× Trix ×
Alvera sits on the edge of the bed, her expression softening. “Do you want to talk about it?”
I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. “It was about Ryder. And Dixie. The Nardoos were here, slaughtering our pack members, and they captured Dixie. They were doing something to the rune in her palm, draining her energy. Ryder was fighting them, but... his head was cut off. I saw it roll on the ground.”
Alvera’s eyes widen, but she remains silent, letting me continue.
“I tried to help Dixie, but she wouldn’t accept it. She thought I was responsible for her predicament. And then Ryder... his death felt so real. I can’t shake it off.&rdq
× Yesterday ×× Dixie דHey, Dixie,” he says, sounding distracted.“Jackson, you will not believe what’s been happening to me,” I start, my words coming out in a rush. “I’m living with freaking werewolves, and tomorrow is a full moon, and they’re planning something big.”“Dixie, where have you been?” he interrupts, his voice rising. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere! I even went to your gran's house. She kept saying you weren’t around and wouldn’t be for a while. What’s going on?”I pause, taken aback by his concern. “Wait, you went to Gran’s?”“Yes, I did!” he snaps. “And every time I tried to get more information, she would always stop me by the door. It’s like she was hiding something.”I sigh, feeling relief that Gran Gran is alright but feeling sorry too, for what Jackson must have gone through.“Jackson, I’m sorry. It’s all so messed up. The guy you saw the other day, Trix, he’s involved in this. They’ve got me wrapped up in some werewolf pack politics.”“Werewolves?” he re
× Dixie ×The room fell silent. The kind of silent that leaves the walls screaming its name. Even the ceiling is scared of breaking the it.Sooner, the silence in the room is almost frustrating, yet, my mind is still that of confusion and fear. Jennie is about to leave when I stop her, my curiosity and anxiety getting the better of me. I know she would know something.“Jennie, wait,” I call out. “Can you tell me more about this full moon stuff? How does it work with the werewolf traditions? I need to know what I’m up against.”"Up against? You make it sound like you're in some battle. Well technically." She said, smiling.
× Trix ×I walk into the room and see Ryder and Alvera talking. It's unusual to see them together, not on the field fighting but talking. They barely speak to each other, not out of dislike but more out of indifference. Story for another day, I suppose. But today, their conversation seems intense.I join them, and the look on both their faces tells me the news isn't good.“What's going on?” I ask, bracing myself for whatever bad news is coming.Ryder's jaw tightens. “Another attack. One of our pack members was found injured in the woods. He's in the hospital now.”My heart sinks. “Is he going to be okay?”Alvera nods, but her expression is unreadable. “He'll live, but he's in bad shape.”Ryder's eyes flash with anger. “This is all Dixie's fault. Ever since she showed up, we've had nothing but trouble.”I feel a sudden surge of frustration. Ryder us right, but the guy should have also known his boundaries. “It's not entirely her fault, Ryder. If that guy hadn’t been wandering around
× Trix ×When I reach the hospital, I find the boy’s younger sister sitting in a corner, sobbing quietly. She looks so small and terrified that it breaks my heart a little. I approach her slowly, trying not to startle her.“Hey,” I say gently, crouching down to her level. “I’m Trix. I’m here to help.”She looks up at me with wide, tear-filled eyes but doesn’t say anything. Her body is shaking with fear. I sit down next to her, keeping my voice soft and calm. I reach out and gently pull her into a hug, trying to give her some comfort. She stiffens at first but then leans into me, her sobs growing louder.“It’s okay,” I whisper. “You’re safe now. No one’s going to hurt you. Can you tell me what happened?”She shakes her head, tears streaming down her cheeks. I sigh, knowing this is going to take time. “Take your time,” I say. “I’ll be here when you’re ready.”Reluctantly, I release her from the hug and leave her with the medics. Her fear is evident, and it only fuels my anger and cur
× Trix ×As the time for my speech approaches, I feel the weight of the pack’s expectations pressing down on me. I can almost taste their fear, their unease. They need reassurance, a sign that we’re going to get through these difficult times. We always have.But this seems fucking harder.I step onto the platform, my eyes scanning the crowd. My pack. My responsibility. I take a deep breath, ready to address them.“Everyone,” I begin, my voice carrying over the gathered werewolves. “I know these are difficult times. I can sense your fear, your uncertainty. We’ve faced attacks, betrayals, and hardships. And I want to apologize. I’m sorry for the dangers we’ve faced, for the losses we’ve endured. We’re working tirelessly to ensure our pack’s safety.”As I speak, I notice their gazes shifting toward Dixie, who’s standing off to the side. I can feel her almost melt under their scrutiny. It's uncomfortable, but I can't let it distract me. Clearing my throat, I continue, “We’re taking eve
× Dixie ×No one told me that shifting is going to feel like all of my insides are burning.First, it is the singing. The chanting is unbearable. The sound seeping into my bones, fueling the pain, making it worse. I want to scream, to tell them to shut up, but I couldn’t find my voice.I move my gaze to Trix, Alvera, Ryder. They are standing there, watching, their faces mirroring that of anticipation and indifference.At this moment, I hated them all. Every single one of them. They are the reason I am here, suffering, feeling like my body is being torn apart from the inside.The pain is relentless, undyi
× Dixie דGive her time.”Alvera’s words echo in my mind again, a lifeline, something to hold onto in this sea of agony.Maybe she’s right. Maybe I just need more time. But how much more can I endure? How much longer before this pain finally breaks me?I think of Trix again, his words cutting deeper than any physical pain.She’s a weakling.Fuck him. Fuck all of this.I hate Trix. I hate this pack. I hate this curse.
× Dixie ×Panic…I try to focus, to think about how to unshift back to my human self. I concentrate, willing my body to change, but nothing happens. Panic begins to set in even worse.I’m stuck. I can’t control this new form, can’t find my way back.Then, I hear something, like a rustling in the bushes.My ears perk up, heart pounding. Fear grips me, making me freeze in place.What if it’s the same predator that killed the deer? What if it’s something worse?The rustling grows louder, closer. I brace myself, ready to fi