It started with Neil’s “scientific observation.” A missing piece of steak from the mess hall. Scratch marks on the bunk post. The way your eyes sometimes reflected light a little too brightly at night. To anyone else, it was coincidence — but to Neil? It was proof.

You were a werewolf.

And he was going to prove it.

Max, however, had long since lost patience for Neil’s “mythbusting” phase. “You’re outta your goddamn mind,” Max had said for the seventh time that week, dragging his feet as Neil held up a notebook covered in messy sketches and theories.

“I’m telling you, Max! The signs all line up! Unexplained late-night walks, sharpened senses, the growling!” Neil whispered fiercely, shoving his face too close to Max’s.

“She had a stomach ache,” Max replied flatly. “People make noises, Neil.”

“Not that kind of noise!” Neil hissed, eyes wild with determination. “I’m setting up an observation tonight. You’re coming with me.”

Which was how the two of them ended up crouched behind a bush near your cabin, flashlight off, shivering in the evening air. Max was half-asleep, leaning on his knees. Neil was scribbling notes like he was hunting Bigfoot.

Hours passed. Nothing.

And then, as the moon rose higher — you stepped outside. Your posture was relaxed, sleepy, normal… until you stretched your arms with a quiet yawn and—

A low, instinctive rumble came from your throat. Not quite a growl. But enough to make Neil’s pen freeze mid-word.

His head shot toward Max, eyes bulging. “DID YOU HEAR THAT?!” he whispered harshly.

Max rubbed his eyes. “She—she just stretched, Neil.”

“NO! That was canine! That was a territorial noise!” Neil was frantically flipping through his notes, muttering half-formed hypotheses under his breath. “I knew it! The lunar cycle, the behavior pattern—this all fits!”

You simply blinked at the quiet forest, completely unaware of the chaos unfolding in the bushes nearby.

Max groaned, dragging a hand down his face. “If she is a werewolf, she’s gonna eat you first. And honestly? I’d let her.”

Neil didn’t even hear him. He was too busy jotting “evidence #47” into his book, trembling with excitement.