× 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 “By baseless fears and outdated prejudices?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 × “You okay?” I finally ask, my voice coming out rougher than I intended.He doesn’t look at me, just keeps staring out the window. “Yeah,” he mutters, but it’s hollow. A ghost of the Ryder I know. He shifts, wincing again, and I grip the wheel harder, anger simmering just below the surface. I hate this. I hate seeing him like this. I hate that I couldn’t protect him, that he had to suffer because of my inability to keep him safe.“Look,” I say, swallowing down the frustration. “We’ll get you checked out when we get back, okay? Make sure you’re—”“I’m fine,” he cuts in, finally turning to look at me. His eyes are dull, devoid of the spark that used to light them up. It makes my heart ache. “Just... tired.”I nod, even though I don’t believe him. He’s not fine, and we both know it. But I don’t push. Not now. He’s been through enough, and the last thing he needs is me pressing him for details he isn’t ready to share.As we drive through the darkened streets, I can’t help but won
× Trix ×The air is frigid as we make our way to the safe house. It’s like walking through a storm, even though the sky is clear. It’s not the weather. It’s her. Dixie. She’s wrapped in a coldness I can’t penetrate, and it hits me harder than the biting chill in the air.Falling into the pond has got me so wet and a bit cold but her attitude is way colder.We don’t speak. Not that I expect her to. She hasn’t said a word since we landed asides ‘I'm fine’. And I get it. I get why she’s upset, angry ,hell, I probably deserve all of it. But it doesn’t make it any easier to deal with. There’s this thick wall between us, and I can feel it with every step I take beside her.I try to offer her comfort, but I can’t even do that without her shutting me down. She doesn’
× Dixie ×I can't breathe. The jet is shaking so violently, it's like it's alive, thrashing against its own destruction. The walls are vibrating under the pressure, the floor beneath me feels like it's going to give way any second.Every breath I take feels like a struggle, like the air’s been sucked out of this goddamn plane. I want to scream, to let it out, but I can't. All that comes out is a choked sob that I barely even hear over the noise of the plane.My whole body is shaking.I can’t do this.I can’t jump.The thought hits me like a ton of bricks. I can’t even wrap my mind around it. The air is so thin up here, and the thought of throwing myself out of this tiny jet ,no, it’s not even a thought, it’s a nightmare.Heigh
× Trix ×One of the guards, his face pale as death, looks at me with wide eyes. "The pilot... he’s been sniped."My stomach drops like a stone. What the hell?I move before I can think. “Check the systems,” I bark, my voice a razor-sharp command. But even as I speak, I know it’s pointless. The damage is done. Our pilot’s gone. The jet’s flying itself, and we’re at the mercy of whoever did this.I hear the low hum of frantic voices in the background. The guards are trying to figure out what happened, but it doesn’t take long for the panic to spread through the cabin. The guards and a few helps start whispering. Some start standing, trying to move toward the exits, but I don’t have time for any of that. I need to keep them together. I need to control the chaos."Q
× Trix דI hate you!” she screams, her fists pounding against my chest again. It’s weak. Pathetic. But I know the meaning behind every hit, every word. “I hate you for doing this to me.”The words are like daggers in my chest. I can’t help it. They hurt. But I force myself to stay calm, to keep my hands steady.“I don’t give a damn if you hate me,” I say, my voice shaking with an emotion I won’t let her see. “But you’re coming with me. Whether you want to or not.”She tries again to break free, her body tense with anger, but I tighten my grip on her, pulling her away from the door.“Let me go!” she cries out, struggling in my arms, kicking at me, clawing at me. But nothing works.“I’m not letting you
× Trix × A few minutes pass before Alvera returns, and I already know what she’s about to say before she opens her mouth. “She’s refusing to leave,” Alvera says, her voice low but clear. Her eyes flicker with concern, but there’s no hesitation. “She doesn’t want to go with you.”I grit my teeth. "I figured as much," I mutter. A storm brews in my chest, but I force myself to stay composed, to keep my cool. "I’m going to get her myself." Alvera nods, stepping aside as I move past her. I can feel the anger burning behind my eyes, but I suppress it. This isn’t the time for rage. Not now. But damn it, I need her to understand. I march down the hall, my mind racing with the thought of what might happen if I can’t get her to understand. If I can’t make her see reason. I know how stubborn she is, how her heart’s set in its ways. But right now, I need her to see that this isn’t about trust anymore. It’s about survival. I reach her door, my knuckles rapping against it sharply. "Dixie," I
× Trix ×Stunned. I stare at Salcom, my blood boiling beneath the surface, every muscle in my body coiled tight. He’s playing his games again, twisting the moment to fit his narrative, and I’m already tired of it. Exhausted by the dance, the posturing, the damn theatrics he always loved. I don't ask him anything else. No more questions. I won’t give him the satisfaction. I know his tricks, his manipulations ,the way he thrives on pulling strings and watching people squirm. I won’t be his puppet. But then, with that oily smirk plastered across his face, he opens his mouth, and the words that come out hit like a sucker punch.“I’m here to issue an ultimatum,” he says, his tone shifting, a faux casualness that screams deception. An ultimatum? My instincts are already screaming that it’s a lie. Every syllable drips with calculated intent, a setup waiting to ensnare. My eyes narrow, heart pounding in my chest. “What ultimatum?” I ask, my voice low, dangerous. His eyes gleam, feeding o
× Salcom ×The energy is electric , dangerous, inviting, almost intoxicating. This baby girl , standing there with fire in her eyes and betrayal written across her face, has no idea what she’s radiating. Just by looking at her, I can tell. The connection is undeniable. Her bond with Trix pulses in the air, something primal, something sacred ,and that’s what makes it delicious. Fragile things always shatter so beautifully.I take a step closer, and the chaos around them fades. Pack members are still scattered, watching, whispering, but I barely hear them. All I see is her. The way she holds herself, defiant yet trembling, like a candle flickering in a storm. Who would’ve thought this was the one who could unravel him? Trix, the almighty Alpha, brought to his knees by a human. I almost laugh. Fate really does have a twisted sense of humor.And Trix? Oh, he’s trying so hard to play it cool. Standing there, fists clenched, that classic scowl plastered on his face. But I see it ,the flic
× Trix ×What? Salcom?The name alone sends a chill down my spine, like ice-cold claws raking through my veins. I freeze for a split second, but in that moment, everything around me seems to slow. The noise of the pack, the murmurs, the anger ,it all fades to a low hum, like I’m underwater.All I can focus on is the figure standing there. Salcom.He’s the last person I expect to see here, and the look in his eyes, that predatory glint, is more than enough to send alarms blaring in my head.Why is he here?
× Dixie דI never loved her,” he says again, his voice hard. Final. Like a door slamming shut.I flinch. I can’t help it. Each repetition is a reminder, a confirmation of every fear I’ve ever had.Why does it hurt so much? I knew this. Deep down, I knew. The whispers, the rushed marriage, the way he always kept me at arm’s length. It was never about love. It was strategy. A means to an end.But hearing it. God, hearing it is something else.The crowd is eating it up. I can feel their relief, their satisfaction. They wanted this. They wanted him to put me in my p