Ashwood City at Night
Elijah moved through the empty streets of Ashwood City, his senses tingling with something more than anticipation—an old, buried truth clawing its way back to the surface. His footsteps echoed against the quiet pavement, the city's neon glow reflecting faintly against his sharp features.
This wasn't just another night. He was being pulled toward something inevitable. Toward Ariana. Toward the answers he had never dared to seek.
The slip of paper in his pocket burned against his palm. 5th and Main. Midnight. Come alone.
He was always alone.
And tonight, he would finally understand why.
The Past: Betrayal in Blood
Elijah hadn't always been the thing that stalked the night. He had been a hunter once—trained, disciplined, and relentless. He had walked among humans, believing in his duty, believing in her.
Ariana had been by his side from the beginning—his closest ally, his most trusted friend. They had fought together, survived together. He had bled for her.
And she had watched him die.
The Mission That Changed Everything
It had been routine: track and eliminate a vampire preying on civilians near Ashwood's abandoned district. Swift, clean, necessary.
Except he had been the real prey all along.
Elijah had entered the warehouse first—blade ready, breath controlled. The vampire had been waiting for him. Smiling. Anticipating.
He never understood why—not until it was too late.
The strike had been instant—a blur of movement, fangs sinking deep into his throat. Agony erupted through his body, burning like fire in his veins, twisting him, warping him.
And in his fading vision—standing in the doorway—had been Ariana.
She hadn't fought for him.
She had only watched.
The Transformation: Waking Up a Monster
Elijah had died that night.
Or at least, the version of himself that had believed in the hunt, in loyalty, in righteousness.
He had awakened in darkness—his senses sharpened, his hunger unbearable. But he did not give in.
He returned to the hunters' headquarters. He played the part. He kept his secret hidden.
Ariana never said a word.
And neither did he.
The Present: Meeting Ariana Again
The old warehouse loomed ahead, its rusted exterior bathed in moonlight. Elijah tightened his grip on his blade, though they both knew it was meaningless.
Ariana stood just inside, arms crossed, watching him with that same unreadable expression.
"You're a long way from home," she murmured.
Elijah's voice was steady, but his pulse was anything but.
"You knew."
Ariana exhaled slowly. "I did what I had to do."
Elijah took a step closer, tension coiling in his chest. "You betrayed me."
A smirk ghosted across Ariana's lips. "No, Elijah. I saved you."
His anger sharpened, cutting through his restraint. "Why? What did you do?"
Ariana's gaze darkened. "Because you were meant for something more. And whether you accept it or not, that night wasn't an accident."
Elijah's stomach twisted. This had never been random.
Someone had chosen him.
"Who?" Elijah demanded, the word barely a breath.
Ariana didn't answer.
She only handed him a second slip of paper.
"Come to this address tomorrow night," she said. "If you want the truth."
And then—like before—she was gone.
The Next Day: Encountering Luna Again
Elijah barely slept. His mind was wrecked with questions, his body tense with unspoken fury.
By the time night fell again, he found himself back where everything had begun.
The café.
And there she was—Luna.
She sat near the window, her presence calm yet unmistakably electric. The moon outside cast an ethereal glow over her skin, highlighting the quiet strength in her posture.
Elijah's footsteps felt heavier than usual as he approached.
Luna looked up, their gazes locking.
For the first time in a long time—Elijah felt something shift inside him.
Something that wasn't hunger.
Something that wasn't anger.
It was connection.
And maybe—just maybe—it was hope.
Elijah didn't shift his eyes when they locked with those of Luna, not because he didn't want to but because he just couldn't; they seemed to be drawing him closer and closer with each passing second. The sound of rabid dogs outside the cafe became louder as they tried to come into the cafe to attack, but she got up swiftly, changed into a werewolf, and attacked with such precision and agility that he was in awe. The lady in front of him was just amazing and something else entirely.
He summoned up the courage to say hi, and things just got exciting as he felt safe that he was able to open up to her about everything except two things, which made him feel a heavy weight on his shoulders. The next couple of days passed swiftly with a series of dates and hangouts, then He invited her to dinner and the warm touch of her hands reminded him of his old self but now was not the time to dwell in the past he thought to himself; I should enjoy the moment
Their dinner ended, and he walked her home. That was when she realized who he really is: a vampire. She wasn't scared even with the stories she heard from her grandmother about the conflicts between both supernatural beings, but she was intrigued and wanted to know more.