Chapter 21: The Invitation

Yuri.The truth was, I had simply been taking a peaceful walk on an ordinary Saturday morning when, before I realized it, my feet had carried me near Olga's house.I considered turning around and pretending I hadn't unconsciously gone looking for Viktorya. But the moment I saw her shift, following her became pure instinct.Her wolf was beautiful, almost as beautiful as she was.As she ran through the forest with far more agility than I could match, I saw just how wild she truly was. She was the perfect reflection of her soul in beast form. I already knew she was untamable; it was obvious in the way she carried herself. But this encounter was proving it more and more with every passing second.Threatening me and holding my gaze without the slightest hint of fear? Honestly, I couldn't decide whether I should feel offended or impressed.The worst part was that, despite trying my best to stay composed, I was the one feeling nervous now while waiting for her answer."Is this some kind of

Chapter 22: The Answer

Viktorya (Anya).Monday arrived, carrying with it the fresh scent of rain-soaked earth. The storm that had passed during the night had left tiny droplets clinging to every leaf, while the rising sun filtered through the treetops in golden beams that made the forest seem far more welcoming than it truly was. I followed my usual trail toward the school with my hands tucked into the pockets of my coat, breathing in the crisp morning air. The path had become familiar over the past year. A year ago, I would have looked at those woods with fear, flinching at every snapping branch and every rustle of leaves. Now, I knew every bend in the trail, every crooked tree, and every boulder large enough to sit on whenever I needed to rest. Somehow, that forest, that community, had become home. It was strange how a place could stop feeling foreign without ever replacing the longing for the one you'd lost.As I walked, my thoughts inevitably drifted back to Friday's conversation. I'd made my decisi

Chapter 23: Countdown

Viktorya (Anya).That week went by much faster than I had expected. I spent most of it assisting Niah and learning from her. She dedicated hours to walking me through her lesson plans. Children's drawings covered the classroom walls, colorful letters were painted on poster boards, and little crafts made by the pups filled the shelves. She explained everything with an infectious ease, talking about how every child learned at a different pace and how some needed more attention than others.As the days passed, I realized I already knew nearly every pup in that classroom. I knew who refused to eat vegetables, who was terrified of thunderstorms, who insisted on hiding toys inside their backpacks, and who always showed up with leaves and rocks stuffed into their pockets to proudly display to their classmates. I'd learned all of that while cleaning classrooms, helping the teachers, and playing with the children during recess. Maybe Yuri had been right. Maybe I had been far more prepared

Chapter 24: A Whole Year

Nathan.One year.A whole year.That was how long it had been since the last time I saw Anya.People said time healed everything. I used to believe that. Now I knew it was the biggest lie anyone had ever told. The pain never disappeared, I simply learned how to carry it. How to hide it whenever it chose the worst possible moments to return.The truth was that I still woke up thinking about her every single day, I still found her in ridiculous little things. In the lullabies Noah had learned from her and now sang to Nikolai. In a laugh that sounded just similar enough to make my chest tighten before reality reminded me she was gone.In sweet scents that almost resembled hers, though none were ever quite as intoxicating.Sometimes I could swear I saw her hair in a crowd. I'd even stop walking because some woman moved the way she used to. But it was never her. Only the ghost of the love of my life. The woman I lost because I was a coward.Maybe I deserved that.Maybe I deserved to spen

Chapter 25: Shopping

Viktorya (Anya).Yvonne didn't stop talking for a single second on the way to the town center.I think I learned the names of at least five different types of fabric while she rambled on. She was so excited that I couldn't help feeling a little guilty for not sharing the same enthusiasm."I wish I could take you with me," I said, taking advantage of the brief moment she paused to drink some water."Hm..." She exhaled, shaking her head as she screwed the cap back onto the bottle. "So I can third-wheel and be a c*ckblocker? No way."I rolled my eyes at her. "There won't be anything lie that for you to block.""Sure..." she replied with a quiet laugh as she came to a stop. "We'll see about that."She reached for the handle and pushed the door open. A sharp little bell chimed overhead, and I shot her a disapproving look over her comment.She wasn't exactly wrong to think the night could end in sex. It certainly could. But I wasn't planning on giving in that easily or that quickly.I'd ma

Chapter 26: Steam

Viktorya (Anya).It was just a dinner.That was what I kept repeating to Yvonne and Olga throughout the entire day, but the truth was that I didn't even believe it myself.This was the perfect opportunity to win Yuri's heart and, along with it, the prestige and influence I needed. If his friends liked me, if the pack's elite accepted me, then I would be only one step away from becoming the Luna of the Clawborn, and my plan would move one stage closer to completion.At least, that was what I kept telling myself to justify the anxiety I was trying so hard to hide. After all, that had to be it... It wasn't as if I was excited to go on a date with Yuri... was I?No.I wasn't."You are not going to fall for him," I told my reflection through the fogged-up bathroom mirror after my long, hot shower. "You're going to use him. You're going to get what you want. You're not going to fall in love... again..."I fell silent for a moment before closing my eyes with a frustrated sigh."D*mn it..."