I Hardly Needed Saving

Secrets, Shifts, and the Run

I walk inside and find my mom waiting for me, checking me over like I'm injured.

"Mom, he's suspended, okay?"

She walks away—not cooking tonight. Looks like she grabbed some fast food.

I head to the kitchen—and freeze.

Eddie's dad is sitting at the bar.

"What the hell? What are you doing here?"

"We have to talk about something, Lyla."

"And what's that?"

My mom clears her throat, and my dad walks in—eyes red, crying.

What the hell is going on?

I rush to my dad's side and hug him. "Dad, what's wrong?"

He hugs me tightly, sobbing. Mom's crying too. I pull away.

"WHAT'S GOING ON?!"

Then Eddie walks in. That same wicked smile on his face.

I storm up to him and slap him hard—with the hand that isn't broken.

"What did you do?!"

He just smiles wider. "Why don't we all go to the living room?"

Eddie's dad says it like it's no big deal. We move to the living room. My heart's pounding so hard I swear it might break.

"Lyla, what's your age?" Eddie's dad asks.

"Seventeen. Why?"

"When's your birthday?"

"In a week. Why?"

"In a week... you'll turn into a werewolf."

I start laughing hysterically, tears in my eyes.

"HA! You said werewolf! Oh, Mom, check this guy out—he's insane!"

I look at her—but she won't meet my eyes.

My dad stands and hugs me again.

"Sweetie, I'm so sorry."

He's crying. This can't be real. It has to be a joke.

"There's no such thing..."

"Prove it," I say.

Eddie and his dad stand. Their bodies start shaking. I hear growling rise in their chests. Their chests bulge—massive and muscular.

No. No, no, no.

They erupt into wolves—huge, brown, snarling beasts.

My heart's about to explode.

Seth. I need Seth.

I run.

"LYLA!!" Eddie calls, but I don't stop. I don't look back.

I just run.

⸻

Twenty minutes later, I burst into Seth's shop, sprint to his office.

He's just finished a tattoo.

"Lyla? What's wrong? Alex!!" he yells.

Alex rushes in. "Finish this up and bring me two cold waters—fast."

Seth grabs me—I'm shaking, gasping, drenched in sweat.

He pulls me into his arms, and we sit on the couch.

"Shhh. What's wrong, Lyla?"

"T-they... Eddie and... werewolves."

Seth's body goes tense.

"Lyla, we need to leave—before they come for you."

"Wh-what? You believe me? What I saw... it's real?"

He hesitates. "Lyla... you're not crazy. What you saw—it's real."

"You... you know? How?! Wait—are YOU—?!"

I start pulling away.

"No one knows I'm a werewolf except my friends. Because... they are too. We need to leave. Now."

"I'm not going anywhere with you! Who do you people think you are?!"

"Lyla, we don't have time for this. Eddie's going to take you away—far away. Either you come with me... or you go with him."

This isn't real.

It's not some movie or book. This is the real world. Cell phones. TVs. iPads.

Werewolves don't exist.

But... what if they do?

If I choose Seth, will I ever see my parents again? If I go with Eddie, I know I will. But Seth... he's safe. Eddie is not.

Make a choice, Lyla.

"Let's go."

Seth's smile explodes, and I can't help smiling back.

He jumps up. "Alex! Clear everything out—we're on the run! We have five minutes to get to the airport!"

I hear crashing in the back. All the guys I've met—and more—rush in.

All guys. No girls. Why?

We head to Seth's house—it's gorgeous, way nicer than mine or Eddie's. He packs fast—insanely fast. Wolf perks, I guess.

He grabs my hand and pulls me downstairs. The guys are ready, engines running.

We stop at an ATM—he clears out his account. So do the others.

Thousands pour out. At least $80,000 from Seth alone.

"We have two minutes—they're getting close. Let's go!"

We race to the airport. Tickets to... Tuscany?

Tuscany?? Seth's Tuscan?

I try to process it, but I'm too slow. Human slow.

He pulls me along. I don't complain.

I'd rather be safe with him than beaten by Eddie.

We reach the gate. Sit. Wait. My heart won't stop pounding.

Seth looks tense, scared.

"They just arrived at the airport," he says.

My blood runs cold.

Will we make it?

Or will they?

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