× Ryder ×
It has always been like this.
One headache or the other.
I watch as Alvera snaps at Dixie and I, dishing out orders to us both.
Alvera. She has a knack for dealing with situations like this, diffusing and managing tensions with a few well-placed words.
But Dixie’s attitude always puts me on edge. I’ve been skeptical about her from the start, questioning her every move, her every word. There’s something about her that just doesn’t sit right with me.
But today? Today is different.
Dixie had the nerve to call me Tr
× Dixie דYou must be out of your mind!” I spat at the guard standing in front of me. He isn’t the real problem here, but he’s the one who gets to bear the brunt of my frustration.“Do you even understand what you’re saying?”“Luna, please calm down. Alpha Trix is attending to important matters. He will speak with you as soon as he is available.” the guard said, pleading.I throw my hands up in exasperation. “Important matters? And what am I, chopped liver? This is unbelievable. Do you have any idea how frustrating this is?”“Luna, I’m just fol
× Trix דWhat’s that supposed to mean?” she demands, crossing her arms akimbo. “You think you can just control everything with a look, with a word?”“Maybe I can,” I reply, her words getting on my nerves. “Maybe I already do.”I see her clench her fists, trying to keep her emotions in check. Fvck that.“You think you’re so powerful, don’t you? But you’re just a bully. A bully with a fancy title,” she says.Her words frustrate me. I’ve already had enough of that from my recent outing, the pressure of the council’s u
~ Flashback ~~ 3 days ago ~× Trix ×I step off the plane into the cool California night, my senses immediately adjusting to the change in atmosphere.One interesting thing is, my human form clicks into places effortlessly, a skill I’ve perfected over years.The hostess' overly bright smile greets me as I exit, her teeth practically shining in the artificial light. It's the kind of smile you see in a toothpaste commercial, all shine and no substance. I nod politely, not in the mood for small talk, and make my way through the airport.Greg, my hired PA, is waiting by the curb in a sleek
× Dixie ×× Present דI'd rather die than respect you!” My legs are too tired from the torture, but I manage to stand up from the floor.“Your impudent behavior is to be dealt with.” Trix says, almost shouting.“Impudent behavior? Is that what you’re calling it now?” I spit out.He steps closer, his presence hovering over me. “Yes. You think you can disrupt meetings, insult me, and get away with it?”I don’t bother to look up at him. I won’t give him the satisfaction of seeing me like this. All wret
× Dixie × The whole situation looks unreal. I mean, not that Alvera and I have the best relationship or anything, but this sudden change in her behavior is really throwing me off.I keep stealing glances at her, trying to read her expression, but she’s giving nothing away. It’s like she’s put up this wall, and I have no idea why. What’s changed? What’s she hiding? No idea.My mind keeps circling back to the same question– what could possibly be going wrong? I’m tired of being kept in the dark, tired of all the secrets and lies. And now, with Alvera acting like she’s got some top-secret mission, it’s making me even more paranoid.Eventually, I can’t take it anymore. “Alvera, seriously. What’s going on? You’re acting like some detective on a mission. Why won’t you talk to me?”She sighs and not facing me, says, “Dixie, there are things you don’t understand. Things that are better left unsaid for now.”I roll my eyes, frustration boiling over. “Oh, great. More cryptic nonsense. Thanks
× Trix ×If I'm being honest with you I'm definitely not happy about this arrangement. I hate the fact that I'm forced to spend time with Dixie.It's not just annoying, it makes my heart ache in ways I'm not even sure are good or bad. Being near her is like a twisted mix of frustration and something I can't quite put my finger on.As I wait by the door opposite her's, I see Dixie coming out of the room. Despite everything, I can't help but notice her features.Her damp hair clings to her face, framing those green eyes. She's wearing a loose top and baggy jeans, looking like she’s ready for anything but a hospital visit.
× Trix ×As I leave the scene of that chaos, the woman's words still playing in my mind, something about her nagging voice reminds me of Dixie. It takes me back to a time I’d rather forget, a time in school when I first truly noticed her.It was at the cafeteria, the palace of all high school drama. I was part of the coolest gang, which consisted of Ryder and I, of course. Me and Ryder were inseparable, always together, always making a scene. We were the guys everyone wanted to be, the ones everyone feared. It was a typical day, loud and chaotic, and I was searching for a place to sit.There was this spot, right in the middle where everyone could see us. It was perfect for Ryder to spot me when he arrived. But there she was, Dixie, sitting there like she owned the place. I walked up to her, expecting her to just get up and move. After all, who would want to pick a fight with me?“Hey, you’re in my seat,” I said, my voice dripping with the kind of arrogance only a teenage bad boy coul
× Trix ×Peaceful.That's exactly how the house has been for the past nine days. No drama, no chaos. Just Ryder, Alvera and the elders breathing down on my neck.Like right now.I sit back in my chair, staring at the ceiling, lost in wherever. The past week has been oddly calm, almost too calm. No Dixie barging in with her smart mouth, no unexpected disasters…Ryder shoots me a knowing look, breaking through my thoughts."What's going on in that head of yours, Trix?"I sigh, rubbing my temples. "It's been weird, man. Too quiet. It’
× 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