EMILY'S POV
I wake up before my eyes fully open.
Because something moves.
Not loud. Not dramatic.
Just my grandmother shifting beside me — and the moment she does, my senses flare like someone snapped a wire inside me.
Everything is sharp.
loud.
alive.
I sit up the same instant Grandma does.
Her tired eyes soften. "You felt that, didn't you?"
I nod slowly. "I felt… everything. The smallest movement."
She exhales, her shoulders sagging. She's still weak — drained from the spell she used last night to stabilize me,to keep my power from exploding out of control and to keep me alive.
"You didn't just help me," I whisper. "You saved me."
Grandma gives a small smile. "You're First-Blood. Awakening is violent. If I didn't bind the surge, it would've consumed you."
Before I can respond, voices drift from the living room. Heavy steps. Soft groans. A loud yawn.
The wolves.
The four of them — the three females and the one male — now in their human forms, stretching out sore muscles. Two couples, mated pairs, loyal to me.
But not to Grandma.
Just me.
"Emily," she murmurs, "they're awake. We should join them."
I nod and step out of bed, the wood under my feet vibrating with every heartbeat in the house.
My senses are insane but stabilized .
When we step into the living room, the sight hits me:
The wolves — in human form — straighten respectfully.
Mason sits on the floor, hair a mess, glaring at Tyler like he wants to strangle him.
Tyler stands with folded arms, eyes scanning me instantly, carefully, protectively.
"Emily." His voice lowers. "How do you feel?"
"i feel relieved and in control" I admit.
Grandma steps in. "The stabilization held. But only just."
Tyler nods once, jaw tight. "We need to talk. Last night's power burst—"
Mason cuts in, waving his arms dramatically:
"—was a freaking SUPERNOVA. Emily, you lit up half the damn forest. You think hunters didn't sense that?"
Grandma's expression darkens. "So they're coming."
"They're close," Tyler confirms.
The wolves tense.
One of the female wolves speaks softly: "We should move. The hunters will track the surge straight here."
Another shakes her head. "Running makes us predictable."
Tyler glances at my grandma. "We need options. Now."
Grandma meets his eyes firmly.
"Destiny brought her power forward. Destiny will decide the path."
Tyler clenches his jaw. "Destiny isn't a plan."
"Sometimes," Grandma says, "it's the only one."
I swallow hard and turn to her.
"Why do they want me, Grandma? Why are the hunters after First-Blood?"
Her eyes soften with old pain. She gestures for me to sit.
"Emily… your birth parents were part of the oldest magical lineage. First-Blood isn't just power — it's creation magic. Blood that can awaken or destroy other supernatural lines."
Tyler adds quietly, "And the hunters want that power. To weaponize you. Or kill you."
My chest tightens.
"So I'm hunted because of something I didn't choose?"
"Yes," Grandma whispers. "But you're not alone."
Before I can respond , a distant rumble shakes the walls.Engines.Multiple.Fast.
The wolves freeze.
Mason stands instantly.
Tyler's eyes darken, wolf rising.
"They're here."
Grandma lifts her trembling hand, weak but determined.
"Emily. Stay behind Tyler. Your power is still unstable."
A spark jumps from my fingers, crackling in the air.
Everyone sees it.
Grandma whispers, "Your magic is waking again… we're out of time."
The hunters reach the property.
And the real fight is about to begin.