CHAPTER 5

CRYSTAL

I stumbled into our cozy stone cottage, my head pounding like a drumline at a rock concert. The place smelled of herbs and earth, a familiar scent that offered a bit of solace in my skull-splitting headache. Alpha Skylar had given us this place when he took us in, a real solid move on his part. I couldn't help but think back to the day we joined Skylar's pack. Dad struck a deal, promising we'd keep our magic on the down low. It was a no-brainer, really. Beats the heck out of being out in the cold with no place to call our own. I took a good look around, the soft light through the leaded windows casting a warm glow on our homey setup. The place had character, no doubt. You could practically feel the history in those old wooden beams overhead. The fireplace sat there all quiet, no fire to be found. It was a stark reminder that my magic was off-limits. I couldn't forget that day our old place went up in smoke. My parents played it off as a dumb mistake, but I knew there was more to it. Running my fingers along the worn stone counter, I could almost hear the echoes of family gatherings and laughter. This kitchen was a refuge, a spot to escape the craziness of our past. I wished I could whip up a magic potion to calm my aching head, but that promise to Alpha Skylar had me in a bind. It was a constant reminder of the choices we made for a shot at fitting in and feeling secure. Taking a deep breath, I braced myself for the pain. There were secrets buried here, pieces of my past that I could only catch glimpses of through the haze of forgotten memories. Right now, though, I needed to find a way to dial down this headache, and maybe, just maybe, start untangling the knots of my lost history.

I checked myself in the mirror, my hazel eyes looking back at me, tired and a bit worse for wear. My long ginger colour hair was all over the place, cascading down to my hips. I ran a hand over my plump lips, trying to shake off the remnants of the night. Time was slipping away, so I hurriedly threw on my school uniform and grabbed my bag. Dealing with the headache would have to wait; right now, the clock was my enemy. I spotted my phone under my bed, a casualty of last night's antics. Turning it on, I was hit with a flood of missed calls and messages from Matt. He wanted to know what went down, and where I was. I could feel anger bubbling up, but I pushed it aside, not ready to deal with him just yet. Stepping outside, the morning air was brisk and refreshing. Dad, Kol Maynard, was by the car, keys in hand. He's got the same hazel eyes and plump lips, though his hair's got streaks of silver, showing the years he's seen."Hey, Dad," I greeted, managing a tired smile. He shot one back, concern etching lines on his face. "You look like you could use some rest, sweetheart. Are you sure you should be heading to school in this state?"I shook my head, determination outweighing the exhaustion. "Can't afford to skip today. I'll manage, Dad."He nodded, though I could tell he was still worried. "Alright, hop in. I'm headed to meet Alpha Skylar about pack finances. I can drop you off."I hopped in the car, grateful for the lift. The Mayhem, the school for the gifted, was looming up ahead, a place where having powers was both a blessing and a curse. Today, I'd face it with a pounding head and a whole lot of unresolved feelings, ready to tackle whatever challenges came my way.

I rolled up to the Mayhem with that familiar pit in my stomach. Five years in this place, and still, it felt like I was on the outside looking in. The looks, the whispers—they never let up. I wasn't one of them, and they made sure I knew it. Coming from a family of outcasted witches didn't exactly win me any popularity points in this werewolf-dominated school. But there was one bright spot that kept me going. My mate, Matt Salvador, the Alpha Mikale Salvador's Nephew. We held onto that secret tight, following his lead until he officially took over the pack. As I walked onto the school grounds, I could practically feel the eyes on me. The gossip and stares were like a soundtrack to my steps. It was a routine I'd learned to deal with, even if it never got any easier. Head held high, I pushed through the invisible walls closing in around me. Each step was a reminder of the strength that ran through my veins, the legacy of my family's resilience. I refused to let their bias define me. Inside the building, the scent of wolves and damp earth filled the air. I scanned the faces of my classmates, none of whom were eager to meet my eyes. It was a lonely existence, but I clung to the hope that someday, things would change. I spotted Matt in the distance, a familiar face in the crowd. We exchanged a look, a silent understanding passing between us. Our secret was our lifeline, a promise of a future where we could be open about our bond.

However, Matt's unexpected move caught me off guard. He pulled me to a quiet corner, the back bench where nobody could eavesdrop. I could feel the butterflies fluttering in my stomach at his touch, but they vanished the moment I saw the anger etched on his face. His voice, hoarse and edged with frustration, demanded to know where I'd been the night before. I couldn't help but let out an exasperated sigh."Dude, I was exactly where we were supposed to meet," I retorted, my voice tinged with hurt and annoyance. "You bailed on our plans."My head was pounding, the pain now a cruel soundtrack to our heated exchange. When Matt accused me of having a blast with some other guy, my stomach twisted in knots. His voice was raspy as he accused me, convinced I'd betrayed him."No, Matt, you've got it all twisted," I insisted, trying to keep my tone steady. "I was alone, drowning my sorrows because you ditched me. You're the one I wanted to be with."

I was so dang frustrated, my head was pounding like a drumbeat in my temples. Last night's memories were like wisps of smoke, slipping through my fingers. I could barely grasp anything. All I had were flashes of chaos and faces in the crowd. I do remember a scuffle, a bunch of guys throwing punches. Then, out of nowhere, this dude steps in, protecting me with his own body. It was like a blurry movie reel playing in my head. I reached for my little first aid kit, but even that memory was foggy. The harder I tried to make sense of it, the more it slipped away. It was like chasing shadows, one step forward and two steps back. My frustration was building up, a pressure cooker about to blow. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. Matt's accusations and this relentless headache were pushing me to my limit. I didn't want to go off on him, but I could feel the heat in my body because of anger and frustration.

Just as I was in the middle of my thoughts, the classroom door squeaked open, and in strolled Alpha Skylar. Quick as lightning, everyone scrambled back to their usual seats. I headed to my spot right behind my bestie, Katherine Meyers. Now, Kat was no ordinary girl. She was the daughter of the high priestess and a super-powerful witch, Freya Meyers. Her family was top-tier in our community, and her friendship was my lifeline. We'd been through it all together, and her support meant everything. Kat swiveled in her chair, giving me a comforting smile. I felt a wave of thankfulness wash over me. Having her around was like having a secret weapon against the world. Alpha Skylar kicked off the lesson, his big presence demanding all our focus. I did my best to tune in, even though my head was still pounding, and last night's chaos was playing on a loop in my mind. But I pushed through, determined to make it through the day.

Then out of the blue, Alpha Skylar introduced this guy Niklaus Prime Wolfe, and the room practically held its breath. We all knew who he was – the alpha of that ruthless rogue pack, Nightshade. Just hearing his name gave you the creeps. Niklaus had built his empire on the backs of those who tried to stand against him. He was a real-life nightmare, no doubt about it. The whispers and side-eyeing got louder as he walked in. You couldn't miss him, and you definitely couldn't ignore the aura of power he had going on. Everyone had their eyes glued to him, on edge and watchful. Now, for me, it was a whole different story. My eyes couldn't help but check him out. I mean, come on, the guy was seriously good-looking. In his mid-thirties, with some silver in his wavy hair, and that beard he rocked – it all gave him this distinguished vibe. He kinda looked like a Turkish actor, no joke. Plus, the dude was tall, like way over six feet. It was weird for me, being into a guy with a beard and in his thirties. Totally uncharted territory. But there was just something about him that pulled you in, made it hard to look away. Still, I wasn't about to forget the dark side. Niklaus Prime Wolfe was a force to be reckoned with, a guy with a rep that sent shivers down spines. My fascination was mixed with a big ol' dose of caution, you better believe it.

Okay, so there I was, locking eyes with Niklaus Prime Wolfe. This guy wasn't just any rogue alpha; he was also our smokin' hot professor, about to teach us some hardcore fight strategies in our senior year. This was a big deal, 'cause we were gearing up to be part of the Alpha Council's security and the whole pack's security. Niklaus, all cool and collected, ruffled his hair, and that's when I spotted it – a Peppa Pig bandaid on his hand. I mean, seriously? It was this quirky little detail in contrast to the tough guy exterior he had going on. It triggered a flood of memories from last night – his touch, the intensity, everything. It was almost like Niklaus was tuned into my thoughts, 'cause in that split second, he shot me this sly smirk. It was this secret connection we had, locked eyes and all. It felt equal parts thrilling and nerve-wracking, like standing on the edge of something unknown, drawn in by a force I couldn't quite put my finger on.