MasukThe next morning rolled around, and I woke up to a call requesting my help in the dining room. It was the main area where pack members came together to eat.
“So, you and Taylor went at it?” Sofia, a close friend of mine, was saying as she casually leaned against the back door of the break room. We were right in the middle of what she liked to call el chisme. Sofia was the Sous Chef in charge of the dining room. She was a small Hispanic woman with olive skin, long chestnut hair, and big, forest-green eyes full of charm. She had transferred to our pack a year ago when Felix discovered her cooking abilities. Today, she was covering for the head chef, Tanna, something she had to do quite often. “Yeah, I swear I can’t catch a break,” I sighed as I grabbed an apron from the top shelf where the staff kept its extra uniforms. She shook her head. “You’re lucky that girl didn’t tear your head off. You got off easy.” “That’s not even half of it,” I groaned. “Did you know Gabriel turned my room into a gym?” Sofia’s eyes widened. “Wow, that sucks... Did you get in some exercise at least?” she joked. “Not funny, Sofia,” I said, but I had a playful smile on my lips. Before Sofia could respond, the door behind her opened, and Tanna walked in. “Don’t tell me this is what you do all day when I’m not here,” Tanna said with a haughty tone. “Tanna, we were just about to start our shift,” Sofia answered quickly and straightened up. The tension in the room suddenly rose, and I felt a prickling annoyance settle in the pit of my stomach. “The dining hall hasn’t even opened yet. Does it even matter?” I crossed my arms, looking straight at the woman, trying to intimidate her. “Excuse me, and who are you to question me?” Tanna asked, her brows furrowing. Tanna was the head chef of the dining hall, but she rarely came in. She usually only appeared when important guests were attending, such as the Alpha or wolves from other packs. She was the bad kind of ambitious, and I disliked every bit of it. If you asked me, Sofia should be the head chef. She was good at what she did, from cooking to management, but unfortunately, she was a Kappa, a rank above Omega. Despite her brilliant cooking and hard work, she could never take Tanna’s place, an Epsilon. “Alec’s sister,” I reminded her, knowing she was itching for a fight, and using my best card was the only way to fight back. Tanna put a hand on her hip. Her yellow eyes scanned over me. For a second, I felt insecure. I had to admit, Tanna was beautiful. Her white uniform looked good on her. She had long black hair pulled back into a neat bun, perfect, rosy pink lips, black eyes with long lashes coated in mascara. It was a simple look, but it suited her well. Next to her, I felt like a potato. “This is my kitchen. If you don’t want to go to Felix’s office, I suggest you clean up your attitude,” she said smugly. “I know that would reflect poorly on your brother.” “Tanna, leave her alone–” Sofia interrupted. “–Silence, I’m speaking to her.” Tanna pointed a slim finger at me. Her wolf was in her eyes, and it was asserting its authority. I felt pressure in my chest. My wolf wanted to cower to her, but I held Tanna’s gaze for a moment before casting my eyes down. I could challenge her, but if she went to Felix, I wouldn’t want to drag my brother into this mess. “I’m sorry if I have offended you, Tanna. I’d like to get to work now, if you don’t mind,” I said, the words bitter in my mouth. Tanna was not fully satisfied, but seemingly bored with the situation, she shrugged. “Fine, get to work,” she snapped her fingers. Standing as straight as I could, I left the backroom. I gave a genuine smile to Sofia, who looked at me apologetically as I passed her. “They’re here!” I heard a girl say from the dining area as I made my way to the kitchen. “Wait. Already? Are you sure?” another girl asked excitedly. “Yes! I saw Felix greeting them at the gate!” I quickly realized who they were referring to. So that’s why Tanna was here. She was planning to prepare dinner for the Shadow Moon pack, who had come earlier than expected. Of course, she had ulterior motives. So, I would soon meet the infamous Nicholas Klain. I felt butterflies in my stomach at the thought of his name. It was a bit silly, but I was hyped. I was curious to meet these werewolves. As I headed to the kitchen, I put an extra pump in my step. This was surely going to be an interesting day.The aftermath was brutal.Alec didn't stop until every Lycan was taken care of. The people who had terrorized our pack and killed his best friend had finally met justice.I, on the other hand, was just relieved this whole nightmare was over.That finally, after everything, I could just sit and breathe.Nicholas was sitting beside me on a large rock in the middle of the forest while pack members carried the bodies away.“So,” I said slowly, “you think we'll finally catch a break?”Nicholas smiled, shaking his head as he looked down.“Honestly, I have no idea.”“Well, I'm praying we do, because I can't take another adventure. I'm all out of one-liners and dark humor.”Nicholas laughed softly before turning toward me.“You know, the more I think about it, the more I realize there's so much about you I don't know. But I want to find out everything.”I smirked.“That's a bit ambitious.”He winked.“Yeah, but it's a challenge I'm willing to take.”I laughed softly before resting my head on
Michelle POVI don't know what came over Nicholas.All I know is that I'm happy.The man I love so much had finally given me his all, breaking the chains of his past and choosing me.And for that, I was grateful.I felt my wolf rise beneath my skin.Strangely, she seemed calmer now.More centered.Even though a pack of Lycans was seconds away from descending on us, she stood firm, almost as if she already knew we would survive.The moment Lucas ordered his pack to attack, Nathaniel, William, and Chanelle, who had been watching from the sidelines, jumped beside us, surrounding us as the incoming wolves charged.Well, if I was going to die, I would die alongside my friends.Cue the Fairy Tail theme song.“Damn. I didn't know I was going to die this young,” Chanelle said, dropping into a low stance.“At least we die young and sexy,” William said with a grin.Nathaniel shook his head.“Vain until the very end.”Despite the situation, I let out a breathless laugh.“You guys are the best.”
Nicholas POVI know it. I'm being unreasonable. I know it deep down.I'm asking too much of her.Michelle Meyers isn't a simple woman.The first time I saw her, I knew that.The way she challenged me despite being an Omega told me everything I needed to know. From that moment, I knew she would be impossible to tame.And that's why I struggle now.I can't stop protecting her.I have to keep her safe, no matter the cost, because if I lose her...I'm as good as dead.But I know she wants more from me.And yet, I don't know if I can give her this much.Lucas watches me with those irritatingly intelligent eyes.“You will die today. I hope you know that.”I swallow down my thoughts and refocus, placing a mask of steel over my face.“Are you going to talk all day, or are we having this final battle?”Lucas narrows his eyes.“As you wish.”He turns toward the crowd.“The final match starts now. The rules are simple.”He smirks.“The last one standing is the winner.”The crowd erupts into appl
The next morning, to my surprise, I found Zahori watching me sleep again.“Not creepy at all...” I muttered.Zahori smirked. “Did you know you snore like a walrus?”My head snapped up, and I glared at her. “Not true, and you know it.”“Yeah, but it sure woke you up quickly.” She paused. “Now hurry and get dressed. Today is the big day.”She turned around, then stopped.“Oh. And Lucas left these for you.”She pointed toward the nightstand beside my bed.I turned to look, only to immediately wish I hadn't.A bouquet of purple tulips sat there.My favorite color.I grimaced.They were beautiful, yes, but I couldn't stop the guilt from rising in my chest.Guilt for what?This man had forced his way into my life. I should feel nothing but hatred toward him.I should.I really should.“Are you getting ready or not?” Zahori asked, rolling her eyes.I climbed out of bed and started what seemed to have become my daily routine.~~~This time, when I stepped outside the room, there was no Willia
To my dismay, I didn't find Nicholas because as soon as the match ended, Lucas escorted me back to his car.We sped home without either of us saying a word. The silence sat heavy between us, thick enough that I could hear my own pulse in my ears. I stared out the window, watching the forest blur into darkness, and wondered if he could hear my heart beat from where he sat.Before I knew it, I was back in the dusty palace, waiting to be saved like some helpless damsel.I dropped onto the bed and watched the ceiling, feeling the seconds tick by and drag out like a snail crossing the pavement. Every creak of the old building made my chest tighten. I kept replaying the match in my head, the roar of the crowd, the look on Lucas's face when it ended, anything to keep my mind off how alone I felt.I was drifting into sleep when there was a low knock on my door.I expected Naomi. Instead I found Alec on the other side, and for a second my brain refused to catch up with what my eyes were seeing
My breaths came out ragged as my heart began to pound slower and slower, my rage cooling into a slow simmer until it finally faded into nothing.Honestly, I couldn't believe I'd just gone on a full rampage, tearing through those Lycans like they were a piñata at some little girl's fifth birthday.Well, I guess it had been someone's birthday.My birthday.At least metaphorically.I deserved a damn break from all the bullshit life had been throwing at me lately, and these poor little piggies had practically offered themselves on a platter to a starving wolf. One that had shown them absolutely no mercy.And honestly, as I lifted my gaze to the beaten Lycans sprawled across the ground, I couldn't find it in myself to feel bad for them. Not even when Lucas looked completely furious, and probably rightfully so, considering I'd just turned his precious little pack into punching bags.I fixed my gaze on him, fully prepared for the lecture that was undoubtedly coming. I expected him to berate
Breakfast was over, and I had just finished stacking the last set of clean plates on the counter when Sofia patted me on the shoulder."I saw one of them." She whispered."Who?" I asked curiously."Nicholas Klain," she leaned in, ready to give me the scoop, "Looks like he's hiding in the back of th
I knocked on Alec’s door and instantly regretted it when Taylor Evans, my brother’s girlfriend, opened it. Her light brown eyes landed on me with distaste as recognition settled into her features.Let’s just say we didn’t see eye to eye.“You could at least say hello to me,” I said when she remaine
I walked around the town until I spotted the pack’s laundromat. Inside, I found a familiar blonde standing in front of a washing machine, his eyes narrowing as he watched it spin. I walked inside the building and stood beside him.“Marcella, making you wash her panties again?” I asked, turning to f
Things were about to change, and I wasn’t ready for it.For the past few minutes, someone had been relentlessly knocking on my door.I would have opened it if it weren’t for the fact that I knew the moment I did, the normality I had tried to create would cease to exist.In truth, it would be easier







