Secrets and Strategies

The tension from the earlier confrontation lingered in the air long after school ended. Alaric's mind was focused, but his thoughts kept returning to the warning from Gareth Macallister. The werewolf boy's malice was evident, but Alaric wasn't easily intimidated. He knew there was more going on beneath the surface, and it was time to dig deeper.

As Alaric walked home, he replayed the encounter in his mind. Gareth's hostility wasn't surprising—werewolves and vampires had always had a complicated relationship. But there was something more to this. The Macallisters weren't just picking a fight; they were trying to assert dominance, to provoke Alaric into making the first move.