Wendy parked the car, and they all stepped out.
One of Jack's brothers glanced at the other.
"Are you expecting anyone?" he asked, his blue eyes flashing, widening.
They rang the doorbell. A brother opened it with a sheepish smile.
"How can I help you ladies?"
"We're here to see Jack. We go to the same school," Maya replied.
"Even your sister here?" he teased, nodding at Wendy.
"She's my mum," Maya said, rolling her eyes.
"I'm sorry, but Jack's not receiving visitors."
"We just want to know if he's okay," Wendy said calmly.
"I—" He fell silent as he caught the glow of Wendy's red eyes.
"Come in," he said quickly, stepping aside and opening the door.
Sofia and Maya exchanged surprised glances before stepping inside. They found Jack's four shirtless brothers in the sitting room. One of them whispered something to another.
"I'll get him," one said and disappeared upstairs.
"Make yourselves comfortable," another added.
Maya leaned in and whispered to Sofia, "Isn't this the same house that held the party?"
Sofia nodded silently.
---
Olivia opened a locked box using her powers and gasped. Inside lay Wendy's talisman—wolf blood fused with that of a witch, crafted into a wooden, star-shaped necklace. She clutched it close.
"She kept it," Olivia whispered, smiling softly.
Jack came down the stairs and saw them.
He gestured. "Sofia, Maya. Come upstairs."
"Jack, are you okay?" Maya asked.
"You missed school. You never miss school," Sofia added.
"I'm fine. Just been running a temperature," Jack said, avoiding Maya's eyes.
Maya touched his face. "Yeah, you're really hot."
"You look awful," Sofia joked, and they all chuckled.
"Can I talk to you privately?" Maya asked.
Jack pointed to a photo album. "Keep yourself busy with that, Sofia."
---
Downstairs, Wendy approached one of the brothers.
"Are you the oldest?"
"Yes… What do you really want?" he asked, meeting her gaze directly.
She gulped. "Help."
"Help? You're an Ultima," Jack's brother Owen replied, stunned.
"Maya hasn't realized her powers yet. She doesn't know she's a werewolf."
"Is she an Ultima like you?"
"She's a Zeta."
"But her powers should've shown by now, unless..."
"Yes. I had to suppress them. To protect her from her father."
"Who's her father?"
"Lacroff."
His eyes widened in disbelief.
---
Upstairs with Maya and Jack:
"My brother said he saw you with a blonde guy. Are you—?"
"Oh, him? He kinda saved Sofia and me from two creeps. There's nothing going on."
"Hope you weren't hurt?"
"Not at all."
"I'm sorry. My brothers invited some college friends over. I didn't know you'd come."
"Me neither, but I'm glad I did. I want my best friend back. Tell me I'll see you in school tomorrow," Maya said, holding his hand.
Jack faked a smile. "Sure."
Sofia stepped out of Jack's room. "Hey lovebirds, Mum's calling. We have to go."
---
As they prepared to leave, Wendy pulled Jack aside.
"I believe this is our first up-close meet," she said. "But I need your help."
"With what?"
"Promise me you'll protect Maya. No matter what."
"From what, exactly?"
"Anyone who wants to hurt her. That blonde boy too. I don't trust him. I brought Maya here to show her she's safe here."
"I don't trust him either. But Maya's strong, even without knowing what she is."
"She's starting to wonder what we're talking about. I'll find you later. We'll talk."
Maya looked over, suspicious of their hushed conversation.
Jack walked them to the car. Wendy locked eyes with him for a long moment before they drove off.
---
Elsewhere, at a casino:
"Let's go. 100 bucks," Alex smacked money on the table. He had been beaten twice already and was sweating. This time, the bet was 10 grand.
"Winner takes all," one of the men said.
Alex smirked, confident.
He revealed his cards.
"What?!" the others screamed.
That night, Alex walked home smiling. He texted Maya:
"Hey hero. Can you talk?"
Maya, sitting with her Grams in the living room, checked her phone and blushed.
"Only if you're my biggest fan" she replied.
Grams noticed the giggle.
"Who's getting my baby all red?" Olivia teased.
"Me? Red? No way." Maya quickly got up. "I'll retire to my room now, Grams."
Olivia smirked. "Hmm… of course."
Wendy walked in. "What was that about?"
"Maya has a crush. I think it's that Jack boy."
"No, it's the guy from the party."
"You've seen him?"
"Yes. I don't like him one bit. He's a werewolf."
"What's wrong with that?"
"He's a beta. That means he could be under someone's command."
Olivia's eyes widened in sudden realization.
---
Maya's phone rang.
"Hey, hero," Alex said.
"Hello, my biggest fan," she replied, grinning.
"So… what's my hero up to?"
"Hatching plans for my next save. You?"
"Finding the courage to ask the girl I like out."
"Ohhh!"
"How does Friday sound?"
"Guess it's a date," Maya said.
"I'll pick you up at 6 PM."
"Sure."
She hung up, placed the phone on her chest, and flopped onto her bed smiling.
---
At a bar:
A man in his mid 40's wearing a black leather jacket, blue jeans and dark brown boots. He ordered tequila. He had a bit of grey in his hair, that matched his eye colour. A woman next to him ordered the same. It was Ms Shelby she looked younger in a black jean and blue top and she let her blonde hair fall to her shoulders.
"You've got guts coming here… to my city," she said, staring at him.
He didn't flinch. He took the shot and ignored her.
"You've got no protection here."
He smirked. "You're the one who needs protection… if you don't mind your damn business."
He stood to leave and he looked scary, moved closer to her. He was 6 foot, she stood up as well, not feel intimidated .
"You are still as small as I remember" he smiled with his upper teeth. She blinked profusely.
He turned to leave.
"Get out of my city, Lacroff!" she shouted as he walked out the door.
---
Back at school, Sofia pulled Jack aside.
"What are you doing? Letting some shirtless guy beat you at this?"
Jack frowned. "What?"
"Maya's going on a date with him tonight."
"She told me they're just friends."
Sofia snapped her fingers. "Snap out of it. You know that's not true."
"So… what do I do?"
"Tell her how you feel," Sofia said, poking his chest. "You're a good guy, Jack."
"I'm not sure I can attest to that."
"What?! I've known you since eighth grade. You are a good guy. Her date's at six. Be at her house before then."
"Show up uninvited?"
"Yeah… like we did? Good luck!" she said, giving him two thumbs up.
---
Elsewhere:
"Boss, we lost all the money," a guard said, panting.
"You what? To who?!"
"A new guy. Been cleaning up at the casino."
"Did you follow him?"
"oh… no."
The boss smashed the man's head into the wall.
"Useless. Find him. Or I'll feed your brains to the street dogs."
He turned, waving dismissively. "Take care of this mess."
---
"Mum, I'm going on a date with Alex tonight," Maya said, glancing at Olivia for support.
Wendy remained silent.
"I know, before you say anything..."
"You can go, Maya."
Both Maya and Olivia looked shocked.
"You'll be sixteen soon. I trust you."
"Thank you!" Maya beamed. "He's picking me up at 6, so you'll get to meet him!"
"I'm sure," Olivia said sarcastically.
Maya hugged her. "Thanks for being cool, Mum."
As she headed upstairs, Olivia turned to Wendy.
"It's the best way."
---
At 5:30 PM, Jack got up and headed to Maya's house. He rang the bell.
"Coming!" Maya's voice echoed from inside.
But suddenly, Jack found himself yanked, now standing in a bush outside the house. His eyes widened as he saw glowing yellow eyes, sharp fangs, and thick saliva dripping to the ground.