The dance was in full swing, a whirlwind of laughter, music, and twinkling lights. Ein and Aaron were having a great time hanging out with their friends and getting to know each other better. Aphmau and Kawaii~Chan were off to the side fangirling as they watched the two of them enjoy the evening.

     "Look at them, Kawaii~Chan," Aphmau whispered excitedly. "They're so cute together!"

     Kawaii~Chan nodded eagerly. "Kawaii~Chan ships it so much!"

     Garroth walked over, a teasing grin on his face. "Hey Aaron, dating a freshman, huh? Does that mean you're going to be a 'super senior'?"

     Laurence, standing nearby, laughed and gave Garroth a playful shove. "Knock it off, Garroth. Let them enjoy their night."

     Katelyn grabbed Laurence's hand, pulling him onto the dance floor. "Come on, Laurence, let's dance!"

     As a slow dance song started playing, Ein and Aaron looked at each other, both a bit embarrassed but smiling. They stepped onto the dance floor, joining the crowd of couples swaying to the music. For a few precious moments they forgot about all their struggles, lost in the magic of the night.

     Just as they were getting comfortable, a sudden, deafening gunshot rang through the air shattering the joyous atmosphere. The music stopped abruptly and screams filled the gymnasium. Panic spread like wildfire.

     At the entrance, covered in blood and with a menacing glare, stood Ein and Aphmau's father, Zack holding what appears to be a gun in his hand.

     Aaron reacted immediately, grabbing Ein's arm. "Ein, we have to go. Now."

     But Ein froze, his eyes wide with terror as he stared at Zack. The chaotic scene around them seemed to blur and all he could see was his father, a figure from his worst nightmares brought to life.

     As Zack strode further into the dance, his presence cast a chilling shadow over the festive atmosphere. Students and teachers alike recoiled in shock and fear, creating a tumultuous commotion that drowned out the music entirely.

     Zack's eyes locked onto Ein and Aaron.

    "Look at you, Ein. Weak. Pathetic. And with another boy?" His voice dripped with venom. "I don't regret leaving you half-dead all those years ago. Your faggot ass deserved to die."

     Aphmau and her friends rushed over, forming a protective shield around a panicking Ein. Aaron tried desperately to drag Ein away but Ein was frozen in fear, unable to move.

     Garroth stood his ground, glaring at Zack. "Stay away from him!"

     The room seemed to close in on Ein as Zack's cruel words echoed in his mind. But the presence of his friends, standing firm around him, gave him a glimmer of hope amidst the terror.

     Zack's tirade continued, his voice rising with each word. "I need to finish you off, Ein. You and your weakness are the only things standing in the way of getting Kathleen back."

     Garroth, standing protectively in front of Ein, shouted, "You're not touching him!"

     He lunged at Zack, but a deafening gunshot echoed through the hall. Garroth staggered backward clutching his chest, blood seeping through his fingers as he collapsed to the floor.

     The remaining people at the dance erupted in panic, screams filling the air. Katelyn, eyes blazing with determination, tried to restrain Zack. Another gunshot rang out, and Katelyn fell, clutching her abdomen as she crumpled to the ground.

     Aphmau broke down, tears streaming down her face as she cradled Garroth's and Katelyn's bodies.

   "No, no, no," she sobbed, her voice breaking.

     Zack sneered, his gaze fixed on Ein. "Look at what you've done. This is all your fault, Ein. You've always been a burden, a mistake. Your mother never wanted you, and neither do I. You're nothing but a curse, a stain on this planet."

     Ein, trembling, felt a surge of despair wash over him. The weight of Zack's words, combined with the sight of his friends and sister suffering, made him feel smaller and more helpless than ever. Yet, despite the fear and pain, the determination in his friends' eyes as they stood up for him fueled a flicker of resolve deep within him.

     As Ein looked around at the chaos and devastation caused by his father, a cold fury began to build within him. He took a deep breath, finally mustering the courage to stand up to the man who had tormented him for so long. His eyes, once filled with fear, now burned with a steely resolve.

     "You're the mistake here, father," Ein said, his voice steady and ice-cold. "I'm done living in the past. I'm done letting you control my life. You've caused nothing but pain and suffering, and it's time for it to end."

     Zack's eyes widened in surprise, but his shock quickly turned into a sneer. "You think you can stand up to me? You're nothing."

     Without another word Ein lunged at his father, the two of them engaging in a fierce struggle. Ein managed to get the gun out of Zack's hand only for Zack to try and get it back. Punches were thrown and both fought with everything they had. The crowd watched in stunned silence, the tension palpable.

     Zack, desperate and enraged, managed to grab his gun. Before anyone could react, he fired multiple shots into Ein's chest. Ein staggered back, a look of shock and pain on his face as he collapsed to the ground.

     "EIN!" Aphmau screamed, rushing forward, but Aaron was already moving. The sight of Ein's lifeless body on the floor triggered something deep within him, unleashing the full power of his Ultima werewolf form.

      Aaron's eyes glowed a fierce red as he transformed, his muscles bulging and his claws elongating. With a guttural roar, he charged at Zack, who barely had time to react. Aaron's fury was unstoppable; he tore into Zack with a brutal efficiency, his claws rending flesh and bone.

     Zack tried to fight back but he was no match for Aaron's raw power. With a final, devastating blow, Aaron stripped Zack of his werewolf form, leaving him a broken, bloodied mess on the floor. The crowd watched in horror and awe as Aaron stood over Zack, his breathing heavy and his eyes still glowing with an otherworldly light.

     The room fell silent, the air thick with the scent of blood and the weight of the moment. As Aaron's form slowly returned to normal he knelt down beside Ein, his eyes filled with tears and a desperate hope.

     "Ein... please, stay with me," Aaron whispered, his voice breaking. Tears streamed down his face as he held Ein's hand, his heart aching with a desperate hope. "I've been in love with you for a long time, Ein. Since the day you split up that fight in the courtyard, I've watched you and admired you. You've always been the one who stood out the most to me."

     Aaron's voice trembled as he continued, his emotions pouring out. "I didn't know how you felt about me until we kissed on the couch. I was scared, afraid that I wasn't good enough for you. But you deserve the best, and I want to give you that if you'll let me."

      He choked on a sob, his tears falling onto Ein's still face. "Please, Ein, I can't lose you. I love you so much."

      As Aaron's tears continued to fall, something shifted in Ein. Slowly, his eyes fluttered open, and he looked up at Aaron, his vision blurry but clearing with each passing second.

     "Aaron..." Ein's voice was weak, but his gaze was steady as he stared into Aaron's red eyes. "I... I heard everything."

     Aaron's heart skipped a beat, his tears still flowing. "Ein, I—"
 
     Ein silenced him with a gentle touch, his bloody hand trembling as it reached up to caress Aaron's cheek. "I love you too, Aaron. I was just afraid that you would find me to be a freak for liking men... but when you kissed me the other day....it felt like heaven. You mean the world to me, Aaron...."

   With that, Ein lifted his head slightly, and their lips met in a tender, heartfelt kiss. The world around them seemed to fade away as they held onto each other, their love and determination anchoring them in that moment.

     As they pulled apart, Ein gazed into Aaron's eyes, a small, grateful smile forming on his lips. "Thank you for everything."

     Aaron smiled through his tears, his heart swelling with love and relief. "Always..."

     Emergency services arrived swiftly, their sirens piercing the night as they transported the injured to the hospital. Hours later, Aphmau, Sylvanna, and Aaron waited anxiously outside Ein's hospital room. The sterile smell of the hospital and the quiet murmur of nurses filled the air, a stark contrast to the chaos of earlier.

     Aphmau had just returned from visiting Garroth and Katelyn, a small, relieved smile on her face.

     "Mom, Aaron," she said softly, "Garroth and Katelyn are going to make a full recovery."

     Sylvanna's shoulders sagged with relief, but her expression crumpled as she broke down in tears.

     "I was a failure," she sobbed, covering her face with her hands. "I couldn't protect my kids."

     Aphmau quickly moved to her mother's side, wrapping her arms around her in a comforting embrace. "Mom, you did everything you could. We're all here because of you. You're not a failure."

     Aaron watched the scene, touched by this unfamiliar display of familial affection. He felt a sense of longing but also gratitude for being included in such a moment.

     The doctor emerged from Ein's room, drawing their attention.

    "Ein will make a full recovery," he announced, a reassuring smile on his face.

     The group immediately rushed into Ein's room where they found him lying peacefully, still asleep. The steady beep of the heart monitor was a soothing sound amidst their worries.

     Aphmau approached Ein's bedside and gently took his hand.

     "You're a hero, Ein," she whispered. "You saved all of us."

     Aaron stood beside her, his eyes filled with love and admiration.

     "I don't regret coming to the dance one bit," he said softly. "I had a good time hanging out with the man I love."

     Sylvanna's gaze shifted to Aaron, and she raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in her eye despite the circumstances.

     "So, you and Aphmau have been hiding this relationship from me?" she accused jokingly.

     Aphmau chuckled, squeezing her brother's hand. "It's a recent development, but honestly it's been a long time coming."

     Aaron smiled, feeling a warmth spread through him. Despite the pain and fear they were all together stronger and more connected than ever before.

     As they stood by Ein's bedside, the door to the hospital room suddenly swung open. Aaron's father stormed in, his face twisted with anger.

     "Aaron, what the hell were you thinking, running away and attending that dance?" he barked, his voice echoing harshly in the small room. "You disobeyed me and now look at the mess you've caused!"

     Aaron's heart sank, but his resolve hardened.

     "I was helping my friends," he replied, his voice steady.

     "Enough!" his father interrupted. "I've had it with your defiance. This weekend, you're permanently leaving Phoenix Drop High. You're staying home for the remainder of the school year and that's final."

     Before Aaron could respond, Sylvanna stepped forward, her expression calm but her eyes sharp.

     "Mr. Lycan, Aaron is legally eighteen. He can make his own decisions, including where he wants to live. He's not your responsibility anymore."

     Aphmau nodded in agreement. "Aaron can always stay with us if he chooses. He's like family to us."

     Aaron's father looked taken aback, struggling to find words. "You can't just—"

     Aaron cut him off, his voice filled with determination. "I would much rather die than go back to living with you."

     The room fell silent, the weight of Aaron's words hanging heavily in the air. His father took a step forward, reaching for Aaron's arm.

     "You're coming with me now," he growled.

     Aaron yanked his arm free, standing his ground. "No I'm not. Tomorrow, I'll pack my things and move out. I'm done with this family. You can take the inheritance money and shove it up your ass."

     Sylvanna, Aphmau, and the others watched as Aaron's father stood there, seething but powerless. Finally he turned on his heel and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

     Aaron took a deep breath, his shoulders relaxing slightly. He turned to his friends and Sylvanna, gratitude in his eyes.

     "Thank you," he said softly.

     Sylvanna gave him a reassuring smile. "You're always welcome here, Aaron."

     Aphmau nodded, squeezing his hand. "We'll help you with everything."

     Ein stirred in his bed, his eyes fluttering open.

     "Aaron," he murmured weakly.

     Aaron immediately went to his side, taking his hand gently. "I'm here, Ein. We're all here."

     As the room filled with a renewed sense of hope and determination, they knew that together, they could face anything that came their way.