The sun had fully risen by the time I nailed a clean hit to Levi’s side, knocking him slightly off balance. Not enough to win any awards, but enough to earn a lifted brow of acknowledgment from him.“Better,” he said, nodding once.Sweat clung to my back, and my arms felt like spaghetti. But despite the aching muscles and the early hour, I felt alive. Strong. And not just because I’d finally managed to land a decent blow on the guy who’d been smirking through most of our session.“You’re just saying that to keep me from being focused.”He leaned closer, his voice extremely low, “If I wanted to distract you, trust me, I’d use better tactics.”I waved his words away, but heat bloomed in my cheeks. “You’re so annoying.”“And yet here you are,” he shot back with a grin.A loud cough snapped both our heads around.Three younger pack members had stopped along the trail bordering the field—two guys and a girl. They were clearly watching us, whispering. Like we were a math equation they just
I couldn’t stop hearing the Alpha’s voice.“If you are Levi’s mate, fake or not…it isn’t going to be easy from now on. And if you’re not…then goddess help you when his real mate finds out.”The words spun around my head like a spell I couldn’t break, looping again and again as I sat cross-legged on my bed, staring at the wall like it had answers. It didn’t.Nothing did.I hadn't told Levi. I didn’t plan to. What good would it do? It would just complicate the lie we were both trying so hard to sell, like two people pretending they could walk across a frozen lake without falling through.My fingers twisted in the hem of my skirt. My heart hadn't stopped pounding since the meeting with the Alpha. The gravity of it all weighed heavily on me, like there was about to be a shift in this magical world.If only I could identify it.Once again, I was clueless. Even more that I was now in this mess. Was Ruby right? Was I just ignorant? Should I have thought well and hard before accepting to play
“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
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
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
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
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
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
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
I couldn’t stop hearing the Alpha’s voice.“If you are Levi’s mate, fake or not…it isn’t going to be easy from now on. And if you’re not…then goddess help you when his real mate finds out.”The words spun around my head like a spell I couldn’t break, looping again and again as I sat cross-legged on my bed, staring at the wall like it had answers. It didn’t.Nothing did.I hadn't told Levi. I didn’t plan to. What good would it do? It would just complicate the lie we were both trying so hard to sell, like two people pretending they could walk across a frozen lake without falling through.My fingers twisted in the hem of my skirt. My heart hadn't stopped pounding since the meeting with the Alpha. The gravity of it all weighed heavily on me, like there was about to be a shift in this magical world.If only I could identify it.Once again, I was clueless. Even more that I was now in this mess. Was Ruby right? Was I just ignorant? Should I have thought well and hard before accepting to play
The sun had fully risen by the time I nailed a clean hit to Levi’s side, knocking him slightly off balance. Not enough to win any awards, but enough to earn a lifted brow of acknowledgment from him.“Better,” he said, nodding once.Sweat clung to my back, and my arms felt like spaghetti. But despite the aching muscles and the early hour, I felt alive. Strong. And not just because I’d finally managed to land a decent blow on the guy who’d been smirking through most of our session.“You’re just saying that to keep me from being focused.”He leaned closer, his voice extremely low, “If I wanted to distract you, trust me, I’d use better tactics.”I waved his words away, but heat bloomed in my cheeks. “You’re so annoying.”“And yet here you are,” he shot back with a grin.A loud cough snapped both our heads around.Three younger pack members had stopped along the trail bordering the field—two guys and a girl. They were clearly watching us, whispering. Like we were a math equation they just