The persistent rumble of the Nightfall Pack’s city traffic was a stark contrast to the quiet, snow-dusted woods I'd known. My window, an expansive sheet of glass, framed towering buildings that kissed the clouds, a world away from the familiar cabin in the mountains.

Elijah, my adoptive father, had beamed with a quiet pride I hadn't seen in years when he announced our move. He spoke of new beginnings, of Sylvia, his vibrant partner, and the promise of a life free from the whispers and wary glances that had haunted me since childhood. Here, in this new place, the scars that crisscrossed my body, remnants of a past I couldn't recall, might finally fade into insignificance.

Yet, as the luxurious car glided past the grand, castle-like architecture of Darkling University, a peculiar sensation prickled my skin. My eyes, ever watchful, met those of a girl crossing the street, her caramel waves cascading down her back. It was a fleeting moment, but a strange premonition, a shiver of something both exciting and terrifying, danced down my spine. This new world, I sensed, was far more intricate than I could have imagined.