Chapter 3: Truth in Moonlight
660words
I sit on the windowsill, my fingers gently stroking my mother's diary. I found it hidden in the lining of my suitcase, along with an ancient silver dagger and several vials labeled in Latin.
The first page of the diary reads: *"To my daughter Valerie—when you read these, I am no longer in this world. Remember, your bloodline is both curse and gift. Beacon Hills will give you answers."*
Turning a few pages, I see disturbing sketches: werewolves, transformed creatures, ancient runes. On the margins are written: "Hale family—dangerous but important" and "McCall bloodline—potential guardians."
A slight noise comes from outside the window. I quickly close the diary to see Scott carefully climbing out his window. He looks around, then nimbly jumps down from the second floor, landing almost without a sound—not something an ordinary person could do.
I quickly change into black sportswear and follow him.
Scott's running speed in the forest is incredible, but my training allows me to maintain distance without being discovered. He finally stops in front of an abandoned house, where several people are already waiting.
I hide behind a tree, recognizing Derek Hale, that boy Ethan and his twin brother. There are also several young people I don't know.
"The full moon is approaching," Derek's voice is particularly clear in the night, "control yourselves. Scott, you're responsible for watching the newcomers."
"I can feel something different," Scott says, "since Valerie arrived."
Hearing my name, I hold my breath.
"She smells like a hunter," Derek says, "but there's something else too. Are you sure she doesn't know about us?"
"She's my sister," Scott insists, "I'll protect her."
Ethan suddenly turns his head, looking in my direction, "Someone's there."
I know I've been discovered, but I don't run. Instead, I step out, directly facing this group of people—or rather, non-humans.
"Looks like I missed the family meeting," I say calmly, my gaze sweeping across everyone, finally landing on Scott, "brother."
In the moonlight, Scott's eyes flash golden, his facial features beginning to distort. Others are changing too, except Derek, whose eyes turn blood red.
"Werewolves," I say the word, feeling it burn on my tongue, "I guess this is the secret mother wanted me to know."
"Your mother was a hunter," Derek steps forward, his voice low and dangerous, "and a hunter's duty is to kill us."
"If I wanted to kill you," I pull out the silver dagger from my boot, gleaming cold in the moonlight, "I wouldn't have waited until now."
Scott struggles to regain human form, "Valerie, I can explain—"
"No need," I interrupt him, "everything is in my mother's diary. The Hale family, werewolves, hunters. I just didn't expect my half-brother to be one of them."
Derek and Ethan exchange a look.
"How much do you know?" Derek asks.
"Enough to understand this town isn't normal," I answer, "but not enough to understand why my mother insisted I return here."
Just then, the moon fully rises, and Scott suddenly falls to his knees, groaning in pain. Other young werewolves also begin to lose control, their eyes changing color, claws extending.
"Damn," Derek growls, "they still can't fully control the transformation."
I watch Scott's suffering and feel a strange resonance. I step forward, instinctively reaching out to touch Scott's shoulder.
Something strange happens.
When my hand contacts Scott, energy surges from within me, passing to Scott like an electric current. His breathing gradually steadies, his eyes returning to normal color.
Everyone watches this scene in shock.
"This is impossible," Derek whispers, "unless..."
I feel dizzy, staggering backward. Ethan quickly comes forward to support me, his touch giving me a strange warmth.
"What are you?" Derek asks, his eyes mixing wariness and curiosity.
I look at my hand, which seems to have silver light flowing under the skin in the moonlight.
"I don't know," I answer honestly, then look directly into Derek's eyes, "but I want to find out."
