KAIA'S POV:When we return, the final bell is ringing. We part ways at the lockers."See you tomorrow?" she asks.I nod. "Yeah." I don’t realize I’m smiling until I walk outside and see Ezra leaning against Lucien’s car. He lifts a brow. "Skipping class with the new girl? Rebel." "She’s cool," I say defensively."Never said she wasn’t. Just... be careful. This place has layers."I frown. "What does that mean?"Ezra pushes off the car and tosses me a wink. "You’ll figure it out." I’m getting real tired of these cryptic hints.I slide into the back seat. Lucien glances at me in the rearview mirror but doesn’t comment.As we drive home, I look out the window, fingers curled around the charm in my pocket and for the first time in days, I feel a little less alone.THIRD PERSON POV:(The next day) Rowan and Ezra coast into the high school parking lot just as the afternoon bell echoes through the empty yards. Golden leaves scatter across the asphalt in the crisp autumn air.
KAIA'S POV: A storm brews in my chest. Shit is definitely about to go down. I had told these stupid boys not to follow me to the parking lot but they chose not to listen. Now, see where we are. I'm in the middle of a stare down looking like lost sheep. I can feel the shift in the air before any words are said, like the molecules themselves know we’re seconds from snapping. Ezra’s stance in front of me is tense, protective. Rowan stands just behind him, glaring at Kai and Axel like he’s seconds from shifting. And Kai, his eyes flick between them, calculating, calm but sharp, like he’s ready to defend himself if this escalates. I should say something. I should defuse this before someone gets hurt. But my tongue feels like it has a dead weight behind my teeth. Rowan’s voice cuts through the silence, rough and cold. "You think we’d just let you two lurk around her like nothing happened?" Kai doesn’t even blink. "We weren’t lurking. We were talking." "To you," Ezra sn
KAIA'S POV:"Kaia Guen, to the principal's office! Kaia Guen to the principal's office!" My head jerks up from my palm. A girl can't even take a nap anymore. It is well. Rhea taps my hand and I nod knowingly. It's definitely about that fight. The girls must have gone to run their mouths. I pick up my books and head out of the classroom with stares at my back. Yeah, look at my butt y'all. Muah. I knock before entering her office. She sits there with a small smile on her lips as she stares at me while I take a sit in front of her. "Good morning, Mrs Smith." I greet her with a polite smile. She reciprocates it, thankfully. "Welcome, Kaia. I'm sure you are aware of why I called you in." I nod affirmatively. "Great. It's your first fight but unfortunately for you, it's also your first month in this school. There is a zero violence policy in this school and you already broke it." I'm about to counter her by explaining when she raises a finger up to stop me. "How
KAIA'S POV: "What the hell are you doing?!" I shriek as Kai grips my arm without warning and starts hauling me toward the parking lot. Axel is right behind us, his expression unreadable but his pace unwavering."I said let go! I’m fine! Just let me be!" Kai doesn’t say a word. Not one. His jaw is clenched, his body tense like a damn loaded gun. I yank at his grip, but he’s strong, way too strong for me to break free. "This is kidnapping!" I bark, panic creeping into my voice. "Are you seriously dragging me out of school?! Have you lost your minds?!" "No," Axel mutters from beside me. "We’re just tired of pretending we haven’t seen the signs.""What signs?!" I snap. Axel throws me a sharp look. "Don’t play dumb, Kaia. The constant flinching anytime touches you. And now? We saw the bruise. That was definitely not from a fall. Don't even try that lie." "I don’t know what you think you saw, but you don’t know anything!" I yell. "Let me go, now!" "Kaia," Kai finall
KAIA'S POV: The silence in the living room is stifling and suffocating. I can hear the clock ticking on the wall, the soft buzz of a light overhead. My knees ache from the cold floor, but I barely notice it. I wrap my arms tightly around myself, trembling - not from the cold, but from the weight of it all. The weight of years. Of secrets. Ezra is the first to move. He crouches beside me slowly, like I’m something fragile that might shatter. His hands hover for a moment before he gently places one on my shoulder."Kaia…"My name trembles in his throat. I can’t keep it in anymore.So without any warning,"They used to burn me," I whisper. The air shifts. The brothers stiffen. Axel, standing behind the couch, goes still. Kai doesn’t move, but his jaw clenches tight. I avoid looking them in the eyes. "When the cooker timer beeped too long... or when I forgot to turn it off immediately."I lift my eyes and stare straight into Rowan’s. They’re wide, dark, horrified. "The
THIRD PERSON POV: Kaia is safe so now we plan war.Rowan stands at the head of the long oak table in the war room - a place I hadn’t even known existed until he dragged us all in here. The walls are lined with old weapons and crests of the Guen Pack, but it’s the energy in the room that steals their breath. It feels like standing in the center of a storm that hasn't broken yet. "We need to think this through before anyone makes a move." Rowan’s voice is low but firm, the kind that demands silence without raising in volume. His hand grips the back of the chair like he's holding himself back from punching something. Ezra paces like a caged beast. Lucien hasn’t stopped cracking his knuckles, his jaw ticking. Kai leans against the wall, arms folded, his eyes unreadable. Axel stands beside him, a permanent scowl etched into his face. The last time the Moonwolf and Guen packs sat in the same room without growling was probably a century ago. But tonight? Tonight, they’re he
KAIA'S POV: It’s been a week. Seven long, dragging days since we found out my foster parents were released. Seven days of silence outside and chaos within. The sun filters through the blinds as I pace in my room for the umpteenth time. My fingers are twitching, my legs sore from being cooped up, my head pounding from the silence. I feel like a trapped animal, pacing the bars of an invisible cage.I snap. Storming out of my room, I stomp down the stairs like a hurricane about to destroy everything in its path. I barely notice Lucien sitting on the armrest of the couch or Ezra’s legs sprawled lazily across the ottoman. Rowan looks up from his phone, and Axel and Kai are leaning against the kitchen island, mid-conversation."Are you guys trying to kill me?!" Let the drama begin.Everyone freezes and stops what they are doing. I throw my arms in the air. "Seriously. I’m losing my mind. You can’t keep me locked up in this house like some helpless, fragile porcelain doll.
KAIA'S POV: The walls of the principal’s office feel like they’re closing in on me. My palms are sweaty, heart thundering as I step inside. Principal Davis sits stiffly behind her desk, her lips pressed into a thin line. But it’s the two unfamiliar people seated across from her that make my stomach sink. Social workers. I’ve seen enough movies to recognize that kind of calm, the kind they put on when they’re about to drop a bombshell. Tight-lipped kindness. Gentle voices. Soft destruction. "Kaia," Principal Davis says, her voice unnervingly gentle. "Please, have a seat." I hope I'm not in any trouble but I can't even think of anything that can cause social services to show up here except... I hover for a second, already on edge, then drop into the chair like I’m about to be sentenced. The woman to her right leans forward, her blazer too neat, her clipboard too full. "My name is Mrs. Jennings, and this is Mr. Cole. We’re from Child Protective Services." Panic skit
KAIA'S POV: It’s been a week. Seven long, dragging days since we found out my foster parents were released. Seven days of silence outside and chaos within. The sun filters through the blinds as I pace in my room for the umpteenth time. My fingers are twitching, my legs sore from being cooped up, my head pounding from the silence. I feel like a trapped animal, pacing the bars of an invisible cage.I snap. Storming out of my room, I stomp down the stairs like a hurricane about to destroy everything in its path. I barely notice Lucien sitting on the armrest of the couch or Ezra’s legs sprawled lazily across the ottoman. Rowan looks up from his phone, and Axel and Kai are leaning against the kitchen island, mid-conversation."Are you guys trying to kill me?!" Let the drama begin.Everyone freezes and stops what they are doing. I throw my arms in the air. "Seriously. I’m losing my mind. You can’t keep me locked up in this house like some helpless, fragile porcelain doll.
THIRD PERSON POV: Kaia is safe so now we plan war.Rowan stands at the head of the long oak table in the war room - a place I hadn’t even known existed until he dragged us all in here. The walls are lined with old weapons and crests of the Guen Pack, but it’s the energy in the room that steals their breath. It feels like standing in the center of a storm that hasn't broken yet. "We need to think this through before anyone makes a move." Rowan’s voice is low but firm, the kind that demands silence without raising in volume. His hand grips the back of the chair like he's holding himself back from punching something. Ezra paces like a caged beast. Lucien hasn’t stopped cracking his knuckles, his jaw ticking. Kai leans against the wall, arms folded, his eyes unreadable. Axel stands beside him, a permanent scowl etched into his face. The last time the Moonwolf and Guen packs sat in the same room without growling was probably a century ago. But tonight? Tonight, they’re he
KAIA'S POV: The silence in the living room is stifling and suffocating. I can hear the clock ticking on the wall, the soft buzz of a light overhead. My knees ache from the cold floor, but I barely notice it. I wrap my arms tightly around myself, trembling - not from the cold, but from the weight of it all. The weight of years. Of secrets. Ezra is the first to move. He crouches beside me slowly, like I’m something fragile that might shatter. His hands hover for a moment before he gently places one on my shoulder."Kaia…"My name trembles in his throat. I can’t keep it in anymore.So without any warning,"They used to burn me," I whisper. The air shifts. The brothers stiffen. Axel, standing behind the couch, goes still. Kai doesn’t move, but his jaw clenches tight. I avoid looking them in the eyes. "When the cooker timer beeped too long... or when I forgot to turn it off immediately."I lift my eyes and stare straight into Rowan’s. They’re wide, dark, horrified. "The
KAIA'S POV: "What the hell are you doing?!" I shriek as Kai grips my arm without warning and starts hauling me toward the parking lot. Axel is right behind us, his expression unreadable but his pace unwavering."I said let go! I’m fine! Just let me be!" Kai doesn’t say a word. Not one. His jaw is clenched, his body tense like a damn loaded gun. I yank at his grip, but he’s strong, way too strong for me to break free. "This is kidnapping!" I bark, panic creeping into my voice. "Are you seriously dragging me out of school?! Have you lost your minds?!" "No," Axel mutters from beside me. "We’re just tired of pretending we haven’t seen the signs.""What signs?!" I snap. Axel throws me a sharp look. "Don’t play dumb, Kaia. The constant flinching anytime touches you. And now? We saw the bruise. That was definitely not from a fall. Don't even try that lie." "I don’t know what you think you saw, but you don’t know anything!" I yell. "Let me go, now!" "Kaia," Kai finall
KAIA'S POV:"Kaia Guen, to the principal's office! Kaia Guen to the principal's office!" My head jerks up from my palm. A girl can't even take a nap anymore. It is well. Rhea taps my hand and I nod knowingly. It's definitely about that fight. The girls must have gone to run their mouths. I pick up my books and head out of the classroom with stares at my back. Yeah, look at my butt y'all. Muah. I knock before entering her office. She sits there with a small smile on her lips as she stares at me while I take a sit in front of her. "Good morning, Mrs Smith." I greet her with a polite smile. She reciprocates it, thankfully. "Welcome, Kaia. I'm sure you are aware of why I called you in." I nod affirmatively. "Great. It's your first fight but unfortunately for you, it's also your first month in this school. There is a zero violence policy in this school and you already broke it." I'm about to counter her by explaining when she raises a finger up to stop me. "How
KAIA'S POV: A storm brews in my chest. Shit is definitely about to go down. I had told these stupid boys not to follow me to the parking lot but they chose not to listen. Now, see where we are. I'm in the middle of a stare down looking like lost sheep. I can feel the shift in the air before any words are said, like the molecules themselves know we’re seconds from snapping. Ezra’s stance in front of me is tense, protective. Rowan stands just behind him, glaring at Kai and Axel like he’s seconds from shifting. And Kai, his eyes flick between them, calculating, calm but sharp, like he’s ready to defend himself if this escalates. I should say something. I should defuse this before someone gets hurt. But my tongue feels like it has a dead weight behind my teeth. Rowan’s voice cuts through the silence, rough and cold. "You think we’d just let you two lurk around her like nothing happened?" Kai doesn’t even blink. "We weren’t lurking. We were talking." "To you," Ezra sn
KAIA'S POV:When we return, the final bell is ringing. We part ways at the lockers."See you tomorrow?" she asks.I nod. "Yeah." I don’t realize I’m smiling until I walk outside and see Ezra leaning against Lucien’s car. He lifts a brow. "Skipping class with the new girl? Rebel." "She’s cool," I say defensively."Never said she wasn’t. Just... be careful. This place has layers."I frown. "What does that mean?"Ezra pushes off the car and tosses me a wink. "You’ll figure it out." I’m getting real tired of these cryptic hints.I slide into the back seat. Lucien glances at me in the rearview mirror but doesn’t comment.As we drive home, I look out the window, fingers curled around the charm in my pocket and for the first time in days, I feel a little less alone.THIRD PERSON POV:(The next day) Rowan and Ezra coast into the high school parking lot just as the afternoon bell echoes through the empty yards. Golden leaves scatter across the asphalt in the crisp autumn air.
KAIA'S POV: I don’t sleep that night. Every time I close my eyes, I see claws, blood, and the twisted expressions of the girls I attacked. The image of their limp bodies sprawled on the floor won’t leave my mind. My hands still feel too warm, like the ghost of the fight is trapped under my skin. I keep hearing my own growl, alien and raw. That wasn’t me.Except it was. It’s morning now, and I stare at my reflection in the bathroom mirror. My eyes look normal. Brown. Tired. Human. But I know better. Something inside me is different now. Awakened. A knock rattles the door. "Kaia?" It's Rowan. His voice is softer than usual. "I'm almost done," I call back, trying to sound normal. Not like someone who nearly killed three people. I pull on my hoodie, yank the sleeves over my wrists, and avoid the mirror on my way out. I don’t want to see what else I might notice. Rowan stands there, arms crossed. He doesn’t ask if I’m okay. He just nods toward the hallway. "Lucien’s dr
KAIA'S POV: The smell of cafeteria food lingers in the hallway as I shut my locker, trying not to think too hard about the whispers that seem to follow me through the school. It's been a few days since I met Rhea, and even though we’ve only shared a few glances, there's something about her that draws me in. She's always alone. Always quiet. Like me. I catch sight of her walking down the corridor, books clutched tightly to her chest. Her dark hair is tied in a messy bun, and she's hunched in that way people get when they’re used to making themselves smaller. A few steps behind her, I spot a group of girls - three, maybe four, trailing after her like predators. One of them stands out immediately: the tall blonde with icy eyes and the fang symbol on her shirt.Her. The stupid ass bitch. The same girl who shoved me aside my first week here."Hey freak," the blonde girl snarls, kicking Rhea’s heel hard enough to make her stumble. Her books scatter across the floor, the sound