× Dixie ×This isolation room is a nightmare. It reeks of new materials, that awful almost-sterile smell that makes my stomach turn and churn.The walls around me are padded, like I’m some kind of dangerous lunatic who might hurt myself if given the chance. Even the doors are padded, so thick that I could scream my lungs out and no one would hear me.I keep pacing back and forth, my fists clenched so tight my knuckles turn white. This place is a prison, very plain and simple. And I feel the anger boiling inside me, it's the only thing that can happen to me, given my state of helplessness.How dare Trix? How dare any of them think they can just lock me up like this? Like I’m some kind of
× Trix ×I'm in my office, trying to get through a stack of paperwork that seems to have doubled overnight. Gosh, it's tiring being having so many businesses as a human and taking care of a pack as a wolf.My mind keeps drifting back to the council meeting, to Dixie, to everything that's been going wrong lately. I rub my temples, feeling the stress up my muscles.Just then, Ryder walks in with a parcel in his hands. I’m relieved to see him. I had requested some documents earlier, and maybe this would finally take my mind off things.“Hey, Ryder. You look like you’ve seen a ghost. What’s wrong, dude?” I say, looking up.Ryder doesn’t answer imm
× Trix ×The compound of their house has given off the vibe that something is off. There is this gloomy shadow over the area and it is understandable, given their morning situation.I scanned the area for the girl and Ryder spotted her. She’s sitting on the porch, her face is masked with grief. Seeing her like this makes my heart ache even more, the pain is blending with the physical discomfort I’m already feeling.“Hey, I’m so sorry about your brother. We’re doing everything we can to find out who did this.”I say softly, trying to keep my voice steady.She looks up at me, her eyes red from crying. “Thank you, Al…alpha. It’s just... it’s so hard. He was all I hadddd (sniffs)...”
× Dixie × The food they brought me is already cold. Like, seriously? They couldn't even bring it on time. And the guards, with the way they looked at me, it’s like they were delivering scraps to a criminal. It’s humiliating. I don’t belong here. I sit on the floor, my knees pulled up to my chest, hot tears streaming down my face. I hate crying, but I can't help it. It feels like the whole world is against me, and no one cares. I just want to be free, to feel like myself again.Suddenly, the door creaks open. I quickly wipe my tears and look up, low-key expecting another guard or something worse. Instead, it’s Jennie. My heart skips a beat. Where has she been all this time?She disappears into thin air very often than you can imagine and reappears with that same energy. It is weird. But it feels good to see her.“Jennie?” I whisper, my voice hoarse from all the yelling earlier.“Luna!” she rushes over, her face full of concern. “What the hell happened? Why are you in here?”I shake
× Dixie דIt is,” Jennie agrees to what I said, her eyes filled with empathy. “And it’s not fair. But you’re not alone, like I said before. You’ve got me, and there are others in the pack who care about you, too.”I look at her skeptically. “Sometimes it feels like everyone’s just waiting for me to screw up again. Like they’re expecting me to fail.”Jennie shakes her head. “That’s not true. People are just...scared. They’ve been through a lot, and they’re looking for someone to blame. But that doesn’t mean they don’t care.”“Maybe,” I mutter, not entirely convinced. “But it
× Dixie ד...I promise, the day will come that you'll come yourself to ask me to explain it all to you but it's not today.” My grandma's words replay in my head…I hadn’t understood what she meant back then. Of course, I wanted answers, hell, I wanted them more than anything. But I couldn’t stand the thought of Trix being in our house that day, invading what little peace I had left.Now, though? Now I’d give anything to have those explanations. To know what she was trying to tell me. Maybe it would make all this make sense.As I lay there, staring at the ceiling, rolling my hair with my fingers, my mind racing, I hear it. A soft crack. The kind of s
× Dixie ×The pain hits me like a sledgehammer, slicing through my chest. I grap the edge of my desk as my knuckles are turning white, and I try to keep from doubling over. Damn it. Not again. My wolf stirs inside me, restless and agitated, like he's clawing at my insides trying to break free like he has been doing all week.The room spins around for a second, and I squeeze my eyes shut, gritting my teeth as I ride with this wave of agony. My breathing comes out stifled, and just when I think I’ve got it under control, another sharp pain twists in my gut, making me bite back a groan. Instinctively , I slam my fist down on the desk, trying to focus, trying to keep it together, but it’s like there’s this gnawing ache that just won’t quit.Suddenly, the door creaks open, and I hear the heavy footsteps of one of the guards. Of course, the guy decides to come in at the worst possible moment.“Alpha?” His voice is cautious, like he’s walking on eggshells. He’s probably seen the look on my
*Trix*She gives me a small, encouraging smile. “That’s all I’m asking. And remember, you don’t have to do this alone. Lean on your people when you need to. We’ve got your back, Trix, whether you like it or not.”I manage a faint smile at that. “Yeah, yeah. I’ll keep that in mind.”Alvera turns to leave but pauses at the door. “Oh, and one more thing, don’t go in there with that ‘I’m the Alpha, do what I say’ attitude. She’s already on edge. If you want any chance of getting through to her, maybe try being... I don’t know, a little less you.”I chuckle despite myself. “I’ll take that under advisement.”I know I have to deal with this, but the thought of facing Dixie, of confronting everything that’s been left unsaid between us… it’s enough to make me want to punch something.Now, the only question is: how the hell do I even start?I stare at the door for a solid minute as Alvera leaves, every part of me screaming not to go through with this.I’m supposed to be the Alpha, strong, decis