Jayden’s POV: We're leaving town and it's final!

My hands gripped the door handle tighter, my knuckles turning white. My heart was pounding so loud it felt like it would burst out of my chest. I wasn’t thinking. I was just acting. I couldn't let Liam’s father take him. I couldn’t let him hurt him.

Liam’s father glared at me, his face twisted in anger. "Get out of my way, boy!" he barked. His voice was deep, rough, filled with rage.

I swallowed hard. My body was shaking, but I stood firm. "No," I said, my voice stronger than I expected. "You’re not taking him."

His eyes darkened, his grip on Liam tightening. Liam’s face was pale, his lips slightly parted, his breathing unsteady. He looked at me, his eyes wide with something—fear, shock, or maybe something else.

"You think you can stop me?" Liam’s father sneered, pulling Liam closer to him. Liam winced, his body jerking from the force. "You’re nothing. Just some kid. Do you even know who you’re messing with?"

I did know. I knew exactly who I was up against. But I didn't care. I wasn’t going to back down.

"Liam," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "I won’t let him hurt you."

Liam swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing. His lips trembled like he wanted to say something, but he didn’t. His father yanked him toward the door, forcing him forward.

I moved without thinking. My hand shot out, grabbing Liam’s wrist.

"Let him go!" I shouted, my voice breaking.

Liam’s father turned, his eyes blazing with fury. In an instant, his hand was on my chest, shoving me backward. I stumbled, my back slamming against the wall. Pain shot through me, but I didn’t stop. I pushed myself up, my legs shaking.

"Stay out of this!" his father growled.

Liam's lips parted, his voice hoarse. "Jayden, stop. Please."

I shook my head. "No."

Liam’s father yanked him again, dragging him toward the door. Liam's feet barely moved fast enough to keep up. He looked back at me, his eyes full of something raw, something broken.

"Jayden!" he gasped.

I bolted forward, grabbing the doorframe, blocking the exit with my body. "You’re not taking him!" I yelled again, my voice shaking.

Liam’s father’s eyes flashed. He let go of Liam for just a second and reached for me. His hands grabbed my shirt, pulling me forward, his face inches from mine. His breath was hot, filled with anger.

"You think you can save him?" he spat. "You think you’re a hero?"

I didn’t answer. I couldn’t.

His grip tightened. I could feel his strength, the raw power behind his fingers. I knew he could break me in half if he wanted to.

But I wouldn’t give up.

I shoved his hands away, stepping between him and Liam again. "He’s not your property!" I shouted. "You don’t own him!"

Liam’s father’s face twisted in rage. His hand swung up—fast, too fast—and before I could react, his palm cracked against my cheek.

Pain exploded through my face. My head snapped to the side, a sharp sting burning my skin. My vision blurred for a second.

Liam gasped. "Dad, stop!"

I forced myself to stand straight, ignoring the pain. I wouldn’t let this man win.

Then suddenly—

"Jayden!"

I turned my head just in time to see my mother rushing into the room, her face filled with panic. "What are you doing?!" she shouted.

"Mom, I—"

"Let them go," she demanded, pulling me away. Her grip was strong, desperate. "Get inside the house now."

"No, Mom," I snapped, trying to break free. "He’s taking Liam!"

My mother’s eyes flickered to Liam, then to his father. Her face hardened. "This is their business, not ours!"

"It is my business!" I yelled. "I won’t let him—"

"You will listen to me!" she screamed, dragging me back.

Liam's father took the chance. He grabbed Liam’s arm and shoved him out the door.

"Liam!" I lunged forward, but my mother held me back. "Liam!"

Liam twisted his head, his eyes locking with mine. His lips parted, but before he could say anything, the door slammed shut.

I felt my heart shatter.

The sound of the car engine roared outside. Tires screeched against the pavement. They were leaving. He was gone.

I fought against my mother’s grip, but she held me tight. "Let me go!" I yelled, thrashing against her. "I have to stop them!"

"You can’t!" she screamed.

Tears burned my eyes. My body shook, rage and helplessness flooding through me.

Liam was gone.

I collapsed against the wall, my chest heaving. My mother stood in front of me, her arms crossed, her face unreadable.

Silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating.

Finally, she spoke.

"What the heck happened?" she demanded, pacing back and forth.

I didn’t answer. I couldn’t.

She stopped, turned to face me. "Jayden. Don’t tell me... don’t tell me you’re gay."

My stomach twisted. My throat tightened.

"Mom, I—"

"I saw you," she hissed. "I saw you kissing that boy!"

I felt my chest cave in. My fingers curled into fists.

"Does this mean you’re gay?!" she demanded.

I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t know how to answer.

My lips trembled. My hands shook.

"Mom," I whispered, my voice hoarse. "I can explain."

"Explain what?" she snapped. "I told you! I told you to live like a human because you’re in the human world, but you cannot—cannot—fall in love with a human! You understand that?!"

I sucked in a sharp breath.

She didn’t care that it was a boy.

She cared that it was a human.

"Why?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "Why can’t I?"

Her eyes darkened. "Because you are not human."

The words hit me like a slap. My breath caught in my throat.

Not human.

Not human.

My head spun. My vision blurred.

"What... what do you mean?" My voice trembled.

She exhaled sharply. "You don’t need to know. Not now."

I stared at her, my heart pounding. "Mom—"

"You’re not going back to that school," she interrupted. "You’re leaving town. And that’s final."

The floor beneath me seemed to disappear.

"No," I whispered. "Mom, please—"

"I said no!" she shouted. "This is for your own good!"

Tears blurred my vision. My throat closed up.

Liam was gone.

And now... I was losing everything.

I turned, bolting to my room. My hands shook as I slammed the door behind me. My chest felt tight, my breath shallow.

Tears streamed down my face.

What was happening to me?

What was I?

And why... why did it feel like everything was falling apart?