× Dixie × I tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear, trying to find the right words. “So…” I say, breaking the silence in a way that feels almost painfully gentle. “What happened back there?” My voice is soft, but he still flinches a little, like he wasn’t expecting me to ask. He releases a breath that’s so deep it seems to drain the life out of him, and then he turns to face me, his eyes are dark and stormy.He tells me everything. His voice is low, rough with frustration, as he describes Hermes’s arrogance, the way the Nardoos Alpha barely acknowledged the seriousness of Ryder’s situation. Trix’s words are clipped, like he’s holding back something much fiercer, but I can feel it radiating off him, the guilt, the anger, the sheer helplessness. The way it eats at him that we’re leaving without Ryder. That he had to bow his head, apologize, and walk away.I feel my chest tighten with his pain, the way it seeps into me through our bond. It’s raw, jagged. I want to reach out and jus
× Alvera ×The meeting room is filled with the scent of cedarwood and age-old dust. I’m here, listening with every ounce of patience I can muster, which, to be honest, isn’t much today.I sit stiffly, hands clasped in front of me, trying not to sigh too audibly as Elder Raven, who somehow manages to make every conversation about the “good old days” — launches into yet another tale about when the pack’s discipline was the envy of every other territory. But even that familiar irritation is better than what comes next.The elders, in their oh-so-subtle way, begin dropping hints about Trix and Dixie. And when I say “hints,” I mean thinly veiled criticisms that hang in the air like clouds about to burst.“It's come to our attention,” another elder begins, her voice carrying that polished edge of authority, “that the Alpha has been… distracted as of late.”I resist the urge to roll my eyes. Distracted? Right, because keeping our pack safe and secure, managing peace talks, and negotiating al
× Alvera × I’m sitting here, completely zoned out, with the voices of the elders droning on like white noise in the background. It’s hard to stay present when the room feels suffocating, and I swear the air itself carries this skepticism from everyone. My mind, however, is somewhere else entirely, spiraling. How in the world am I supposed to tell Trix about all this discontent? It’s one thing dealing with the elders, their disapproval is like an old wound that just keeps reopening. But the rumors I’ve heard about the general pack members, the older wolves who don’t have a direct hand in leadership but whose opinions still shape the collective vibe? That’s what’s really unsettling. When did this become a full-blown problem, and why didn’t I see it coming?I drag a hand through my hair, my fingers catching on knots I haven’t had the energy to brush out. The thought of having to break this to Trix feels like I’m about to throw a stone into a pond already teeming with ripples. How do
× Alvera ×Milda narrows her eyes at me. “And what about the unrest this is causing?” she presses. “There are whispers among the older members of the pack. Dissatisfaction. Doubt.”I clench my jaw, feeling my patience slip away like sand through my very fingers. “Unrest caused by what?” I challenge, my voice gaining strength. “By baseless fears and outdated prejudices? Or is it because some of you are clinging to a past that no longer serves us?” I lean forward, locking eyes with Miriam. “Because from where I’m standing, it seems hypocritical to judge Trix and Dixie’s bond when half of you were perfectly fine turning a blind eye to real threats in the past.”My heart pounds as I wait for someone, anyone, to argue. But they don’t. They’re squirming, uncomfortable, but not brave enough to come at me head-on. “You think I’ve forgotten?” I continue, my voice low and dangerous. “How many of you stepped in when Trix had to isolate Dixie months ago? How many of you spoke up against the wa
× Alvera ×Milda doesn’t flinch. “It’s not about love,” she counters. “It’s about stability. The longer Trix and Dixie remain together, the more divided we become. We’re trying to protect our way of life.”I take a steadying breath, my hands clenching and unclenching at my sides. “And you think threatening a raid, an act of violence, will protect our way of life?” I demand. “Do you hear yourselves? We’ve survived wars, rivalries, and more because we stayed united. And now you’re willing to tear us apart over your discomfort with change?”“We’re talking about survival,” an elder insists. “If Trix truly cared about this pack, he’d make the right choice.”The audacity of it almost knocks the air out of my lungs. I bite back a surge of anger, locking eyes with him. “The right choice?” I repeat, my voice dripping with disbelief. “Trix has done nothing but lead us with strength and fairness, and now you’re questioning his loyalty because he dared to follow his heart? Because he chose a ma
× Dixie ×I’m sitting in the garden, my newfound little haven that rivals the comfort of my own room. I'm also tapping my foot impatiently against the stone path.It's lush here, it's also green and vibrant, a perfect spot to get lost in daydreams. But today? My mind’s having a mini concert, and all I can think about is that kiss.The one at the ball that’s been spinning around in my head like a chaotic little cyclone. Seriously, it’s like living in a rom-com where the main character can’t get over her love interest, except, plot twist, the love interest is my mate, the Alpha. And here I am, waiting for him. Again.Where is Trix, anyway?I trace random patterns in the dirt with my finger, my heart doing an annoying little skip each time I replay that kiss.It's like butterflies and complete menta
× Trix ×I’m hurrying through the corridor, practically buzzing with anticipation.My heart’s in overdrive, like I’m this close to actually sprinting. All I want to do is see Dixie, make things right, and finally explain everything that’s been keeping me from her today. I know she must be pissed, and, oh man, the thought of her sass is both terrifying and hilarious, but I have to smooth things over.But, just as I turn the corner, I see Alvera. She’s standing stiff, her arms crossed, and the look on her face... well, it’s not good. The urgency radiating off her is enough to stop me in my tracks. I can’t just walk past her, not when she looks this serious. So, with a sinking feeling in my gut, I slow down.“Alvera,” I start, but she cuts me off with a look that says this is important.“Trix,” she says, her voice is low an
× Trix ×Driving through the empty streets toward the place Hermes had specified feels like trudging through a nightmare. My hands grip the steering wheel so tight my knuckles turn white, and my pulse pounds in my ears.I can’t shake the sick feeling churning in my gut, and the ominous weight pressing on my chest. The address Hermes gave led me to a rundown, overgrown park at the edge of our territory, the kind of place that might have been lively once but now reeks of abandonment and broken dreams.The few streetlamps that still flicker barely light the cracked pavement. It's just... hollow.When I park, I don’t even get the chance to turn off the engine before a group of Hermes’s men approach.Their faces are blank, eyes dark and unfeeling, and I immediately know that whatever I’m about to walk into isn’t going to be pleasant. One of them,
× Trix דDixie, what’s with that pouty face?” Gran Gran’s voice comes from the hallway, teasing but warm. She steps into the room with that no-nonsense energy she always has. The kind that says she’s got a hundred things going on, but none of them are more important than getting to the heart of whatever’s happening here.“Grandma, it's lovely to see you.” I say, greeting her. “Trix, good to see you sweetheart. I see you're getting handsome by the day.” She says and she winks. Oh my, sometimes I forget how goofy this lady is. I turn to look at Dixie, my heart pounding a little harder now. Dixie’s pouting? She’s always got a way of hiding her feelings, but I can see it now, the tightness around her mouth, the uncertainty in her eyes. But before I can even process it, Gran Gran just waves it off.“Never mind. That’s not why I came down here.” She pauses, her eyes shifting between the two of us, a knowing glint in them. Dixie glances at me, she's curious. The air between us feels he
× Dixie ×Finally, the smell of home. There's this warmth that wraos itself around me as I step into the familiar wals of my Gran Gran’s house. I practically green up here. It’s small but cozy, with little sunlight streaming through the windows and that earthy scent I’ve missed for months. For the first time in what feels like forever, I can breathe easy. No more battles, no more scheming, no more bloodshed. Just the quiet comfort of being back where I belong.I slip my shoes off at the door and head straight to the kitchen, the warmth of the house seeping into my bones. There’s a kettle of tea waiting on the stove, just the way it usually is.I fill a cup and sit at the small wooden table by the window, staring out at the small garden where Gran Gran used to tend to the flowers. The petals are still in bloom, a bright splash of color in the morning light. I take a sip from the cup, the warm liquid soothing my nerves, but no matter how many deep breaths I take, there’s this tension
× Alvera ×It’s a new day, and for once, it actually feels like one. I lean against the wooden post of the meeting hall, watching Trix speak with one of the elders. The elder nods at something Trix says, his stern face breaking into what looks like approval. Approval from him is a miracle in itself, and I can’t help the small smile tugging at my lips. I’ve known Trix for a long time, and seeing this moment of quiet acceptance fills me with a sense of peace I didn’t know I needed. Things are finally falling into place. That doesn’t mean the wounds have healed but the scars are starting to feel like something we can bear. I’m still struggling with my own demons, the battles we fought left marks that don’t just disappear overnight. But today? Today feels lighter. I glance over at Dixie, who’s standing a few feet away, watching Trix with a soft expression. She looks tired, but there’s a warmth in her stare that wasn’t there before. The pack’s whispers about her have quieted, and th
× Trix ×The entire pack compound is filled with killings, and shootings a d fights. I can smell blood and sweat all around me. But I can also see dead bodies on the floor. It's painful but we're not done yet. I can even feel my own exhaustion scratching at the edges of my resolve, but there’s no room for weakness here. Not now. Not when everything depends on this moment. I look around quickly, taking in the scene. Dixie is taking the pack members to safety. Alvera ks fighting both Salcom and Hermes, she looks mad. And her injuries are supposed to slow her down but she isn't giving up.Just then, Blade Alpha fires at me again, his claws aiming for my throat. I barely sidestep in time, the whoosh of his attack grazing my ear. My wolf howls within me, urging me to finish this, to end him. But how? He’s too strong, his skin is thick to everything we’ve thrown at him so far. Every cut we’ve made heals almost instantly, as if mocking us. “Silver,” a voice whispers in the back of my m
× Dixie ×Alvera steps out of the healer’s hut, and for a moment, time seems to pause. “Alvera, no!” I shout, running to her. She waves me off. “I’m fine. Focus on the fight.” I want to argue, but there’s no time. She looks drained, her steps slower than usual. She’s in her battle suit, the dark leather clinging to her like a second skin, and her weapons gleam under the faint light breaking through the smoke-filled air. She looks like someone who crawled straight out of the flames, and trust me, that’s not just a metaphor. Trix notices her too, his head snapping toward her like he’d been holding his breath this whole time. He frowns, his lips moving slightly as if he’s about to tell her to sit back down, but then he stops himself. It’s not his call, and he knows better than to underestimate Alvera’s resolve. "Let’s finish this," she says, her voice a little hoarse but steady. Trix nods, his gaze hardening as he shifts his focus back to Salcom, who’s standing in the middle
× Dixie ×A gunman spots us, his eyes narrowing as he raises his rifle. Trix moves faster than I can blink, grabbing the guy’s arm and twisting it until I hear a sickening crack.Satisfying.The gun falls to the ground, and Trix kicks it away before slamming the guy into the dirt. I don’t have time to be impressed, because another gunman is already running toward us. “Behind you!” I shout. Trix turns just in time to dodge a swing from the guy’s rifle. He grabs the weapon, yanking it out of the man’s hands before delivering a swift punch to his jaw. The guy goes down, and Trix turns to me, his expression grim. “Are you okay?” he asks. I nod, even though my legs feel like they’re about to give out. The sound of a wolf’s howl pierces the air, and I glance over to see one of the Nardoos locked in a vicious fight with a pack guard. It’s a horrifying sight, but I can’t look away. I see Salcom retreating, and his stupid laughter fades as he steps away from the whole drama.
× Dixie ×Why does these things keep happening? It's been one chaotic event to another. One battle to the next and it's tiring.Trix steps closer to me, his hand instinctively reaching out, but I can’t take my eyes off the Bamboo Alpha. His chest rises. It’s slight, barely noticeable, but it’s enough to send a jolt through me. I grab Trix’s arm, my fingers digging into his sleeve as we watch in stunned silence. The Bamboo Alpha’s eyes snap open. I gasp, scrambling back instinctively, as my heart begins to race. His eyes are glowing, a piercing silver light that seems to cut through the darkness around us. His chest heaves again, this time more pronounced, as if he’s taking his first breath in centuries. “Trix…” I whisper, my voice trembling. “I see it,” he mutters, his tone laced with awe and unease. The Alpha’s gaze shifts slowly, locking onto me. It’s like being pinned under a spotlight, every nerve in my body screaming to look away, but I can’t. His expression is unr
× Trix ×The bamboo forest feels colder than usual, even under the faint glow of the moon. Shadows stretch long and thin across the ground, their dark parts weaving between the trees like whispers of things better left unsaid. I shouldn’t feel this uneasy here, not in the heart of my own territory, not in the presence of Dixie, but tonight, nothing feels right. Dixie walks ahead of me, her grip on the bottle of Moon’s Tears is so tight that her knuckles turn white, her other hand trembling at her side. She hasn’t said much since we left Alvera in the healer’s care, and I haven’t pushed her. This moment, this plan, feels too fragile to poke at. One wrong word might shatter whatever thread of hope she’s holding onto. “Are you sure about this?” I finally ask, my voice low as the bamboo alpha’s tomb comes into view. The ancient structure is now overgrown with moss and vines, with its stones worn smooth by centuries of wind, sun and rain. It doesn’t look like much… it's just like a fo
× Trix × My heart feels like it’s been torn straight out of my chest, and I’m running on pure adrenaline. And I'm fueled by a grief so massive I can barely keep it from swallowing me whole. Ryder’s face keeps flashing before my eyes, the bloody mess of him, the way his voice cracked when he told me to leave, and that final, broken smile he wore like some kind of shield. I can still hear him saying, “I’ll be fine,” but we both knew he was lying. My lungs burn, and every step feels like I'm trying to outrun a storm that’s already caught up with me. The forest blurs around us, dark and unfamiliar, shadows twisting like they want to pull us back. Ican hear Dixie’s ragged breaths beside me, and Alvera’s limping footsteps not far behind. Every instinct I have tells me to stop. To turn back for Ryder, to fight until there’s nothing left, but I can’t. We’re alive. For now. And as much as it kills me to admit it, that’s what Ryder wanted. Leaving him wasn’t part of the plan. None o