Alpha Trevor’s POV
Looking at my betas daughter now I couldn’t be more furious. Why did she not want Trixie talking to me. We waited until they were out of ear shot before I began. “What the hell Jerica?” I spat at her. Jerica looking nervous but making eye contact. “She is my human friend from the high sch-““She is not a human Jerica, Can you not smell her wolf? She is like us. Where is she from? What pack does she belong to? I will need to make arrangements for her to join our pack?”Jerica looking frantic. “I noticed her scent change but that’s not possible. She – her – She was adopted from foster care and has human parents now. She is only 17 like me, so she hasn’t shifted yet if she has a wolf. She wont even know.” “Enough.” I cut her off again. “You are to report to me at 10 am tomorrow and you will share everything that you know about her.” Jerica nodded in agreement. “Dismissed.” Jerica turned and hurried to meet her friends at the door. I’m not even sure how they got in. All being 17 they had to sneak in or have fake IDs. I would have to find out that part tomorrow. Looping Eric my beta in on finding his daughter here tonight wouldn’t go over smoothly. My Beta in his early 40’s was just waiting on his daughter to turn of age to find her mate so they could take over as beta as my father had done with me handing over the alpha title and pack to me. I was a young Alpha of 22 however my pack respected me and my father prepared me my whole life. I needed to keep this information to myself for now may be best until I can figure out more about my mate; she obviously hasn’t been prepared for pack life much less to lead a pack as a Luna. The moon goddess wasn’t going to make this easy for me! She was beautiful though. She was about 5’5, curvy in the right places with long curly blonde hair and beautiful gray and blue eyes. She obviously knew how to have fun with her friends. Her life was about to be turned upside down. I hope she would handle it well.By the end of the week, the pack finally felt like it was breathing again. Jerica was released from the hospital Saturday morning, her color restored, her strength returning in small but steady waves. She was still walking with caution, her ribs not yet fully mended, but the doctors agreed she was strong enough to recover at home. Physical therapy would begin on Monday, and though she pretended to dread it, Jake swore he saw a spark of determination in her eyes when she signed her release papers.Trixie had been her shadow all week, never missing a night at the hospital. Between classes and assignments, she’d made a point to sit beside Jerica’s bed, reviewing her own homework while explaining lessons to her friend. Jerica had laughed at one point, saying it felt like she had her own personal tutor. “You just don’t want me falling behind you,” she teased. But Trixie knew the truth — it wasn’t about school. It was about making sure Jerica knew she wasn’t alone.By Tuesday, Joe delivered
The sterile hospital smell hit me the second I pushed through the swinging doors, but it didn’t matter — I hardly noticed. My heart pounded in my ears, my footsteps echoing down the hall as I practically sprinted past the nurses’ station. I must’ve looked frantic, because one of them glanced up from her clipboard with wide eyes, but I didn’t stop. All I could think about was Jerica. Room 214.I nearly skidded around the corner, my hair slipping from its tie and bouncing against my shoulders. When I reached the doorway, I didn’t bother knocking. I burst in. Everyone’s heads snapped toward me — Jake, perched carefully on the edge of Jerica’s bed with a steaming bowl in his hand; Eric, leaning casually against the window frame; Melissa sitting in the visitor’s chair. And Jerica — my best friend — awake, upright, her hair a little mussed, a sling supporting her arm. She looked pale but alive.They all stared at me like I had grown two heads. “Where’s the fire?” Jerica asked, her lips curv
Jake’s POVSunday night had fallen, the room bathed in soft golden light from the lamp in the corner. The hospital always smelled faintly of antiseptic and herbs, but tonight it was almost comforting. Jerica was still asleep, though they’d finally unhooked the herbal drip earlier in the evening. It was progress, the kind that made everyone breathe a little easier — but she still hadn’t opened her eyes.I sat beside her, her delicate hand resting in mine. My thumb traced slow circles across the back of it, the pattern familiar, soothing to both of us. I hummed the lullaby I always did when it was just us now, only this time Melissa was in the room too. She insisted on staying the night, and said she wanted to be here when her baby woke up. I didn’t mind. Jerica deserved all the love in the world, and if Melissa could give her another piece of it, all the better.Laying my head on the mattress, I turned to look at Jerica’s face. The worst of the bruises had faded now. The lighter ones w
Trixie’s POVWhen I woke up that morning, the first thing I noticed was the single rose lying delicately on the pillow beside me. A folded note rested underneath it, Trevor’s familiar, precise handwriting scrawled across the paper.Had to leave early. Meeting with Alpha Sam today. Thomas will be downstairs at 7 a.m. to take you to school. Love you. –TI smiled faintly, picking up the rose and bringing it to my nose. It smelled fresh, sweet — just like him. It was a thoughtful gesture, sure, but part of me couldn’t help the sigh that slipped out. A flower was nice… but a good morning kiss would’ve been better. Still, it was Trevor. His world was full of responsibilities, threats, and constant strategy. And even when he couldn’t be here, he still tried to leave me with a piece of himself. That thought softened the disappointment, at least a little.I slipped out of bed, went through my routine, and dressed for school. Jeans, a cozy sweater, hair pulled into a loose braid. Normal. I want
Trixie’s POVThe soft hum of the truck’s engine filled the space around us as Trevor drove us down the winding road toward my parents’ house. The sky outside was streaked with shades of lavender and gold, the last light of the evening sun giving way to the approaching night. I sat with my elbow propped against the window, absently tracing the fog of my breath on the glass, while the radio played a sad, soulful song I couldn’t resist singing along to.Trevor’s hand rested casually on the steering wheel, his other hand relaxed against his thigh. To anyone else, he probably looked calm and collected, but I knew him better than that. His jaw was set, his eyes focused straight ahead, and though he gave a little smile when I sang too loudly at the chorus, I could tell his thoughts were miles away. I softened my voice, watching him out of the corner of my eye. “You’re thinking too hard again,” I teased lightly. His gaze flicked to me for just a second before returning to the road. “Maybe,” h
Jake’s POVThe steady rhythm of the monitor was the only thing reminding me that Jerica was still here. Still breathing. Still fighting.I sat beside her hospital bed, my chair pulled as close as it could get without climbing in next to her. I hadn’t left her side since the moment we got her here. Not really. Even when Melissa and Eric forced me to step away for a shower or a meal, my mind stayed here. Always here.They’d been taking shifts — Melissa and Eric — so they didn’t burn out completely. They were better at reminding each other of that balance, better at stepping back for a few hours. But not me, my wolf scratched at me, restless, desperate to stay next to her. Leaving her felt wrong, like abandoning her when she needed me most. Laura had turned into a sweet, selfless Laura. She had been keeping us all afloat. She hated being left alone at the house, I could feel that even when she didn’t say it, but she was the kind of person who turned her worry into action. She cooked and