Run

Jayden’s POV:

The light spilled into the alley, illuminating the figure who had saved me. My heart nearly stopped when I recognized her. It was my mother.

“Mom?” My voice cracked as I stumbled to my feet. I stared at her, my chest heaving, trying to make sense of what I was seeing. “What are you doing here?”

She glanced at me, then down at the unconscious man. “We don’t have time for questions, Jayden,” she said, her voice sharp. “He’ll wake up soon, and we can’t be here when he does. Let’s go.”

“Is he... dead?” I managed to ask, my legs trembling.

“No,” she said, kneeling beside the man. “But he won’t stay down for long. Now help me.” She grabbed his arm, but I couldn’t move. My breath hitched, and my head spun with questions.

“How did you know I was in danger?” I whispered, my voice shaky.

Her eyes darted to mine, fierce and focused. “I felt it,” she said firmly. “A mother knows when her child is in trouble. My instincts told me you needed me.”

She stood, pulling me by the arm. “How could you be so careless? Haven’t I warned you enough? Always wear your scent-blocking perfume! It keeps other werewolves from sensing you. You know we’ve been hiding all these years. We can’t afford mistakes, Jayden.”

Her words hit me like a blow. My throat tightened. “I... I forgot,” I stammered, guilt clawing at me.

She sighed, frustration and fear etched on her face. “We can’t live like humans if we don’t follow the rules. This man—he isn’t your father, no matter what he said. But if he tells others about us, we’re in danger. We can’t let that happen.”

My heart sank. I couldn’t understand why this was happening. “But, Mom... what if he’s telling the truth? What if he really is—”

“He’s not!” she snapped, her voice rising. Then she softened, her hands gripping my shoulders. “Listen to me, Jayden. He’s not your father. I would know.”

I nodded, though the doubt lingered in my mind. Together, we lifted the man into the car, his body heavy and limp. 

When we got home, she wasted no time. She dragged the man into the basement, locking the door behind her. I stood outside, pacing, my heart racing. What was she doing there? Was she going to hurt him? My mind was a whirlwind of fear and confusion.

When she finally came out, her face was pale but determined. “I’ve erased part of his memory,” she said. “He won’t remember finding us. For now.”

“For now?” I asked, my stomach twisting.

“We don’t know how much he knows or who he’s working with. But we can’t take chances.” She paused, her gaze softening. “Jayden, you need to prepare yourself. This won’t be the last time someone comes for us.”

I swallowed hard, the weight of her words sinking in. “What do you mean?”

She took a deep breath, as if bracing herself. “You’re not just any werewolf. You’re special, Jayden. And that makes you a target. That’s why I’ve kept us hidden all these years. But it’s time for you to face the truth. You need to train. To fight. To survive.”

“Train?” I repeated, my voice small.

“Yes,” she said firmly. “Starting tomorrow, after school, we’ll begin your training. You need to be ready for anything. You can’t rely on me forever.”

Her words stung. “But, Mom, I just want to live like a normal human. Why can’t we keep hiding? Why can’t we just be safe here?”

Her expression softened, but there was a sadness in her eyes. “Because hiding won’t protect us forever. And if something happens to me...” She hesitated, her voice breaking. “If something happens to me, you need to be strong enough to protect yourself.”

The thought of losing her made my chest tighten. “Don’t say that,” I said, my voice trembling.

She pulled me into a hug, her warmth steadying me. “I’m sorry, Jayden. But this is the reality we live in.”

I pulled back, searching her face. “Then tell me the truth. Why are we hiding? Why did we leave the werewolf world?”

She looked away, her jaw tightening. “I can’t tell you everything. Not yet. But I promise, when the time is right, I’ll explain.”

Her words left me frustrated, but I didn’t push her. Instead, I nodded, trying to process everything.

As we talked, a sudden movement caught my eye. My heart stopped when I saw it.

“Mom,” I whispered, pointing toward the basement.

The man’s eyes had opened.

He sat up slowly, his gaze dark and menacing. And then, without warning, he lunged at my mother, his hands wrapping around her throat.

“Mom!” I screamed, my voice breaking.

She spun around, struggling against his grip, but he was too strong. I froze, panic gripping me as I watched them struggle.

“Jayden!” she gasped, her eyes wide with fear.

I snapped out of it, rushing toward them. My hands trembled as I grabbed a chair, swinging it with all my strength. It shattered against the man’s back, and he released her, stumbling forward.

My mom turned to face him, her expression fierce. “Jayden, stay back!” she shouted.

But I couldn’t move. My body was shaking, my mind racing.

The man straightened, his dark eyes locking onto mine. A slow, twisted smile spread across his face.

“You think this is over?” he said, his voice low and threatening. “This is just the beginning.”

I glanced at my mom, her face pale but determined. She gave me a quick nod, and I knew what I had to do.

“Run, Jayden,” she said, her voice steady. “Get out of here.”

“But, Mom—”

“Go!” she shouted, her eyes blazing.

I hesitated for only a moment before turning and running, my heart pounding in my chest. As I reached the door, I glanced back.

The man was lunging toward her again, his hands outstretched.

“Mom!” I screamed, but it was too late.

She turned just in time, her expression fierce as she prepared to fight.

And then the door slammed shut behind me, leaving me in the dark.