“Hands, touching hands.” “Reaching out, touching me, touching you.”“Sweet Caroline.”PUM PUM PUMThere are a few students who sing along. We only need to keep going.“Good times never seemed so good.” “I've been inclined.”PUM PUM PUMMuch more students are singing along and a lot of them have stood up in the meantime. Ace, this is all we need. Just more of this and then we will have the energy back.“One, touching one.” “Reaching out, touching me, touching you.”The energy grows and I cannot help the smile that grows on my face.“Sweet Caroline.”PUM PUM PUM “Good times never seemed so good.” “I've been inclined.”All the students are standing up and shouting together, arms around each other’s shoulders. This song always gets everyone together. Even the other school is singing along.PUM PUM PUM “Good times never seemed so good.” “Sweet Caroline.”The song dies out and we all cheer as loud as we can. I even feel more energized after that. Everyone is getting together for the
I turn to Cora and we both take a moment to register that our team just won. Cora is the first to react and she starts to cheer loudly.“We won!” Cora shouts at the top of her lungs and I let out a loud laugh. The excitement fills me with adrenaline and I cannot contain myself. I run to the field with the rest of the cheer girls and our side of the bleachers.Cora throws her arm over my shoulders and we dance together, singing along as loud as we can when another song plays.“We won!” Cora shouts again, hugging me tightly. I hug her back and we sway from side to side. I smile widely, realizing that we have also reconnected. Cora pulls back, flashing me a warm smile.“We won,” I repeat. The rest of the cheer girls have joined us and we are all talking over each other. Someone taps my shoulder and I turn slightly to see who it is.Wes smiles at me, his hands pulling me in for a quick embrace.“Well done,” he says when he pulls back. “You saved the game,” he says with a satisfied smile.
“I already said- “ The guy is plucked away from me and he falls to the ground. I see Jake glaring at him as he makes his way over to the guy.“She has a ride,” Jake says, his voice low. The guy is on his feet again and he straightens his shirt.“Took you long enough. I always knew you guys never appreciated your women.” The guy has a sly grin. He turns his gaze to me and gives me a wink. “I would show you how much I appreciate that ass,” he says with a chuckle.Jake starts toward the guy, his fists clenched next to his side. I grab Jake’s arm and pull him away from a potential fight.We got so far without a fight, we do not need to start one now.“Thank you, and goodbye,” I say to the other pack’s alpha, dragging Jake to his truck. After a few steps, Jake stops fighting and trudges to his truck.That same girl who talked to him comes running to us and calls after Jake. Jake turns to face her and I get that same feeling.I remember where I saw her.She was the girl who Jake used to ma
Cora and I walk arm-in-arm toward the football field, the remnants of our volleyball training still evident in the light sheen of sweat on her face. Despite all that, she’s practically bouncing with excitement."Grayson said he’d take me home!" she gushes, her smile lighting up. "Can you believe it?"I chuckle. "I can believe you’re about to hyperventilate over it."Cora groans dramatically, clutching her side. "Volleyball is no joke. I thought cheerleading was intense, but this? It’s like boot camp.""Tell me about it," I say, glancing at her with a grin."Suicides are actual torture," she grumbles.We step onto the field, and my mood immediately sours.I notice Allison standing next to Tyler and I audibly let out a sigh. Cora looks to me and follows my gaze before she also scoffs.“How did those two get together?” she asks with her gaze still glued to them. I shrug. How am I supposed to tell Cora that they are werewolves? “Don’t know, but don’t look into her eyes.” Cora raises h
“Kate.”I turn toward the familiar voice with a smile. Jake jogs toward me, a sheen of sweat glistening on his forehead. Was he still training?“Hey,” I greet as he reaches me, slightly out of breath.“Were you still training? I thought you went home.”Jake chuckles, running a hand through his damp hair. “I have to work on my distance running. Plus, I knew you needed a lift home, so I waited for you.”I tilt my head slightly, smiling at him. He is too kind.“You waited for me? Aw, thank you,” I say, giving him a quick kiss on his cheek. He blushes at the action and I giggle at his red ears. It’s endlessly endearing.“I want to throw a few more balls. Care to be my catcher?” he asks with a shy smile. I purse my lips, pretending to think about it. Jake laughs while he shakes his head.“Sure,” I say and head back to the field. Jake falls into step next to me and I notice his gaze focusing on my face. I turn to him.He has a deep frown, his hand reaching out to my cheek.I flinch away whe
Jake shoots up and rolls off me. I watch him stop next to me, his hand covering his face.I laugh heartily.Before I can make a remark, Jake curses under his breath. I laugh louder at his reaction as I prop myself up on my elbows. I turn my gaze to him, forcing myself to look away from his trousers.“Shit, I did not mean for that to happen,” he mumbles, still slightly out of breath. “I apologize,” I say with a smile, failing to hide my amusement. Jake chuckles, shaking his head.“Not your fault . . . Well, not entirely,” he says with a shy smile. I hum in agreement before I look at him. He looks too adorable right now.I lean closer to him, placing a soft kiss on his cheek. I pull back but Jake’s hand reaches out to me. His hand guides my head back to him and his lips are against mine again.I giggle softly into the kiss. Jake rolls onto his back, taking me with him. I am flush against his chest as my lips move against his. My hands rest on his stomach and his groan vibrates through
“Catherine, dear.” I hear my mother call from the kitchen and I hurry out of my room. I run down the stairs, skipping a few at the end.“Jake is here,” she says with wide eyes and a smile. I chuckle at her reaction as I make my way to the door.“Thanks,” I say over my shoulder before opening the door. I shudder at the coldness nipping at my nose and cheeks. I wrap my arms around me and watch Jake park in our driveway. I run to the car, careful not to trip over my feet.Jake has barely gotten out of the car before I throw my arms around him, pulling him in for a hug. He laughs into the embrace, picking me up to hug me tightly.“Hi,” I whisper into the embrace. He puts me down slowly and pulls back.“Hi. I missed you,” he says, holding his hand out for me to take. I smile at him and take his hand. We have come such a long way.“Did you get what you guys were looking for today?” Jake and some of the other pack members had to skip school to find something about hunters or something along
“I think that is them,” my mother says while she peeks out of the window. I glance at Jake who is following my dad’s lead to stand up. “Did you also set a plate for Bianca and Oliver?” My mother asks, her voice tinged with anxiety. I laugh at her while I shake my head.“Yes, of course- ““There’s only five plates,” my dad remarks and I snap my eyes to the dinner table. Five?“I apologize,” I say with embarrassment. I just blocked Bianca out of my head. I hear my mother and father making their way to the door. Jake shuffles over to me, helping me set another place for Bianca.“I didn’t know she would also be here,” Jake whispers to me. I hum softly in response.“Me neither. Ugh, and I actually thought tonight could be fun.” I cross my arms, glaring at the door opening.“It will be,” Jake reassures me, putting his arm around me and hugging me. I laugh softly and plant a quick kiss on his cheek. Red ears.“Good evening,” Oliver says with a chirpy tone. I make my way to where my mother
The explosion tears through the forest, a burst of heat and fire erupting in the darkness. The shockwave slams into me like a physical force and knocks the air from my lungs. The ground trembles beneath my feet as flames roar to life, licking up the trees.The blast illuminates the night in an instant, casting flickering shadows. The pack scatters, dodging falling embers and diving for cover as smoke curls into the air.For a split second, there’s nothing but ringing in my ears. Muffled shouts. The distant snap of branches. The crackling of fire eating through the dry leaves.The sharp crack of bullets pierces the chaos, but the pack is ready. They move like shadows, weaving between trees and bushes. A hunter barely has time to react before Tyler slams into him and takes him to the ground with a growl.Jake’s hand slips from mine as he launches himself forward. I watch him transform as he runs to the nearest hunters. I stay low, keeping myself hidden behind the undergrowth. My heart
The pack house is buzzing with quiet, focused energy when Jake and I step inside. Every single person is here. Some are standing in tense groups while others are sitting with protective gear. The air is thick with anticipation.Across the room, Allison and Tyler are deep in conversation with a small group. Among them, Oliver and Bianca stand slightly apart, listening intently.Oliver notices me first. His gaze flickers in my direction and I give him a small smile, lifting my fingers in a wave. He hesitates before nodding back with a slight smile.Jake keeps walking, guiding me toward the far end of the room, where Wes is hunched over a makeshift lab setup. His hands move quickly, mixing liquids, analyzing samples. He is so focused he barely registers us approaching.“How close are you?” Jake asks.Wes exhales sharply. “Very.” He doesn’t look up, instead pointing to a row of vials in front of him. “I’ve narrowed it down, but I need fresh human blood to test the final component.”“Take
The drive to the pack’s hideout is quiet, the hum of the engine blending with the distant sounds of the night. The road twists through dense forest, barely visible from the main highway. It’s a place only a few know about, tucked away behind thick trees and old, winding paths. I do not think I would be able to find it again on my own. Jake drives with one hand on the wheel, the other resting lazily on my hand which is on his thigh. My thumb moves in slow circles and he has a soft smile on his lips. By the time we pull up to the hidden pack house, my heart feels heavier. Jake parks in a concealed spot near the pack house. I unzip the bag on my lap and take out Jake’s clothes before getting my own. I place the bag back on the ground, careful not to wrinkle my dress. It’s ridiculous, really/ Considering everything we’ve just done, you’d think I wouldn’t care so much about keeping it pristine. But I do.Jake just watches, his lips twitching in that quiet but amused way of his.“What?”
I sigh in content as I press my forehead to Jake, still catching my breath. His hands are steady on my hips. He is holding me like he’s in no rush to let me go.“All right,” I mumble, shifting slightly. “I should probably get off now.” Jake just hums, but he makes no move to help.I try again and pushes lightly against his chest, but my legs feel like jelly. Plus, the position is… not ideal for an easy exit. I let out a soft huff. “Jake.”He lets out a quiet laugh as his hands move from my waist and place them under my thighs. Then, with zero effort, he picks me up and moves me onto the passenger seat like I weigh nothing.“Show off,” I mutter, adjusting my dress.He smirks and runs a hand through his hair. “You were taking too long.”I just shake my head, but there’s a grin tugging at my lips. I glance down at my thigh before I grab a tissue from my purse.“Lovely,” I say flatly. “Thanks for that.”Jake leans his head back against the seat, watching me with that quiet amusement. “Y
We move quickly but quietly toward Jake’s truck, my heart pounding in my chest. The night air is cool against my skin, but it does nothing to calm the heat inside me. We hurry into the truck and Jake starts the engine before he maneuvers the truck toward the farthest corner of the parking lot.The moment he shifts into park, his lips are on mine again. I sigh into the kiss as my hand moves over his chest to settle on his neck. His hands roam my waist before he pulls me onto his lap, making me gasp.“Jake,” I scold between kisses, pressing my hands to his chest. “Be careful with the dress.”He chuckles, low and deep, his breath warm against my neck. “I’ve got you,” he murmurs, fingers tracing the fabric slowly before he lifts it just enough.A giggle escapes me as he shifts my underwear aside. His touch sends shivers up my spine. “I’ve never done this in a car before,” I admit, breathless. The space feels both thrilling and awkward, the newness of it making me giddy.“I’ll take care o
I check my phone and notice a message from my mum. I hope you are having fun xA soft smile forms on my lips and I check the time. It is already past ten. We should probably get going. But I want to get another dance in with Jake. With a playful grin, I take Jake’s hand and pull him toward the dance floor. The music pulses around us and I cannot help but sway to the beat, my energy infectious.“Come on, don’t just stand there!” I urge, glancing up at him with a teasing glint in my eyes. As I start to dance, I turn my back to him and playfully grind against him. Laughter spills out as I watch his cheeks flush a faint pink.“Uh, Kate,” he says, his voice low but with that shy confidence I find so endearing, “maybe we should keep it—”“Oh, stop being so serious!” I interrupt and twirl around him with a cheeky smile. The way he tries to maintain his composure only makes me want to tease him more.“Really, I need to—” he starts and I let out a soft giggle.“Need to what?” I tease, winkin
The music thrums through the air, a steady pulse of sound that makes the entire room feel alive. Twinkling fairy lights are strung across the ceiling like fireflies caught in midair and tall artificial trees line the edges of the dance floor. Their leaves are dusted with tiny glowing lanterns. The whole venue looks like something out of a dream. Like an enchanted forest brought to life.Cora twirls me under her arm, laughing as my dress flares out around me. I’m breathless, my cheeks aching from smiling so much. We’ve been dancing for what feels like forever, moving to the beat of every song.“You’re having fun,” Cora teases, bumping her hip against mine.I grin at her. “Obviously.”She gasps dramatically. “Girl, I knew you would have fun. And you wanted to skip this?”I roll my eyes, but I’m still smiling. It’s true. I can’t remember the last time I felt this light, this carefree. And I did want to skip. Maybe it’s the music, or the warm golden glow of the lights, or just the fact th
The doorbell rings just as I take a sip of my morning tea, the warmth of it still lingering in my hands. I set the mug down and make my way to the door.When I swing it open, Cora stands there, beaming, her arms full of garment bags and makeup pouches. “Morning, girl! Ready to make me look like a goddess?” she teases, stepping inside before I can even answer.I laugh and shut the door behind her. “You already do. But, of course, I’ll work my magic.”We got the day off for prom and the house is buzzing with energy. My mum is in the kitchen with Cora’s mum, chatting over tea and biscuits. We take over the sitting room with our dresses, heels, and endless supplies of makeup and hair products.Cora carefully unzips the garment bag, revealing her emerald green dress. It’s stunning/ It is tight-fitting with an elegant neckline, hugging her curves in all the right places. She holds it up against herself, grinning. “What do you think?”I give her an approving nod. “You’re going to steal the
After my shower, I tiptoe to my walk-in closet. I grab some fluffy pajamas before stepping back into the room. The warm glow of my bedside lamp casts long shadows against the walls. The air is cool against my damp skin. Jake is still sitting on my bed, quiet as always. His gaze is sharp, tracking me as I move.He looks exhausted. More so than usual. There is a tiredness settled into his shoulders. I don’t say anything at first. Instead, I climb onto the bed beside him. I lay down with a sigh before shifting closer. Without thinking, I wrap an arm around his legs and hold him where he sits. He stiffens for half a second, exhales, and relaxes slightly into my touch. His body is warm and solid. Safe. I never knew he had such thick thighs. Super hot.He doesn’t pull away and I don’t loosen my hold. It’s comfortable, natural like I belong tucked against his side.For a moment, my mind drifts back to where we started. How different everything was before. How, just a few months ago, I woul