The second separation, though brief, was still uncomfortable. Lilly returned to the junior high for one more class before lunch, the phantom sensation once again throbbing with protest at the distance from her mates.
By the time lunch period arrived, Ruby was pacing restlessly within her. Lilly made her way to the courtyard that connected the two school buildings, trying not to appear too eager despite her wolf's insistence on haste.
Kenny and Axel were already there, sitting at a table with Luka and a few of their teammates. The casual arrangement was perfect, friends gathering for lunch, nothing to attract undue attention. Yet as Lilly approached the courtyard along with her friends Emma, Mia and Rachel, but they were not alone, Luka and Lilly’s cousins from overseas were in Riverwoo
As Lilly climbed the stairs to her bedroom, she felt the weight of the day settling heavily on her shoulders. The excitement of their first day navigating the bond, the strain of maintaining secrecy, the shock of her cousins' arrival, and now the devastating loss of her violin, it was almost too much to process.In her room, the Moon Rose glowed softly from its place on her nightstand, its silver-gold light pulsing gently as if in sympathy with her turbulent emotions. Lilly approached it, drawing comfort from its otherworldly presence."What am I supposed to do now?" she whispered to the flower, not really expecting an answer. "The competition means everything to me, but without my violin..."A soft knock interrupted her thoughts. Emerald entered, carrying a st
"It's not your fault," Lilly interrupted, wiping at her tears. "You can't be responsible for her actions."Axel took the place on her other side, his presence a solid comfort. "We'll fix this somehow. The competition, the violin, we'll find a way."The three sat in silence for a moment, their bond humming between them like a tangible thread. The phantom sensation had settled into a steady pulse, their proximity easing some of the raw edge of Lilly's grief."I keep thinking about what Elder Gideon said," Lilly finally whispered. "About the darkness gathering. What if this is just the beginning? What if the prophecy means more challenges, more losses?""Then we face them together," Kenny said firmly. "Thr
"Don't be ridiculous," Amali scoffed, though guilt flickered briefly across her features. "It was an accident. Besides, it's just a violin. She can get another one."The room temperature seemed to drop as Alpha Mick stepped forward, his Alpha authority radiating outward in palpable waves. "That violin was a Riverwood heirloom, passed through five generations. Its value cannot be measured in mere currency."Amali's confidence faltered under her uncle's cold gaze. "I... I didn't know.""You knew," Alpha Blackthorn said unexpectedly, his voice carrying the weight of his own authority. "I myself commented on its historical significance after Lilly's performance."The alliance between the Alphas presented a
"I'm not implying anything," she replied calmly. "I'm stating facts. The mark I saw is associated with only one thing, a triad bond blessed by the Goddess herself." Her eyes were fixed on Lilly. "And given Kenny's very public rejection of Amali, and the way both he and that Blackthorn boy watch you when they think no one's looking...it's not difficult to connect the dots."Lilly felt her heart racing, torn between denial and relief at having someone else who understood. "Emerald, please...""I haven't told Amali," Emerald interrupted, her expression softening slightly. "Or anyone else. But Lilly, a triad bond? At your age? That's... unprecedented.""It wasn't exactly planned," Lilly said quietly, making her decision. Emerald had already figured out too much to be misled by half-truths. "It started to happen the day Axel arrived. The next morning, our wolves started to wake up, making our bond snap into place. We're still trying to understand it ourselves."Luka sighed, recognising the
Amali's smile faltered, her eyes widening slightly at Kenny's direct rejection. The room seemed to still around them, conversations dimming as heads turned toward the unexpected confrontation."Someone else?" Amali repeated, her voice carrying just enough to draw more attention. "You never mentioned anyone specific before. Who is she?"Kenny maintained his composure, though the phantom sensation on his finger pulsed with warning. "That's private," he replied firmly. "All that matters is that my feelings are engaged elsewhere, and it wouldn't be fair to encourage your attention."Lilly kept her expression carefully neutral despite Ruby's surge of protective pride. Beside her, Axel shifted almost imperceptibly closer, a subtle show of support that only she would notice.Amali's eyes narrowed, flicking between Kenny and Lilly with sudden suspicion. "Is it someone here? Someone in this room?""Amali," Emerald interjected smoothly, linking arms with her sister. "This isn't the time or plac
"There's my beautiful daughter," Alpha Mick said warmly as Lilly approached with Luna. "Alpha Ryan, you remember Lilly?""Of course," the Blackthorn Alpha replied with a smile that reminded Lilly strongly of Axel. "Your reputation as a violinist has reached even our pack. My son speaks highly of your talent."Lilly felt a flush of pleasure at the compliment, carefully keeping her eyes from seeking out Axel in the crowd. "Thank you, Alpha Ryan. Your son Axel is too kind."As they entered the dining hall, Lilly was acutely aware of multiple gazes following her, Emerald's curious, Amali's calculating, and somewhere in the crowd, Kenny and Axel's protective. She kept her chin high, moving with the grace her mother had taught her toward her assigned seat.