My gaze landed on him instantly, drawn like a magnet, and I almost didn’t recognize him. Jaxon had dyed his hair a bright, rebellious blonde color that clashed with his usual look. New tattoos up on his forearms and beneath the collar of his leather jacket. A silver hoop glinted from his eyebrow, and there were even more piercings in his ears now, adding to the bad-boy look he’d adopted seemingly overnight. He looked like he —rough, dangerous, and somehow even more handsome than before. Ava’s eyes widened beside me. “Oh, Mom and Dad are definitely going to have something to say about this,” she murmured, in awe and disbelief. But he caught my eye before I could respond. And for a moment, it was as if time slowed. The bond between us might’ve been broken, but something remained—a thread of feelings that still connected us. I felt a wave of his emotions, —anger, frustration. I could feel him pushing those feelings at me, though his expression stayed normal. Then, as I watched, h
Maeve's povI crossed my arms, raising an eyebrow at him. "I’m starting to think you're stalking me."Carter chuckled softly as he hopped down from the branch. "Who, me? I think it's you who keeps finding me in all my secret hiding spots."I rolled my eyes. "Oh, please. The garden’s hardly a secret."“Maybe not, but you don’t see anyone else here, do you?” He leaned against the tree, crossing his arms with that familiar smirk on his lips. “Just Dark and twisty Maeve hiding from her mate problems as usual. You’re so predictable.”I rolled my eyes. “Me? Predictable? Not at all. I just appreciate a little peace and quiet.But coming from you, Mr. Cigarette, that’s rich.”“Oh, you’re not? Well, all the times we’ve met, you either have one problem or the other,” he teased, tilting his head. “It’s like you’re running a soap opera over here. Mate drama, heartbreak, mysterious boys. What’s next? A plot twist where you’re actually a princess?”I couldn't help but laugh at that. "Yeah, right. A
Maeve's pov Then Jaxon started to glare at Carter, the tension between them escalated. Carter seemed completely unbothered, he even a confident smirk on his lips as he glared back at Jaxon. It was like two strong,alpha wolves staring each other down. Each wanted to show they were in charge and wouldn’t back away. It felt like any second, they might fight.For a long moment, everything was quiet. Jaxon’s look was dark and angry, like a storm about to start. But Carter’s eyes were different, strong but with a calm, with steady fire in them, almost like he was taunting Jaxon without saying a word. There was a strong, silent challenge between them, neither of them were willing to give in.I held my breath, waiting to see who would look away first, but neither did. It was like a test, seeing who was the real leader here. Even though no words were said, I could feel the heavy tension in the air, and it made my heart beat fast.Then, Jaxon’s glare grew sharper as he stared at Carter, the
Maeve's povOkay, I hadn’t thought this through when I decided to walk to the garden to take a break. A few minutes of peace and quiet had sounded perfect—a chance to clear my head, away from the chaos of Jaxon and all the drama that seemed to follow him.But I obviously forgotten the fact that I still had classes. Dumb ? I know right.Now here I am, back inside, standing in the hallway, practically pressed against a row of lockers, hiding from the principal, who just happens to be patrolling right now. Perfect timing, really. Still all I know is that I have to get to my class now. No matter how.I peek around the corner, watching as the principal checks each classroom door, his shoes clicking on the tile floor as he moves closer. I hold my breath, wondering if he’ll notice me.This was supposed to be a simple break—just ten minutes of fresh air to survive the day. But Carter and his mood swings, Jaxon and his...ugh. Of course they had to turn things into a drama fest.Now, here I a
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 pov The hallway was a storm. People scattered like leaves caught in a violent wind. Shouts, screams, and the sound of fists meeting flesh filled the air. My body was frozen in place, my mind was unable to process what was happening.Jaxon and Trevor were locked in a brutal fight. No, this wasn’t a fight—it was a massacre.Trevor tried to throw a punch, but Jaxon caught his wrist with inhuman speed, twisting it with a sickening crack. Trevor screamed in pain, his face pale as he stumbled back, holding his arm. Blood dripped from Jaxon’s knuckles, but he didn’t stop. His glowing golden eyes burned with rage, and his chest heaved with each breath.“How dare you do that to her!” Jaxon roared, his voice not entirely human. It was deeper, rougher, and filled with fury. His wolf was in control, and it was terrifying.Trevor didn’t have time to recover. Jaxon lunged, slamming him against the lockers with enough force to leave a dent. The sound echoed through the hallway as Trevor cr
Maeve's pov Ava’s voice cut through my thoughts, sharp and furious. “You’re pathetic, Kayla. You and your little lapdog.”Trevor straightened, his grin fading as he took a step forward. “Watch it, Ava,” he warned, his tone darkening. “You don’t wanna start something you can’t finish.”Ava didn’t back down. She stood her ground, her eyes blazing. “Oh, please. You wouldn’t last five seconds in a fight with me. Sit down, Trevor. You’re embarrassing yourself.”The tension in the air was thick, like a storm about to break. I wanted to step in, to stop Ava before things escalated, but I couldn’t move. My body felt like it was made of lead, weighed down by the shame.Kayla laughed, tossing her hair over her shoulder. “oh my gosh! Please. I’m just having a little fun. It’s not my fault the omega makes it so easy.”Trevor leaned in, his grin widening as he looked me up and down. “She really does. I mean, come on, look at her. Covered in paint, standing there like a scared little puppy. It’s
Maeve's pov Kayla’s gang erupted in laughter, their voices were loud and sharp cutting through the air like knives. I could feel every pair of eyes on me, some wide with shock, others looking at me like I was a clown. All I felt was embarrassment .My hair was a mess, heavy and dripping. I desperately clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms to keep the tears from falling Ava was yelling now. Her voice rose above the laughter. “What the hell, Kayla? Are you serious? What’s wrong with you?”Kayla didn’t even flinch. If anything, her smirk deepened as she crossed her arms “What’s wrong with me? Oh, honey, what’s wrong with her? She’s the one walking around like she’s better than everyone else when she’s just—well, you know. Nothing.”Her words hit like a slap. I felt like I was shrinking under her gaze, like I was being peeled apart for everyone to see.“You’re disgusting,” Ava snapped, stepping in front of me like a shield. “You’re just jealous because Maeve has something y
Maeve's pov Sometimes, the hardest person to believe in is yourself.Ever since Grandma said those words, I couldn’t shake them from my mind. They looped around in my head like a song I couldn’t turn off. Every time I closed my eyes, I heard her voice, telling me that I could be more. That I was more. But how was I supposed to take that first step, to agree to the training, when everything felt so overwhelming?I barely slept. The night stretched on forever, and even when I managed to fall asleep, I kept waking up. Images of Carter pacing in the garden, Grandma’s determined face, and my own reflection—weak —kept flashing through my mind.By the time morning came, I felt like a zombie. My limbs were heavy, and my eyes stung from lack of sleep. The weight of everything I’d heard, everything I’d felt, pressed down on me, making it hard to move, hard to breathe.School felt impossible. The chatter in the hallways was too loud, the lights too bright.I caught sight of my reflection in the
maeve's pov “But you’re not weak now,” I said, struggling to reconcile the woman before me with the image she’d painted of her past.“No, I’m not,” she agreed. “I decided that I wasn’t going to let my circumstances define me. I wasn’t going to let other people’s opinions shape my future. I started training—harder than anyone else. Not just physically, but mentally. But it took me a long time to get here. And it wasn’t easy. I had to fight for every ounce of strength, every shred of respect. I had to prove to myself—and to everyone else—that I was more than the labels they tried to pin on me.And slowly, I started to change. Not just how I saw myself, but how others saw me.”I swallowed hard, my emotions swirling. “That’s different. You... you’re you. You’re strong. I’m just... broken. How did you do it? How did you go from... from that to this?”Her smile turned wistful. “It wasn’t one big moment, Maeve. It was a series of small choices. I stopped believing the lies they told me abou
Maeve's pov Carter stood up without saying a word, his chair scraping against the floor. His jaw was tight, and his hands were clenched into fists at his sides. He didn’t look at me, or at Grandma. He just walked to the door and stepped outside, letting it slam shut behind him. The sound echoed through the room. “Carter!” Grandma called after him, her voice breaking a little. She stood up, as if she might follow, but then she stopped. Her shoulders drooped, and she sighed deeply. “Oh, that boy...” she muttered, more to herself than to me. The air in the room felt thick, like a storm cloud had settled over us. I didn’t know what to say. It wasn’t just the sadness that hung in the air—it was something heavier. I glanced out the window. Carter was standing in the garden, his back to us, staring at nothing. The sharp edges of his shadow made him look bigger, more menacing. He didn’t move, but there was something about the way he stood—tense, like a coiled spring—that made my stomach
maeve's pov But Grandma wasn’t going to let us get too comfortable in our teasing. She was already jumping up, shuffling across the room with another tray of cookies. “Well, no time to waste!” she said, setting the tray in front of us with an energy I envied. “Let me show you both something.” She winked at Carter and pointed to the wall near the fireplace. “I’ve got the photo albums you’ll love.” I raised my brows. “Photo albums?” I echoed. “Oh, yes!” Her voice was full of excitement. “All the best memories of Carter when he was just a little troublemaker. You’ll see.” She walked off to the shelf and pulled out an old, worn-out album. “Carter used to stay with me for a while, you know. Before he got all... grown-up and moved to his parents pack.” Carter groaned from the armchair, crossing his arms over his chest. “Grandma, no. Please don’t.” But she ignored him, flipping through the pages with determination. “Oh, this one,” she said, showing me a picture of a much younger C
Maeve's pov Carter's expression shifted from surprise to annoyance as he stepped closer, hands shoved into the pockets of his hoodie. His hair was tousled like he'd just rolled out of bed, and there were faint dark circles under his eyes. "Grandma," he said, his tone affectionate but filled with annoyance, "what are you doing out here? I thought you said you’d stay home today." The old woman—his grandmother—waved a hand dismissively. “Oh, nonsense. I needed some fresh air. Besides, I met this lovely young lady.” She gestured to me, her smile as bright as ever. “Maeve, this is my grandson, Carter. Carter, this is Maeve.” Carter’s gaze flicked to me, his brows rising slightly. “We’ve met.” “Really?” His grandmother’s eyes twinkled. “How wonderful! Then you won’t mind escorting us back to the house. I was just about to invite Maeve over for tea.” “What?” Carter and I said in unison, though his tone was weird while mine was more uncertain. “Oh, don’t look so shocked, Carter,”
Maeve's pov I walked through the park, my head heavy with thoughts. The events of the burial was stuck in my mind like a storm cloud I couldn’t shake. Everywhere I went, I felt the weight of it—of the flames, the howls, and the empty space inside me where my wolf should have been. The morning sun was warm, but it didn’t reach me. I shuffled along the gravel path, kicking at small stones. Around me, the park was peaceful. Children played on the swings, their laughter ringing in the air. Birds chirped from the branches of tall oak trees, their leaves golden with autumn. It was beautiful, but I couldn’t feel it. Not really. Why can’t I shift? I thought for the hundredth time. What’s wrong with me? Every other wolf in the pack had their wolf, their other half. Even the younger ones could shift by now. But me? I was just... broken. I sighed, rubbing my arms as I walked farther into the park. The gravel gave way to soft grass, and I spotted an old wooden bench near a cluster of rose