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The door clicked shut behind Julian, and I was alone again.His presence had been unusually comforting in a way I hadn’t expected, but now that he was gone, the silence of the room seemed louder. I sat on the edge of the bed for a moment, staring at the floor, the events of the day tangled in my head. The pack house still felt foreign to me. Too large, too quiet, too full of people I couldn’t relate with.With a sigh, I got up and walked to the bathroom, turning on the tap to fill the tub. Steam filled the room like a misty veil, and I sank into the hot water with a quiet exhale. My muscles thanked me, the warmth soothing every ache and tension. I closed my eyes, letting my mind drift, but it didn’t take long before it drifted somewhere I didn’t want it to go.Levi.His voice echoed in my head like a haunting melody.“Does Shawn make your heart race like this?”The way he’d said it. Quietly, but with so much confidence, like he could see inside my mind and feel everything I did. His n
The morning after last night’s strange events was different, I awoke with a tight knot of anxiety settled in my chest. I was expecting to wake up to noise, gossip, but as I strolled through the halls of the pack house, it was silent. Nobody knew what had happened during the night.And those that were present said nothing.The pack dining room was alive with chatter and clinking cutlery. I tiptoed my way around the long mahogany table, grabbing a plate and keeping my head down.I opted for toast, scrambled eggs, and some sliced fruit. My hand hovered over the coffee pot, but I decided against it. My nerves didn’t need more fuel. I finished quickly, grabbed a shiny red apple, and slipped out unnoticed, determined to explore the rest of the sprawling pack house.It was bigger than I realized. There were rooms for everything. Combat training, archery, music, art, even a small library tucked into a corner near the garden wing. Everyone around me moved with ease and purpose, like they belong
The weekend went by slowly. Too slow, that by the time Monday rolled by, I was thankful to have somewhere to go.Even though that somewhere was school.After Saturday night’s training, I’d been holed up in my room, refusing to step out even during meals. Jerry and Monica had to take turns bringing me something to eat. I was thankful for them, but still very much embarrassed about the last training.I’d done horribly, and worse, I had showed everyone I wasn’t capable of standing up for myself. Every time I was in trouble, Levi was always there, ready to take on anyone who dared to say a word against me.But why?I refused to believed it was all because his father had put him in charge of me. Or maybe my delusional self just wanted it to be more.I tugged on my blazer and skirt, tied my sneakers, and grabbed my backpack with the speed of someone trying not to think too hard. The mirror caught a glimpse of me—blue eyes duller than usual, my long black hair braided to keep it out of the wa
As the week went by, Levi and I didn’t speak much. When I awoke the next morning feeling guilty, hoping to be able to patch things up with him, he didn’t show. Somehow, miraculously, his car was better.It made me think he had just used that excuse to spend time with me, but it was unlikely. He was the alpha’s son and I was barely a werewolf, he had friends and I had none.Why would he want to spend time with a nobody like me?All of that didn’t matter now, he was keeping his distance. It wasn’t until this moment that I realized I was truly alone. I had no friend, no one to tell my problems. I was completely and utterly alone.And it didn’t feel good.It wasn’t just silence, it was avoidance. A gaping void where something used to exist. Something I’d started to rely on. Every time I walked past him in the halls or caught a glimpse of his black hair in the crowd, my heart would skip a beat, stupidly hopeful.But he never looked my way. Not even once.And it was slowly killing me.By Fri
Pacing.That’s all I could do.I stood outside the alpha’s study, my feet moving aimlessly back and forth, biting my fingernails like it would somehow make the weight in my chest lighter. But it didn't. My thoughts screamed over each other, wild and jumbled.Images of Damien's hand wrapped around my wrist flashed in and out of focus, then Levi's voice shouting, his fists flying. The fury in his eyes. The crack of a punch.I hugged myself tightly, my nails digging into my arms. Damien had touched me, grabbed me, kissed me. My skin still crawled where his hands had been. And Levi...he looked like a man possessed. He almost tore Damien to pieces, he destroyed school property in the process.That kind of rage can’t go unlooked. He could be in serious trouble with his father.All because of me.My heart jumped as the door to the study creaked open. My father, Julian, stepped out, his face straight but I could tell he was worried by the way his eyes wouldn’t meet mine.Even though I was his
“Let go of me!” I yelled, struggling to break free.I could feel the pressure of his hands around my wrists. Damien’s grip was like steel, and no matter how much I screamed or struggled, he wouldn’t let go. I could see the madness in his eyes, the lust, the power, the hunger. My heart thundered against my ribs, panic rising like bile in my throat.“Let me go!” I screamed again, thrashing against him.But he didn’t. He pulled me closer, whispering something I couldn’t make out. His breath was warm against my ear, but every cell in my body recoiled. I tried again to push him off, nails digging into his arms, tears burning down my cheeks. It felt like it would never end.Then suddenly he jerked. His body trembled, then stilled. He looked down, and so did I.Blood.A dark patch spread across his shirt, blooming like a rose. Damien’s mouth opened, stunned. Then he was yanked upward, lifted off the ground by some invisible force. He screamed, flailing, before he was flung into the sky like
Levi hadn’t said a word since we turned back, and I was glad. The last thing I wanted to do was speak to him.The way we had just gone from an eighty to a zero so fast was alarming. The atmosphere in the car was tense, his hands gripping the wheel so tight I thought he’d snap it right off. But none of it moved me, I just wanted to get out of the car and away from him.As soon as the car rolled to a stop, I unbuckled and stepped out, slamming the door a little harder than I intended. I didn’t want to give him the chance to drag out whatever apology or excuse he’d been sleeping on the whole ride back.But then, a part of me did not think Levi had any plan of apologizing. He said what he said—or rather, didn’t—and he meant it.The cool breeze disheveled my black hair, making it fly in different directions as it blew, adding to my frustration. I tried to hold it down with my hand, turning and groaning, only to see Levi watching me attentively from inside the car, his lips pursed into a th
When Shawn said he needed my help, I panicked. I was worried he was in some kind of trouble or something bad had happened back at Hartville.So imagine my surprise when the next words that left his mouth were;“What does Ella like?”“Huh?” I squeezed my face in annoyance, angry that this was the reason I hadn’t heard the rest of Levi and Alpha Cillian’s conversation.“Her birthday’s coming up,” he explained. “I just want to get her something nice, you know?”“Why?”“What’d you mean why?” He asked, dumbfounded. “She always helps me out with your gifts, what’s wrong with helping with hers?”“Yeah, but I’m your girlfriend, Shawn,” I said irritated. “She’s my best friend, she’s supposed to help.”“Don’t be like that, babe. El’s been really down about you leaving, I figured we could both do something nice for her. To cheer her up. Don’t you want to make your best friend happy?”I swallowed, starting to feel bad. I hadn’t spoken to Ella since she hyped me up on the bleachers when I was feel
I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t feel any part of my body.The hall froze.It was like someone had turned the entire room to stone. Nobody moved, no one dared to breathe. I stared at Alpha Cillian, watching as his fury grew with each passing second. His shoulders were rigid, his jaw clenched so tight I could see the muscle ticking violently beneath his skin. Beside him, my father looked equally furious, and worse, he refused to look at me."Where," Alpha Cillian repeated, each word cutting through the heavy air like a blade, "is Levi?"My stomach twisted into knots. I swallowed hard, my mind racing. My body was covered in goosebumps and sweat.Why wasn't Levi here? It was the only question running through my mind. The only thing my brain could comprehend at the moment. Levi was not one to run away because of a confrontation, especially one that had to do with me.There was only one reason he had to be missing—he was in danger.Kids around me shifted uncomfortably, their anxiety bleeding i
As soon as the words left her mouth, dread filled me.I stood there frozen, staring blankly at Cherry. What did she mean he left? Levi would never leave me, not over this. He was probably by a corner, watching, waiting for me to come to my senses.But as I looked around, the beat of the music, the chatter, the swirling lights. All faded into a distant buzz. Like a fly I needed to get rid of. I couldn't move. I just stood there, my mouth slightly parted, trying to process it.I hadn't meant for him to actually go. I’d been angry, but…not that angry.Cherry shifted awkwardly in front of me, clearly unsure what to do next. She almost looked worried. Or was it pity?Before I could decipher her emotions, someone shoved past me roughly, knocking me a step to the side. Expensive perfume filled the air, and I recoiled a little in disgust, unable to help myself."Cherry, what are you doing standing here?" Ruby O'Brian’s nasal voice sliced through the heavy air. "Come play a game with the rest
The music thumped like a living heartbeat, loud enough to drown out any rational thoughts as Levi and I stepped into the brightly lit living room. Colorful lights blinked across the ceiling, casting silhouettes of the Moondew pack's teens grinding and laughing.We were in Damien’s house. It was neat, organized, and stacked with beer and snacks. You could just tell this wasn’t his first rodeo, and with all the parents now living at the pack house, it was easier access without consequences.But I wasn’t thinking about the party—I was thinking about how this time, everything had changed. Or was about to change. Levi was about to be set up, or pushed into an arranged marriage. And worse, it was going to be with someone who didn’t really know him. Someone who had no idea how to calm him when he got in one of his moods.She wasn’t right for him. So who was? Me?Levi’s hand found the small of my back, making me shiver slightly. I peeked up at him as we weaved through the crowd. He looked cal
It was finally Friday. Every hall I passed, every corner, teenagers were whispering about Damien’s party. Almost everyone in Moondew academy was attending, it was the highlight of the weekend.“Thank goddess Damien decided to step up, we haven’t had a proper party since we all started living under the same roof.”I heard a group of girls lamenting a few blocks away from my locker.Apparently, it was unheard of. Students here partied just as much as we did back home, if not more.The rest of the day went on the same, that by the end of my final class, I felt like I’d been present at a million Moondew high school parties.Students hurried out of school grounds, most girls mentioning how they had nothing to wear and how they had to get ready. The halls were in chaos, busier than usual. More hectic and crowded.I was walking to the parking lot to meet up with Levi when Valerie caught up to me, holding a huge textbook in her hand.“Astra…” she was out of breath with beads of sweat forming
I leaned against the passenger side of Levi’s black jeep, the early evening breeze sweeping my bangs across my face. The parking lot was half-empty now, students strolling along the pavement, but my eyes remained fixed on the front doors of Moondew Academy.I bit my lip, replaying our argument on the training field for what had to be the hundredth time. I hated how easily Levi could make me feel ignorant—like I didn’t know what I was doing, like I was still that girl from Hartville fumbling her way into a world I barely understood. But at the same time, I hated how my last words had cut him.I’d seen it in his eyes. My accusation that he was too overprotective. It had stung, especially when all he’s ever done is save me.He wasn’t angry. He was hurt.The doors finally swung open, and my gaze rose. Levi stepped out, moving casually. His hair was wet, but not dripping, and it seemed to have formed a different wave all on its own. He carried himself so well, so effortlessly that everyone
The cool night breeze brushed against my skin as Levi walked me up to my room, but I was more focused on the way our fingers almost touched with every step we took. The party was over, the memory of laughter and music still playing in my mind as vivid as ever.I wasn’t ready to let it go. Not yet."Did you have fun?" he asked, his voice low, almost sleepy.I smiled, nodding. "Yeah…I actually did."His lips twitched like he was trying not to smile too wide. "Good. Then you’ll be happy to know there’s no early morning training tomorrow."Relief flooded me. “Bless you,” I murmured, and he chuckled.“We deserve a break after tonight.”"You’re the best fake boyfriend I’ve ever had," I grinned.He reached out and tugged a loose curl behind my ear. “Sleep tight, half breed.”He walked away backward, still watching me until he turned the corner. I slipped inside and leaned against the door for a second, smiling like an idiot. I couldn’t help it. Tonight had been the most peace I’d felt in a w
It felt like the ground had tilted beneath me. My breath hitched, and my heartbeat banged in my ears. No. No, this couldn’t be happening. It couldn’t really be him.The moment Levi’s eyes landed on Damien, something in him snapped."Get in the car!" he said, gritting his teeth.I blinked at him. "What?""Astra," he growled. "Now!!"There was no room for argument in his tone, so I obeyed, slipping into the passenger seat just as he slammed the driver’s door shut. The engine roared to life, and he took off with a speed that sent my stomach lurching.The tension in the car was thick and the look on his face scared the hell out of me, but I couldn’t just sit there. "Levi, please, talk to me. What are you doing?""We’re going to see my father," he said without looking at me."Levi, no. Please, let’s just...breathe. Maybe it’s not what it looks like.""You saw him, Astra. You know exactly what it looks like.""I don’t want any more trouble. Maybe we should just leave it alone, maybe he won’t
With the help of Levi, I cleaned up and got changed. He gave me his leather jacket—that seemed to swallow me whole—to cover up my stained shirt.We were in the boys locker room alone, the air surprisingly clear. Levi dried my hair and combed it out, cleaning the spot on my shoe where the milk had dripped onto, while I sulked in anger. He wasn’t mad at me, but I could tell he was disappointed.“I told you to ignore her,” he said, dabbing on my skirt to get the milk stain away. “Why don’t you ever listen to me?”I bit my lips, watching him carefully. “I know, I’m sorry. She just knows how to push my buttons.”He sighed. “Maybe our next training should be on how to ignore comments that make no sense.”I looked down at him. “Did it though?”He paused. “What are you asking me?”“What is this mark thing she mentioned?”He sighed again. “I had a feeling someone would bring that up eventually, I just didn’t think it would be this soon.” He stared at me for a long time, but I could tell he was
“Astra, wake up!”Lola’s voice pierced my dreams with a whisper sharp enough to slice through an elephant’s skin."Check on him," she repeated.My eyes blinked open to a haze of pale lamp light. The clock on my nightstand read 5:02 AM. Still dark enough for the pack house to still be bathed in silence, but early enough that even the birds hadn’t dared to sing yet.My body protested as I sat up. Every inch of me ached from yesterday’s trainings, but Lola didn’t speak unless it mattered. Especially not at dawn when I was supposed to be sleeping.I took off my night t-shirt and threw on a tank top, slipped into yoga shorts and sneakers, and tiptoed out of my room. The pack house was cloaked in stillness, long halls bathed in a soft golden glow from the hanging lamps that never turned off. The scent of cedarwood and old leather followed me as I made my way to the end of the hall.To Levi’s room.My hand had barely lifted to knock when the door flew open.Levi stood in the doorway, shirt s