The halls of Nevermore were quieter than usual, a silence broken only by the echo of Wednesday’s shoes clicking against the stone. Her mind was fixed on one thing: Tyler. The Hyde. Her ex-boyfriend turned predator, whose return to Jericho promised blood.

Enid trailed behind, arms folded tightly over her chest. Her usually bright demeanor had dimmed under the weight of frustration.

“Do you ever think about anything else?” she blurted, breaking the silence.

Wednesday didn’t slow her pace. “When there’s a murderous monster on the loose who also happens to be my former lover, the answer is no. I tend to focus on priorities.”

Enid growled under her breath, claws itching to extend. “You say ‘priorities,’ but all you’ve done for weeks is push me away. Do you even realize I’m right here? Or am I just supposed to be your… sidekick?”

Finally, Wednesday stopped, turning her gaze toward Enid. Her dark eyes glittered like obsidian, unyielding. “You are useful when you’re controlled. When you’re not…” She tilted her head slightly. “You risk becoming worse than the Hyde himself.”

That landed like a knife. Enid’s fists clenched, nails biting into her palms. “So that’s what you think of me? That I’m just one temper tantrum away from being a monster?”

“Not a monster,” Wednesday corrected, voice flat. “An uncontrollable variable. And I don’t work well with variables.”

The words cut deep because they carried a shard of truth Enid didn’t want to face. She was struggling. The wolf in her had grown restless since she’d discovered she was an alpha. The fear of losing herself, of not being able to turn back, lingered in every decision.

She stepped closer, her tone cracking with hurt and anger. “I’m not a variable. I’m your friend, Wednesday. Or at least I thought I was.”

For the briefest moment, Wednesday’s stoic mask slipped. Just enough to show the faintest flicker of conflict. But before she could respond, a sharp laugh echoed through the halls.

They froze.

Tyler emerged from the shadows, his smirk twisted and feral. “Touching. Really. But it won’t matter when you’re both dead.”

Enid’s heart pounded, fury warring with fear. She could feel the wolf clawing at her insides, begging to be set free.

Wednesday tightened her grip on the blade hidden beneath her coat, her voice low and calm. “See, Enid? This is why there’s no time for emotional theatrics.”