Trixie POVThe last couple of days had been surprisingly uneventful. Jake and Joe stuck to the same routine: drive Jerica and me to school, stick close to our classes, and drive us back home. They stayed alert but relaxed, their presence starting to blend into our normal school day. Joe, of course, continued to flirt with Abby at every opportunity.At lunch, Abby practically glowed every time Joe walked by. He’d sit near us, make a joke, wink at her, and she’d twirl her hair like she was in a cheesy romantic comedy. Janet, meanwhile, rolled her eyes so hard I was sure she was going to pull something."You'd think she never saw a guy before," Janet mumbled one day as Abby giggled at some ridiculous line Joe fed her about being her knight in shining armor. Jerica and I just exchanged knowing looks. It was harmless... and honestly, Joe looked happier lately.But today was Friday, and next week was fall break. Originally, we had big plans—bonfires, pumpkin patches, and maybe a movie marat
Trixie POVThe early morning light filtered through the trees as Jerica and I climbed into the back of the black SUV. Jake was already in the driver’s seat, his sunglasses on and jaw tense, while Joe lounged in the passenger seat with a devil-may-care smirk. Very upbeat considering his temper lately."Everyone ready for a riveting day of school security?" Joe asked, glancing over his shoulder. "As ready as I’ll ever be," I muttered. Jerica stifled a yawn. "I still can’t believe we have guards going to class with us. This is next-level overkill."Jake grunted. "Trevor’s orders. Not taking any chances." Joe chuckled. "Besides, we’re not just guards. We’re your charming, rugged, overly protective escorts." Jerica rolled her eyes. "More like body shadows."The drive was quiet after that, filled only with the low rumble of the engine and the occasional pop song from the radio. When we arrived at school, we filed out like some kind of strange entourage. Jake and Joe flanked us as we walked
The morning after the chaos was heavy with tension. The pack house still buzzed with activity, warriors stationed at every door and along the perimeter. The air practically vibrated with alertness. Everyone was waiting, watching—expecting something to happen.Trevor and I had barely slept. We had spent most of the night at the pack hospital, waiting for news on my dad. I couldn’t unsee the way he looked when Alice brought him in—his body limp and broken, blood staining nearly every inch of him. It was a miracle he was still alive.The doctors had worked tirelessly through the night, and finally, just before dawn, we got the news. My father had survived the surgery. He was stable, but they had placed him in a medically induced coma to allow his body to heal.Alice hadn’t left his side.She sat by the hospital bed, her skin still pale and bruised, her frame thinner than I remembered. But her eyes were sharper than ever, filled with fire and grit. The pack doctors had treated her injurie
Trixie POVEric and I were still catching our breath as we jogged out of the woods, paws shifting back to bare feet as we crossed the shifting barrier near the pack house. Laughter from our short run was still echoing in my chest, but it died instantly when we stepped into view of the front yard.Chaos.Trevor was standing on the front steps, blood on his hands, barking orders into his phone. Several of the house staff were rushing around frantically, and in the middle of the yard, slumped between two guards, was a man—his face swollen and bloodied beyond recognition. But something about the way Trevor was looking at him made my stomach turn cold.Alice was there, barely able to stand, supported by one of the older omegas. Her face was pale, lips cracked and bruised, and blood stained her clothes.My heart stopped. "Trixie!" Trevor spotted me and rushed over, his voice shaking with urgency. "It’s your father."My legs buckled but Eric caught me, steadying me with a strong hand. "What
Jerica POVThe forest blurred around me as Rose surged forward, her paws pounding the earth with wild urgency. I barely had time to register the trees rushing past before we were deep into the woods, farther than I'd ever gone without direction. The scent she chased pulled at her like gravity—sweet, electric, and entirely consuming.X trailed behind us, her sleek form weaving through trees with practiced ease. I could feel her curiosity, her need to protect, but she gave Rose space to run."Faster," Rose growled inside me. "We’re close. He’s here."My heart thundered in rhythm with our steps. The scent grew stronger, wrapping around us like silk and smoke. I didn't know how to explain it—only that it was calling her, calling us.We reached a break in the trees, a small rise overlooking a mossy clearing bathed in gold from the setting sun. That’s when I saw him.A dark wolf stood in the center of the clearing, his fur a stormy charcoal that shimmered with streaks of rust and silver. Hi
Trixie POVThe chatter in the cafeteria buzzed around us as I slid into the lunch table with Jerica, Abby, and Janet. The usual hum of cliques and gossip filled the air, but our little circle was focused on something else—fall break plans.“Okay, so fall break’s coming up in October,” Abby said, biting into her apple. “It’s like a whole week off. Anyone have ideas on what we should do?”Janet shrugged. “We could do the usual—movie marathons, bonfires, pumpkin picking?”Jerica leaned forward, her eyes bright. “And Halloween! We definitely have to do something for that. Maybe a costume party?”I smiled, looking around at my friends. “I like the idea o