In a world where Shifters ruled the night, omegas like me knew our place. We were prey. The hierarchy was absolute—Alphas, born to lead; Betas, their enforcers; and Omegas, the most vulnerable. And then there were Ferals—Shifters who had lost themselves to hunger and instinct, a threat to everyone.

I never thought I’d end up face-to-face with one.

The woods weren’t safe after dark, but I had no choice. Walking home alone was a risk, but so was staying put. The town had been tense lately—Shifters on edge, humans keeping their heads down. I pulled my jacket tighter, trying to ignore the feeling of being watched.

A twig snapped.

I barely turned before something lunged from the shadows, slamming me to the ground. My breath hitched as I stared up into glowing eyes, teeth bared too close to my throat.

I didn’t have time to scream.

And then, in a flash of movement, my attacker was gone—thrown aside like they weighed nothing. A deep snarl echoed in the night. My head spun as I pushed myself up, vision swimming.

That’s when I saw him.

A boy—no, a Shifter—stood between me and the thing that had nearly killed me. His form flickered at the edges, somewhere between human and something more. His golden eyes were locked onto mine, sharp with an emotion I couldn’t name.

My breath came in ragged gasps.

“You’re reckless.” His voice was low, rough, barely restrained. “You don’t belong out here.”

I should’ve thanked him. I should’ve run. But something in his gaze made my stomach twist—an intensity that sent heat creeping up my neck.

“You should go home.”

He turned as if to leave, but something in me panicked.

“Wait.” The word left my lips before I could stop it. He stilled.

I swallowed hard. “Who are you?”

His eyes flickered over me, lingering on my exposed pulse for just a second too long. Then, finally—

“Luca.”

The way he said it felt like a warning.

But all I could think was that, for the first time in my life, a Shifter had looked at me like I was something more than prey.