The rogue lunged.
Fast.
Too fast.
I barely had time to react—
But something inside me did.
It snapped.
The world slowed.
Not literally…
But it felt like it.
I could see everything.
The way the rogue's muscles moved.
The exact second its claws would reach me.
The sound of its breath.
The rhythm of its heartbeat.
My own heartbeat matched it.
Then—
Something surged through me.
Hot.
Wild.
Alive.
I gasped, my body locking in place as the feeling spread from my chest to my fingertips.
"What—" My voice broke.
My vision sharpened.
Every color became brighter.
Every sound louder.
Every movement clearer.
"What's happening to me?" I whispered.
"Nancy."
Leo's voice.
Sharp.
Focused.
But there was something else in it now.
Not anger.
Not rejection.
Concern.
"Don't fight it," Evan said calmly.
That snapped my head toward him.
"Don't fight WHAT?" I snapped.
Too late.
The power surged again.
Stronger this time.
My fingers curled involuntarily—
And I felt it.
My nails—
No.
Claws.
I froze.
"What… is this…" I breathed.
Kai stared at my hands, his expression completely serious now.
"You're shifting."
My heart dropped.
"No," I said immediately. "No, that's not possible."
"It is," Leo said, his voice low.
I shook my head, panic rising.
"I've never shifted before."
Evan's gaze didn't leave me.
"That doesn't mean you can't."
The rogue growled again.
Closer now.
But this time—
I didn't feel fear.
I felt…
Something else.
A pull.
Not like the bond.
This was different.
Darker.
Instinct.
My head turned slowly toward it.
Without thinking.
Without deciding.
My body moved.
Forward.
"Nancy—stop."
Kai's hand reached for me—
But I stepped out of reach.
My focus locked on the rogue.
Nothing else mattered.
Not the hallway.
Not them.
Just it.
The rogue charged again.
And this time—
I didn't freeze.
I moved.
Fast.
Faster than I should have been able to.
I dodged it.
Clean.
Like my body already knew how.
My breath came out sharp as I turned—
And struck.
My claws connected.
The rogue staggered back slightly.
Not enough damage.
But enough to surprise it.
And me.
Silence.
For one second.
Then—
Kai let out a quiet, shocked laugh.
"No way…"
Leo didn't say anything.
But I felt his attention shift completely.
Evan?
Evan looked… impressed.
My chest rose and fell quickly.
"What did I just do?" I whispered.
But even as I said it…
I knew.
It felt natural.
Too natural.
The rogue wasn't done.
It circled again.
But slower now.
Careful.
Like it realized I wasn't easy prey anymore.
Good.
Because something inside me had changed.
I wasn't scared anymore.
I was ready.
"You need to stay back," Leo said.
I didn't move.
"No."
All three of them looked at me.
"I'm not weak," I added, my voice steady.
Kai's eyes flickered with something dangerous.
"We never said you were."
"Then stop treating me like I am."
The bond pulsed.
Strong.
Agreeing.
The rogue lunged again.
This time—
Leo moved with me.
Perfect timing.
Like we were in sync.
Kai followed.
Then Evan.
All four of us.
Together.
It didn't last long after that.
The rogue couldn't keep up.
Not against all of us.
Not anymore.
With one final hit—
It dropped.
Still.
Silent.
Gone.
The hallway went quiet again.
My breathing slowly steadied.
The power faded.
Bit by bit.
Until my hands were normal again.
No claws.
No glow.
Just me.
"What… was that?" I asked softly.
No one answered immediately.
Then Evan stepped closer.
Too close.
But this time…
I didn't step back.
"That," he said calmly,
"…was your first shift."
My heart skipped.
Leo's jaw tightened slightly.
Kai shook his head once, still processing.
"That wasn't normal," he muttered.
I looked between them.
"Meaning?"
Evan held my gaze.
"Meaning," he said slowly,
"you're not like the rest of us."
Silence.
Heavy.
Different.
Then Leo spoke.
Low.
Certain.
"And that," he said,
"…is exactly why they'll come after you again."
My stomach dropped.
"They?" I asked.
Kai exhaled.
"Rogues don't just attack randomly."
My chest tightened.
"Then why me?"
No one answered.
But the look they shared…
Said everything.
This wasn't over.
Not even close.