3

Ebony

Getting ready for the day isn't that hard for someone like me. I have nothing to show off to anyone, and even if I did, I wouldn't want to anyway. The boys in our pack aren't so bad, but the ones in the other packs?

As I pull on my purple hoodie, I shudder at the memory of the boys picking on me and calling me names. I wish they'd leave me alone. They only do it because my mom is mated to another woman, which I find stupid.

Why does that have to matter anyway? The Moon Goddess put them together for a reason. I bet it's just an excuse to pick on me. If not for my friendship with Skylar, I'd be the easiest target.

'They're just jealous of you, darling,' Cierra chimes in. 'Never let them get to you. You have me, so there's no need to take any of their nonsense. If I'm not enough, then Mom will put a stop to it.'

I wince at the mention of Mom. I rarely tell her anything, as I hate to be a bother. Nothing's worse than being a burden to the people you love. I sigh and put a scrunchie around my wrist to pull my hair up later.

“So you're going out for a run?” I jump at the sudden voice and spin around to see Mom leaning against my doorframe. She raises an eyebrow. “Easy now. I'm not going to bite you.”

I laugh nervously and shake my head. “S-sorry... I didn't know you were there,” I say. “Yes, I'm going on a run with Skylar. Nothing's better than getting your muscles going after waking up,” I add, smiling proudly.

Mom chuckles and nods. “That's what I taught you, after all. Good work.” She then seems to ponder something while watching me.

As I tilt my head, puzzled by her intense stare, I wonder if I've done something wrong. Should I be worried? Am I in trouble? As if sensing that I’m about to start overthinking, she speaks.

“...Don't let anyone hold you back.” Mom smiles warmly. “Don't shy away or let anyone take anything from you. Take what belongs to you, and don't ever look back. Never bend to their will.”

Before I can say anything, Mom turns away. “Enjoy your walk, sweetheart.”

As I stare at her retreating back, I can't help but wonder what she meant. What was she trying to say with that advice?

'We better hurry!' Cierra tells me, snapping me to attention. 'We don't want to be late, so let's go!'

I picture her pacing back and forth in my head and giggle. Cierra is so adorable... and so very right! I quickly leave the house and hurry into the woods.

***

Once I make it to the clearing by the lake, I realize I'm actually early rather than late. I sigh and look around while I wait. He won't be much longer... and I'm right.

As I spot Skylar walking into the clearing, I smile warmly and wave at him. “Oh! There you are.”

As he looks up, he smiles widely.

In his hazel muscle shirt and dark pants, Skylar looks very handsome. His muscles ripple as he moves, and the cool breeze whips his hair into place. As the future Alpha, he's just perfect—unlike me, who's anything but.

Those sudden thoughts sadden me, and I don't want Skylar to notice, so I turn around. “It’s lovely out tonight,” I continue while tying my hair back into a high ponytail. “Nice and cool, but not too cold either.”

Am I rambling too much? Will he notice my mood shift?

I turn back to him, desperate to change the subject. “Excited for your birthday tomorrow?” It's the easiest topic to fall back on.

Skylar smiles big, reminding me of when he was a child, and nods. “Of course! I’ll finally be eighteen, and you can’t tease me about still being a kid.” He chuckles softly, practically beaming. “I do know one thing for a fact—you’ll be the one to give me my favorite birthday present.”

I can't help but laugh and shake my head. He's been on about that for years. “You don’t even know if I’ve gotten you anything yet.”

Of course I got Skylar something, but it would never be enough. How can someone like me stack up against the others in the pack? I'd only ever disappoint him with my incompetence.

Once again, a wave of self-loathing rushes over me. I can't let him see me that way. He'll only be disappointed, so I smile instead.

“Come on, let’s go on our early run so you can get back to your lessons.”

As if silently challenging him, I spin around on my heels and take off, using my wolf speed to create distance quickly. Instantly, I know he's racing after me.

'You need to stop thinking of yourself that way,' Cierra scolds me. 'You're amazing, and anyone would be lucky to have you. I'm sure Skylar feels the same way.'

I shake off her voice, believing it to be false. How can it be? Who would want someone like me? I ignore Cierra's protests again and sense Skylar behind me.

“What’s wrong, Sky? Can’t the big future Alpha catch a little warrior?” I call back, wanting to provoke him. Perhaps that was a huge mistake on my end.

Skylar's playful growl is closer than I expected. “This is child’s play!”

As he grabs me from behind, the force of it makes us fall sideways. I gasp out loud, but he pulls me close as we tumble down the hill.

I brace myself for impact, but when no pain comes, I'm relieved—only for a moment, as I hear Skylar let out a hiss of pain.

I sit up and gasp softly. “I-I'm sorry! Are you alright?” Worry and fear hit me. Did I hurt him badly?

Skylar opens his eyes to look up at me, and they go wide. He then looks to the side, swallowing. “I-it’s all good… I let myself be provoked and grabbed you too hard. I’m sorry.”

I stare down at him, puzzled by his shy response. What's going on?

Then I notice one of his ears is pink, and suddenly I'm aware of the position we're in.

With his arms wrapped around my back, we're just too close. I feel the hardness of his chest and stomach against me, and my hips are way too close to his.

My face burns brightly as I try to get up, pushing against his chest—but then I slip and fall back against him. Shame and embarrassment rush over me. How dare I have feelings for someone as perfect as him?

Tears start to burn at the corners of my eyes as panic sets in, but all Skylar does is clear his throat.

“My head hurts really bad right now, so… can we just stay like this for now? Just until I get myself together.”

I freeze as my mind races. Is this really alright? Am I allowed to be selfish just this once?

After a moment of silence, I finally whisper, “F-fine… just for now.”

Skylar lets out a soft sigh, making my thoughts spiral even more. “Thank you… sorry for the inconvenience,” he says as he relaxes his grip on me.

It feels so nice that it's like a warm, fuzzy dream. I close my eyes, letting my mind wander. What if this was real? What if we could be together?

Reality hits me hard.

“N-not at all. N-no inconvenience at all… what are friends for, right?” This is more for myself—a reminder.

Skylar pauses for a moment, then chuckles. “Yeah... friends...” My heart hurts when he seems to agree. “We'll see about that tomorrow,” he adds under his breath.

This confuses me. What does he mean? My mind races once more, second-guessing everything. Is he hoping I'll be his mate? But why? There's nothing special about someone like me.

I close my eyes tightly as my heart pounds in my chest. I hope he doesn't hear it. I hope he doesn't misunderstand me.

If he does… I might end up with my heart broken into pieces.