The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the cheerleading practice field, where the air was thick with the smell of freshly cut grass. The soft music on the field echoed like a heartbeat, blending with the rhythmic shouts and laughter of the cheerleaders as they practiced their routines. Among them, one girl stood out, her vibrant pink uniform fluttering as she leaped into the air.

Wyatt leaned against a weathered oak tree at the edge of the field, grounding him. He watched her, captivated by the way her laughter rang out like music. He found himself mesmerized, drawn to her in a way he couldn’t fully understand. Despite the unspoken rules of their world, he felt a soft spot forming for her, an urge to bridge the gap that kept them apart.

As the sun dipped further, casting golden hues across the field, the light illuminated her features. She smiled at her teammates. But every time she turned her head, he felt the weight of the unacknowledged tension that hung in the air. He knew the whispers and the fear that followed him—a werewolf, and she, a human. Yet, he couldn’t help but feel that there was more to her than what their worlds dictated.

He took a hesitant step forward, heart racing as she caught sight of him. For a moment, all he could see was her. Their eyes locked, and a flicker of something sparked between them—a mix of curiosity and cautious interest. He sensed the apprehension in her gaze, the way she took a small step back.

“Hey,” he called out, his voice steady despite the storm of emotions swirling inside.

She tilted her head slightly, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of her lips. “It's a private training. You enjoying the show?”

“Maybe,” he replied, a playful grin breaking through his tension. “You all look pretty impressive.”

She laughed lightly, the sound washing over him like a balm. “Thanks, we try to keep it lively. Are you here to scout for your next target?”

“I guess I don’t fit the stereotype,” he said. “Not all werewolves are what they’re made out to be.”