LOGINSIERRA The wound healed faster than I expected.I watched a new nurse unwrap the bandages, exposing the wound that had scabbed over. The flesh was pink but holding on strong.Perks of having a very capable wolf. But it also meant I was the hit topic of gossip among the nurses. The ones who weren't intrigued about my identity as a councilman's daughter were cautious and avoided me if they could help it.While I took my morning walks, I tried to ignore their disdainful stares and focus on the important things.Like the fact that in a few days, I'd be out of the infirmary.I'd been rejected as a recruit and going home was not an option. So what would become of me? Since the incident, I hadn't seen Antoine.Maybe he'd picked up another recruit to replace me.Or maybe he'd silently kicked me out of his team. Either way, I was on my own. And I needed to think of something before Whitefang decided my fate.My way out came in an unexpected form.I was biting into a bacon sandwich that tast
SIERRAI woke up to the acrid smell of vomit, antiseptic and sterilized sheets.I blinked away the crustiness in my eyes, struggling to remember who I was and where I was.My head ached, my throat was painfully dry. Everything hurt. Even breathing.I tried to sit up and winced. My shoulder felt as if someone had stabbed me.Where was I? What happened?The sheets beneath me were white, as well as the heating sheet which had pulled down with my movements.I was in the hospital.I turned my head, taking in the narrow bed which was separated from the rest of the room by a curtain.A woman in a white coat stood beside the bed opposite mine, examining a young recruit whose face had turned an alarming shade of grey."Hold his head still," she instructed.A nurse hurried forward, helping the recruit turn onto his side.He gagged violently, a stream of foamy blood spilled from his mouth.I stared at him. My memories slowly caught up to me.I'd been attacked by a shiner and bitten. Wasn't I sup
6SIERRAOn my first day at Whitefang military base, I died.Okay, I didn't. But my life changed drastically.Compact snow crunched under my boots as I dismounted from the bus. The air here was thin and horribly cold, slicing into my lungs every time I drew a breath.I shivered, instinctively edging towards Antoine for warmth.Around me, Whitefang base operated on a tight routine. Soldiers were doing drills, some were practising their aim at the shooting range, while others moved inventory from arriving vehicles.Everyone seemed busy. Panic crawled up my chest.I can't do this.Antoine's stormy eyes slid to mine as if he'd heard my doubts.“This is your new life now, so start getting used to it,” he said before walking away.My new life.I followed him, clutching my bag and trying not to stare at every building we passed. Some soldiers performing drills saluted Antoine as we walked by.One approached, a sly smile on his angular face. What remained of his hair was shaved into a mercile
TAYLOR“And now, let's raise a toast to my darling sister," My voice carried across the room as I raised my flute for the second toast of the evening.The grin on my face froze as a horribly cold sensation washed over me.Before I could suck in a breath, something within me violently snapped, bringing a pain so instant and overwhelming that I trembled, the flute slipping from my fingers.It shattered, spilling across my suede shoes. Every eye in the room turned to my direction.As quick as the pain came, it vanished, leaving me feeling hollow.I rocked unsteadily on my feet, shivering despite myself. What in goddess name was that? It felt as if…I couldn't put it in words. It felt as if the only steady thing within me had been cruelly yanked away.“Taylor?" Amy appeared at my side, a frightened expression on her face. I tried to smile and failed.Sierra. Her name rang like a warning in my head, making me dizzy again.“Are you okay? Do you need to lie down?" She asked, steering me towa
SIERRAI made it halfway down the stairs before Taylor seized my elbow, stopping me.“Where do you think you're going?" His eyes darted downstairs where Amy's friends were helping to welcome the arriving guests.My eyes slid to his with chilling slowness, "Let go of me. Now.”He drew me near, his furious breaths on my face, “I'm so sick of this childish behavior of yours! Go back to your room, drop your bags and come down to help out."I savagely yanked my hand out of his grip. I had nothing to say to him."Don't make a scene, Sierra,” he warned. "It's the last thing everyone needs right now.”"Don't be so rough with her,” my mother chided, "What if someone sees?”I just wanted to leave.Her hand rested on the bag strap, nudging it off my shoulder as she spoke, “Honey, we forgive you for the whole necklace thing, go change into a gown and help me entertain the guests for a while.”I was the one manhandled, falsely accused and humiliated but somehow, they forgave me?The string of tend
SIERRAIt was an hour to the bus’s arrival when all hell broke loose.I'd been scrolling on my phone in my room, enjoying social media for the final time when a series of fierce knocks landed on my door.At first, I ignored them. I'd barely eaten, moving my food around on the plate as conversation of Amy's resumption and celebration dinner flew over my head. When I excused myself, no one even batted an eye.I thought Taylor was knocking because he wanted to scold me for wasting food. Until he kicked the door open.Splinters flew in the air from the busted door. I shielded my face with my arm."What's going on?” I shouted, rising to my feet in confusion, “What are you doing?"Taylor ignored me, already dressed for the dinner party. Behind him stood Amy and the moment she saw my eyes drop to her dress, she smirked victoriously.Rich burgundy silk hugged her petite frame, complementing her pale skin. The dress had been altered to fit her slender body because it was originally mine. I was







