Between the fangs of love

The first time I saw Ethan Carter, he was standing at the front of the classroom, shoulders back, eyes soft but unreadable. He looked like something out of a dream — or maybe a warning. "Class, meet your new classmate. Ethan just transferred from Ridgeview Academy. Make him feel welcome," Mrs. Hensley said, smiling like she always did when we got someone new. But something in her eyes flickered when she looked at him. Maybe I imagined it. Ethan's eyes met mine for just a second. Deep brown. No smile. Just… still. Like a lake with secrets at the bottom. I quickly looked away. My name is Joan Rivers, and I don’t believe in love at first sight. I believe in logic, lists, and always sitting by the window. That day, something did go wrong. Ethan walked down the row, empty seats everywhere, but he stopped at mine. “Can I sit here?” His voice was low, polite. I nodded. “Sure.” I didn’t trust my voice enough to speak yet. He sat. Close. Too close. I pretended to pay attention to Mrs. Hensley’s lecture on government systems, but I couldn’t focus. I was aware of him. His scent — something cold and wild, like the forest after rain. His movements — calm, still, except for the way his fingers tapped gently on the table every time she said the word “power.” And the strangest thing? I swore I heard a growl. Quiet, distant. But when I glanced around, no one else reacted. Just me. Maybe I was imagining it. I hadn’t slept much the night before. Bad dreams. Shadows. Glowing eyes in the trees behind my backyard. I shook my head and focused on my notes. Governments. Systems. Stay grounded, Joan. But Ethan leaned in slightly. "You’re good at this,” he whispered. “At what?” I blinked. “Looking like you belong.” He didn’t say it like a compliment. More like… a fact. I didn’t answer. Because what do you say to someone who sees through your skin like that? --- The day moved slowly. Lunch was the usual chaos of noise and perfume and fake laughs, but today, something was different. Ethan didn’t eat. He just sat at the edge of the cafeteria, reading a book — thick, black cover, no title. Bella, my best friend, nudged me. “He’s cute. And weird. Total mystery vibe. You into it?” I laughed. “Please. You know my rule.” “No distractions, just university plans,” she said in a mocking tone. “Come on, Joan. One little distraction won’t kill you.” I glanced over. Ethan was still reading. But he looked up, and once again, caught me staring. He didn’t smile. Just tilted his head like he was trying to figure something out. I looked away. Again. --- After school, I stayed back in the library to return a late book. The halls were mostly empty. Quiet. Just the sound of my sneakers and my heartbeat. Then I heard it — footsteps. Light. Deliberate. I turned a corner and froze. Xander Reid. Everyone at Forest Hills High knew the name. The scary boy. Always alone. Always late. Always in trouble. Black clothes, black hoodie, black stare. If Ethan was a mystery, Xander was a warning sign with claws. He brushed past me without a word. His eyes — green and sharp — flicked toward mine and narrowed slightly, like he saw something he didn’t like. He smelled of smoke and pine and something dangerous. Like he’d been fighting the night itself. “Watch where you walk, Red Riding Hood,” he muttered. “What?” I blinked. “Nothing.” And then he was gone. I stood there, confused, heart racing. Two strangers in one day. Both of them strange. Both of them staring at me like I was some kind of puzzle piece they’d been looking for. --- That night, I had another dream. I was running barefoot in the woods. My white dress was torn. Something was chasing me — I didn’t know what. But I could hear it. Heavy paws. Breathing. Growling. Then, out of nowhere, arms grabbed me, pulling me back against a tree. I screamed — but when I turned, it was Ethan. “Don’t run,” he said softly, eyes glowing gold. Behind him, red eyes glowed in the dark. A snarl echoed. Then Ethan stepped in front of me like a shield. He turned — and changed. Bones snapped, muscles shifted. He wasn’t human anymore. He was a wolf. Massive. Silver. Terrifying. Beautiful. Then I woke up. Gasping. The clock said 3:12 AM. My window was open — I swear I closed it. Outside, something moved in the trees. --- The next morning, I looked like death warmed over. Bags under my eyes. My hair had a mind of its own. “Rough night?” Bella asked, sipping her iced coffee as we walked into the building. “You have no idea,” I said, yawning. “I do,” she teased. “It’s called ‘being in love with the new guy.’” I smacked her shoulder lightly. “Stop.” We turned the corner — and there he was. Ethan, standing by the lockers. Wearing a black jacket, looking like he’d stepped out of a TV show. Girls were staring. Of course they were. But he didn’t notice any of them. He looked straight at me. And for the first time, he smiled. It wasn’t big. Just a soft curve of the lips. But it made my stomach twist. Bella nudged me again. “Oh, it’s over for you. I can see it already.” I tried to act normal. But how do you act normal when a boy from your dream — a boy who turned into a wolf and saved you from monsters — is smiling at you like he knows exactly what you dreamed? --- Later that day, Mrs. Hensley assigned us a history project — partners. Of course, fate was having fun with me. “Joan Rivers, you’ll work with Ethan Carter.” My stomach dropped. Bella wiggled her eyebrows like a fool. Ethan walked over to my desk. He didn’t say anything at first. Just looked at me with those deep, knowing eyes. “I’m guessing you’re the smart one in this duo,” he said, sitting down. I raised an eyebrow. “And you’re the mysterious transfer student who doesn’t eat lunch?” He chuckled. We opened the textbook, but I barely read a word. My hand brushed his by accident — or maybe not an accident at all. His skin was cold. But in a strange way, it made mine feel hot. He looked at me, serious now. “Do you believe in fate, Joan?” “What kind of question is that?” “A real one.” I hesitated. “I believe in cause and effect. Science. Decisions. Not fate.” He leaned closer. “Then let’s see if I can change your mind.” And suddenly, I knew… my life was about to change. Ethan Carter was no ordinary boy. And whatever he’d brought with him — danger, secrets, wolves — it had already started pulling me in. Too late to run now.