× 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
× Trix ×It happens so fast. Watching Dixie scream in pain pierces a side of me I never know exists. Without wasting a second, I run to her side just in time to catch her as she falls unconscious. Cradling her in my arms, a familiar fear creeps into my body.The fear of loss.I don’t want to lose her. At least, not like this. I can hear the commotion around me, but it all dulls as all my attention is on the girl in my arms.“Dixie! Dixie, wake up!” No matter how many times I shake her, she doesn’t respond.“What just happened?” I hear someone say from a distance.“She fell. Y’know how fragile humans are,” another voice says.“How did we accept a weakling for a Luna?” one of them laments. Hearing these voices from a distance does nothing but turn my fear into anger. “Silence!” I roar, and the entire room becomes silent. How can they say despicable things like that to a person in pain? From what I noticed earlier, it was like she was tortured immediately after the so-called gift was ope
× Trix דI kinda understand why you'd hide that, but I can't believe there's a girl who didn't fall for the great o' Trix,” Eva teases me.“Come on, that's a good thing. I don't want to make another woman obsessed over me like you already are,” I throw back at her. “Hey, are you sure what you did is working?” I ask, noticing how the hand with the rune is swelling. “Check that arm, Eva. I think it's swelling up.”We stand beside the bed where Dixie lies while we talk. Eva goes over to the other side of the bed, where Dixie's palm bears the rune.“Ouch!” As soon as Eva touches Dixie's arm, she pulls back, yelping in pain.“What's wrong, Eva?”“She’s burning up, like literally burning up. Oh goddess, help us. Her condition is beyond drinking from the blessed waters,&
× Dixie ×When I fall unconscious, I don’t just fall into the dark abyss of sleep; I fall into a different world as well. At first, I see myself in a world filled with darkness. Nothing but color black.Slowly, the darkness fades, starting from the sky. The dark empty horizon then forms into tangible things like trees, mountains, and a large bright sky filled with clouds and birds flying from a distance. Right before me is a gentle water stream falling from a height a little above mine.I look down to see that my legs are deep in a stream, with continuously flowing water reaching my knees. Though the water is cool, every part of my body feels warm. In fact, I’m sweating.How strange.Walking out of the river, I notice how the world is far different from modern times. It’s like I’ve fallen into a forest. The scent of wet ground after a downpour
× Dixie דThey fight many battles together to protect the pack. The Nardoos shiver in fear when they hear their names, and the rogues avoid them at all costs. They hide in caves to stay alive and avoid ending up dead at either Wilshire or Delreau's hands,” the man continues the story.“Together, they usher in an era of peace,” his voice is deep and smooth as velvet. “But that peace is short-lived when Delreau breaks a sacred law.”“What does he do?” I ask, hoping to hear something cruel like killing a fellow werewolf of the pack or destroying the temple of the moon goddess, but that’s not it. The so-called crime is something harmless.“He mates with a human,” the man says.“What? Is that it? Is that the crime that’s so vile?” I ask incredulously.“At that ti
× Trix × Hermes is completely distracted by his women. Scratch that, he is distracted by the flock of giggling, preening admirers that cling to his every word. It’s borderline pathetic, but he’s basking in the attention like a king on his throne. His weaknesses are so blatantly obvious, and it’s almost laughable. If this is what keeps him complacent and entertained, I’m tempted to encourage it. Still, watching their conversation feels like some kind of medieval torture. Each giggle, each flirtatious touch to his arm, drags this interaction out longer than it has any right to be.I try to ignore it, keeping my posture composed and my expression schooled into something that isn’t pure irritation. But let’s be real: these women have nothing on Dixie. Their attempts at flirtation are so shallow, so painfully transparent, it makes me want to roll my eyes all the way into the next century. It’s like watching a bad play, one that I’m forced to endure even though I didn’t buy a ticket.He
× Dixie × Trix is over there, standing face-to-face with the man who’s made his life, and by extension, my life miserable. The tension between them is so thick you could cut it with a knife. It’s honestly not the most pleasant sight to behold, and I have to admit, I’m feeling all kinds of things watching it unfold. Not that I care about Trix’s pack or anything. Because I don’t . Or, well, maybe I do. Okay, fine, I care about Trix now, and that’s new and weird and ugh , kind of sweet. There, I said it.The way he carries himself, all confident and commanding, even in front of the enemy, sends shivers down my spine. And not just because of the impending drama. The man has a presence that demands attention, and even though I’d never admit it to his face (his ego is big enough, thank you very much), it’s kind of… well, it’s kind of hot . The way his jaw clenches, the way his shoulders stay square and steady, it’s enough to make anyone a little weak in the knees. Not me, obviously. I’m
× Trix ×After what feels like an eternity of trying really hard not to gawk at Dix, I finally spot the Nardoos Alpha across the room. And I mean, really, it’s a feat of self-control because Dix has been driving me to the brink of madness.Every time I glance down at her, the way she bites her lip when she’s trying not to laugh, or how her eyes light up when she’s teasing me about my lack of dance skills, it’s almost too much. Almost. But this isn’t the time to be a lovesick idiot. Nope. We’re here for a reason, and that reason just stepped into view. The Nardoos Alpha is hard to miss.He’s got that commanding presence that makes everyone around him take a step back. His shoulders are broad, his posture rigid, and there’s this air of arrogance around him that I can sense even from a distance. The way the crowd seems to part for him, it’s like he’s a king i
× Dixie ×I have to admit, it's actually super duper nice to know that Trix is all over me like a little lost puppy.And not just any puppy, I’m talking a full-on, tail-wagging, “I’d follow you anywhere” kind of puppy. Like... Bambi level cute. Who would’ve thought that the big, bad Alpha with that intimidating vibe would be this all in on me? It’s wild, honestly.If someone had told me a few months ago that Trix would be this way with me, I would’ve called them crazy and laughed in their face. But here we are, and I can’t even pretend like I’m not enjoying every second of it.And that kiss? Oh god, that kiss. It felt like the world paused for a moment. Like all of time stopped so I could just... feel . I still can’t get over it.My heart’s still doing flip-flops, and yeah, I know, I’m trying to be cool about it, but damn , I’m
× Trix×We pull away from each other, breathless, but the air between us still crackling with that electric pull. My heart’s hammering in my chest, and for a second, I can’t think straight.It feels like the whole damn room is spinning around us, like nothing else matters except the two of us standing here, tangled in this moment.I glance at her, and she looks back at me, those eyes wide and intense, like she’s feeling it too. There’s this... connection . Something deeper than words, something more than just the heat between us. It’s us. And in this split second, I know. I know what I want. What I’ve always wanted.I take a deep breath, and I’m suddenly aware of the way my hand fits against hers. Her palm, her fingers, they hold me like she knows exactly what I need without me having to say it. The bond between us is solid, unshakeable.
× Trix ×I can’t believe I’m even in this room. This ballroom. This den of wolves who have caused my pack nothing but pain, humiliation, and loss.All this time, all this effort to keep my pack together, and now I’m dancing in the middle of it, in the middle of them, with my mate by my side, pretending like this is some fairy tale. Like none of it matters.But it matters.Dixie must sense the shift in my mood because she’s quiet now. She stops swaying, her hand still in mine, but she’s not pulling away. She’s waiting for me. I can feel the weight of her eyes on me, but I can’t focus on her. Not now. Not with the Nardoos Alpha still missing from this room.“What’s wrong?” she asks, her voice low, almost too calm. She’s used to me being distant, to my silence, but this is different. I don’t want her to know the truth, do
× Trix ×The room is alive with chatter and laughter, the kind of buzzing energy that comes with a hundred people trying to look effortlessly fabulous at the same time.But then, the music changes to a soft, slow melody begins to spill out from the speakers, the kind that makes everything feel like it’s in slow motion.Couples begin to fill the dance floor, and I can’t help but feel a tug in my chest. It’s like a pull that’s drawing me in, and I know exactly who I want to be with.I glance over at Dixie, who’s standing beside me, her gaze scanning the crowd, her lips curled in a half-smirk as if she’s silently judging everyone on the floor.I can’t wait anymore.“Dance with me,” I say, the words tumbling out before I can stop them. My voice isn’t demanding, but there’s a soft co
× Trix ×We’re in the car, cruising down the long, rough road that leads to the Nardoos Ball. I'm starting to get nervous and no matter how much I try to shake it off it's not going.Outside, shadows of trees blur by, and the silence in the car is interrupted only by the soft hum of the engine and the occasional crunch of gravel beneath the tires.I force myself to focus on the road ahead, trying to keep my breathing steady. It’s not like I’m really nervous, I’m an Alpha, after all, but something about tonight feels monumental, and it’s hard not to feel the pressure.I can’t afford to mess this up, not for the pack, not for Ryder, not for Dixie... especially not for Dixie.A light touch on my arm snaps me out of my scattered thoughts.Dixie is staring at me, her
× Trix ×I can’t help it. The laugh that bursts out of me is loud and I know it's echoing around the room. I laugh so hard I have to press a hand to my chest, trying to catch my breath.Dixie watches me with mock offense, but there’s a hint of something softer in her eyes, like she enjoys making me laugh this much.“Okay, okay,” I manage, wiping a tear from the corner of my eye. “As... as unforgettable as that look is, you won’t be needing it.” I stand and walk over to the small intercom system on my table, pressing the button that connects to the main hall.A few moments later, there’s a polite knock at the door, and a maid walks in.Her name is Laramie, and she’s young but experienced, always carrying herself with the quiet confidence that comes from working in a house full of chaos.