Sebastian's POVThe drive back from camp is quiet. We’re all wiped out from the ball last night and weeks of brutal training. Max is driving us in his truck and I can’t help but stare — the guy barely fits in the seat. I’ve known for a while that my Beta is bigger than me, but seeing his camp scores laid out in black and white? That shit hits different. He outperformed me in every single category.When I started pushing for training upgrades last spring, it was to make Silver Dawn’s warriors tougher, sharper — more like Blood Moon. And yeah, it’s worked. Rogue attacks have been on the rise lately, but our casualties have dropped. Delta Greg was pleased with our progress even before we left for camp. But while I was dragging my ass to keep up, Max was crushing it. I watched him go toe-to-toe with elite alphas, hell, even Baxter’s twisted challenge drills, and he made it l
Zahra's POVTwo of the others are supernatural universities. One is a human collage. I don’t even have to think twice. The supernatural ones are far more likely to understand if I have any issues at the academy. One of them- Crescent Vale offers a slight variation of my preferred PPE option, its more detailed and will definitely be more relevant in the futureI flip open my laptop and accept my place for PPPEB — Pack Philosophy, Politics, Economics and Business. It’s the most intense course on the list, but also the most comprehensive. I even add on Supernatural History as an elective. Probably overkill. But after everything Angelica told me... it’s probably smart.With that handled, I toss some study materials onto my shopping list for tomorrow and hop into the shower.Once I’m clean and d
Zahra's POVSaying goodbye to everyone was way more emotional than I’d expected. I hadn’t imagined it would hit me this hard. Nicholas and Kayla have been amazing; warm, funny, a little overbearing in that affectionate parent way. Reconnecting with my family felt surprisingly... easy. Comforting. Like breathing cleaner air, having a proper family for two months, just made me realise what I’ve been missing for 14 years, and I’m going to miss them more than I care to admit.But the hardest goodbye, obviously, was Tobias. I wanted to throw my arms around him, bury my face in his chest, and just not let go. But with Alice hovering nearby like a suspicious hawk in lip gloss, I played it safe. A quick cheek kiss. A polite little hug. The same one I gave everyone else.Goddess, it nearly killed me.The drive back to Blood Moon felt ten times longer than the ride to the castle had been two months ago. It probably wasn’t. But back then, I’d had Tobias beside me, his ridiculously warm presence
Zahra's POVChloe’s energy is so genuine it pulls me out of my own head. Brunch picks up from there — full of low chatter and mismatched moods. Some people look like they’re regretting every drink from last night. Others, like Lottie and Alice, are already animated, buzzing about who wore what, whose hair held up, and who definitely did not pull off feathers. Chloe joins in periodically but it’s clear her heads banging. I nod along, half-listening, half-navigating the laser beam of Tobias’s intermittent stares.“Zahra, are you all packed? Do you need help with anything?” Alison leans around Jasper to speak to me, her voice warm and no-nonsense.I sigh. “Yes. I’m all packed. And ready.”She gives me one of those knowing smiles. The kind that says I see you, even when you
Zahra's POVI groan as my phone starts blaring, dragging me out of a deep sleep. I’m beyond exhausted after last night — it was past 3 a.m. when I finally collapsed into bed.The ball was magical. I danced with a boy for the first time... and then many, many boys after that. Honestly, I felt like I barely left the dance floor.When Tobias asked me to dance, in front of everyone — I thought I was going to spontaneously combust. I’ve never danced anywhere before, let alone at a royal ball. But he looked after me, kept me steady, and made me feel like I belonged there. Twirling around in his arms under all those chandeliers? It was like something straight out of a fairy tale. A perfect end to my fairy tale summer.I danced with Xander, Max, Lincoln, Brant, Oscar... even Aiden and Uncle Nicholas managed to pull me into a spin or two.
Lincoln's POVAs we exchange greetings, Alpha Brice Anderson and his Luna, Jenny, approach from behind. Brant lights up at the sight of them, hugging his parents before they start making the rounds, greeting Alpha Lucas and Luna Alison like old friends.Another couple comes up next — the man looks like a leaner version of Alpha Lucas, and the resemblance to Sebastian is obvious. That has to be his parents. His mother has flawless pale skin, pale blonde hair, and piercing blue eyes. Classic beauty, icy perfection.Our groups mingle, parents shaking hands with each other, proud smiles on all their faces. I drift a bit, following Jackson and Isaac over to their families. Their mothers are warm, proud, and surprisingly quick with sarcastic remarks. they introduce Sam and me to their Alphas, both seem to be solid men — not overly flashy, but clearly respected. both Jackson and Isaac's fathers and brothers greet me like one of their own, which I’ll admit, feels fucking weird... and good.