Chapter Thirteen - The Whispering pack

I shouldn’t have left the house.

But staying cooped up after everything was starting to make me feel caged. So, I told my aunt I was heading to Tessa and Naomi’s. She didn’t ask questions — probably sensed I needed the space... and she was sick soo... I also needed to visit Tessa and Naomi. They were probably mad at me for ditching them and running off without so much as an explanation.

The morning air was sharp, brushing cool fingers against my cheeks as I made my way down the narrow path past the central pack road. A few people milled about, chatting or heading to the market, but the moment I stepped into view, the air shifted.

Whispers.

Quick glances.

Then louder.

“That’s her — the rogue girl.”

“Did you see the triplets yesterday? Practically chasing her like pups.”

“I heard she used some rogue magic. They say she has a white wolf.”

My feet faltered. No one should know that. No one does. Only Naomi and Tessa were there when I shifted.

So how…?

I kept walking, pretending not to hear, but their voices followed me like smoke.

“Maybe they’re just playing with her. A pity game.”

“Or she’s just a pretty face now. And you know what they do with pretty rogues…”

I gritted my teeth and moved faster.

And then—

“Daphne Hathaway,” a sickly sweet voice called.

I stopped. Regretted it instantly.

Raina Campbell.

Of course it would be her. Blonde, tall, perfectly sculpted from head to toe, and once upon a time—Maddox’s favorite distraction. My heart clenched at the thought, my wolf snarling within me.

She walked toward me, her heels clicking sharply against the ground, lips curled in a cruel smirk. “Didn’t think I’d see you crawling out of your hole today.”

I said nothing. I didn’t even have the strength.

But she wasn’t done.

“Just wanted to let you know — if this is some game, some... act, trying to sink your claws into the future Alphas... you’ll lose. Miserably.” She took a step closer, face twisted with jealousy. “Because you don’t belong here, rogue.”

And then, without warning, she threw her drink.

It splashed across my chest, sticky and cold. I didn't even notice her with it.

A gasp rippled through the nearby crowd.

I froze.

The humiliation burned worse than the liquid soaking into my hoodie.

I clenched my fists, jaw tight, ready to say something—but before I could…

A growl tore through the silence.

Low. Deadly.

“Touch her again and I’ll rip your head off your body.”

My heart stopped.

Maddox.

He appeared out of nowhere, eyes locked on Raina with lethal precision. His presence was like a crashing wave—undeniable. His scent clouding my senses. Behind him, Jaxon and Kyren stepped forward, equally tense.

"But baby—" she stopped as he growled at her, his eyes darkening as he barely contained his wolf.

Kyren’s gaze met mine first. Soft. Worrying.

Jaxon’s was unreadable—but protective, sharp.

Raina backed up, face pale now. “I—I didn’t—”

“You did,” Jaxon said calmly, voice like steel. “And you’re done.”

“No one touches her,” Maddox growled, stepping closer. “No one mocks her. Or I'll crack your heads.”

More whispers. But now they were afraid.

The crowd scattered like startled birds.

And me?

I stood there, trembling.

Not because of Maddox’s threat, or the crowd, or Raina’s pettiness.

But because of their protectiveness.

I hated how my heart jumped.

How a part of me wanted to believe it. How I wanted to believe them.

My lips parted, but nothing came out.

I couldn’t breathe.

And then—I turned.

And walked away.

Because I didn’t ask for this.

Because this wasn’t protection—it was exposure.

Because the deeper I got with them…

…the more terrified I became of falling.