MasukHis room was vintage themed.Old paintings and artefacts littered on the wall but no personal item was in sight.The bedsheets were under the bed the only evidence of the activities of the previous night.
''I better start working,whatever he does should not be of my concern.''
Noises from outside brought me out of my cleaning trance and I could not help but run towards the direction of the noise which was the huge windows in his room.
Below was a group of young wolves whom I assume were being trained and the noise was from their cheering.In the middle were two men spurring,Ryker and a man I had not yet seen.The size of his body was a dead giveaway that he was a top warrior.
As I walked down the hallway,I heard whispers.
''Have you seen the new girl ? ''
''I only caught a glimpse of her when she was being taken to her room.''
I followed the voices which led me to the pack kitchen ,the shock plastered on their faces was enough proof that they had not expected me to appear in their presence.
I cleared my voice.
''So where do I air these beddings ? ''
''Behind the house ,there is a hanging area.I'm Emma and that's Melissa we are usually incharge of kitchen duties.'' Came a voice from a brunette headed girl.
''Thank you. And kindly address me as Trixie not the new girl.'' And with that I left through the back door .
''Melisa one of these days your big mouth will land us into trouble.''
The hanging place was breath -taking.It was a nice place to escape the world.The fcolorful flowers with pretty butterflies on them were to die for.
''You need to get those checked out ,''came a silky voice which made me loose my footing.
Expecting the incoming crush ,I fell on a pair of steady arms.
''You should be more careful,we would not like you injuring yourself more.''
As I opened my eyes,a pair of blue eyes paired with a nice smile greeted me.He carefully placed me down and stretched his hands.
'' You can call me Will.I am the pack doctor and I really insist on treating those bruises on your wrist.''He said.
Instinctively ,I held out my hand,I do not know how we reached what appeared to be his working space.
''I do not think I got the name.''He came again
''Tri..Trixie .'' I stuttered.
''So Trixie the alcohol will burn,but I need to disinfect those before wrapping them up.''
''SSss''I hissed.
''I warned you, it would burn .'' He chuckled and continued dressing my bruises.
''In three days I recommend you come here.''
''I guess you're not much of a talker.You may go now .I would not like to make you more uncomfortable.''
Fleeing the site was an understatement.I was practically taking off , my heart beating 1000 times faster.
I slammed on a hard surface due to the speed I was in.
''Watch where you're going young miss.''
I looked up.It was the man that was sparring with Ryker.
''I'm Eric,the beta and bestfriend of Ryker.Speaking of him.He said you should meet him in his room.''
''Al-alright .'' I squeaked
His bedroom door was slightly open.I still knocked, nonetheless.
'' Come in.'' Came his grunt voice.
Ryker stood next to his wardrobe,his hair loose , water dripping on his back.
He had a toned body,gotta give due where it belongs.
'' What was your name again ? Tr-Trixie.Did I get it wrong ? ''He said, ending with a jeering laughter.
''Acting all cute in front of the doctor would be futile.'' He sneered at me.
The more I interacted with this man the more I hated his guts.
''You summoned me.'' I mastered my most polite voice.I could not risk the man who held my life by a thin thread.
''We are going for a run.I assume you have shifted.''
''Yes ''
''Alright then meet point at the backyard .I assume you're familiar with the place.''
And with that he turned his back to me once more.A clear signal of my dismissal.
Nervous was an understatement.I could still remember the pain I went through from my first shift.I hoped the second time would hurt less.
Soon a couple of other wolves had assembled.All waiting for their Alpha.Even the pack doctor,Eric, was here.
''We head South.'' Ryker shouted and with that howls filled the air as they shifted.
Here goes nothing.The pain was not less but I could bare it.
The only thought in my mind .
'' I hope I do not die along the way.''
The other wolves were fast like really fast,they were one with the forest.
I could feel the harsh breath intake in my system.
I was going to pass out sooner or later.
I guess later was closer than I thought.
I met with Eric's concerned face.
''Are you alright,you passed out and Ryker had to carry you.'' He explained.
My blood went cold.Ryker had carried me.
''Calm down Trixie ,you might end up having a panic attack.''
Eric patted my back gently.As if the day could not get worser Ryker was next to us.
''I mean rather than being a burden you could have said you are not used to intense runs.'' Sarcasm laced his words 'The harshness enough to make someone cry.
''let's head back we cannot afford more mishaps.''He shouted to the rest.
When almost everyone was out of sight,Eric nudged me.
''Do not take it to heart,he can be an ass but it's for you own good.Next time speak up.He might be rough but he does not subject anyone to forced activities.''
''Let's head back,slowly this time.''He held out his hand together with a warm smile.
By the time the we reached the pack house,almost everyone had retreated to their homes.
As I passed past his room,I heard the shower running.
Maybe I was just a bad luck hotpoint just like my family had said.
TRIXIE The morning in North Creek began softly. The first light came through the window. The house smelled of bread and pine smoke. Outside, I could hear the pack already stirring . Ryker was already up, rocking little Marielle in his arms. She had her father’s eyes — always watching. Afina slept beside her brother in the cradle, her hand clutching the corner of the blanket as if she feared it would run away. I smiled and leaned against the doorframe. “You’re up early again.” Ryker looked over his shoulder and grinned. “She woke before dawn. Must take after you.” “She’s restless,” I said softly. “Or maybe she just wants to see the sunrise.” He laughed. “Then she’s got the right mother.” For a while, I just watched them. The world had slowed down for us in the last months. No marching boots, no council calls, no battle cries. Only days filled with small things — feeding the pups, walking the fields, checking on the sentries, sharing food with the pack. It was strange, living
KIRA The Hollow camp had been quieter since the raid, but not peaceful. Quiet in the Hollow never meant calm. It was the silence before the next hunt. Days had passed, yet the smell of smoke still clung to the air. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the orange glow of that farm burning, heard the screams caught in the wind. I had scrubbed my hands raw trying to wash away the scent, but it never left. It had sunk too deep. Mira, though, seemed different. Her eyes shone with a strange pride when Serana praised her before the others. Warriors clapped her on the back, calling her -The flame of the Hollow. She smiled when they did. I wanted to be happy for her, but I couldn’t. Every time I looked at her, I saw a piece of the sister I knew slipping further away. That night, the fire in the center of the cavern burned low, shadows licking the walls. Most of the others had gone to rest, but Mira stayed awake, sharpening her blade, humming under her breath. I sat across from her, prete
KIRA The Hollow camp never slept. Even when the night was thick and still, the air carried whispers, the scrape of blades, the quiet laughter of those who had grown too used to the dark. Firelight flickered against the cave walls, painting our faces red and gold. It had been three weeks since the burning of the farm. Three weeks since I watched Mira raise her torch with a smile that didn’t belong to her anymore. The smell of smoke still clung to her hair. Sometimes, I could still smell it when she hugged me. Serana had been pleased. She had smiled and said, “Now you see what true loyalty looks like.” She gave Mira her own black blade, only trusted fighters carried them . To the rest of the Hollow, it meant Mira was one of them now. To me, it meant I was losing my sister for good. Since that night, Mira had changed even more. She trained harder than the others, never spoke of fear, never questioned Serana’s orders. When she laughed now, it was short and harsh. She carried hers
KIRA The Hollow does not fight in daylight. We move in the hours when honest people sleep and the world is too dead to hear our steps. That night was no different. The air was cold, the sky dark and heavy. Our boots made no sound on the dirt. Our faces were hidden under black hoods smeared with ash. Serana said no one who survived would ever know who we were. It was meant to comfort us. It only made me feel smaller. Shame stuck to my skin like sweat. Mira walked ahead of me, her pace sharp and sure. She didn’t look back. I could see the fire in her eyes before we even reached the farm. She had been waiting for this moment - Wanting it. I wanted to take her hand and pull her back. I wanted to tell her that she didn’t have to prove anything to anyone. But the Hollow warriors surrounded us—men and women who lived on blood and fear. If I showed weakness, they’d turn on me before dawn. So I kept walking. When we reached the edge of the ridge, the farm lay below us. A barn, a field
KIRA An year can feel long when you live in shadows. Longer still when every day tastes the same. Smoke in the air. The Hollow’s damp walls pressing close. Voices sharp with anger. Nothing soft, nothing kind. That has been my life. My life beside Mira. She has changed. Or maybe she has only grown more into what was always in her. Hate does that — it does not arrive all at once. It seeps in slow, drop by drop, until it fills the whole of a person. I have watched it take her. Every sunrise, every nightfall, a little more of her vanishes into that dark place. I remember how she used to laugh. It was quick, wild, like a spark catching dry grass. That laugh is gone now. When Mira laughs these days, it cuts. It is sharp, bitter, and it makes my stomach twist because I know it isn’t joy that moves her. It’s the thought of revenge. Of seeing someone else bleed. She speaks of Trixie often. At first, it was little things. A mutter in the morning, “She thinks herself a queen.” A scoff when
A year had passed since the night the pups were born. North Creek had changed with them. The walls that once rang with orders and war cries now echoed with laughter, with the sound of small feet learning to run, with voices softened by joy. The keep itself seemed brighter, warmed by the simple truth of life continuing. The morning of their birthday dawned clear and gentle. The pines whispered in the breeze, and the courtyard had been decorated with garlands of wildflowers woven by the pack’s children. A feast was laid out: roasted meats, honeyed bread, baskets of fruit gathered from the forest. Laughter rose even before the sun reached its height.Trixie stood at the heart of it all, her cloak thrown aside, her hair loose, her eyes softer than ever. She watched as Marielle toddled forward, her small legs unsteady but determined. Afina followed with calm steps, her gaze sharp and observant even now. Little Ryker darted ahead, faster than either, chasing after a wooden wolf toy Droco







