air, raw and piercing, as the wolf's fangs sank into her flesh. Amalie scrambled back, watching in horror as blood spread across Rose's shirt, staining it in dark, vivid red.

Damon didn't hesitate. He drove the sword deep into the wolf's side. The creature yelped, its eyes flashing in fury, but before it could strike again, it staggered back, retreating with a pained snarl. In a blur of movement, it leaped back out of the shattered window, disappearing into the night.

Silence fell over the room, thick and oppressive. The only sound was Rose's ragged, shallow breathing as she clutched her shoulder, her face twisted in agony. Blood still seeped from the wound, but the torn flesh was beginning to knit itself back together, the edges slowly closing. Amalie's mind raced, her heartbeat thundering as she struggled to make sense of what she was seeing.

"It's...healing," she whispered, her voice laced with shock and confusion. "I thought werewolf bites were fatal."

Rose's breathing hitched as she looked down at her shoulder, her wide eyes reflecting the same disbelief. "Oh my God," she murmured, her voice trembling as if she couldn't quite believe what was happening. Tears welled up in her eyes, and her body began to shake as the terror and adrenaline crashed over all at once.

Damon knelt beside her, his expression tight with barely contained worry, and wrapped his arms around her as she dissolved into sobs, clutching onto him with a desperate grip. He held her close, his chin resting on her head as he whispered, " Hey, you're going to be okay, Rose. You're going to be okay." His voice was low and steady, but his eyes held a quiet, simmering fear.

Amalie stayed back, watching, her mind spinning. She'd seen the bite, seen the wound tear through Rose's skin, and yet here she was—breathing, healing. Werewolf bites were supposed to be fatal to vampires. That was the rule. That was the one thing they all knew.

And yet, Rose was still here.

authors note.

...but not for long...

anyway, hope you guys like this chapter, and max's reveal, don't worry, there will be a point to that eventually. but it just felt like the right time for him to tell amalie his past

let me know what you guys think of this chapter, don't forget to vote and comment ✌️💗