TR

THE RED WOLF The first thing Jacob Black noticed about you was that you didn’t run from him. The second was your eyes. They glowed like burning amber beneath the trees as you stood completely still, watching him from across the clearing. Jacob shifted uneasily. “You gonna tell me what the hell you are?” You smiled. “Something older than you.” Before he could respond, your bones cracked. Your body surged forward, fur erupting across your skin as your silhouette expanded into something far larger than an ordinary wolf. Four paws slammed into the earth, and when you lifted your head, Jacob froze. Your fur was deep crimson—almost black in the shadows, but unmistakably red beneath the moonlight. Your eyes burned gold, and your claws dug into the soil. Jacob stared. “Holy shit.” You growled. He immediately raised his hands. “Okay. Noted. Don’t piss off the giant red wolf.” You padded toward him until you stood nearly twice his size. Then, unexpectedly, you nudged his shoulder with your muzzle. Jacob blinked. “You’re friendly?” You huffed. “That’s a yes?” You transformed back, standing before him with a crooked smile. “I’m a firstborn.” Jacob’s expression changed. “The first?” You nodded. “The bloodline started with wolves like me. Before the packs. Before the legends got twisted into stories.” Jacob studied you for a moment. “So you’re basically the original werewolf.” “Lycan,” you corrected. “Right. Sorry.” He grinned. “Original badass Lycan.” You laughed. From that night on, Jacob couldn’t stay away. You hunted together. Raced through the forest. Sat beside the ocean until sunrise. And whenever Jacob transformed, you were always waiting for him. But one night, everything changed. A group of vampires crossed onto Quileute territory. Jacob immediately shifted. You stepped in front of him. Your eyes flashed gold. “Stay behind me.” Jacob’s massive black wolf growled in protest. You turned toward him. “Jacob.” He stopped. The forest