The Field Of Shadows

The gym buzzed with pre-game energy as Jasper laced up his cleats, glancing around at his teammates. The chatter, laughter, and occasional smack-talk filled the locker room. Jackson was there too, throwing sharp, competitive glances Jasper's way.

"Didn't think you'd actually make the first line," Jackson muttered as he walked by. His voice held a mix of challenge and irritation.

Jasper simply smiled back, unfazed. "Guess the coach thinks I can keep up," he replied, shrugging, adding an undercurrent of challenge without saying a word.

Nearby, Stiles clapped Jasper on the shoulder with an exaggerated grin. "Hey, big guy, no supernatural feats out there. We're keeping this all-human."

"Don't worry, Stiles. I'll keep it under control," Jasper promised, though a slight smile hinted at his amusement.

As they filed onto the field, the sight of the packed bleachers sent an electric thrill through the players. Jasper spotted Allison in the stands, her excited wave lifting his spirits even more. Her presence gave him something to play for, a new sense of belonging he hadn't felt in a long time. Just a few rows away, Scott's mom, Melissa, was waving to Scott, a proud smile lighting up her face.

The whistle blew, and the game started with a burst of energy. Jasper moved swiftly, dodging and weaving past defenders with a sense of ease that he tried to temper, mindful of the eyes on him. Scott played as well, his own abilities adding tension to the play. Both of them ended up exchanging looks of unspoken understanding, each aware of the other's strength and control.

Lydia and Jackson weren't far behind, their intensity bringing a different kind of heat to the game. Jackson's competitiveness showed in his sharp movements and hard passes, clearly trying to assert his place as the top player on the field. Meanwhile, Lydia's presence on the sidelines was magnetic; her gaze flicked from Jasper to Jackson, a calculating look in her eyes, as if she were observing who might come out on top.

Danny, playing defense, nodded to Jasper with an approving grin when he landed an impressive assist.

Then there was Coach Finstock, shouting and gesticulating wildly from the sidelines, his voice booming with a mix of humor and intensity. "McCall, Nyx—less dancing, more scoring!"

The game took a competitive turn, with Jasper and Jackson facing off repeatedly. Jasper tried to keep his speed in check, yet he found himself instinctively reacting quicker than normal, his movements flowing in a way that felt almost supernatural. He intercepted passes with ease, darted through defenders, and managed to score, despite Jackson's best attempts to block him.

Suddenly, a familiar scent caught Jasper's attention, bringing him to a sudden pause. His senses flared. Across the field, standing by the fence in the shadows, he saw Derek Hale. Dressed in dark clothing, Derek's expression was unreadable, but his presence was unmistakable—a reminder that the supernatural world was never far behind.

Scott, noticing Jasper's distraction, followed his gaze, spotting Derek as well. He tensed, clearly wondering what Derek was doing here, so openly and during the game. Stiles caught sight of their attention and threw in a comment from the sidelines. "Hey, is that Derek? What's he doing skulking around?"

Jasper shook his head, keeping his focus back on the game, but Derek's sudden appearance kept his instincts on high alert.

As the game neared its end, Jackson threw himself fully into the match, clearly determined to outdo Jasper. With only minutes left, Jasper got hold of the ball and darted down the field, his speed pushing the limits as he approached the goal. He felt Jackson close in from behind, and just as he prepared to make a pass, Jackson lunged for him, his shoulder colliding hard into Jasper.

The impact barely fazed him, but he stumbled, catching himself just in time. He shot a quick look at Jackson, whose expression held a hint of frustration mixed with confusion. Jasper could tell Jackson was giving everything, yet somehow, he just couldn't match him.

The whistle blew, signaling the end of the game with a victory for their team. Cheers erupted from the stands, and Jasper was immediately surrounded by teammates, congratulating him with pats on the back and excited grins. Allison came down to meet him, her eyes bright with excitement.

"You were amazing out there," she said, slipping her hand into his with a soft smile.

"Couldn't have done it without my good-luck charm," he replied, squeezing her hand. She decided to join Lydia while he started toward the locker rooms.

Scott joined him, looking between Jasper and Allison with an odd expression. "So, you're… playing first line from now on?" he asked, trying to keep his tone light.

Jasper gave a small nod. "Yeah. Coach said I earned it. Besides, it's a good chance to stay out of trouble—well, as much as I can."

Before Scott could respond, Derek approached, his face set in its usual serious expression.

"Nice game," Derek said, though the compliment was more about formality than sincerity. "But you're attracting attention with those moves."

Jasper met Derek's gaze, his eyes flashing red briefly, a subtle reminder of his position. "I can handle it."

Derek frowned, glancing toward Scott. "Careful with that confidence. Attention from other players is one thing, but you've got more than just high school kids watching now."

Scott and Jasper exchanged a quick glance, understanding the hidden meaning.

Jasper's gaze hardened, though he kept his voice steady. "I'm aware. And if anyone decides to be a problem, they'll have to get through me."

Derek nodded slightly, accepting Jasper's resolve but not entirely reassured. Without another word, he turned and left, disappearing into the shadows beyond the field.

As they walked away, Stiles sidled up to them, glancing back in Derek's direction. "So, he just shows up to every game now?"

Scott chuckled, nudging Stiles. "I guess he's got his own way of showing he cares."

Jasper laughed, though he felt the tension of the encounter. "Guess it's one more thing to keep an eye on," he murmured to himself, looking forward to the celebration with Allison and the team.

But a flicker of unease lingered in his mind as he thought of Derek's warning—one more reminder that the world they'd entered was far bigger and more dangerous than any high school lacrosse game.