The bell over the Beacon Hills High front doors screeched like it was personally offended by the late afternoon rush. Students poured in, loud, but the energy shifted when the new guy walked through.

Jacob.

He carried himself like he’d already decided the school was lucky to have him. Easy grin. Too-white smile. The kind of confidence that tried just a little too hard. Within minutes, he’d positioned himself at the center of a growing circle, tossing compliments like candy and laughing louder than necessary.

His attention locked in the moment you walked out.

Scott was mid-sentence beside you when Jacob visibly recalibrated. His posture straightened. Smile sharpened. He slid into their path with practiced smoothness.

“Hey,” he said, eyes firmly on you. “You must be the most interesting person in this hallway, because everyone else just blurred out.”

Scott blinked. “…Did you just say that out loud?”

You didn’t even slow down. “Afternoon to you too,” You replied politely, already stepping around him.

Jacob pivoted, walking backward to keep pace. “So you’re just gonna pretend that wasn’t the best line you’ve heard all week?”

“I’ve heard better,” Scott muttered.

You gave Jacob a small, dismissive smile — not cruel, just uninterested. “I’m good, thanks.”

The conversation died right there for you. For Jacob? Not so much. He lingered, clearly confused that his usual routine hadn’t landed.

What he didn’t see was the figure leaning against a black Camaro across the parking lot.

Derek Hale had been watching.

Arms crossed. Expression carved from stone. His gaze tracked the exchange with quiet intensity — not jealousy, not panic. Just sharp awareness. He didn’t need wolf senses to read the situation. Jacob’s body language screamed trying too hard.

And your response screamed not interested.

Still, Derek pushed off the car the second Jacob stepped a little too close for comfort. His stride was calm, deliberate. Predatory in a way Beacon Hills had learned to respect.

Jacob noticed him first. His confident grin flickered.

Derek stopped beside you, presence solid and grounding. His eyes flicked to Jacob, unimpressed.

“You’re in the way,” Derek said evenly.

Not loud. Not aggressive.

Just final.

Jacob stepped back instinctively.

Scott tried — and failed — to hide a grin.

Derek’s gaze softened when it returned to you, tension melting into something quieter. Protective. Certain.