" she repeated softly, almost like a whisper—sending a chill down his spine.
She looked at him like she had just found exactly who she'd been searching for.
"My name is Aurora. Aurora Valentine."