Chapter 3: A Dangerous Protector

The freezing wind howled through the empty street as silence settled after the attackers fled.

Evelyn stood frozen, unable to tear her eyes away from the man standing in front of her.

Only hours earlier she had convinced herself that the previous night's encounter had been nothing more than a nightmare.

Now he was standing before her again.

The same dark hair.

The same emotionless expression.

The same terrifying black eyes.

"You..." she whispered.

"You're the man from the alley."

Thaddeus remained silent.

His attention shifted toward the direction where the SUV had disappeared.

Something wasn't right.

Those men weren't ordinary criminals.

They knew exactly who Evelyn was.

"Who were they?" she asked nervously.

"That doesn't matter right now."

"It matters to me!"

For the first time, anger replaced the fear in her voice.

"People keep trying to kill me, and every time you're somehow nearby. Who are you?"

Thaddeus finally looked directly into her hazel eyes.

"Someone who won't let anyone hurt you."

"That's not an answer."

"It's the only one you're getting tonight."

Before Evelyn could argue again, Ryland landed beside them from the rooftop.

"More vehicles are coming," he warned.

"Five... maybe six."

Evelyn stepped backward.

"How did you do that?"

Ryland smiled mischievously.

"Long story."

"One you'll probably hate."

Headlights suddenly appeared at the far end of the street.

Three black SUVs sped toward them.

"Move!" Thaddeus ordered.

"I'm not going anywhere with strangers!"

"If you stay here, you'll die."

His voice was so calm that it frightened her more than shouting ever could.

The vehicles stopped only a few meters away.

Armed men jumped out carrying silver weapons marked with glowing blue symbols.

"Target confirmed!" one shouted.

"Capture the woman alive! Eliminate the creatures!"

Thaddeus's expression darkened.

"Hunters," Orion muttered as he appeared beside them.

"How did they find her so quickly?"

The first bullet flew toward Evelyn.

Before she even realized what happened, Thaddeus caught it between his fingers.

She stared in disbelief.

"That's... impossible..."

"Stay behind us," Orion said gently.

"Whatever you see, don't run."

The hunters opened fire.

Silver bullets filled the air.

Ryland transformed instantly.

Bones cracked.

Muscles expanded.

Within seconds a massive black wolf stood where the man had been.

Evelyn gasped.

"A... werewolf?"

The beast roared before charging.

Cars flipped into the air as Ryland crashed through the hunters.

Meanwhile Orion moved faster than human eyes could follow.

One moment he stood beside Evelyn.

The next he was behind the enemy commander.

"Too slow," Orion whispered before knocking him unconscious.

Thaddeus walked calmly through the battlefield.

Dark energy surrounded his body.

Every hunter who attacked him was thrown backward without him even touching them.

Fear spread across the remaining soldiers.

"Retreat!" someone screamed.

"It's the Dark King!"

"Run!"

Within moments the survivors escaped into the night.

Silence returned.

Evelyn couldn't breathe.

Everything she'd believed about the world had shattered in less than five minutes.

"Werewolves... vampires..."

Her gaze slowly lifted toward Thaddeus.

"Then... what are you?"

He hesitated.

"Something worse."

Before she could ask another question, a loud explosion echoed from nearby.

The abandoned SUV suddenly burst into flames.

"Evidence destroyed," Orion observed.

"Someone doesn't want us tracking them."

Ryland shifted back into human form, pulling on a spare jacket.

"This wasn't random."

"They specifically wanted Evelyn."

"Which means they know exactly who she is," Thaddeus finished.

Evelyn shook her head repeatedly.

"You're making a mistake.

I'm just a waitress.

I don't know anything about your world."

"Maybe you don't," Orion said kindly.

"But someone clearly believes you do."

Thaddeus stepped closer.

"Do you have anywhere safe to go tonight?"

"Home."

"They already know where you live."

Those words stole the little confidence she had left.

"Then... what am I supposed to do?"

"Come with us."

"Absolutely not."

"You're still afraid of us."

"Shouldn't I be?"

Thaddeus couldn't argue.

She had every reason to fear them.

"You saved me twice," Evelyn admitted quietly.

"But I don't even know your name."

For the first time, his expression softened.

"Thaddeus."

"I'm Ryland," the wolf said with an easy grin.

"And I'm Orion."

Evelyn looked at each of them carefully.

None of them seemed eager to hurt her.

In fact...

They looked more concerned for her safety than she was herself.

"If I come with you..." she asked softly.

"Will you answer my questions?"

Thaddeus nodded once.

"Every question you're ready to hear."

She looked toward the burning street behind her.

Her apartment.

Her normal life.

Everything had changed tonight.

Taking a deep breath, she finally whispered,

"...Okay."

Relief flashed across Ryland's face.

Orion smiled faintly.

But inside Thaddeus...

Something far older than darkness stirred.

For the first time in over a century...

Hope.