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Sixteen-year-old Ashley Delaney Hale-McCall finally has the family she’s always dreamed of after being adopted by Derek Hale-McCall and Scott Hale-McCall. When her fathers decide to move back to their hometown of Beacon Hills, Ashley leaves her old life behind and starts over as the new student at Beacon Hills High. Ashley doesn’t care about fitting in. With her flowing bohemian clothes, silver rings on every finger, colorful beaded and woven bracelets, crystal jewelry, and long dark wavy hair decorated with tiny braids and hair jewelry, she’s unapologetically herself. Her unique style quickly makes her the target of the school’s popular crowd, earning her teasing and unwanted attention. The biggest thorn in her side is Brett Talbot—the handsome, arrogant, and cocky captain of the Beacon Hills High lacrosse team. Used to being admired by everyone, Brett clashes with Ashley almost immediately. She refuses to be intimidated by his popularity, and their constant arguments spark a rivalry neither of them can ignore. But high school drama becomes the least of Ashley’s worries when people begin disappearing throughout Beacon Hills. Strange attacks, terrifying rumors, and unexplained events spread across town, leaving everyone on edge. As the mystery deepens, Ashley begins noticing that her fathers seem to know far more than they’re willing to admit. They disappear at odd hours, warn her to stay away from the preserve after dark, and grow increasingly protective with every new disappearance. Determined to uncover the truth, Ashley finds herself drawn into a world hidden beneath the surface of Beacon Hills—a world filled with ancient secrets, dangerous creatures, and supernatural forces lurking in the shadows. Even Brett starts behaving suspiciously, making Ashley question whether the boy she can’t stand is hiding secrets of his own. As the darkness surrounding Beacon Hills grows stronger, Ashley must discover who she can trust while learning that sometimes being diffe