Maeve's pov "Maeve, come on! You can’t hide forever. Get out here!” Ava called, banging on the door.I groaned, sinking deeper into my hiding spot. Why was my life like this? Why did drama always have to find me? All I wanted was to come back to school and be normal after Jaxon’s rejection, just blend in and be invisible for once.But no. Here I was, stuck in a bathroom stall, refusing to come out. Why? Because I’d just flashed my underwear to the entire class. And it wasn’t even an accident—Kayla, that idiotic cheerleader, had tripped me on purpose. I could still see her smirk, hear the laughter from the whole class that followed.Why did she hate me so much? What did I ever do to her? All I wanted was to sneak back into class quietly. Instead, I’d been humiliated in front of everyone.“Maeve, you can’t just stay in there forever” Ava said, softer this time. “I mean, really, Maeve? You’re being dramatic.”“Dramatic?” I whispered back, shaking my head. “I can’t go back out there, Ava
Maeve's pov I was sitting in Mrs. Donovan’s office, feeling like I wanted to be anywhere else. Home, my bed—really, anywhere but here. Mrs. Donovan was one of those teachers that you couldn’t help but notice. She wore these big, round glasses that made her eyes look huge. And her clothes—oh boy. Today, she was wearing a purple dress with orange spots, and it looked like something from a cartoon. If it weren’t for her serious face, she’d look like a quirky aunt at a family reunion. But right now, her serious face was aimed at me, and it made me feel like shrinking into my chair. All I wanted was to go home, lie down, and pretend today hadn’t happened. I glanced around her office, trying to distract myself. The walls were covered with old pictures of students and little motivational posters. “Reach for the stars,” one said, with a cartoon rocket on it. There was a weird smell in the air, like old books mixed with peppermint. "Miss Whitlock, are you even listening to me?" Mrs. Don
Maeve's pov I looked at the clock on Mrs. Donovan’s wall, ignoring Jaxon completely. I wasn’t about to give him the satisfaction of knowing he’d even registered on my radar. Nope. He didn’t exist, not to me, not right now. Besides, I wasn’t going to let him ruin my day any more than he already had. He was just… a nobody, I told myself, trying to focus on the tick-tock of the clock hands. But then, I felt him sit into the chair right beside me. His presence was annoyingly obvious, like a shadow I couldn’t get rid of. He didn’t say anything, and I could feel the tension rolling off him, but I kept my eyes forward, determined to pretend he was invisible. Tick. Tock. I could hear every sound in the room, even my own breathing, and it only reminded me of how close he was. Why wasn’t he saying anything? And why did he choose to sit so close? There were plenty of other chairs, after all. A part of me wanted to turn and ask what he was doing, why he’d come, but I didn’t trust myself n
Maeve's pov"I’m not done, okay?” I said, narrowing my eyes and leaning in even closer. “Now, about that scene with Carter—tell me, what the hell was that show of dominance?”Jaxon’s jaw clenched again, but I could see the hesitation in his eyes. He was trying to decide whether to defend himself or keep his mouth shut. Either way, I didn’t care. I wasn’t about to let him get away with anything anymore.“You made a scene, Jaxon,” I continued. “and it was pathetic. You acted like a child just because Carter was talking to me. Why do you care so much? You were the one who rejected me .We are nothing to each other"Jaxon’s eyes narrowed, a sneer pulling at his lips. “Why are you making me out to be the villain?” he spat “I rejected you because I couldn’t stand your self-righteous, bitchy attitude. You think you’re so special, but the only reason anyone even tolerates your existence is because of my sister. Let’s be honest, Maeve—you would have been a terrible Mate anyway.”The words hit m
Maeve's povShe took a breath, her eyes narrowing. “Take your seats. Both of you. Now.”The command left no room for argument. I released a shaky breath, swallowing my pride as I moved back to my chair. Jaxon shot me one last, venomous look before he dropped into his seat.“I called you both here because of a united decision made by all the teachers” she began, irritation flashing in her eyes.Mrs. Donovan's eyes settled on me. “Miss Whitlock, I’m deeply concerned about your grades. Your assignments are incomplete, and your test scores have been slipping. You’ve always had potential, but these past few months, it’s like you’ve checked out completely. At this rate, you’re risking failure in several subjects.” It wasn’t news to me that my grades were struggling—I’d barely managed to keep up with everything since Jaxon rejected me. But hearing it laid out so plainly, with Jaxon sitting there, felt like salt in a wound.Mrs. Donovan’s gaze turned on Jaxon. “And Mr. Thorn, your behavior
Jaxon's povMy wolf, Ares, was restless, growling deep in my mind as I pressed my lips to Kayla's. She leaned into me, wrapping her arms around my neck, but I could feel Ares anger in me.**_Maeve is better_** Ares snarled, his voice loud in my thoughts.**_Why waste time on this?_**I ignored him, forcing myself to keep kissing Kayla, letting her hands roam over my shoulders. She was easy, always around and never asking for more than a bit of fun. That was what I needed—something simple, something that didn’t make me feel so conflicted and out of control.But Ares wouldn’t let me enjoy even a second of it. **_Our mate_**, he growled again, filling my mind with memories of her—her face, the way her eyes flashed when she argued with me, her scent that somehow lingered no matter how hard I tried to forget it. I clenched my fists, trying to push Ares back, to silence him, but he was stronger than usual, and I found it hard to control him.**_She’s nothing_,** I tried to argue back in my m
Maeve's povAs I walked home, Jaxon’s words kept swirling around in my head like an annoying echo that wouldn’t stop. Weak. Useless. Naive. His voice played over and over in my mind, as if he were still right there, sneering at me. I knew he didn’t like me, but this… this was different. Crueler. I kicked a small rock along the road, watching it skip over the ground, trying to focus on anything but the sting of his words.And what hurt even more? He acted like he was doing me some kind of favor. Like rejecting me was for my own good. As if he were saving me from something instead of just hiding behind his own hate for me. It made me so angry, I could practically feel my fists tightening as I thought about it. And the way he dragged Carter into it? That was low. Just because Carter was kind to me, Jaxon had to make it seem like he was some kind of threat. Pathetic.Carter had been the only one there for me when I’d felt completely shattered at the mating ball.When everyone else had tu
Maeve's povI could still remember Claire laughing with my mom, the way she’d always pat my hand and tell me to be strong, to believe in myself. I could picture her laugh—full and warm, the kind of laugh that could fill an entire room. She was always so kind, always looking out for everyone else. When I was a kid, Claire would come over almost every week, bringing little treats or flowers she’d picked on her way. She’d always ruffle my hair and tell me I was “the brightest little star.”Lyle’s voice was quiet, almost too quiet, as he spoke. “She went into labor too early, Maeve. The baby didn’t survive. They lost everything, all at once.”I felt my knees grow weak, and I sat down, barely able to process the pain that was now filling the room. George and Claire, both gone, and their unborn child, lost. It was too much to think about, too much to bear.“I’m so sorry,” I whispered, looking at my mom, who had been close friends with Claire for years. They’d been inseparable since I could
Maeve pov The murmurs of the pack quieted as Alpha Marcus stepped forward, Beside him, Luna Selene stood with her hands clasped in front of her, with a warm expression on her face. She met the eyes of those gathered, nodding to familiar faces.Then, Alpha Marcus spoke.“The Lunar Convergence,” he began, “is not just a celebration. It is a reminder of who we are, of what binds us together. The moon grants us strength, fuels our spirits, She is our guide, our guardian, the source of our instincts and strength. And we, in turn, honor it. This night marks the shift in the lunar cycle—a renewal of power for the pack.”Murmurs of agreement rippled through the room. I felt it too—that weird feeling was stirring in my blood."The moon has watched over us for generations," the continued, her voice gentler but no less powerful. " And tonight, as she reaches her peak, we honor her, as we have always done.""Our ancestors honored today as a time of renewal,” the Luna continued. “It is a reminde
Maeve’s POVThe Luna’s voice rang through the gathering hall, effortlessly cutting through conversations.“Ava, darling, come greet our guests.your friend is here”I felt my stomach tighten.Friend. The word settled uneasily in my chest.Kyle, standing beside me, became tense but his face remained unreadable. My mother, who had been making small talk with the Luna just moments before, glanced at me with concern. She knew something was off—she always did.There was a pause—one that stretched just a little too long. I knew Ava well enough to recognize what it meant. She didn’t want to come. And I knew why.When she finally emerged from the crowd, it was with the same effortless grace she carried everywhere. She was dressed in a deep green gown that hugged her frame perfectly, the rich color making her eyes stand out even more. She looked like she belonged here, while I still felt like an imposter.Ava’s emerald eyes swept over me, but for the briefest moment, I thought I saw something
Maeve's pov The dress itched.It clung to my skin in all the wrong places, too tight around my waist and too loose at my shoulders, making me feel like I was drowning in fabric. My mother had insisted I wear something "respectable" for the Lunar Convergence, something that wouldn’t make us look like we had just rolled out of the woods. Apparently, my usual oversized sweaters and worn-out jeans weren’t appropriate for sacred traditions.I adjusted the dress, fighting the urge to scowl. I would have rather stayed in bed.Instead I stood before the Luna’s estate, a grand stone house that was covered in the soft glow of its windows. The warm scent of bread and roasted meat floated through the air, but I could only focus on the tightness in my chest.My mother carried two large baskets filled with freshly baked bread, pies, and spiced meats wrapped in cloth. Kyle and I each held a smaller tray—his stacked with sweet rolls, mine arranged with an assortment of pastries. The warmth of the
Maeve's pov "Maeve! Get up this instant!”I groaned, rolling over and burying my face in the pillow, my muscles were sore from the stress of the day before. Every movement I made felt sluggish, as if my body had been drained of energy."Maeve!” My mother’s voice was sharper this time, it seemed to me she was running out of patience. “If you don’t get out of that bed right now, so help me—”I flung my arm over my eyes, squeezing them shut. “Five more minutes.” My voice was cracked from sleep.“Five more minutes, my ass,” she snapped. “Get up now, or I’m dragging you out myself!”I clenched my jaw, frustration curling in my stomach. “Fine! I’m up!” I shouted back. A shiver ran through me, though I wasn’t cold. Something inside me still felt...off.Everything from the night before came crashing back. Evelyn. The things she’d told me. The truth I had spent my whole life unaware of.A Fiora omega. That’s what she had called me.I couldn’t shift, couldn’t fight. I was nothing like those A
Maeve's povI was immediately shocked, the words caused something in my chest to tighten. I couldn’t tell if it was fear or hope, but it felt like both. “What do you mean?”"Your training, your history—they’ve all been simplified to make you believe that being an Omega means being weak," Evelyn continued. "That’s a lie. And it’s not the truth of who you are, Maeve.""Not all werewolves are the same," Evelyn began, her voice steady, as if she had said this many times before. " "You were taught that we're divided into three main types: Alphas, Betas, and Omegas. Yes, that’s true, but there’s more to it. The Alphas are the leaders, the strongest of our kind, with an innate ability to command and protect. Betas are the majority, loyal, adaptable, and capable of holding their own. Not all Alphas are the same, not all Betas are the same, and certainly, not all Omegas are. Each of us belongs to a different kind, a different species within our kind. Alphas come in different breeds, Betas va
Maeve's pov Before I could even take a full breath, Carter’s grandmother appeared, balancing a tray of tea with the kind of practiced ease that only came from years of experience. Her silver hair was pulled back in a loose bun, a few wisps escaping to frame her face. Despite her small stature, she carried herself with a strength, the kind that settled into her bones after years of hardship and endurance. But it was the look in her eyes that made my stomach twist—not unkind, not harsh, but knowing. She had definitely seen too much in life. “Ah, there you are, dear,” she said. “I was wondering when you’d finally stop hovering in the doorway.” I opened my mouth to argue—I hadn’t been hovering— I wasn't tackling her annoying grandson. “I wasn’t hovering,” I muttered, brushing past his grandmother and into the house. My face still burned from the whole fiasco outside, but I wasn’t about to let it show. I was here for a reason, and that reason had nothing to do with Carter or whateve
Maeve's POV The scent hit me first. Cedar—deep, earthy, and rich—but there was something else underneath it. It was familiar yet completely foreign, like déjà vu in scent form. Like something I should recognize but couldn’t quite name. I had been around wolves my entire life. I knew what we smelled like—earthy, wild, a mix of nature . But this? This was different. It wasn’t just a scent; it was a presence, surrounding me, pulling me in before I could even think about resisting. And gods help me, I didn’t want to resist. I wasn’t supposed to feel this way. Not about him. I already found my mate. Even If I got rejected. The bond with Jaxon should have made me immune to whatever this was. But standing here, breathing in Carter’s scent, feeling it move around me like something alive—it felt exactly like the pull of a mate bond. That was impossible. I stiffened, forcing air into my lungs like I could somehow shake this off, like I could remind myself who Carter was. He was arrogan
Maeve's pov I narrowed my eyes at his outstretched hand, the smirk on his face only fueling the fire inside me. Bambi. Of course, he had to call me that. Like I was some newborn deer stumbling around instead of a fully functioning adult who just happened to have the worst luck known to mankind.Instead of taking his hand, I pushed myself up onto my elbows, ignoring the way my palms stung from the impactI gritted my teeth, determined not to give him the satisfaction. “I don’t need your help, Carter. I have two fully functioning legs.”He laughed “Could’ve fooled me, Bambi. You looked like a baby giraffe taking its first steps.” The smirk on his face only deepened, amusement practically radiating off of him like heat.“You’re enjoying this way too much,” I muttered, brushing dirt off my hoodie before shoving myself the rest of the way up. My knees still ached from the impact, but I ignored it. No way was I giving him any more ammunition.Carter crossed his arms over his chest, which
Maeve's POVThe morning was cold enough to nip at my skin, but I barely felt it under my oversized hoodie. My hands were shoved deep into the front pocket, fingers holding onto the fabric like it might somehow calm the storm that was inside me.The path to Carter’s grandmother’s house felt longer than it should have. I wasn’t sure why I was here—why I was dragging myself across town when I could’ve just curled up in bed and ignored everything.But after everything that had happened—the fight with Trevor, Jaxon barging into my life like a wrecking ball, Ava icing me out—I didn’t know what else to do. My chest felt heavy and my thoughts kept spinning in circles.Why did Jaxon even care? He rejected me. Made it clear I wasn’t what he wanted. So why was he acting like some overprotective alpha all of a sudden? And why did I feel like my world was crumbling just because Ava wasn’t speaking to me?She had every right to be angry. I had kept the truth from her, hidden the fact that I was ma