Chapter

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At school, Jason's presence became suffocating. Elyra could feel his red-tinged gaze on her no matter where she went. He lingered in the hallways, sat just close enough in the cafeteria to unnerve her, and followed her out of the building at the end of the day. His transformation was subtle but unmistakable. His movements were too smooth, his strength unnaturally amplified. Once, she caught him leaping over a six-foot fence with effortless grace, his grin twisted with satisfaction when he saw her watching. "Jason's not human anymore," she told Dain one evening as they walked home.

"I noticed," Dain replied, his jaw tight. "And I don't think he cares who knows it."

That night, as they cut through the woods, Jason emerged from the shadows, his smirk as sharp as a blade. "You can't keep running from me," he said, his voice laced with malice.

Dain stepped protectively in front of Elyra. "Get out of here, Jason," he growled.

Jason laughed, his red-tinged eyes glowing faintly in the moonlight. "You think you're protecting her? Elyra deserves someone stronger than you, someone who can give her everything she needs."

"Stay away from her," Dain warned, his fists clenched.noveldrama

Jason lunged without warning, and the two boys collided in a flurry of fists and snarls. Dain's strength matched Jason's, but the fight was brutal, leaving both of them bloodied. Elyra tried to intervene, shouting at them to stop, but they ignored her. Finally, Jason pinned Dain against a tree, his voice venomous. "You can't protect her forever. She'll see what you really are weak."

"Get off him!" Elyra cried, stepping forward.

Jason hesitated, his eyes flickering between Elyra and Dain. For a moment, the boy he used to be seemed to surface, his grip loosening. But then, as if compelled, his eyes hardened again.

"You're mine, Elyra," Jason said, his voice low and chilling.

Elyra's glare was filled with defiance. "I'll never be yours."

The moment broke Jason's control, and Dain used the opportunity to shove him off. Grabbing Elyra's hand, he pulled her away, and they ran deeper into the woods, Jason's furious growl echoing behind them.

The encounter left them shaken, but it also made one thing clear: Jason was no longer just a bully. He was a predator, and he wasn't going to stop.