"I'm thinking we should post something like 'Who's afraid of the big bad wolf?'" Hugh said with a bright grin.

"Are you serious?" Jonas blanched, looking down at his Wolf profile. He had only two posts, one written in anger and the other a joke.

"Absolutely! Or something about huffing and puffing," Hugh suddenly lit up. "Oh. My. God. You need to do that."

Jonas couldn't help but laugh. "Why does everything have to be so cheesy?"

"That's what makes it brilliant," Hugh said with a nudge.

Sam, Millan, and Rodgers watched the interaction with confusion. Sam leaned toward the two. "What are they talking about?"

"I think Hugh has finally lost his mind," Rodgers murmured.

"Maybe something about going for a hunt if you want to be boring. At least it makes it relevant," Hugh said with a resigned sigh.

"I can't believe you talked me into doing this," Jonas groaned as he looked down at his phone. "I feel like every post is stupid."

"Such a harsh critic," Hugh said with a laugh.

Jonas laughed, shaking his head, and typed something into his phone and posted it.

Who's hunting who tonight?

Shortly after, everyone's phone rang with a notification.

Sam pulled out his phone. "The Wolf posted," he said, paling and jerking his gaze toward Hugh. "No fucking way."

Hugh clicked his tongue. "Who's hunting who? I'd give it an A for Effort."

"It's better than anything with the big bad wolf."

"Agree to disagree," Hugh shrugged.

"You're the Wolf?" Rodgers finally asked. "The Wolf? The terror of St. Vincent's?"

"The what?!" Jonas asked, alarmed.

"How did we not figure that out?" Millan murmured.

Jonas groaned. "Because you were probably looking for some freak sharpening his teeth and biting people."

"Yes, please," Hugh chimed in with a wicked smile.

Jonas elbowed him in the stomach.

Sam was covering his face. "Oh my god. You heard all of that."

"Unfortunately," Jonas muttered.

Hugh settled on the sofa. "Putting Jonas' kinks aside—"

"Those are not my kinks!" Jonas protested.

Hugh stopped and grinned. "We are so discussing this later."

"Jesus fucking Christ," Jonas sighed.

Hugh laughed. "We're already seeing the effects of Jonas' post." He waved his phone lazily in the air, showing that it was already being reposted and shared at an alarming rate.

Jonas checked the forum and confirmed that someone had shared it. He could see the panic settling in their conversations.

"They've seen it," Jonas said with a wry laugh. And many are dropping out—but not everyone."

His hand clenched tightly around the phone as he saw a familiar name in the thread.

What can one mutt do to all of us? No one can protect him anymore.

"Fucking Lukas," Jonas snarled.

Hugh looked over his shoulder and saw the entry. "I like this forum," he suddenly said, surprising the others.

"What?" Rodgers asked. "What can you like about these assholes?"

Hugh's smile turned sinister. "It's just nice to know the names of people I'm going to hurt."

This caused the others to laugh, but Jonas was still lost in thought. He didn't think Lukas' name would have such an effect on him. He was still manipulating everyone to bend at his will.

"Done," Millan finally said. "I sent something in our forum. Everyone is reaching out to friends who attend other schools to stay indoors. Those who can hold their own in a fight are going out to make sure there are no stragglers."

"Good thinking," Sam said. "Anyone heard from Travis and Jaiden?"

Rodgers shook his head. "They haven't answered my texts."

"Fuck," Jonas spat out as he noticed something in the forum. "They were planning to hide their Prey in the town center, but they're hunting at the mall now."

"Damnit!" Hugh stood suddenly, urgency in his voice. "We need to go now."

They rushed out of the dorms, dodging students who were frantically organizing a way to protect everyone from the hunt. The air was thick with tension as plans were hastily made and groups were forming to patrol the streets.

They piled into Sam's car, adrenaline pumping through their veins. Sam floored the gas pedal as they sped towards the mall. Each of them took turns frantically trying to call Travis and Jaiden, their phones ringing endlessly with no answer.

"Come on, pick up!" Hugh muttered, his voice strained with worry. Jonas clenched his jaw, his mind racing with worst-case scenarios.

"We'll get there in time," Sam assured them, though his grip on the steering wheel betrayed his own anxiety.

Jonas' heart pounded. "We need to go faster."

They weaved through traffic, the car weaving in and out of lanes. The tension in the car was palpable, each second feeling like an eternity.

"God, I hope they're okay," Millan whispered, his voice barely audible over the roar of the engine.

As they approached the mall, the sight of luxury cars confirmed their worst fears. Sam parked near the group, their eyes immediately spotting Travis and Jaiden surrounded by St. Vincent's students.

Hugh was holding Jonas' hand the entire way. When they arrived, he gave it a gentle squeeze. "Are you ready?"

"More than," Jonas said with fierce determination. He was ready to face those who had made his life hell.

As they parked, Jonas' eyes scanned the crowd and fell on Lukas. The sight of his former best friend ignited a fire in Jonas' heart, fueling his resolve. He wanted Lukas to experience just a fraction of the pain he had endured last year.

However, his resolve faltered when he saw a younger boy dart into the middle of the group, seemingly oblivious to the danger.

"No," Jonas whispered in disbelief.

Hugh's face darkened. "Eli? Shit. This complicates things."

Jonas closed his eyes, trying to push away his worry. "No. We stick to the plan."

"I hate to break it to you, sweetheart, but we don't exactly have a plan."

Despite the gravity of the situation, Jonas managed to laugh. "We intimidate and then cause chaos."

"Oh. Yes. I like this plan," Hugh said with a nod. "Though it sounds more like a date to me."

Rodgers looked back from the passenger seat, his face a mix of worry and disbelief. "I swear, you two are not right in the head."

Sam's gaze was fixed on Eli. "Jonas, this might be a dumb question, but who's the kid who looks just like you?"

"My brother," Jonas said quietly. "He's not part of this. I promise. He would never."

"Considering he seems pretty pissed off at St. Vincent's, I kind of gathered," Sam said.

"He can't afford to get on their bad side," Jonas said with a heavy sigh. "Fuck... I'm going to look like a real asshole."

"We'll follow your lead," Rodgers said, his voice steady.

Hugh turned to Jonas, his concern palpable. "Can you guys distract them for a sec? I need a moment with Jonas."

Jonas opened his mouth to protest, but the other three had already climbed out of the car without question.

Just as the car door closed, Sam's voice rang out, "Hey, assholes!"

While they were alone in the car, Hugh gently lifted Jonas' chin, guiding his gaze to meet his own. He wrapped his hands tenderly around Jonas' neck. Leaning in, Hugh rested his forehead against Jonas', allowing their breaths to mingle in the small space. Hugh could feel the anxious, uneven breaths coming from Jonas, and his heart ached for him.

"I trust you. Not because of what you did for my sister, not because you're the Wolf or a King. I trust you because you are my Jo," Hugh said softly, his voice full of sincerity.

Jonas trembled slightly, his gaze fixed on Hugh's lips, struggling to keep himself from closing the distance. He let out a shaky breath, his emotions raw. "What happens next... it could spark a major fight. Are you sure you're okay with that?"

Hugh snorted, a determined glint in his eye. "We've been itching for a war with St. Vincent's for ages; we just didn't have the right King to make it happen. Now, we finally do."

St. Vincent's saw Hawkings as nothing more than a collection of thugs and a waste of space. In contrast, the Kings of Hawkings despised St. Vincent's for their cruelty. At Hawkings, fights were orderly; they had to be approved by the Kings and were closely supervised. Any unauthorized skirmishes were punished, and students knew better than to bully others without cause. This structured approach was why Tank, who failed to enforce these rules properly, was considered a poor King.

St. Vincent's, on the other hand, preyed on those weaker or poorer than themselves. Their deeds were often concealed by their families' influence and wealth. The full extent of their cruelty remained hidden behind a façade of privilege.

Waging war against St. Vincent's would be a formidable challenge for Hawkings. St. Vincent's would leverage their financial power, making the conflict even more daunting. However, if the Kings were committed to this fight, the students of Hawkings were prepared to support them. With Tank out of the picture, they looked up to their Kings more than ever, ready to defend their peers and uphold their values.

Hawkings was chaotic and aggressive, but it was a unified force.

Hugh gently ran his fingers through Jonas' hair. "Jonas," he said softly, his voice carrying a depth of sincerity, "you're not facing this alone anymore. We're all in this together. I'm not going anywhere. I'm right here with you."

Hugh leaned in slowly, closing the small gap between them. His lips brushed against Jonas', causing Jonas' breath to hitch. Hugh paused, a moment of realization making him pull back slightly, his heart pounding in his chest.

But before he could retreat too far, Jonas' hand shot out, fingers threading into Hugh's hair, and pulled him back. Their lips met again, this time with a deep, chaste intensity that spoke volumes. It was a kiss filled with unspoken passion and yearning. Jonas had always known he wanted Hugh, but at this moment, with their lips touching and his heart racing, he truly understood the depth of his desire.

Hugh's lips lingered on Jonas' for a heartbeat longer before they finally pulled apart. Both were a little breathless and their faces were flushed. Hugh grinned, his eyes twinkling with affection and amusement.

"This is such shit timing," he said with a playful smirk.

Jonas chuckled softly, the warmth from their kiss lingering on his skin. "The absolute worst," he agreed, a smile tugging at his lips.

Hugh's gaze softened as he lifted a hand to brush his thumb lightly across Jonas' lower lip, his touch tender.

"As much as I want to continue this," Hugh said, his voice dropping to a low, teasing murmur, "I think there are some asses we need to kick."

Jonas placed a gentle kiss on Hugh's thumb. With a heavy sigh, Hugh finally pulled away, his expression steeling as he opened the car door. Just then, Jonas could hear Eli's voice cutting through the tension, yelling at the bigger kid with a mix of desperation and defiance.

"Seriously, Jackson! We don't fuck with Hawkings for a reason. Just let them go."

"Stop talking big, Eli. You think you're tough just because of your big brother? If you haven't noticed, your big bro ain't here," Jackson roared, making Eli flinch slightly.

"Jackson, I'm trying to stop you because—" Eli began, but Sam's loud voice cut off his words.

"If I were you, Jackson, I'd listen to the kid. You won't like what we have in store for you."

Jaiden and Travis visibly relaxed, though Jackson was still gripping Travis' shirt.

Most of the surrounding St. Vincent's students eyed the three Kings with a growing sense of unease. Their faces betrayed their fear as they assessed the formidable trio. These students were well aware of the Kings' reputation. They knew exactly who they were dealing with.

The once cocky and aggressive attitudes of the St. Vincent's students began to waver. Their eyes flickered between each other, and some even took cautious steps back.

However, their anxiety was crippling when the silver-haired King stepped out of the car. The Mad Dog King had held his title for the longest and was infamous for his ruthlessness, cruelty, and apparent insanity.

The Mad Dog King's presence alone was enough to send shivers down their spines. His reputation preceded him—stories of his merciless actions had circulated widely, and now, facing him in person, those stories seemed all too real. The restless murmurs among the St. Vincent's students turned into hushed whispers of fear.

Some even flashed Eli an apologetic look, knowing they would not be in this position if they listened to him.

But as terrifying as the Mad Dog King was, their fear reached new heights when Jonas stepped out of the car. The moment he emerged, it was as if a cold shadow had fallen over the crowd.

Jonas wasn't just another threat; he was a living legend among the students of St. Vincent's. He was the Wolf. He was the nightmare who had haunted their corridors, only to vanish as suddenly as he had appeared.

Now, seeing him return after his ghost-like disappearance, the St. Vincent's students felt a deep, primal fear. The Wolf was no longer just a memory of terror; he was a tangible, formidable presence once more.

The realization that he was now allied with Hawkings' Kings made the situation even more harrowing. The combination of the Mad Dog King's ruthless reputation and the Wolf's haunting legacy was almost too much to bear.

Everything about Jonas was different. He wasn't the bright and carefree jock from before. He wasn't the disheveled monster they had feared for a year. He was something much more.

He had grown more imposing since their last encounter. His Hawkings jacket, now rolled up to reveal his well-defined forearms, accentuated his muscular build. His hair was still long but styled and pulled back. Yet, it wasn't just his appearance that commanded attention; it was how he carried himself. There was a chilling, calm determination in his demeanor. His presence alone conveyed an unfamiliar confidence, causing the others to falter.

Hugh cheerfully slung an arm around Jonas' shoulders, stunning the St. Vincent's students. They had never imagined anyone would dare to touch Jonas, much less in such a casual manner. Even Eli's eyes widened in shock.

Jonas' gaze swept over the group, quickly recognizing many faces as part of his old circle. His eyes finally settled on Lukas, and the intensity of his hatred was evident.

"I have a feeling that's Lukas," Hugh whispered, his smile widening as Jonas nodded in confirmation. "I bet he'd look even better with a black eye or two."

Jonas stifled a laugh, but his amusement faltered when he turned his attention back to Eli. He noticed a small cut on Eli's lip, and his expression hardened. The bruise was old, yellowing with time, revealing it wasn't a fresh wound.

Jonas subtly swiped his own lip, silently inquiring about the injury.

Eli flinched and cast his eyes downward, an unspoken acknowledgment passing between them. Jonas didn't need an answer; he already knew. Their father was back in town.

••••••A/N••••••

I've been trying to keep my old chapter lengths somewhat similar, but somehow, I still added nearly 800 extra words here.

I may be tooting my own horn, but I still get hyped when Jonas appears. I definitely wanted to heighten this. He's my big bad wolf.

But man, how did I forget how much fun Hugh is to write? I enjoy his silliness, and I know that's why I add his cameos in practically everything.