LOGINMICHAELA'S POV "Michaela?" I blink, looking up to find that Damon is no longer studying the house but watching me. His expression softens slightly. "Do you want us to come in with you?" he asks, then adds, "We could wait outside if you'd prefer that." The question catches me off guard. For a moment, I simply stare at him. Because embarrassingly enough, I hadn't even considered it. Not really. I'd been so busy worrying about seeing Mum and Talia that I'd completely forgotten another detail. Was I even allowed to bring guests? My gaze flickers toward the front door. Then back to Damon. Then to Cole. Who suddenly looks just as uncertain as I feel. A laugh threatens to escape me. Because somehow the possibility of not being welcomed by anyone feels slightly less terrifying than having to explain why I've shown up with two men. One of whom happens to be the Alpha. And the other my best friend. I shrug. "I honestly have no idea." Neither of them says anything for a mome
MICHAELA'S POV "Michaela?" I blink, looking up to find that Damon is no longer studying the house but watching me. His expression softens slightly. "Do you want us to come in with you?" he asks, then adds, "We could wait outside if you'd prefer that." The question catches me off guard. For a moment, I simply stare at him. Because embarrassingly enough, I hadn't even considered it. Not really. I'd been so busy worrying about seeing Mum and Talia that I'd completely forgotten another detail. Was I even allowed to bring guests? My gaze flickers toward the front door. Then back to Damon. Then to Cole. Who suddenly looks just as uncertain as I feel. A laugh threatens to escape me. Because somehow the possibility of not being welcomed by anyone feels slightly less terrifying than having to explain why I've shown up with two men. One of whom happens to be the Alpha. And the other my best friend. I shrug. "I honestly have no idea." Neither of them says anything for a mome
MICHAELA'S POVBy the time we are out of the car, Cole is already waiting outside. He had driven here too, following behind Damon and me in his own car.He takes my hands in his the moment he sees me and gives them a gentle squeeze."How was the ride?" he asks, falling into step beside me."It was fine," I say, offering him what I hope is a convincing smile.And it had been.Though Cole had been noticeably reluctant to let the matter drop when I'd chosen to ride with Damon.Cole nods.Then glances over his shoulder, probably toward Damon, who is walking a few steps behind us, studying the house.My gaze shifts between them.Cole.Then Damon.And something warm settles unexpectedly in my chest.A few months ago, the sight would have been impossible.Cole belonged to one part of my life.Damon belonged to another.Two separate worlds that were never supposed to meet.Yet here they are.Walking beside me.One on each side.For all their differences, for all the tension that exists betwee
DAMON'S POV.“I’ll drive you?” I offer the moment she tells me what she intends to do.I try my best not to comment on her puffy eyes, tear streaked cheeks, the way she'd left the study earlier like the world was falling apart and she was at its center.Or the fact that she'd asked for some more tear drop suppressants when she got back.I knew Michaela enough to know that pushing wouldn't get me anywhere with her, it'll only make her push back seven times harder.She looks up at me for a second. Then another, contemplating.“Okay.” She says finally.I sighed, relieved. For a second there I thought she wasn't going to let me be there for her at a moment where she'd obviously need someone by her side.“I'm coming too,” Cole says, stepping into the study and coming to a stop behind her.My gaze shifts towards him as he enters.“Naturally,” I reply, not at all surprised.For a fraction of a second, something sharp flashes through me.It's not anger.Not surprise.Just the uncomfortable
MICHAELA'S POV "Cole. You're here."I immediately wipe at my face.As though that will somehow erase the evidence.Cole's eyes narrow.His expression changes instantly."Mia?""I'm fine."The lie leaves my mouth automatically.Cole doesn't even pretend to believe it.I watch his gaze move over my face.The tears.My red eyes.The fact that I look like I've just lost a fight with my own emotions.His jaw tightens."What happened?"I look away.Because suddenly I don't want to answer.Don't want to talk about it.Don't want to think about it."Nothing," I say quickly.Too quickly.He studies me closely."It's nothing, really," I add.He doesn't buy it.Not for a second.I take in a deep breath and let the rest out with a sigh. "The council picked a date."The words come out smaller than I intend."The first trial is in two days."Something flashes across his face.Not surprise.Something else.Slowly, I realize he already knows.That immediately catches my attention."You already knew
MICHAELA'S POV For Goddess' sake, why the fuck was I crying? This wasn't the time for an emotional breakdown. If anything, this was the time to get angry. To make a plan. To prepare myself. To do literally anything other than whatever the hell I was doing. Yet here I was. After Soorayah delivered the news about the trials with smugness written all over her face, I didn't even remember leaving the study. One moment, I was standing there. The next, I was twisting the door handle. Walking into the hallway. Putting distance between myself and that room. Between myself and the words that kept echoing inside my head. Two days. Two days. Two days. The number follows me down the corridor like a curse. It was happening. The trials were actually happening. And I wasn't entirely sure what I was feeling. Fear? Anger? Frustration? Determination? All of it tangled together into something too large to properly understand. Too large to process. I didn't even know where I was
The room falls silent. I probably look like a gaping fish. Humans are usually paired with weaker weres. Something about “matched capabilities.” Ridiculous. I could put half this class on their backs—provided no one starts flashing claws. But the future Alpha? That’s different. Damon ha
I startle at the sound of leaves crunching under boots. “Who’s there?” “Mia? Is that you?” I turn to find Cole picking his way toward me. “Cole,” I breathe. “How did you—” “I had a feeling they were going to come for you after what you did.” He finally reaches where I’m leaning against a t
My screams does not deter him. Oh no. “Don’t—” I start. He lunges again. Below me, the group spreads out in a perfect semicircle. Waiting. “Catch her,” I recall Damon’s words. He plans to force me out if this tree, I realize. Panic claws at my lungs as I adjust myself on the branches so I c
Rule number one for anyone living in a werewolf pack—especially if that person is human: Never humiliate the future Alpha. Rule number two? If you do, don’t get caught. I broke rule number one three hours ago. And right now, I just broke rule number two. “You can run, but you can't hide, h







