Hayley woke up with a startled scream.
"Miss, don't scream," a child ran to her side. "You'll wake Toby."
Hayley looked at the child and felt a slight confusion when she realized the girl looked like someone she knew.
The child was a girl around ten years old, with eyes full of brightness and happiness.
But Hayley just straightened up in bed and looked at the little girl.
"Where am I?" Hayley asked with a gentle smile. "Yes, I was giving birth in the hospital—where is my daughter?"
"You're at Niky's house," the little girl let out an excited squeal. "Niky brought you yesterday, you were covered in blood."
"Niky?" Hayley calmed down. "Where is Nik?"
"Nik went out and told me to take care of you," the little girl continued happily. "I'm Katherine, and you?"
"I'm Hayley," Hayley smiled. Even though she was panicking, she wouldn't mistreat a child.
"Do you want some?" Katherine showed a small pink plastic bottle to Hayley, and Hayley took it and smelled it.
Her eyes widened, and a feeling of despair entered her soul.
"No, no, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," Hayley knelt down and hugged the little girl. "You didn't have to go through this."
She understood immediately that the child in front of her was a vampire and would live immortality as a child forever.
"Well, look who's awake," Nik said with a laugh.
"Niky!" Katherine shouted happily and rushed to Nik, appearing in front of him and hugging him.
"Hi, sweetheart," Nik hugged Katherine back, and soon Amara appeared behind him.
"Mom!" Katherine shouted happily and jumped into Amara's arms. "Care!"
She celebrated when she saw the two of them, and Caroline helped Amara take Katherine, promising her a walk, and they left.
"Well, it looks like you saw the elephant in the room," Nik said, looking at the two figures taking Katherine away.
"What did you do to that child?" Hayley's eyes turned yellow with fury.
"I did nothing," Nik answered calmly. "When I found her, she was already like that, so we adopted her."
Hayley remained silent for a few seconds, still kneeling on the floor, her arms slowly falling to her sides. The anger still burned in her golden eyes, but there was something else there—fear. A deep, almost instinctive fear.
"Adopted?" her voice came out low, filled with disbelief. "You're telling me a vampire child just appeared… and you decided to keep her like a stray dog?"
Nik tilted his head slightly, without losing his calm.
"I'm saying," he began, walking slowly around the room, "that I found a child alone, scared…" He stopped, looking directly at Hayley. "And that felt too familiar to ignore."
Hayley clenched her jaw.
"She didn't have a choice, Nik. You know that. A child… stuck like that forever…" her voice faltered for a moment, then hardened again. "That's a curse."
"Maybe," Nik shrugged. "But leaving her alone in the world wouldn't make it better."
Silence weighed between them again.
Hayley looked away, running a hand through her hair, trying to organize her thoughts—but something much more urgent came back with force.
Her eyes widened.
"My daughter."
Nik didn't respond immediately.
That alone was answer enough.
Hayley jumped to her feet, her body still weak, but adrenaline pushing her forward.
"Where is she?" her voice came out firmer, almost a growl. "Nik… where is my daughter?"
He sighed, crossing his arms.
"Safe."
"That's not an answer."
"It's the only one you need right now."
In a blink, Hayley was in front of him, grabbing his shirt tightly.
"You don't understand—"
"I understand more than you imagine," Nik interrupted, his tone still controlled, but now more serious. "Much more."
The two stared at each other, pure tension.
"She is my daughter," Hayley said through clenched teeth. "I felt her… I carried her… I—"
"And you think I would let something happen to her?" Nik cut in again, now with a faint spark in his eyes. "After everything?"
Hayley hesitated.
Just for a second.
But it was enough.
Nik noticed.
And slightly softened his posture.
"She is protected, with my father and my uncles," he said more quietly now. "There's no safer place for her right now."
Hayley released his shirt slowly, but didn't step back completely.
"I want to see her."
Nik watched her for a few seconds, as if measuring something invisible.
Then a small smile appeared at the corner of his lips.
"You will," he said. "But not yet."
Hayley's expression hardened immediately again.
"You don't have that right."
"Maybe not," he replied, stepping aside and picking something up from a table. "But I still have control of the situation."
She followed his movement with her eyes, suspicious.
"There's a lot going on out there, Hayley," he continued. "Much more than you realized before… well…" he made a vague gesture, referring to the birth. "And your daughter is at the center of it."
"So what do you want me to do?" Hayley growled, punching Nik in the chest.
"Become stronger to be able to protect my sister," Nik answered seriously, in a seriousness that wasn't natural for him.
"I'm already strong," Hayley replied irritably.
"You're not," Nik contradicted her. "You're only strong during the full moon, and even then, you're only as powerful as a 700-year-old vampire at most."
"That's a lie, werewolves are much more powerful than vampires," Hayley snapped. "During the full moon I'm invincible."
"Myth. Werewolves are not more powerful than vampires—they're at the same level. The only difference is that you reach your peak faster," Nik replied. "But you're limited by the full moon and you don't grow stronger like vampires do. The only real advantage is the venom—and as you can see, it only works on vampires."
Hayley stepped forward, her eyes still glowing with anger, but now doubt was mixed in.
"So you're saying I'm… insufficient?" she growled.
Nik didn't step back.
"I'm saying the world out there doesn't care what you think you are," he replied dryly. "It only cares about how powerful you are."
Hayley clenched her fists.
"And you think I can't protect my daughter?"
"Today?" Nik tilted his head slightly. "Alone? Against what's coming?"
He let out a short sigh. "No."
The impact was immediate.
Hayley moved forward again, but this time it wasn't an attack—it was pure frustration. She shoved his chest hard.
"Then stop talking in riddles and tell me what's coming!"
Nik grabbed her wrist before she could pull back, not aggressively… but firmly enough to hold her attention.
"The kind of thing that turns children into monsters before they even understand what they are," he said, low. "The kind of thing that looks at your daughter and sees… power. Not a life."
Hayley froze.
For a moment, everything went silent.
"…like Katherine," she murmured, almost without realizing.
Nik didn't respond.
And that was answer enough again.
Hayley pulled her arm back slowly, breathing heavier.
"How many?" she asked.
"I don't know," Nik replied. "But I know they're not few… and I know they're already moving."
She ran a hand over her face, trying to contain the turmoil.
"And you want me to do what? Train? Stay here while my daughter is far from me?"
Nik stepped closer now, completely serious.
"I want you to survive what comes first," he said. "Most of those things aren't as powerful as my father, my uncles, or me—but they could crush you like an ant, even during the full moon."
That hit deeper than anything else he had said.
Hayley looked away.
Her pride screamed to react, to fight, to run out of there.
But another part… colder, more rational… was listening.
"…and what exactly do you have in mind?" she asked after a few seconds.
"You know, the werewolf curse has something very interesting about it," Nik began his lesson. "The curse is a punishment from a very malicious witch to her clan—she created wolf demons inside all members of the clan."
Hayley took a step back.
"No," she said too quickly, her voice cutting the air. "No. That's… that's absurd."
Nik didn't interrupt.
She shook her head, running her hands through her hair, trying to push it away.
"A demon? Inside me?" she let out a short, nervous laugh. "You want me to believe that all of this is just… possession?"
"It's not possession," Nik replied calmly. "It's worse."
She stared at him, irritated.
"Stop."
But he continued.
"Do you remember the first time you lost control outside the full moon?"
Hayley froze.
Just for a second.
But it was enough.
"I don't—"
"You remember," Nik cut in firmly. "That feeling that you were already angry before any real reason appeared."
Her silence began to crack.
"Everyone feels anger," she shot back, quieter now. "That doesn't prove anything."
Nik tilted his head slightly.
"Anger isn't the problem," he said. "The problem is when you realize you've already crossed the line… and don't remember exactly when."
That hit.
Directly.
Hayley looked away.
"…that doesn't mean anything," she insisted, but her voice had already weakened.
"And those times," Nik continued, not giving space, "when you reacted too fast? Too strong?"
He stepped closer. "And for a moment… it felt too easy to hurt someone?"
Hayley's breathing grew heavier.
Memories surfaced.
Fragmented.
Uncomfortable.
"Stop," she repeated, but now it wasn't an order… it was a plea.
Nik didn't stop.
"And afterward?" he asked more quietly. "When it passed… and you were left staring at your own hands, trying to understand why you did it."
Silence.
Hayley closed her eyes tightly.
"…it wasn't like that," she murmured. "I just… lost my head."
"Exactly," Nik said. "You lost it."
She opened her eyes again, something different there now.
Fear.
"That happens to everyone," she insisted, but her voice failed halfway.
Nik shook his head.
"Not like that."
He stepped closer, his voice almost a whisper now.
"Have you ever felt that second before acting… where it feels like something pushed you?"
Her body stiffened.
Because yes.
She had felt it.
And always ignored it.
"That's not normal," Nik continued. "That's it testing limits."
Hayley stepped back again.
"No…" she whispered, denying… but without conviction now.
Nik watched.
Waited.
And then delivered the final piece.
"And the worst part," he said, "is that deep down… there's a part of you that likes it."
Absolute silence.
Hayley's eyes widened.
"No."
But this time—
it was pure fear.
"No," she repeated, stronger, as if denying could erase it. "I never liked that."
Nik didn't soften.
"Not consciously," he replied. "But that feeling of power… of control…"
He tilted his head. "It didn't come only from the moon."
Hayley stood still.
Breathing deeply.
Trying to fight it.
But now—
the pieces were coming together.
Slow.
Cruel.
"…there were times," she began, almost unconsciously, "when I didn't recognize how I reacted…"
Nik said nothing.
Let her continue.
"…like I was ready to attack before even thinking," she went on, her voice lowering with each word.
Her eyes lost some of the anger.
Replaced by understanding.
"And afterward…" she swallowed. "Afterward it felt distant. Like… it wasn't entirely me."
Silence.
Heavy.
Real.
Nik nodded slightly.
"Now you see."
Hayley raised her gaze slowly.
Denial was still there.
But now—
mixed with acceptance.
"…this was always there," she said.
"Yes."
"Waiting."
"Yes."
She closed her eyes for a moment.
Took a deep breath.
And when she opened them again—
there was no more escape.
Only a difficult decision.
"…then I don't have a choice," she said.
Nik tilted his head.
"You do."
She frowned.
"Either you keep pretending this doesn't exist…" he said. "And one day lose control completely—"
A pause.
"Or you face it… and decide who's in charge."
Hayley fell silent.
Fear was still there.
But now—
it didn't paralyze.
"…I won't let it use me," she said finally.
Nik smiled slightly.
"Then stop denying."
Another silence.
Stronger.
Steadier.
Hayley took a deep breath…
"…teach me," she said.
"Unfortunately, I'm not a werewolf," Nik said. "I'm a vampire. But luckily for you, vampires also come from a curse—so we also have a kind of inner demon. The difference is that instead of hating us like the wolves' demons do, ours loves us… just in a twisted way."
Hayley stared at him, trying to process it.
"…loves?" she repeated. "You're saying your 'demon' loves you?"
Nik gave a faint smile, without humor.
"In the most dangerous way possible," he said. "It wants to protect. Preserve. Ensure you survive."
A pause.
"But it doesn't care how."
Hayley frowned.
"That doesn't sound better."
"It isn't," Nik said immediately. "Just… different."
He began pacing slowly again.
"When a vampire 'turns off' their emotions," he continued, "it's not emptiness."
He glanced at her. "It's that side taking over."
Hayley stayed silent, remembering.
"…cold," she murmured.
"Cold, logical… efficient," Nik completed. "No guilt. No attachment. Just decisions that guarantee survival."
She crossed her arms.
"And you call that love?"
Nik shrugged.
"It's a kind of love that eliminates anything that threatens you," he said. "Even if that 'threat' is someone you love."
That made Hayley shudder.
"…that's horrible."
"Yes," Nik agreed. "But that's why vampires last so long."
Silence.
Hayley took a deep breath.
"And mine?" she asked. "Mine wants to destroy me."
Nik shook his head slightly.
"Not exactly."
She looked up, confused.
"It wants you to feel," Nik explained. "Pain. Anger. Loss."
He stepped closer. "Because that was the intention of the curse."
"So there's nothing to do," Hayley said, lowering her head. "I just found out there's a demon inside me that could be a threat to my daughter."
"Well, you have two choices," Nik said with a sigh. "First, become a hybrid—the vampire demon would never allow something that harms you to exist inside you."
Nik fell silent for a moment after mentioning the first option, as if weighing whether he should say the rest.
Hayley noticed.
"And the second?" she pressed. "You didn't say everything."
He sighed quietly, running a hand over his face.
"Because you won't like it," he replied.
"I haven't liked anything so far."
That drew a brief, almost nonexistent smile from him.
"Fair."
Nik lifted his gaze again, serious.
"The second option… is older. More… brutal."
Hayley didn't step back.
"Say it."
He stepped closer.
"You wait for the full moon."
Her body tensed instantly.
"When the wolf fully takes over," he continued, "it's not just your body that changes. Your mind… sinks."
Hayley frowned.
"Sinks where?"
Nik tilted his head slightly.
"Inside you."
Silence.
"What you called a 'demon'… isn't just an impulse," he continued more quietly. "It has form. Instinct. Will."
Her eyes hardened.
"You will meet it."
"Meet it?" she repeated.
"Yes," Nik confirmed. "Not as a metaphor. As… a confrontation."
The air grew heavy.
"And when that happens," he said, "you'll be in the worst possible scenario."
Hayley crossed her arms.
"Why?"
"Because it will be at its peak."
A pause.
"Full moon. No chains. No limits. No you holding it back."
She understood.
And didn't like it.
"So you're saying I have to face this thing… when it's strongest?"
"Exactly."
Hayley let out a dry laugh.
"Great plan."
Nik didn't react.
"It's the only one that actually solves the problem," he said. "Because if you win there… you're not just resisting."
He leaned slightly forward.
"You dominate."
Silence.
"And if I lose?" she asked.
"You lose control."
"…forever?"
"Not necessarily. But you will hurt someone."
A pause.
"Maybe someone you can't afford to hurt."
That hit exactly where it needed to.
Her daughter.
Hayley looked away briefly.
"…and if I win?" she asked more quietly.
"The wolf submits."
She slowly raised her gaze.
"What?"
"It's still a wolf," Nik explained. "Instinct. Hierarchy. Strength."
He stepped closer.
"If you prove you're stronger… it recognizes it."
Hayley remained silent.
"You don't destroy it," Nik continued. "You become the alpha."
The air seemed to shift.
"And then?" she asked.
"Then," he said, "it's not pushing you anymore."
A short pause.
"It's you giving the orders."
Hayley took a deep breath.
"And if I fail…"
"You try again."
She frowned.
"How many times?"
He shrugged.
"As many as necessary."
"That's not an answer."
"It's the only one that exists," he replied firmly. "That wolf is there to punish you. To wear you down."
His gaze sharpened.
"It won't go away."
Silence.
"So either you learn to command it…" Nik finished, "…or it learns to break you."
Hayley closed her eyes for a moment.
Breathed deeply.
When she opened them again—
the indecision was still there.
But now there was something else.
Determination.
"…full moon," she murmured.
Nik nodded.
"Full moon."
She looked at her hands.
Then at him.
"And will you be there?"
He didn't hesitate.
"No."
She frowned.
"That… you face alone," he said. "Because in there… it's just you… and it."
He smiled slightly. "But I'll be here in the physical world, making sure the wolf doesn't run off with your body killing everything."
Hayley stayed silent for a few seconds.
It wasn't the refusal that weighed.
It was the fact that—for the first time—she believed him.
This wasn't training.
This wasn't an external fight.
It was her against herself.
She took a deep breath.
"…when?" she asked.
"Three nights," he said. "The full moon will rise complete."
Hayley nodded slowly.
Three days.
Three days to face what had always been there.
She let out a humorless laugh.
"Funny," she murmured. "I spent so long thinking my biggest problem was controlling the transformation…"
She looked at him.
"…and now you're telling me that was just the surface."
"It was."
Silence.
She walked to the window.
"…how do I prepare?"
"You don't prepare to win," he said. "You prepare not to lie to yourself."
She frowned.
"Explain."
He stepped closer.
"In there… it will use everything."
"Everything what?"
"Anger. Guilt. Instinct. Memories. Everything you try to hide."
Silence.
"If you go in thinking it's just a physical fight… you lose."
She looked at him again.
"So what do I do?"
"You accept."
She scoffed.
"Oh sure, I'll hug my inner demon and ask it to sit."
"Don't twist it," he cut in. "Accepting isn't surrendering."
Silence.
"It's recognizing," he continued. "Because as long as you deny… it has the advantage."
She thought.
"…so I have to admit it's part of me."
He nodded.
"And then dominate it."
She exhaled.
"That's a terrible idea."
"Probably."
Silence.
Then—
she laughed.
"My life is a joke," she said. "I just had a daughter, found out there's a threat coming after her…"
She looked at him.
"…and now I have to go into my own hell and fight a wolf inside my head."
Nik smirked slightly.
"When you put it like that… yeah."
She glared.
"Put it like that?"
"It is bad," he corrected.
Silence again.
But now—
steady.
"Three days," she said.
"Three days."
"…you're going to help me stay alive until then."
Not a request.
A statement.
Nik smiled.
"Now you're thinking."
She crossed her arms.
"Don't push it."
"Rest today," he said. "Your body is still recovering."
"I'm not weak."
"No. But you're not stupid either."
She paused.
"…I hate when you're right."
"I know."
Silence.
Then—
her expression changed.
Suddenly.
"…I felt it," she murmured.
Nik tensed.
"What?"
"…him."
The air shifted.
"How?" he asked.
"It wasn't a thought… it was an impulse."
She closed her eyes briefly.
"…like he woke up."
Nik watched.
Because he knew—
this was only the beginning.
She opened her eyes.
Something darker there.
"…three days."
Now—
it sounded like a countdown.
—++—
Hayley closed her eyes the moment Nik's hand touched her forehead.
For a second… nothing.
Then—
the world collapsed.
Not a transition.
A fall.
Endless.
When she "hit the ground"—
she was standing.
Alone.
Silence.
Wrong.
Heavy.
A forest.
Twisted.
Endless.
No sky.
Only darkness.
The air smelled like blood.
She breathed deeply.
"No lies."
A branch snapped behind her.
She didn't turn.
She already knew.
"…I know you're there."
A growl.
Everywhere.
She didn't run.
"…I know what you are."
Cold air.
And then—
it appeared.
Huge.
Watching.
Thinking.
They stared at each other.
"…so it's you."
It tilted its head.
And smiled.
Then—
it attacked.
Fast.
Brutal.
She fought.
She stepped forward.
"The rage."
Another step.
"The pain."
Another.
"The urge to hurt."
Closer.
"All of this is mine."
The wolf snarled—
but stepped back.
"You're not my master."
It attacked again—
she grabbed it.
Held it.
Fought it.
Pushed back.
And for the first time—
it moved.
Silence.
It stood.
Then—
it bowed.
Submission.
Its gaze shifted from rage to frustration.
It shrank.
Became small.
"…now I'm in control."
The world returned.
She gasped.
Alive.
Stable.
Nik was there.
Watching.
She stood.
Her eyes changed—
gold to crimson.
Controlled.
"…I won."
He smiled.
"I know."
Hayley Marshall had become an alpha.