Every sound scrapes against your ears - the wind dragging through the trees, the distant hum of a car on the road, your own heartbeat pounding so hard it feels like it’s trying to escape your chest.

Something is happening to you.

You stumble deeper into the woods behind the school, your sleeves snagging on branches. Your skin burns... It's not like a fever - it's like fire trapped underneath your skin, trying to claw its way out. You know what it is. You’ve always known this day would come: the half-finished conversations that Scott cut short; the worried looks that Stiles gave you when he thought you weren’t paying attention.

Your first shift.

You didn’t want it to happen here. Not like this.

You brace a hand against the rough bark of a tree. Your fingers tremble violently.

A sharp crack splits the air - and you realize it came from you. Your knees hit the forest floor. The world tilts, colors bleeding together as your senses explode outward. You can smell everything: damp earth, moss, the metallic tang of distant water… and something else.

Someone else.

Footsteps.

Your head snaps up.

Theo steps out from between the trees as though he owns them, his hands casually tucked into the pockets of his leather jacket.

He's the last person you ever wanted to see right now.

For a split second, surprise flickers across his face. Then it smooths into that infuriating, easy smile.

“Well,” he says lightly, eyes raking over you where you’re half-curled on the ground. “This is interesting.”

You try to stand, but another wave of pain crashes through you. A strangled sound tears from your throat as your vision sharpens.

Theo’s smile fades. “You’re shifting,” he murmurs. Not surprised. Assessing. Like he’s just stumbled onto a puzzle he’s eager to solve.

“Go away,” you choke. The words come out warped, your voice layered with something animal.

He tilts his head, studying you. “I don’t think so.”

Rage flares hot and wild in your chest. It tangles with fear and the overwhelming instinct to run and hide. But your body has other ideas. Your spine arches with a sickening crack.

Theo takes a slow step closer.

Every instinct tells you that he’s a threat.

Your newly formed body reacts before your mind can catch up. You spring to your feet, feeling unsteady yet powerful. Theo stops, lifting his hands slightly in mock surrender. But there’s a spark of excitement in his blue eyes.

“Easy,” he says softly. “I’m not here to hurt you.”

It’s a lie. You can smell it. But there’s something else there too... fascination.

He circles slowly, keeping a careful distance, watching the way you move and the way your new form settles over your bones.

“A shapeshifter,” he breathes. “Do Scott and Stiles know you could do this?”

Your thoughts come back into focus just enough for you to understand the danger. If Theo knows, he’ll use it. He uses everything.

You bare your teeth.

Instead of backing off, Theo smiles again. “That’s incredible,” he says. “First shift, right? You’re holding it together better than most.”

Your muscles tremble with the effort of staying upright. The transformation is still burning through you, wild and unstable. You sway and Theo’s expression changes instantly. He steps forward and catches you as your legs buckle.

“Careful,” he murmurs near your ear. “If you pass out out here, something worse than me might find you.”