The Boy Next DOOR.

"Master! Master! Aron... We found Aron dead!" The urgency in the cloaked man's voice was unmistakable as he burst into the grand chamber of the mansion. His red and black cloak, marked with intricate symbols, swirled dramatically behind him. The opulence of the room was contrasted sharply by the tension in his demeanor.

Arthur, the leader of the Dark Water clan, sat on an imposing, ornately carved throne. His attire was even more extravagant, a statement of his authority. His eyes widened in shock as the news sank in.

"What?! Aron is dead?!" Arthur's voice reverberated through the chamber, carrying a mix of disbelief and outrage.

"Yes, sir," the messenger said, struggling to catch his breath. "Our scouts discovered his body during a hunt. He was beheaded, and his soul was extracted."

Arthur's face darkened with fury. "As the leader of Dark Water, I will not let this stand. This is an affront to our clan. Search every corner of the realm. Find those responsible and bring them to me. This act will not go unpunished!"

Ortho, a figure known for his sharp intellect, entered the room with measured steps. His presence commanded attention. "Master Arthur, my investigations reveal that Aron's killer is no mere adversary. Given Aron's reputation for combat prowess, his death must be the work of someone exceptionally formidable. My research indicates that he was slain by a Silverfur, specifically the commander of the Silverfurs."

"Silverfur? You mean Sebastian?" Arthur's surprise was palpable.

"Yes, sir. It is indeed Sebastian," Ortho confirmed, his tone grave.

Arthur's brow furrowed in confusion and concern. "How could this happen? Why would Sebastian be involved?"

"Based on my findings," Ortho continued, "it appears Sebastian had knowledge about the Unclaimed. Aron attempted to extract this information from him. When Sebastian refused, a confrontation ensued, culminating in Aron's death."

Arthur's expression turned serious. "How did you come by this information?"

"I located Aron's severed head," Ortho explained. "With the assistance of a captive vampire, we performed a ritual that allowed us to witness the final moments between Aron and Sebastian through his eyes."

"Really?" Arthur's interest was piqued.

"Yes, sir. Through this ritual, we discovered that Aron had falsely claimed to know the location of the Unclaimed to pressure Sebastian. He intended to use this lie to gain information, but it ultimately led to his downfall," Ortho elaborated.

Arthur's eyes narrowed as he processed the information. "So, Aron's claim was a ruse. He sought Sebastian's assistance under false pretenses, but Sebastian, aware of the deceit, was forced to act in self-defense?"

"Precisely, sir. Aron's decision to confront Sebastian alone led to his death," Ortho confirmed.

Arthur's gaze turned steely with determination. "Sebastian will not escape retribution for killing one of our own. And now that he knows where the Unclaimed is, we must capture him and extract that information."

The assembled officials murmured in agreement. Arthur's resolve was clear.

"The Unclaimed's power is crucial to our dominion over all clans. We need him on our side," Arthur declared.

"Indeed, sir," Ortho responded. "But be mindful. Many factions desire the Unclaimed either dead or under their control. They fear his potential to disrupt the existing power dynamics."

Arthur nodded. "We will deceive him into aligning with us. That way, victory will be ours."

Ortho's lips curled into a confident grin. "Rest assured, I have a plan to lure him."

"Very well. I trust you with this task," Arthur said, granting his approval. Ortho nodded and exited the chamber to implement his scheme.

---

One Month Later

The serene night enveloped Dave and Kelvin as they lay on the grass beside a tranquil lake. The sky was a vast expanse of twinkling stars, and the gentle breeze rustled the leaves, creating a soothing symphony.

"The sky is so beautiful," Dave said, his voice filled with wonder as he reclined against the grass.

"Yes, but not as beautiful as you," Kelvin replied with a soft smile, sitting beside him. The night was a perfect tableau of nature's splendor—crickets chirping, fireflies drifting lazily, and the moon casting a silvery glow over the landscape.

"Are you going to school tomorrow?" Kelvin inquired, his fingers idly tracing patterns in the grass.

"Yes, I'm going. Why do you ask?" Dave replied, his curiosity evident.

"Just curious. You don't always go," Kelvin noted.

Dave grinned. "I'm going. Rihanna made it clear that I must attend."

Dave's gaze turned introspective. "Kelvin, have you always lived here?"

"Yes, why?" Kelvin asked, his interest piqued.

Dave hesitated before responding. "I was just wondering. Why don't you have any friends?"

Dave's question seemed to strike a nerve with Kelvin. His face darkened, and he looked away. "I prefer solitude. It's difficult for me to connect with people," he admitted, concealing his discomfort.

"That sounds tough. No childhood friends?" Dave pressed, sympathy evident in his tone.

"None. It's just me," Kelvin responded, his voice tinged with sadness.

Dave's gaze remained fixed on the sky. "That must have been hard."

As Dave continued to admire the celestial display, Kelvin felt an unsettling surge of energy cours through him. His eyes shifted to a deep, unsettling red, and his body tensed as his fangs and claws began to extend. Panic gripped him as he struggled to suppress the energy.

Kelvin clawed at the ground, trying to anchor himself, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. He shut his eyes tightly, silently pleading for the impending crisis to pass.

Oblivious to Kelvin's internal struggle, Dave kept his eyes on the stars. "Kelvin, are you okay?"

Suddenly, Kelvin bolted upright, his movements abrupt and frantic. Dave, startled, called out, "Kelvin! Where are you going? Are you alright? Wait for me!"

Dave scrambled to his feet and chased after Kelvin, his concern evident.

Dave sprinted through the dense woods, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. He darted past trees and pushed through tangled bushes, his mind racing with worry. When he finally reached Kelvin's house, he saw the front door swing shut. Desperation clawed at him as he approached the door, pressing the doorbell with a sense of urgency. The chime echoed faintly in the still night air.

Rebecca opened the door, her expression a mix of surprise and concern. She was bathed in the warm glow from inside the house, but the chill of the night lingered on her face.

"Ma, Kelvin... I need to see Kelvin, is he alright?" Dave alright, his voice breathless and strained from his hurried run.

Rebecca's eyes softened with sympathy, but she shook her head gently. "Yes he's but sorry, Dave. Kelvin asked for you to go home. He said he'll see you tomorrow."

Dave's frustration boiled over. "What?! No! I need to talk to him. He just got up and ran off without a word. What's going on? I only asked if he had friends. Did I do something wrong?"

Rebecca's voice was soothing but firm. "Dave, it's late, and Kelvin needs some time. I'm sure he'll explain everything to you tomorrow. Please, you should go home now."

Dave's shoulders slumped in defeat, a wave of frustration crashing over him. "Fine. I'll go."

Dave's anger flared at being turned away without answers.