Mara led Alex through streets he had walked a hundred times before, yet they felt unfamiliar now. The neon lights reflected off wet pavement, but beneath the glow, Alex sensed something darker—something watching.
"Don't stare," Mara said quietly. "They can smell curiosity."
Alex frowned. "Who's they?"
"Everyone," she replied.
They stopped beneath an abandoned overpass. The air smelled of rust, oil, and old blood. Alex's instincts prickled. He wasn't alone. He could feel it—heartbeats, slow and controlled, hidden in the shadows.
Figures stepped forward.
Men. Women. Some looked human, others barely bothered to hide what they were. Their eyes gleamed unnaturally. Their posture was too still, too alert.
"This is neutral ground," Mara said. "No fighting. No hunting. No killing."
A broad-shouldered man with silver-streaked hair stepped out. His presence was heavy, commanding. Alpha.
"So," the man said, his voice calm but sharp, "this is the new one."
Alex swallowed. Every instinct urged him to bow—or run.
"I'm Rafe," the man continued. "Alpha of the Eastside Pack. You crossed three territories tonight without permission."
"I didn't know," Alex said quickly.
Rafe's eyes flicked to Mara. "That's on you."
Mara shrugged. "He needed to see the truth."
Rafe studied Alex for a long moment. Alex felt exposed, like his very soul was being weighed.
"The mark chose you," Rafe finally said. "Interesting."
"What mark?" Alex asked.
Rafe stepped closer, stopping just short of touching him. "The old blood. Not many carry it anymore."
Before Alex could ask more, a sharp whistle cut through the air.
Silence fell instantly.
From the far edge of the underpass, a scent hit Alex hard—cold metal, oil, and death.
Hunters.
"Positions," Rafe ordered calmly.
Alex's heart raced. He could hear them now—boots scraping, weapons clicking softly. Humans… but not normal ones.
Mara grabbed Alex's arm. "Stay behind me. Whatever happens, don't lose control."
A figure stepped into the light. Dressed in black, eyes hard, carrying a weapon etched with symbols Alex didn't recognize.
"We know you're here," the hunter called. "Hand over the marked one, and no one gets hurt."
Rafe smiled—but there was no warmth in it. "You're trespassing."
The air tightened. One wrong move would turn the underpass into a slaughterhouse.
Alex felt the hunger rise. His claws threatened to break through his skin.
For the first time, he understood.
This wasn't just about surviving.
It was about choosing a side.
And the city was about to explode.