LOGINPenelope pov "So how do I defend against that?" Timothy asks."By not being where he expects," I say. "By moving before he strikes, by reading his tells and reacting faster than he can adjust."We work on defensive drills for another hour. Reading body language, anticipating attacks, moving just enough to avoid hits without wasting energy on big dodges."This is exhausting," Timothy says after the fifteenth drill."Fighting for your life usually is," I say. "But it's working. You're getting faster.""Am I?" Timothy asks but he doesn't sound convinced."Yes," I say. "Look, I know this is hard. I know you're tired and scared and this whole situation is terrible. But you're improving. I can see it.""I don't feel like I'm improving," Timothy says. "I feel like I'm drowning.""That's normal," I say. "You're learning a completely different fighting style in three weeks. Of course it feels overwhelming. But trust the process, trust me.""I do trust you," Timothy says."Good," I say, "becau
Penelope's POVThe training facility is empty when Timothy and I arrive at three in the afternoon. He's already done his morning session with Ethan, and I can see the exhaustion on his face."Are you sure you want to do this today?" I ask. "You look beat.""I don't have time to be tired," Timothy says, as he stretches his shoulders. "Besides, you said speed and strategy. That doesn't require as much strength.""It requires focus," I say, "and you can barely keep your eyes open.""I'm fine," Timothy insists."You're not fine," I say, walking over to him. "But we'll work with what we have. Let's start with footwork.""Footwork?" Timothy frowns. "This is a wolf fight, not ballroom dancing.""Footwork is everything," I say. "In hockey, in combat, in any physical competition. If your feet are in the wrong position, nothing else matters.""Okay," Timothy says, still skeptical. "Show me."I move into a fighting stance. "Your father plants his feet when he attacks. Did you notice that in the
Timothy's POV"I know," Elena says. "I'm doing everything I can. But your father still has influence, even without his Alpha title. People owe him favors. Judges, lawyers, doctors. He's calling them all in.""Of course he is," I say bitterly."There's something else," Elena says. "I've been getting reports of his supporters making moves. Threatening families who testified against him. Vandalizing businesses. Nothing major yet, but it's escalating.""What kind of threats?" I ask."Anonymous messages, mostly," Elena says. "Some property damage. A few physical confrontations. Nothing I can arrest anyone for, but it's creating fear.""He's trying to intimidate witnesses before the trial," I say."Yes," Elena agrees. "And it might work, some families are reconsidering their testimony.""Can't you stop him?" I ask."He's not doing it himself," Elena says. "He's too smart for that. But his loyalists are doing his dirty work. And without proof connecting him directly, my hands are tied."I wa
Timothy's POVThree weeks. That's how long I have to prepare for a fight that will determine everything.I stand in the training facility at dawn, staring at the equipment. My body is healed from the rejection, but I'm not in fighting shape. Months of slowly dying left me weaker than I've ever been."You're here early," Ethan says from the doorway."Couldn't sleep," I say.He walks over, looking at me carefully. "You sure about this? The challenge?""No," I admit. "But it's happening anyway."Two days ago, my father made it official. During the full moon gathering, in front of the entire pack, he invoked the ancient right of Alpha Challenge."You want my position?" he'd said, his voice carrying across the crowd. "Come take it, the old way through ritual combat. The winner leads the pack."I'd stepped forward. "I accept."The crowd had roared. Half in approval, half in shock.Now I have three weeks to get ready to fight the most ruthless wolf I've ever known."He's got twenty years of
Penelope pov "We'll be getting a second medical opinion," Timothy adds. "From a doctor who isn't on my father's payroll."Hayes's face goes red. "I resent that accusation.""I don't care what you resent," Timothy says. "My mother is a prisoner here. And that ends now.""She's a patient receiving treatment," Hayes says."She's a victim of abuse being silenced," I counter.Hayes looks between us. "I'll need authorization from the Council to change her treatment plan.""You'll have it by tomorrow," Timothy says. He looks at his mother one more time. "I'll be back, Mom. I promise."Joyce has slid down the wall. She's sitting on the floor now, rocking back and forth.It breaks my heart.We leave the room. Timothy's hands are clenched into fists as we walk down the hallway."That bastard," he says. "He destroyed her.""We'll fix it," I say. "We'll get her out, get her clean, help her heal.""What if she's too far gone?" Timothy asks. "What if the medication damaged her permanently?""She's
Penelope's POVThe parking lot at Serenity Hills is quiet when we pull in. Timothy cuts the engine and sits there for a minute, staring at the building."You okay?" I ask."No," he says, "but let's do it anyway."We walk to the entrance together. His hand finds mine and squeezes tight. The lobby is all white walls and fake plants, trying too hard to look peaceful."We're here to see Joyce Blackthorn," Timothy tells the receptionist.The woman types on her computer. "I don't see any approved visitors for that patient.""We have an appointment," Timothy says. "It was approved by the Council.""Let me check with the director." She picks up the phone.We wait. Timothy's getting more tense by the second. I can feel his anxiety through the bond.A man in a suit comes out. He's tall with gray hair and a fake smile. "Mr. Blackthorn, I'm Director Hayes.""I'm here to see my mother," Timothy says."Yes, well." Hayes looks uncomfortable. "There's been a complication.""What kind of complication?
Penelope's POV"So?" Isla bounces on her bed like an excited puppy, her coffee mug forgotten in her enthusiasm. "Details. Now. All of them."I curl up against my pillows, still processing everything from last night. My body aches in new ways, reminders of what happened with Liam. Part of me wants t
Penelope's POVPerching on the bed as Isla glanced at me. "The party is happening tonight? The one everyone's talking about? You're invited. Officially. The host specifically asked for you to come.""What party?" I ask, though I have a sinking feeling I already know."Jake Winters end-of-season bas
Timothy's POV: The nightmares started three weeks ago. Dreams where Kael runs through endless forests, hunting for something I refuse to name. Tonight I wake up shifted in my bed, claws shredding thousand-dollar sheets, amber eyes reflecting in the mirror.I stumble to the bathroom and splash cold
Penelope's POVI stare at myself in the mirror, barely recognizing the girl looking back. Since my makeover, I've got this whole new wardrobe that actually fits me right. Tonight though, I decided to skip the heavy makeup. Natural feels better."Hold still," Isla says, tugging at the hem of the bla







