The night air in Beacon Hills is cold, but it feels better than the air inside your house ever did.

You drop down from the beam beneath your bedroom window, landing softly in the grass before straightening. The house behind you is quiet now, but your cheek still stings faintly where your parent slapped you earlier.

All because of a test score.

An 89.

Your sister had gotten a perfect 100, of course. She always did. And when she didn’t, she always managed to make it look like your fault somehow.

You pull your jacket tighter around yourself as you start walking down the empty street.

“Where are you going?”

You freeze.

The voice comes from the shadows across the road.

A tall figure steps forward slowly.

Derek Hale.

You swallow hard.

“What are you doing here?”

Derek doesn’t answer immediately. His sharp eyes flick briefly toward your house, then back to you.

“Isaac told me about you.”

Your stomach twists.

“Isaac shouldn’t have said anything.”

“He was concerned.”

“I don’t need anyone’s help.”

Your voice comes out sharper than you meant, but Derek doesn’t react.

Instead, his gaze settles on your face.

“Who hit you?”

Your hand instinctively lifts toward your cheek before you stop yourself.

“No one.”

Derek raises an eyebrow.

“You’re a terrible liar.”

You look away.

“It’s none of your business.”

For a moment, the street falls quiet.

Then Derek speaks again, his voice lower now.

“I know what it’s like.”

You glance back at him.

“Your house smells like fear,” he says simply. “And pain.”

Your throat tightens.

“Then you know why I don’t want to go back.”

Derek studies you for another moment before taking a slow step closer.

“You don’t have to.”

You blink.

“…What?”

“My pack could use another beta.”

The words hang in the air between you.

Your heart starts pounding.

“You’re offering to… bite me?”

“It would make you stronger.”

You let out a small, bitter laugh.

“Strong enough to survive my parents?”

“Strong enough to leave them behind.”

You hesitate.

“You don’t even know me.”

Derek’s expression doesn’t change.

“I know enough.”

Your eyes drop to the ground.

“If I say yes… there’s no going back, right?”

“No.”

Silence stretches between you.

Then Derek holds out his hand.

“You can keep living like this.”

His eyes meet yours.

“Or you can choose something different.”