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Walking together through a quiet, dimly lit part of town, their steps slow, deliberate. Danny’s eyes were darker than usual, and his usually sharp focus seemed dulled by the hunger. The steady sound of Alex’s calm breathing beside him kept him grounded, but it was getting harder to maintain that thin thread of control. "You need to feed, Danny," Alex said quietly, his voice soothing but laced with concern. His hand rested firmly on Danny’s arm, guiding him along the sidewalk. "You can’t keep putting it off. It's only making things worse." “I know,” Danny mumbled, his voice strained. “But I don’t want to hurt anyone. Not again.” “You won’t,” Alex assured him, though his tone was tense. “We’ll do this like we always do. Controlled. Safe.” Danny swallowed hard, feeling his fangs aching to extend. His body felt heavier with each step, his muscles coiled tight, every fiber of his being screaming at him to find someone—anyone—and feed. He could hear the faint pulses of the few people on the street, smell the blood just beneath their skin. It was taking everything in him not to lash out, not to give in to the primal instincts clawing at his mind. Alex sensed the shift in Danny’s demeanor and gripped his arm tighter. “Hey, I’m right here. Stay with me.” Danny nodded weakly, focusing on Alex’s steady presence beside him. He tried to calm his racing heart, but the hunger was deafening. His eyes flicked around the area, searching for someone—anyone—he could lure away without hurting them. His hands shook, and the pressure in his chest built up, suffocating. Then, something shifted in the air. A heartbeat—louder than the rest—thumped steadily behind them. Alex stiffened, his own heightened senses immediately picking up on it. Jonah. Danny’s eyes widened, panic mixing with the already intense hunger. His gaze shot to Alex, who was already scanning the area, his body tense and ready. “He’s here,” Danny whispered, his voice hoarse. “Jonah’s following us.” Alex’s grip on Danny tightened. “We have to stay calm. He doesn’t know you’re a vampire—yet. He’s still after me.” Danny’s fangs extended involuntarily, his hunger screaming at him to act. The stress of Jonah’s presence made it worse, pushing him to the edge of losing control entirely. "I... I can't," Danny gasped, his voice cracking. "I can't control it much longer." Alex turned to face him, his expression serious but calm. "You can. But you need to feed now, before you lose it completely. I'll keep Jonah off our trail, but you need to focus." The sound of Jonah's heartbeat grew louder, closer. He was trailing them, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Danny could feel his own pulse racing, his vision blurring at the edges as the hunger grew unbearable. "Over there," Alex whispered, nodding toward a side alley. "Go. I'll keep watch. But don’t let him follow." Danny hesitated, his chest heaving with the effort to stay in control. His fangs throbbed, the hunger clawing at him. He knew he didn’t have much time. “Go,” Alex urged, pushing him toward the alley. “I’ll handle Jonah.” Reluctantly, Danny slipped into the alley, the shadows swallowing him up. He focused on finding someone—just one person—he could feed from without causing harm. His body moved on instinct now, his eyes darting around as he sought out a pulse to calm the raging hunger inside him. Meanwhile, Alex stayed at the entrance to the alley, his dark eyes scanning the street. He could hear Jonah's footsteps now, slow and methodical, as if the hunter was carefully calculating his approach. Alex's jaw tightened. Jonah was clever, and he knew that the hunter was waiting for a sign of weakness—a moment when Alex would be vulnerable. But Alex couldn’t afford to show any weakness, not when Danny was so close to the edge. Jonah stepped into view, his piercing gaze locking onto Alex from across the street. For a moment, neither of them moved, the tension between them palpable. “What are you up to, Alex?” Jonah’s voice was low, dangerous. “Hiding from me won’t do you any good. I know what you are.” Alex didn’t flinch. “And I know what you are, Jonah. We don’t have to do this.” Jonah smirked, his hand inching toward the weapon hidden beneath his jacket. “Oh, but we do.” Before Jonah could make another move, a loud crash echoed from deeper within the alley. Jonah’s attention snapped toward the sound, his predatory instincts kicking in. “What was that?” Jonah asked, his voice sharp with suspicion. Alex’s heart raced, knowing that Danny was likely the source of the noise. He couldn’t let Jonah find him—not when Danny was so close to losing control. He had to stall. “Just a stray cat,” Alex said smoothly, stepping in front of the alley’s entrance. “You wouldn’t want to waste your time chasing shadows.” Jonah narrowed his eyes, clearly unconvinced. “I think I’ll take my chances.” With that, Jonah moved forward, his eyes trained on the alley. Alex tensed, ready to intercept, but before he could, a figure emerged from the shadows. It was Danny, his eyes glowing faintly, his expression calm and controlled. He had managed to feed, and now the hunger was sated—at least for the moment. Jonah froze, his gaze flicking between Danny and Alex. He didn’t know what to make of the scene, but something in his expression hinted that he suspected more than he let on. “You should go home, Jonah,” Danny said, his voice steady but firm. “There’s nothing for you here.” Jonah’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t argue. After a tense moment, he turned on his heel and walked away, though the predatory gleam in his eyes suggested that this wasn’t over. As soon as Jonah was out of sight, Danny exhaled a shaky breath, his body sagging with relief. Alex moved to his side, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “You did good.” Danny nodded, though the exhaustion in his eyes was clear. “Yeah… but how long can we keep this up?” Alex didn’t have an answer. They were walking a fine line, and sooner or later, something would have to give. Danny could see the questions flickering in Alex's eyes, the unspoken concern that lingered after Jonah had walked away. Danny sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as he tried to explain. "That noise…" he started, his voice low, "it was me. I… I lost focus for a second." Alex raised an eyebrow, his expression tense but understanding. "Lost focus?" Danny nodded, feeling the weight of his exhaustion creeping up on him. "When I grabbed the guy I was going to feed on, I moved too fast. Put him under my influence, yeah, but I knocked over the lid of a trash can. I was so close to slipping, Alex." His voice shook, the lingering fear of how close he had come to losing control weighing heavy in the air. Alex’s eyes softened, and he stepped closer, placing a hand gently on Danny’s arm. "It happens. You’re under a lot of stress. But you didn’t slip. You pulled through, and that’s what matters." Danny let out a frustrated breath, leaning against the wall of the alley. "I just… I can’t keep losing focus like this. What if Jonah had seen me? What if I hurt the guy?" "You didn’t," Alex said firmly. "You’re better than that, Danny. You’re not going to hurt anyone. Not with me here." Danny shot him a small, grateful smile, though his eyes were still clouded with worry. "Thanks. But I don’t know how much longer I can keep this up, Alex. Between Jonah and Valerie, and… everything else, it’s getting harder." Alex’s hand lingered on Danny’s arm, his grip tightening slightly. "You’re not alone in this. We’ll figure it out, together." Danny met Alex’s gaze, his shoulders sagging in exhaustion but also relief. "I don’t know what I’d do without you." Alex smiled softly, though his eyes remained serious. "Lucky for you, you don’t have to find out." The tension between them eased just slightly, but Danny couldn’t shake the feeling that things were only going to get harder from here. Jonah wasn’t going to back off, and Valerie still didn’t know the full truth. And now, with his vampire hunger pushing him to the brink, Danny knew that he was walking a fine line. "I think we should head back," Danny said after a moment, pushing himself off the wall. "We’ve been out here long enough. Sam and Tucker are probably wondering what’s up." Alex nodded, and together they made their way out of the alley, the weight of the night pressing down on them both. As they walked, Danny felt a strange sense of calm settle over him, knowing that no matter what happened next, he had Alex by his side. But deep down, he couldn’t shake the nagging thought that the worst was yet to come. Danny’s frustration built as he paced back and forth in his room, the weight of everything gnawing at him. He could feel the tension between him and Alex thickening, like a storm ready to break. His mind raced back to the Council—the two tests he’d already been through were brutal enough, but he knew they weren’t done with him yet. There was always another trial waiting, and it gnawed at his nerves. "Why didn’t you tell me more about Roni and The Council?" Danny asked, stopping to face Alex. His voice carried a bite of anger, and Alex could sense the shift in his tone. Alex’s expression remained calm, but his eyes were cautious. "I was going to tell you, Danny. I wanted to ease you into it, not dump everything on you at once." "But that’s not good enough!" Danny’s voice rose. He hated feeling like he was constantly one step behind, as if Alex—or even The Council—was making decisions for him. "You’re always holding something back. First with turning me, and now with Roni and whatever her connection to The Council is. What else are you keeping from me?" Alex sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Roni was once part of The Council, or rather, under their protection. She wasn’t always like this, Danny. She had power, influence. The Council saw potential in her—she was meant to be an example of control and balance, the kind of vampire you’re supposed to aspire to. But she… lost herself." "Lost herself?" Danny repeated, skeptical. His voice hardened. "You make it sound like it just happened. She didn’t just ‘lose herself’—she chose to go dark." "Yes," Alex admitted. "But it didn’t happen overnight. The Council gave her chances to redeem herself, to prove she could still control the hunger and the darkness inside. But she kept failing. Eventually, she stopped caring about the tests or The Council’s approval. She became dangerous—too dangerous even for them. That’s why she’s been exiled." Danny felt his frustration bubbling to the surface. "So, what, now I’m their new project? Is that why they keep testing me? Are they trying to see if I’ll go the same way Roni did?" "They’re trying to make sure you can handle your power," Alex said quietly. "The tests aren’t meant to break you—they’re supposed to push you, to make you stronger." Danny shook his head. "I didn’t ask for any of this. I didn’t ask to be part of The Council’s little games. And sometimes… I wish you hadn’t turned me." The words slipped out before Danny could stop them. The air between them grew thick with tension, and he saw the hurt flash across Alex’s face. "Danny… I know it wasn’t fair. And if I could change things, maybe I would’ve done it differently. But you’re here now, and I swear I’m trying to help you get through this." "I know," Danny muttered, dropping his gaze. "But I’m scared, Alex. Scared of what I’m becoming. Scared of what The Council might do if I don’t measure up." Alex moved closer, gently grabbing Danny’s shoulders. "You won’t fail, Danny. I’m not going to let that happen. And the Council won’t either. They may be harsh, but they don’t want another Roni. They want to believe in you." Danny clenched his fists, his breath shaky. He wanted to believe Alex, but part of him still felt trapped, like he was being pulled into a world that wasn’t his choice. "And if I do fail?" Alex’s grip tightened, and his eyes met Danny’s with a fierce intensity. "You won’t." Danny exhaled slowly, letting some of the tension drain away. But the fear and frustration still lingered in the back of his mind, whispering that no matter what he did, he would never truly be free of The Council’s grip—or his new vampiric nature. "I just… I need to know you’re being honest with me," Danny said softly. "About everything." "I am, Danny. I promise. No more secrets." Danny nodded, though a part of him still wasn’t sure. The day stretched on in an eerie calm, but Danny could sense the tension building beneath the surface. He and Alex had been planning to hunt together that night, a quiet understanding between them. Despite all the chaos swirling around them—The Council’s trials, Jonah’s relentless pursuit—feeding was a necessity they couldn’t ignore. The school day had been uneventful, with Jonah keeping his distance, but Danny could still feel Jonah’s eyes on them, especially on Alex. It made his skin crawl. There was something different about the way Jonah was watching, almost as if he were planning something. As night descended, the two of them set out, side by side, slipping away from the noise of Amity Park to find a secluded area where they could feed safely. Danny’s hunger gnawed at him, an ever-present reminder of his new reality, but he had managed to keep it in check—barely. "Something feels off," Danny muttered as they walked down a deserted alley, their footsteps echoing in the stillness. His ghost sense wasn’t going off, but there was a strange prickle at the back of his neck that he couldn’t shake. Alex glanced over, his expression tense. "You’re right. Jonah’s been following us for days, and tonight’s no different. He’s lurking, waiting for the right moment." Danny’s eyes scanned their surroundings, but the streets seemed empty. He knew better than to trust appearances. "What if this time he’s smarter?" "He is," Alex replied quietly, his tone grim. "I can feel it." They moved further into the shadows, their senses heightened. Alex’s hand hovered close to Danny’s, a silent reassurance. But even Alex, with his centuries of experience, couldn’t predict everything. As they rounded the corner into a particularly secluded street, the unmistakable metallic scent of silver hit Danny’s nose before the attack even happened. Jonah leaped out of the shadows, fast and precise, a dagger gleaming in his hand. The blade slashed through the air, catching Alex’s side before either of them could react. Alex cried out in pain, stumbling back, his hand going to his side where the silver had seared through his shirt and skin. The smell of burning flesh filled Danny’s nostrils, and the sight of Alex’s blood sent a red haze over his vision. "Alex!" Danny shouted, rushing to his side. But his vampire instincts were flaring, his vision sharpening, his senses honing in on Jonah. Jonah took a step forward, his eyes locked on Alex, clearly intending to finish the job. But Danny wasn’t having it. His body moved on instinct, fast as a blur, as he placed himself between Jonah and Alex. "Danny, wait—" Alex’s voice cut through the fog of Danny’s mind, but it was too late. The hunger, the anger, the need to protect Alex—it all surged up inside him like a tidal wave, too strong to resist. With a feral growl, Danny launched himself at Jonah, fangs bared, his vampire nature fully unleashed. He grabbed Jonah by the throat, slamming him against the alley wall with inhuman strength. Jonah struggled, eyes wide with fear, but Danny didn’t care. The smell of Jonah’s blood was intoxicating, overpowering every rational thought in his mind. His fangs sank deep into Jonah’s neck, the warm, metallic taste of blood flooding his senses. "Danny, stop!" Alex’s voice was distant, drowned out by the roaring in Danny’s ears. He drank deeply, pulling more and more from Jonah, feeling the hunter’s life force ebb beneath his grip. Jonah’s heartbeat slowed, each beat fainter than the last, but Danny couldn’t stop. His grip tightened, his fangs sinking in deeper, the blood filling him, fueling him. He was lost in it, his mind consumed by the primal urge to feed, to take everything. "Danny!" Alex shouted, his voice breaking through the fog. He grabbed Danny’s shoulder, shaking him. "You’re going to kill him! Stop!" Danny’s eyes flickered from red to blue, and he blinked, the realization of what he was doing crashing down on him. He jerked back, tearing his fangs from Jonah’s neck, his breath coming in ragged gasps. Jonah slumped to the ground, his body limp, blood pooling around him. His chest barely moved, his pulse weak and fading. Danny stumbled back, horrified by what he had just done. His hands were stained with Jonah’s blood, his fangs still dripping red. He could feel the weight of his actions settling in, the gravity of how close he had come to ending Jonah’s life. Alex knelt beside Jonah, pressing his hand to the wound on the hunter’s neck, trying to stop the bleeding. "We need to get him help," Alex said, his voice urgent but calm. "He’s still alive, but barely." Danny stood frozen, his entire body trembling. "I… I almost…" "It’s okay," Alex said softly, standing and moving toward Danny. He placed his hands on Danny’s shoulders, grounding him. "You didn’t kill him, Danny. But we need to move fast." Danny nodded numbly, still in shock, as they hurried to get Jonah to a hospital. The guilt and shame twisted inside him, even as Alex reassured him. He had almost lost control—he *had* lost control. And the worst part? A part of him didn’t regret it. Jonah survived, but barely. He was put into a coma from the blood loss and injuries. As Danny sat outside the hospital later that night, the weight of everything felt crushing. How much longer could he keep living like this? How much more could he take before something—someone—broke? Alex sat beside him, silent, but his presence was enough to keep Danny from completely spiraling. For now. The silence between Danny and Alex was heavy as they sat outside the hospital, bathed in the cold glow of the streetlights. The world around them felt distant, unreal. Danny’s mind swirled with guilt, anger, and confusion. The feral hunger that had taken control earlier was still fresh in his veins, even though his body was sated. He couldn’t stop replaying the moment in his head—Jonah’s heartbeat slowing beneath his grip, the taste of his blood, and the sheer loss of control. “I almost killed him,” Danny finally whispered, his voice hollow. Alex glanced over, his dark eyes filled with a quiet understanding. “But you didn’t, Danny. You stopped yourself.” Danny shook his head. “No, you stopped me. If you hadn’t been there…” He trailed off, not wanting to finish the thought. He didn’t know what scared him more—the fact that he had almost killed Jonah or the fact that part of him had *wanted* to. “You’re still learning,” Alex said gently. “I’ve told you before, being a vampire isn’t just about controlling the hunger—it’s about controlling *yourself*. It takes time, and it’s not easy. But you’re not alone in this.” “I don’t know if I can do it,” Danny admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “What if I hurt someone else next time? What if I—” “You won’t,” Alex interrupted, his hand finding Danny’s. “Because I won’t let you.” Danny looked down at their intertwined hands, his mind still racing. He wanted to believe Alex, but the fear gnawed at him. The thought of losing control like that again terrified him. He didn’t want to be a danger to the people he cared about—his friends, his family. Sam, Tucker, Valerie. He had already put Alex in enough danger just by being near him. “What about Jonah?” Danny asked, his voice thick with guilt. “He’s in a coma because of me. What if he never wakes up?” Alex sighed, glancing back at the hospital. “I don’t know. But we’ll deal with that if it comes to it. Right now, you need to focus on controlling yourself, not punishing yourself.” Danny ran a hand through his messy raven hair, still feeling the weight of the moment pressing down on him. He couldn’t shake the image of Jonah lying motionless, barely alive because of him. “And Roni? The Council?” Danny added, his frustration building. “They’re still out there, waiting for me to fail, waiting for another test. How am I supposed to deal with all of this?” Alex didn’t answer immediately. He stared out at the dark streets, his expression thoughtful. “We’ll face them when the time comes. The Council will test you again—it’s only a matter of time. But I promise, I won’t let them destroy you.” Danny’s eyes flicked up to meet Alex’s. “What if they decide I’m too dangerous? What if they think I’m a threat?” “They won’t,” Alex replied firmly. “Not while I’m with you.” Danny wanted to believe him, but the fear lingered. The Council was powerful, and their expectations for him were high. He had already passed two trials, but the third was bound to be worse. And now, with Jonah in a coma, there was another layer of complication added to everything. “Come on,” Alex said, standing and offering his hand. “Let’s get out of here. You need rest. We’ll figure out what to do next in the morning.” Danny hesitated before taking Alex’s hand and standing up. He was exhausted, physically and emotionally, but he knew sleep wouldn’t come easily. His mind was still too full, too chaotic. But he followed Alex anyway, needing the comfort of his presence, even if it couldn’t silence his thoughts. They walked in silence, the cold night air biting at their skin as they made their way back toward Alex’s estate. The streets were empty, and the distant sounds of the city felt muted, like they were moving through a world that no longer belonged to them. By the time they reached the estate, Danny’s exhaustion was palpable. Alex led him inside, his hand still firmly holding Danny’s, grounding him. “You’ll be okay,” Alex said softly, guiding Danny to sit on the edge of his bed. “You’re stronger than you think.” Danny let out a tired sigh, his body sinking into the comfort of the mattress. “I don’t feel strong. I feel like I’m barely holding on.” Alex knelt in front of him, his hands resting on Danny’s knees. “You’re doing more than just holding on. You’re surviving. And that’s not easy, especially when everything feels like it’s crashing down around you. But you have me. And we’ll get through this together.” Danny looked into Alex’s eyes, the weight of his words settling in. He wanted to believe him. He needed to believe him. Because right now, Alex was the only thing keeping him from completely falling apart. As the silence stretched on, Danny leaned forward, resting his forehead against Alex’s. The world outside might have been chaotic, but in that moment, all he could focus on was Alex’s steady presence, the warmth of his skin, and the quiet reassurance that maybe, just maybe, they would be okay. But deep down, Danny knew the storm was far from over. The Council was still out there, waiting. Roni was still a threat. And Jonah… Jonah was a reminder of how close Danny had come to losing control completely. Tomorrow would bring more challenges. But for tonight, at least, Danny allowed himself the small comfort of Alex’s presence, his heart heavy with the knowledge that the fight was far from over.