"I'm supposed to be ready by now," Jeremy mused, his gaze fixated on the bright screen of his phone. The clock read 6 AM, and a wave of anxiety washed over him. "I hope she isn't mad!" he exclaimed under his breath, hastily inserting his spare key into the lock of the front door."I knew this spare key would come in handy," he muttered to himself, closing the door behind him with the utmost care. As he turned to survey the living room, his heart sank at the sight of his mother, Sophie, slumbering peacefully on the worn-out couch. The dim light of dawn cast a soft glow over her features, highlighting the lines of exhaustion that had carved themselves into her face over the years."She waited up all night," Jeremy noted, a pang of guilt settling in the pit of his stomach. The sight of her, vulnerable and tired, stirred something deep within him.He glanced around the living room, taking in the fraying furniture and the clutter that had accumulated over time. "Don’t worry, Mum," he t
"Say, old man—" Jeremy began, but he was quickly cut off."Don't call me an old man!" Owen retorted, his voice a mix of irritation and mock indignation."Fine, Prince Owen," Jeremy teased, a playful grin spreading across his face. "Have you ever fought a werewolf before?" "Dumbass... of course! We were literally at war in times past," Owen replied, rolling his eyes at the question."Okay then, during those times, have you ever encountered an individual who possessed an athletic physique and fierce, glowing red eyes?" Jeremy inquired, his curiosity piqued."Of course!" Owen exclaimed, punctuating his point by thrusting a needle toward Jeremy, who barely managed to dodge it. "Werewolves are naturally physique freaks, and—wait, did you say he had red eyes?!" Owen’s tone shifted, a newfound intensity in his gaze."Yes?" Jeremy uttered, intrigued by the sudden change in Owen's demeanor."Then that one is special. He is what we call an alpha," Owen stated, his expression serious."An alpha
As Jeremy and Celicia approached the designated meeting point, a row of sleek black cars lined the curb, their polished surfaces gleaming under the afternoon sun. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation and an unspoken tension that hung heavily in the air. James Detroit stood at the forefront, exuding an unmistakable air of authority. He was dressed immaculately in a perfectly tailored black suit that hinted at both power and sophistication. His polished shoes glinted as he shifted his weight, and the black goggles perched on his forehead gave him an enigmatic edge, masking his eyes and adding to his imposing presence.For the first time, Jeremy felt a surge of confidence as he locked eyes with James, a silent challenge passing between them. "He is still stronger!" Jeremy noted to himself, acknowledging the disparity in their power even as he approached with a newfound determination."Get in the car, Celicia," James commanded, his voice firm and unyielding. Celicia nodded, her
Jeremy didn’t respond as he exited the office, the door closing behind him with a heavy thud. His mind was already racing with thoughts of what lay ahead. The Detroit family, the Dark Horses Guild, the mysterious Blackthorn—everything seemed to be converging on him at once, threatening to overwhelm him. But Jeremy was determined to stand his ground. He wasn’t going to let anyone—not Burke, not the Detroit family, and certainly not some shadowy figure from his past—control his destiny.As he stepped out into the cool night air, the city’s lights casting long shadows on the pavement, Jeremy’s resolve hardened. He knew what he had to do. The time for doubt was over; it was time to take action.“Now it’s time,” he thought to himself, the words echoing in his mind like a battle cry. “Dark Horses Guild, here I come.”*> <*Jeremy’s footsteps echoed ominously through the dimly lit corridors of the Dark Horse Guild, each step a haunting reminder of the battles he had just survived. His fac
Out of respect, Jeremy complied, settling into the chair with a calm demeanor. Elijah’s presence alone commanded reverence—not just within his own guild but across several others. His leadership was legendary, and his strength, though still at A+ rank, was spoken of in tones usually reserved for S ranked hunters. The S rank, the threshold where heroics transcended into the realm of the supernatural, had eluded him. Now, with the weight of time bearing down, Elijah had resigned himself to the likelihood that he would never cross that final threshold. Retirement loomed closer than ascension to the god-tier, and his thoughts increasingly turned toward Jessica, the C+ ranked hunter he planned to groom as his successor.Elijah's eyes, sharp and intense, radiated a cautious energy that kept everyone on edge.“Jeremy, I’ve heard quite a bit about you—from Jessica and other sources,” Elijah began, leaning forward slightly, his chin resting on his clasped hands, supported by elbows planted
"Shit, damn it!" Burke cursed vehemently, his fist connecting with the desk with a resounding thud as he absorbed the news relayed to him over the phone. His frustration was palpable, a storm brewing in his chest. "Jeremy decided to remain a member of the Dark Horses Guild at the last minute," the voice on the other end reported, every word cutting deeper than a knife."Okay, keep me updated, Russell. Do not fail me," Burke replied, his voice a mixture of command and barely contained rage. As he ended the call, he hurled his damage-proof phone to the floor, the device bouncing harmlessly yet failing to relieve the tension that was coiling tighter within him."Elijah and Jessica keep messing up my plans!" he thought bitterly, gritting his teeth as anger swirled in his mind. "Who are these people calling themselves 'the Freaks'? This is war—an all-out war against anyone who dares to obstruct my path to acquiring Jeremy!"Burke's temper flared as he paced the room, the shadows of his
After Elijah's departure, an uneasy silence enveloped Jessica's office. Jeremy sat with his head bent low, the weight of recent events pressing heavily on his shoulders, while Jessica stared into space, lost in her own thoughts."Are you okay, Jer?" she finally asked, breaking the stillness."Um, I’m fine," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.Inside his mind, Jeremy wrestled with conflicting emotions. "I almost accepted Burke's offer," he pondered, a wave of guilt washing over him. "I almost went against my own principles.""Listen, what we did was for your good—" Jessica began, trying to reassure him."I know, at least I’m well aware of that now," he mumbled, his tone reflecting his inner turmoil."I think you need a timeout from your current struggles," Jessica advised, offering him a warm smile that felt like a breath of fresh air amid the chaos."What do you think I should do?" Jeremy inquired, looking into her eyes, searching for guidance."I'm quite free tomorrow eve
Jeremy’s eyes widened, recognition hitting him like a wave. "He’s from the Dark Horses Guild, but I’ve never seen him before…"His gaze fell on the badge—an unmistakable symbol of the Dark Horses, but this wasn’t just any badge. Noctis was A-ranked, one of the elite.Jeremy’s smile was brief, more a flicker of relief than anything else. He knew better than to let his guard down completely. There was something off about the timing of these newcomers, even if Noctis claimed to be an ally. And that first guy? There was no mistaking the unsettling feeling Jeremy got from him—the grin, the casual arrogance, the air of something sinister.The rest of the class, oblivious to the undercurrents of tension, continued to watch the exchange with wide eyes and murmurs of curiosity. Jeremy could feel the weight of their stares, but he pushed it aside. His focus was on the two strangers who had walked into his world unannounced.Noctis took a step back, still maintaining that strange smile as i