Instincts

𝓐𝓼𝓽𝓻𝓲𝓭 𝓟𝓞𝓥

I walked into school that morning, fully committed to ignoring Jason. It wasn’t even that hard—I had plenty of other things to be pissed about.

Why couldn’t my life just be normal?

First, I had no idea who my real parents were. Dead or alive? No clue. Then there was the whole embarrassing crush on Jason back in the day, which, thankfully, faded into nothing. And just when I thought life couldn’t get any weirder, boom—he has a hot older brother.

And now? Werewolves. Packs. What next? Aliens?

I sighed, shaking my head as I made my way through the hallway. But just as I turned the corner, something flew toward me at full speed.

Without thinking, my hand shot up, and I caught it midair. A can of soda—still sealed.

I blinked. What the hell?

Then I heard the obnoxious scoff.

"Seriously?" I muttered, glancing up to find Bianca standing there with her usual entourage.

She rolled her eyes. "Oh, look, the orphan’s got reflexes. Guess growing up without a real family gave you animal instincts."

Her little minions cackled like trained hyenas, and I felt my entire body go rigid.

Orphan.

I didn’t give a damn what Bianca thought of me, but that word—it always hit a nerve.

I took a deep breath, trying to push down the anger rising in my chest. I clenched the soda can in my hand, forcing myself to stay calm. But the moment my fingers tightened, the metal crushed in on itself with a sharp, hissing pop. Liquid gushed between my fingers, spilling to the floor.

Bianca’s laughter cut off.

I wasn’t even looking at her anymore. My gaze was locked on the floor, on the mess dripping from my hand, on the way my pulse pounded too fast, too strong.

I was losing control.

Then, just as fast as the rage came, it disappeared.

Because someone stepped in front of me.

A broad chest. A crisp, clean scent that didn’t belong in this filthy hallway.

Killian.

I snapped my head up in shock. He stood there, tall and calm, but there was something sharp in his green eyes when he looked at Bianca. Something dangerous.

And just like that, my anger was gone.

𝓚𝓲𝓵𝓵𝓲𝓪𝓷 𝓟𝓞𝓥

I had no intention of stopping by the hallway. I was on my way somewhere else, minding my business—until my senses picked up something off.

A sharp, erratic heartbeat.

Astrid’s heartbeat.

Then I heard her voice, laced with irritation, followed by another—sickly sweet and filled with venom. Bianca.

I turned my head just in time to see the moment Astrid crushed the soda can in her grip. It collapsed like it was made of paper, spraying its contents everywhere.

She wasn’t just angry.

She was on the verge of losing it.

I didn’t even think twice. My feet moved before my mind caught up, and in seconds, I was there, stepping in front of her.

The hallway fell into stunned silence.

Whispers erupted.

"Who is that?"

"He’s hot. Is he defending her?"

"Wait, he looks like Jason—"

I ignored them all, my gaze locked on Bianca, who was still standing there with her arms folded, lips curled into that smug little smirk.

I took a slow step toward her, watching as the confidence in her eyes wavered just a bit.

"Listen carefully," I said, my voice calm but sharp enough to slice through the air. "I’m not like my brother. I don’t play nice. And no one—" my eyes flickered dangerously, "touches what’s mine."

The words left my mouth before I could even think them through, but I didn’t take them back.

Astrid was staring at me now, wide-eyed, but I still didn’t care.

I walked back to her, gently prying the crushed can from her fingers, then turned and tossed it at Bianca’s feet. "Clean up your mess," I muttered before leading Astrid away.

She didn’t resist. She just followed.

I brought her into an empty classroom—the music room. It was quiet, peaceful, with faint traces of past melodies lingering in the air.

The moment the door closed behind us, she let out a shaky breath.

Then, her head fell, her shoulders trembled, and before I knew it, she was crying.

"I hate her," she whispered, voice thick with emotion. "I hate that she gets to say whatever she wants and I just have to take it."

I stood there, watching her fists clench at her sides, her breaths coming in uneven bursts. "I wanted to rip her apart," she admitted, her voice breaking. "I swear, Killian, I wanted to—"

I pulled her in before she could finish.

Her head rested against my chest, her whole body trembling. I wasn’t sure if she even realized she was clutching my shirt, gripping it like it was the only thing keeping her from falling apart.

I stroked her back, slow and steady. "You don’t have to explain," I murmured. "I get it."

And I did.

More than she knew.

𝓙𝓐𝓢𝓞𝓝 𝓟𝓞𝓥

I was just getting back from sports, my gym bag slung over my shoulder, when I passed by the music room.

I wasn’t even paying attention at first—just walking by, ready to grab my stuff and head to class. But then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw something that made me stop.

Killian.

Hugging Astrid.

My grip on my bag tightened. What the hell was I looking at? Astrid, the same girl who always had something to say, who rolled her eyes at everything, was just… standing there, letting him hold her?

I was about to step inside, demand to know what was going on, when the noise in the hallway pulled me back.

I turned my head and saw Bianca standing there, her stupid heels soaked in soda, a crushed can at her feet.

She noticed me and immediately scoffed. "Oh, look who finally shows up."

I frowned. "What happened?"

Bianca huffed, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "Your little friend had a tantrum. All I did was have a small talk with her, and she crushed this can open like a lunatic." She motioned to her shoes. "I swear, she’s insane."

I clenched my jaw. Astrid had crushed that can?

"And another thing," Bianca snapped, arms crossing. "Why the hell didn’t you tell me you had a brother?"

Nahh, not again.

𝓐𝓢𝓣𝓡𝓘𝓓 𝓟𝓞𝓥

I pulled away from Killian, wiping my face as I exhaled. "Sorry for that… babyish behavior."

Killian chuckled, shaking his head. "It’s okay. I’m here for you."

I looked at him, really looked at him. He was different from Jason. Where Jason was all hesitance and awkwardness, Killian was steady, unshaken. I appreciated that.

"Thanks," I said, sitting beside him.

He leaned back, arms stretched over the bench. "I saw what you did to that can," he said casually. "If I hadn’t stepped in, you would’ve ripped Bianca apart, wouldn’t you?"

I snorted. "Maybe."

He grinned. "You ever think there’s a reason why you could do that?"

I frowned. "What do you mean?"

Killian raised a brow. "Your reflexes, your strength. The way you caught that can midair without even thinking? That’s not normal."

I waved him off. "I just have good instincts."

He hummed. "Maybe."

I glanced at him, curiosity creeping in. "Alright, Mr. Alpha. What’s it like?"

Killian smirked. "What’s what like?"

"Being a were-whatever," I said, crossing my arms.

He chuckled. "Sharp senses. Heightened reflexes. Strength beyond human limits. The full moon makes everything more intense—feels like fire in your veins, energy that’s impossible to contain. And of course, the shifting."

I stared at him. "So, what, you turn into a giant dog?"

Killian gave me an unimpressed look. "A wolf," he corrected.

I laughed. "Right. A wolf."

He tilted his head. "You don’t believe me."

"Not even a little," I admitted with a grin.

Killian’s expression shifted. That cocky amusement faded, replaced with something else. He looked at me with an eerie calm, the kind of look that sent a chill down my spine. A small, knowing smile played on his lips.

"You’ll come back to me," he said.

I rolled my eyes. "Sure, big guy. Whatever you say."

Still, something about the way he said it made my stomach twist.

I stood up, stretching my arms. "You’re cool, though," I said, tapping his shoulder. "Jason really did me dirty by not telling me about you."

Killian only smirked.

"Thanks again," I added before heading out the door.