Blood Moon Rivals

Chapter 1: Frist Day Friction

Blood Moon Rivals
Chapter 1: First Day Friction
The parking lot at Crescent Bay High was pure chaos on the first day back-cars idling with bass thumping, groups of kids shouting over each other, the salty ocean breeze cutting through the smell of exhaust and overpriced coffee. Levi Astros pulled his black Audi into the spot he'd claimed since junior year, the one everyone knew better than to park in unless they wanted their tires slashed. He stepped out without rushing, running a hand through his dark hair like he didn't give a damn who was watching. Black hoodie, dark jeans, pale skin that made him look like he lived in a basement-close enough to the truth.
He looked eighteen. Always had. Always would.
His green eyes swept the lot, lazy but sharp, catching the usual noise: racing human heartbeats, the scatter of thoughts brushing his mind like annoying flies. Who'd gained weight over summer. Who was lying about their hookup stories. Pathetic, predictable crap.
Then that scent slammed into him-raw and wild, like storm-soaked forest and barely leashed fury. It made his fangs twitch, an old reflex he usually had better control over.
A battered Jeep Wrangler roared into a spot across the way, gravel spitting under the tires. Nick Eldridge hopped out, slamming the door hard enough to make a group of freshmen flinch. Big guy, built like he could snap someone in half without breaking a sweat. Dark hair a mess, amber eyes already scanning for trouble. Gray tank stretched across his chest, tattoos flashing on his arms, gold chain catching the light.
Levi's slow heartbeat gave an irritating kick.
Of course the Eldridge pack had finally sent their precious heir here. All summer the underground channels had buzzed about it-Nick transferring in for senior year to "learn how to play nice with humans." As if any of them needed lessons in pretending.
Nick's head snapped up, eyes locking on Levi like he'd been waiting for this exact moment. The hatred rolled off him in waves Levi could practically taste. Nick's nostrils flared, scenting the air, and he flashed a smirk that screamed come and get it, asshole.
Levi didn't smirk back. He just arched one brow, slow and deliberate, thinking: Oh, look. The dog's off his leash and already barking.
He caught a flicker of Nick's surface thoughts-pure venom, the word leech sharp as a blade-before the werewolf slammed mental walls down hard.
Nick flipped him off with exaggerated care, then turned to greet his pack of football idiots, all loud laughs and fist bumps. But his shoulders stayed tight, like he was one wrong word away from shifting right there in front of everyone.
Levi's phone buzzed as he walked toward the building.
Unknown: nice car, leech. too bad it's parked on my side of the lot now.
Levi saved the number as Mutt and typed back without breaking stride.
Levi: adorable jeep. very "i peaked in high school." jealous much?
The reply was instant.
Mutt: keep running that smart mouth. we'll see how pretty it is after i shut it for you.
Levi snorted under his breath. Original. Really. But something hot and annoying coiled low in his gut anyway. This town had been dull for decades. Safe. Boring.
Clearly, that was over.
English Lit first period was obviously some administrator's idea of a sick joke.
The teacher passed out group assignments for the big semester project-dissecting "forbidden love" in classic books. All the usual suspects: Romeo and Juliet, Heathcliff and Cathy, hate twisting into obsession until everyone ended up dead.
Levi dropped into his usual back-row seat, legs stretched out, pretending to check his phone while he listened to the mental static around him. Typical teenage garbage.
Nick strode in late, hall pass dangling from his fingers like he didn't care if he got detention. His eyes found the only empty seat in their assigned group-directly across from Levi-and narrowed to slits.
He sat anyway, heavy and deliberate, their knees brushing under the table.
Levi didn't move his leg. Neither did Nick.
The teacher blathered on about ancient grudges and tragic attractions, how enemies could want each other so badly it destroyed them.
Nick leaned forward a fraction, voice pitched low and rough. "They nail the project topic or what?"
Levi met his glare with a lazy half-smile, catching another burst of Nick's thoughts-irritation, territorial bullshit, and something hotter he was trying to bury. "Yeah, hilarious. Almost like someone upstairs has a sense of humor."
Nick's foot nudged Levi's ankle under the table. Not an accident. "I could get switched out. Wouldn't want to cramp your style."
Levi tilted his head, voice dripping sarcasm. "Please. You'd miss me too much already."
Nick's eyes flashed gold for a heartbeat, thoughts spiking-this smug bastard thinks he's untouchable-before he locked them down again. "Don't flatter yourself, bloodsucker."
"Wasn't planning to," Levi drawled, pressing his leg forward just enough to feel the heat pouring off Nick. "But if you're going to invade my personal space, at least buy me coffee first."
Nick's jaw clenched, but he didn't pull away. The air between them crackled the rest of class-every shift, every stolen glance winding the tension tighter.
When the bell finally rang, Nick stood fast, grabbing his bag. He paused long enough to mutter, "Stay out of my way, Astros."
Levi watched him stalk off, lips curving. Fat chance.
His phone buzzed again.
Mutt: third floor bathroom. got something to say? say it there.
Levi stared at the screen, thumb hovering. Every rational part of him-the part that had survived centuries-said ignore it. Walk away. The old truce was fragile enough without this.
But rational had never been his strong suit.
He typed back.
Levi: scared i'll embarrass you in public?
No answer.
Levi headed to his next class anyway, feeling Nick's stare burning into his back from somewhere down the hall.
The day wasn't even half over, and the rules already felt like they were bending.
Vampires and werewolves didn't mix in Crescent Bay. Didn't speak. Didn't look too long. The town's whole existence depended on that fragile peace-keeping humans clueless, keeping hunters away.
Levi licked his fangs behind closed lips, tasting trouble.
The blood moon was weeks away.
But whatever this was? It was already starting.
End of Chapter 1