Wolves of blackbridge

Chapter 4

“What the hell are you?” Nate asked, his voice shaking, the words coming out in a daze.

This had to be a dream, right?

Any second now, he’d wake up. He’d be back in his dorm, everything normal again, and he’d laugh at how ridiculous his mind had gotten.

"Really? That's the question you're going for?" Celeste's voice cut through the silence, dripping with sarcasm as she walked into the clearing. She held out a bundle of clothes, which Killian took without a word.

Killian slipped the hoodie on without a second thought. "We’re werewolves, Nate. And you’re one of us, too."

Nate froze, his chest tightening. A weak laugh bubbled up. “Ha, nice one. You really got me there. I must be dreaming.” His voice wavered slightly, but he forced himself to sound confident, even if every instinct screamed that what he was seeing was real.

“You’re a fool if you don’t believe us, despite everything right in front of your eyes.” Celeste’s tone was sharp, her arms crossed over her chest, her gaze unwavering. "Werewolves are real, Nate. And you’re one of us."

Nate’s heart thudded in his chest, panic creeping in. “No,” he muttered, shaking his head. “No way. This—this can’t be real.”

"Guess you don't even know what you are, huh? No idea who turned you, or what really happened to you?" Celeste’s sneer was like a slap to the face.

God, she was insufferable.

Nate's hands trembled as he ran them through his hair. His breath was coming in quick, shallow gasps. He was spiraling. "Looks like I’m not the only one who's lost it. Both of you are crazy." He shook his head, his voice shaking with frustration, as he took a step back. "I don’t know what you’re playing at, but I don’t want any part of it.”

He started to turn, his legs moving on their own, he was going back to his dorm .

But then Killian’s hand shot out, grabbing his wrist with a grip that was way too strong. "You won’t survive on your own, Nathaniel." His voice was low, serious, his icy blue eyes boring into Nate’s . "The sooner you face the truth, the better. How do you explain everything that happened tonight?"

“I— I don’t know!” Nate screamed, his chest tightening, his body trembling as the words tore out of him. His fists clenched at his sides, his breathing accelerating. What was happening to him? The anger swirled inside him like a storm, and it was only growing stronger.

“I don’t know what the hell is going on,” he gasped, stumbling back, his breath ragged. His thoughts were racing, too fast to follow. “But I know one thing for sure I don’t believe in werewolves. They can’t be real.”

"Calm down, Nathaniel," Celeste's voice was softer now, almost… concerned. She moved toward him, hands reaching for him as if to steady him. "You’re going to hurt yourself."

Nate barely heard her. His chest burned with that strange fury that seemed to be rising within him, swelling, taking over everything. "No! I—I can’t!" His fists clenched tighter. He wanted to fight wanted to scream but there was a part of him, deep down, that knew he wasn’t just angry. He was scared.

This couldn’t be real. It couldn’t be.

"Nate," Killian said, his voice commanding, yet surprisingly gentle. "This is who you are now."

Nate’s breath hitched, and for the first time, the weight of the situation started to sink in. His whole body felt like it was burning . And before he could stop himself, a deep, primal growl rumbled in his chest. His breath came in ragged gasps, as if the very air was too thick to breathe.

Nate’s heart was pounding in his chest, his legs shaking beneath him as the words—werewolf—echoed in his mind, refusing to let go. His body was on the edge, trembling with fear. His breath came in ragged gasps, and his vision blurred, as if his mind was struggling to accept the truth.

“No,” he whispered, shaking his head. He couldn’t—couldn’t—believe this. Not now.

His fists clenched tighter, his body tensing as if ready to fight or flee.

“I’m not one of you,” he spat, his voice raw with emotion.

Before anyone could say another word, his legs moved on their own, propelling him backward, away from them. The fear surged through him, burning like a wildfire, and he turned on his heel, his eyes wide with panic.

He wasn’t ready. He wasn’t ready for this.

“You can’t run from this, Nathaniel!” Killian’s voice called after him, but Nate didn’t stop.

His body pushed forward faster, instinct driving him away from the clearing, away from the terrifying truth. His legs burned as he sprinted through the woods, the night air whipping against his face. His heartbeat hammered in his chest, and all he could hear was the pounding of his own blood in his ears.

“Nate!” Killian shouted again, but Nate didn’t dare look back. He couldn’t—he wouldn’t.

He just had to get away.

He didn’t know where he was going, didn’t know what would happen to him if he didn’t get away. He couldn’t stay there with them they were dangerous. He wasn’t ready to face whatever nightmare they were trying to drag him into.

“Let him go,” Celeste’s voice stopped Killian in his tracks.

Nate’s pulse skipped. He couldn’t hear their exchange over the sound of his own breath and the pounding of his feet against the earth, but he could sense the tension, the silent battle between them.

“He’ll be back,” she said softly, but there was something more in her voice something softer, almost understanding. “He needs time. Let him have it.”

Killian’s eyes burned with frustration, his jaw clenched tightly. He took a step forward, but then paused, glancing toward Nate’s retreating form. His gaze softened, almost reluctantly, before he stepped back.

“I know,” Killian said finally, his voice low and strained. “But he won’t be able to run forever.”

With one last glance in Nate’s direction, Killian turned his back to him, but his eyes remained haunted, like he knew the truth was catching up to Nate faster than the boy could run.

Nate didn’t look back. He couldn’t. His legs carried him, his feet slamming against the ground, his breath ragged, his mind a swirl of confusion and panic.

The world felt too big, too overwhelming now. Everything he thought he knew had shattered in a single moment.

And now, all he wanted was to escape.