Chapter 1 – Of All the Forests in the World, I Had to Get Chased in This One
The thing about almost dying in a forest? It's not as glamorous as movies make it look.
There's no dramatic music. No slow-motion running. Just me, faceplanting into a bush for the third time in ten minutes, scraping my knees on roots, and gasping like a dying fish.
"Shit—ow—god—damn it—"
The sound of howling echoed behind me, deep and rough. Not a normal dog-howl. Not even a wolf-wolf. This one vibrated in my bones, like it came from a monster trying to scream through a human throat.
Which, honestly, didn't feel too far off.
I don't know why I ran. Actually, I do. Instinct. You see a man transform into a giant furred beast with glowing red eyes, you don't stop to ask questions. You run.
Even if you're just a nobody like me.
Let me back up.
My name is Lena Ward. I'm eighteen. I live in a boring town, attend a boring school, and until this morning, my biggest concern was failing math and getting stuck in another group project with that one guy who never does any work.
Now?
I'm apparently "something important" to werewolves. And possibly vampires. I didn't stick around long enough to find out.
It started with a school camping trip.
Just your typical class trip — smelly tents, annoying classmates, and teachers pretending to be young again. I wandered off on the second day because, surprise surprise, I needed to pee and didn't feel like using the bug-infested portable toilets.
And somehow, I walked too far. Or maybe I got lost. Either way, I ended up somewhere… wrong.
There was this clearing. Dead silent. Trees twisted weirdly. The air smelled like metal and wet earth. I should've turned around.
But no. I walked straight in like a moron.
That's when I saw him.
A guy, tall, muscular, shirtless — of course he was shirtless — standing in the middle of the clearing, surrounded by glowing blue runes on the ground.
His eyes flicked up the second I stepped on a branch.
And they were glowing. Bright, wolfish, and… angry.
Next thing I knew, he growled something like "Too late" and transformed into a seven-foot nightmare with claws and fangs.
So yeah. Running seemed like the right choice.
Back to the present.
I was out of breath. The forest was never-ending. My legs burned. My lungs were about to give up. And the howling kept getting closer.
I ducked behind a tree and clutched my mouth shut. I could hear it — no, him — sniffing. Trees rustled. Twigs cracked under heavy steps.
Then silence.
I didn't move.
I didn't breathe.
I closed my eyes and prayed. I'm not even religious, but if any gods were listening, I was willing to convert on the spot.
Then—
"Found you."
I screamed. Or tried to. A hand clamped over my mouth as a cold body tackled me from the side. We rolled behind another tree, his hand still over my lips, his other arm shielding me.
But it wasn't the werewolf guy. No fur. No claws.
This one was… cool to the touch. And pale. Like, movie vampire pale.
He looked maybe twenty, with messy silver hair and sharp cheekbones. His eyes glowed faintly violet in the dark. He smelled like some kind of ancient cologne — cold, sweet, and dangerous.
"Shh," he whispered. "He'll hear."
He? Oh. Right. Fur-boy.
Footsteps thundered nearby. I held still, heart in my throat.
The werewolf passed us, sniffing wildly, growling under his breath. I caught a glimpse of him — massive, hunched, eyes burning red.
Then he was gone.
The pale guy slowly released me and stood up, dusting off his coat like he hadn't just tackled a random girl in a cursed forest.
"You reek of Catalyst blood," he said casually, like that explained anything.
"…I reek of what?"
He tilted his head. "Interesting. You don't know."
"No," I said. "What I do know is that I went into the woods to pee and ended up almost eaten by Big Bad Wolf's gym rat cousin. So if you could maybe explain what the hell is going on, that'd be great."
He looked at me like I was an amusing insect. "You shouldn't be here."
"Yeah, thanks. I figured that out about twenty near-death experiences ago."
He gave a quiet chuckle. It was unsettlingly beautiful. Like his voice was made of smoke and violin strings. "You're a human. But your presence here triggered a blood rite. Do you have any idea how rare that is?"
"No. And again, not helpful."
He stepped closer. "Your blood smells… pure. Untouched. It's calling to everything unnatural in this forest."
Great. So I was some sort of supernatural snack. Awesome.
I backed up. "Look. I don't know what you are, or what your deal is, but I really just want to go home."
"You can't," he said simply.
I froze. "What?"
"The forest is sealed. No one leaves once the rite begins."
"What rite?"
He looked me up and down, like I was a puzzle he didn't quite know how to solve. "You're the Neutral Catalyst. Human born under the eclipse moon. Your blood carries the signature of balance. It awakens suppressed instincts in both our kinds."
"Your kinds?" I repeated, my voice weak.
He gave a low bow. "Caelum Virellis. Of the Virellis bloodline. Nightborne. Vampire."
"…Of course you are."
I didn't scream. I didn't faint. I think I was too tired for either. I just sat down on the cold dirt, put my face in my hands, and sighed like a soul who had accepted her fate.
"So I'm a blood-flavored battery pack for werewolves and vampires."
"Essentially," Caelum said, far too pleased with himself. "But a rare one. Powerful. Dangerous, if left unguarded."
"Let me guess," I muttered. "You want to guard me."
He crouched beside me. "I want to claim you before the wolves do."
There it was. That word again.
Claim.
Why did everyone in the supernatural world talk like they were bidding on people at some ancient auction?
Before I could snark back, another presence appeared.
Fast. Loud. Furious.
The trees parted, and Riven — I was guessing that was Fur-boy's name — stormed into the clearing, half-shifted, eyes wild. His claws glinted under the moonlight. His voice was a deep, guttural growl.
"Step away from her, bloodsucker."
Caelum stood slowly, sighing like Riven was a particularly loud and smelly inconvenience.
"She's not yours."
"She's not yours either."
"She will be."
"Over my dead body."
"Tempting."
Okay. Time to interrupt before the forest got painted red.
"HELLO?" I waved both arms. "Still here! Still very human! Can you stop fighting over me like I'm a bag of chips and explain what the hell I'm supposed to do now?"
Both of them turned to me.
Both of them said, in perfect unison:
"Come with me."
I blinked.
"No."
Caelum raised an eyebrow. Riven bared his teeth.
I stood up and pointed at both of them. "You—fang boy—and you—furry rage monster—need to seriously back off. I don't care about whatever supernatural dating game you're playing. I'm going to find my way out of this forest, get home, and pretend this never happened."
Caelum smiled. "You won't make it five steps before something else tries to devour you."
"Then I'll die on my terms."
Riven growled. "You're mine, Catalyst."
"Say that again and I swear I will start throwing rocks."
There was a moment of silence.
Then Caelum laughed. Like, really laughed.
"…She's delightful," he said. "This is going to be fun."
Fun. Sure.
I turned around and started walking in the opposite direction of both of them, even though I had no idea where I was going.
Because honestly?
If I was going to be part of a supernatural war over my blood, I at least wanted to die confused and stubborn.