Hide and Seek

“I know, Pops, but I had one last exam to take—and Summer really wants a girls’ night out.” I’m on the phone with my parents. Both Papa and Dad are annoyed that Jared’s already home, but honestly? I’m not. I don’t think it has anything to do with the fact that our 21st birthday is in two days or that we’re about to take over the pack—me as alpha, Jared as beta.

Maybe I should back up.

I’m Christine Loup, alpha heir of the Artemis region of the Moon Goddess Pack. But everyone calls me Chris. I’m the firstborn daughter of Alpha Zak Loup, Luna Charlie Loup, and Beta Brandon Snow. My twin brother Jared is the beta heir of the same region. Our mom died when we were babies—saving my best friend, Summer Thorne, from a group of witches called the Riding Hoods. Dad (aka Brandon) and Papa (aka Zak) have led Artemis since the Moon Goddess Pack was founded.

It’s been 20 years since then. My dads keep Mom’s memory alive, and we still get messages from her now and then—thanks to Uncle Dev and Auntie Arya, who can visit the Goddess Realm. Their twins, Alexander and Rowen, were born there and act like cosmic couriers, ferrying messages back and forth. They get bored fast, but it’s still amazing to draw pictures for Mom or send her school projects. Even though she’s not here physically, we’ve always had her in our lives.

So now? We’re two days away from turning 21. Jared and I are the first of the original trios’ kids to hit that milestone. At 21, we get our Goddess-given gifts, take our leadership roles, and might even find our mates. We’ve also been finishing up at the academy—this college-style place the pack established for witches and wolves to train, study their affinities or powers, and maybe meet their mates. Wolves are eligible from 18 to 25; witches, 16 to 25.

I just wrapped my final exam—Interspecies Politics. Jared, the golden boy, took his tests early and headed home, so of course the dads are salty I’m still here. But all of Jared’s friends are back at Artemis, ready to celebrate with him. My girls are here. So obviously, I stayed.

“I think what Zak’s trying to say is—we miss you. It’s been two months since you’ve come home,” Dad says gently.

“No, what you’re trying to say is that Mémé Clara is driving you both insane with the ceremony prep and you want to pawn her off on me,” I shoot back.

“Both things can be true,” Papa responds innocently.

I laugh. Mémé Clara is going to drive them absolutely bonkers until I get there—and I’m going to enjoy every second of it. She’s a force of nature when it comes to event planning. Everything she touches turns out stunning, but the lead-up? Total chaos. Whirling dervish vibes.

“I’ll head out around one tomorrow. I’ve got a few things to pack—but I’m definitely sleeping in.”

“Shocker,” Dad mutters.

“Hey!” I say, mock-offended.

“Baby girl, we love you—but you’ve never been what we’d call an early riser,” Papa chuckles.

I stick my tongue out even though they can’t see me. Their laughter tells me they know exactly what I did.

“Just be careful tonight, alright? Have fun. Finish sowing those wild oats. Kick anyone’s ass who messes with you. Enjoy yourself, love bug,” Dad says.

Both my dads have always treated Jared and me like we’re the most precious things in their world. And after losing Mom? We are.

“Hey… have you thought more about what we talked about last time?” I ask, hesitant.

“Oh no. Don’t start,” Papa groans.

“I’m just saying—it would be good for you. Even Jared agrees. He found out about the ball.”

“Christine.” Papa says my full name. Shit. That’s how I know I’ve lost. No one calls me Christine unless they’re pissed or done. I’ve already lost the battle—and I haven’t even started the argument.

“Pops. Dad. You need a third. You’ve been without a trio for 20 years. We know Mom. She knows how much you love her. But she also knows something’s been missing since she’s been gone. She talks about it. I don’t see the harm in going to a second-chance mating ball.”

It’s true. My dads changed after Mom died. I didn’t notice it back then, I was too young—but I’ve seen old videos. They were so happy. Light. Carefree. All our aunts and uncles say it. The grandparents whisper about how they used to be. They need that missing piece.

Time to play my trump card. “Even Mémé Clara found her second-chance mate. Look how happy she is.”

“We are happy,” Dad says.

“Yes—but not as happy as you were. Or could be,” I counter.

“No one will ever replace Charlie,” Papa says firmly.

“Papa. I know that. Mom knows that. I’m not asking you to replace her—I’m asking you to let yourselves be whole again. You’re retiring in a few days. And sure, Jared and I will always need you—but you’ll have time now. Don’t you want to feel that kind of love again?”

There’s a long silence.

“Dad? Papa?”

“We’ll think about it, okay?” Papa says softly. “Let us… let us send a letter to your Mom. If she truly wants this… we’ll at least attend.”

“Really?” I try not to sound too excited. “You could ask Alexander or Rowen to take the letter now, start a dialogue—”

“Let us do this in our own time, love bug,” Dad cuts in.

“Okay. Okay. I’m backing off,” I say quickly.

“We will do it, baby doll. Just... give us some time,” Papa adds.

“I’m so happy you’re even considering it,” I say, grinning.

“Have fun tonight, little one. Don’t get into too much trouble,” Papa says, sounding a little lighter.

“Me? Trouble? Never.” I beam at their laughter. “I love you.”

“I love you too, Chris,” Papa says.

“Love you, baby girl,” Dad echoes.

I hang up just as someone bangs on my door.

“You know I have were-hearing, right? You don’t have to break my door down to get my attention!” I yell.

“Just making sure you knew we were here,” comes Summer’s voice.

I open the door to find Summer and the Guia twins—Josefina and Fatima, or JoJo and Fati to us.

“Bitch, you ready to celebrate your 21st birthday?” Summer shouts, holding up a bottle of champagne.

I laugh. “Not until I finish my hair. But I’ll take a glass of that while I’m getting ready.”

“Hell yes! Pre-game on!” Fati cheers, popping the cork.

JoJo giggles. “I’m ordering pizza so we’re not trashed before we even leave.”

“Always so responsible,” Fati teases. “This is why I love you. You’re the Yin to my Yang.” She plants a kiss on her sister’s forehead, which JoJo promptly wipes off.

I laugh and head back to the bathroom.

Time to celebrate my birthday.