× Trix ×
We keep driving, but I can’t stop stealing glances at Dixie. She’s quiet, her arms are crossed, and she is staring out the window like she’s counting trees.
The whole car ride is heavy with the conversation we didn’t finish. I want to break the silence, to say something…anything..but I hold back.
Maybe now’s not the time. She’s still processing, and honestly, so am I.
By the time we reach the pack, I can feel the weight of everything settling back on my shoulders. The pack looks... off.
Like it's been running on autopilot while I was away. Geez, it's only been eight hours.
I scan around. The guards are there, but they seem less sharp. It’s subtle, but I can see it. The wolves are restless, even if they try to hide it. It&rsqu
× Trix ×Alvera turns away from the window, the look in her face says a lot. She’s chewing on something, I can feel it is something big. And then she says it, her voice low like she’s afraid the walls will hear.“It is actually not about what they want. It's what they have. They might have the Moon Tears.”I blink. My brain stalls for a split second. “Wait… what?”She gives me that look, half irritated, half dead serious kinda look.“The Nardoos, Trix. They might actually be hiding the Moon Tears.”I just stare at her, trying to piece that together.“Are you serious? How is that even possible? The Moon Tears… that's not something THEY should have. And now you’re saying—”“I&rs
× Trix ×She laughs.“Look,” I say, “you know I trust you, Alvera. But you’ve gotta admit, this is a big leap. We’re not dealing with a rogue pack here. The Nardoos are organized, they’re ruthless, and if they really do have the Moon Tears, we can’t just rush in.”“I’m not rushing in,” she says, her voice somehow softer now. “I’m planning. I wouldn’t have brought this to you if I wasn’t sure. But we need to act before they get too far ahead of us. Before they tip the balance.”I stare at her. She’s right about one thing; if the Nardoos are making moves, we can’t afford to wait. But this? It’s like walking into a storm blindfolded.I rub my temples, trying to shake the doubt staring at me.“Alvera
× Trix ×I take a deep breath, rubbing my hands over my face before I decide. I can’t keep Ryder in the dark anymore. Not with the way things are stacking up. At least he deserves to know. “Actually, there's something more Ryder, we need to talk,” I say, my tone more serious than usual.He turns, eyeing us with a raised brow. “Oh yeah? This about that thing you’ve been trying to keep hush-hush?”Alvera and I both pause dead in our motion, and she shoots me a glance like, What the hell? Ifeel my stomach twist for a second.“Uh, what?” I try to play it cool, but it’s obvious Ryder knows something. He leans back, arms behind his head like he’s got all the time in the world. “Yeah, man, I mean, I didn’t catch everything, but I overheard some of your chat back there. Something about the Nardoos and needing someone from the inside?” Alvera gasps, but it’s more playful than shocked. She punches him lightly on the shoulder, grinning. “Ryder, you sneaky little eavesdropper! You really hea
× Trix ×Alvera steps forward, pulling up the data on her tablet. She’s been waiting for this moment, I can tell. She’s got everything planned out to a T, and now it’s just about getting Ryder on board.“We need you to gather intel, get close to the Nardoos’ inner circle. They’ve got a few weak links in their chain of command, people who are a little too eager to prove themselves. Those are your targets. You get in, you get friendly, and you find out what they know about the Moon Tears. Anything that gives us leverage.”Ryder tilts his head, a slow grin forming. “So… charm my way in? Easy enough. You know I’ve got that covered.”Alvera narrows her eyes playfully. “Yes, Ryder, you’re very charming. But focus, okay? This isn’t some random mission. The Moon Tears are a big deal, and the Nardoos aren’t going to be careless with them. You need to tread caref
× Dixie ×Coming back to the pack feels like being dragged through old scars. The kind that itch under the skin, never fully healed.Everywhere I look, there’s some memory waiting to punch me in the gut. The training field, the old barn, hell, even the stupid flowers in the garden remind me of something cruel. I can’t escape it.It’s not fair that I’m stuck here, reliving this while everyone else moves on like it’s nothing. I’ve told myself that a hundred times. I should be stronger than this, but the past doesn’t let go so easily.And then there’s Trix. I mean, what is his deal?One minute he’s the guy who made my life hell, the next he’s acting all nice, soft even. It’s like he’s flipped some switch, and now we’re… talking. Like actual talking. No growling or snide remarks. And honestly? It scares the hell out of
× Trix ×I’m walking out of the sparring room, my body still reeling from the workout, and honestly, I’m just trying to clear my head. Everything has been too much lately, Alvera’s info on the Nardoos, Ryder, all this mess about bonds and destinies. I need a breather.But then, right there, bingo.My heart suddenly starts racing, and I swear it’s like some scene out of a cheesy movie. You know the one where the guy freezes in place because there she is, like a spotlight’s been turned on her.Dixie.She’s standing by a patch of wildflowers, staring at them like they’re the most interesting thing in the world.And the way the light hits her... Honestly, she looks so beautiful it’s almost unfair. Her hair catching the sun, the gentle curve of her lips as she’s lost in thought.I've
× Trix ×We sit here for a while and I breathe in, trying to steady myself, trying to act like just being this close to her doesn’t set every nerve in my body on fire.It’s strange, being this close to her, not saying anything but feeling like I should.I want to say something comforting, something to let her know that even though I’m usually an idiot, I’m here for her. But every time I look at her, my brain freezes.I mean, how did we even get here?Not that long ago, just seeing her in the hallway back in high school made me want to turn the other way.I remember the first time I saw her, full of fire, with no filter and no patience for anyone. And me? I hated her guts. Thought she was way too much, too loud, too stubborn.Now, look at us. Sitt
× Trix × “One minute we were… I don’t know… almost okay. And then the next minute, it was like the walls came crashing down again,” I say, shaking my head. “She wouldn’t even hear me out, Alvera.”I look across the desk at Alvera, who’s sitting there, arms crossed, looking at me with an expression that’s somewhere between sympathy and exasperation.Alvera leans back in her chair, sighing. “Trix, you need to understand that she’s been through a lot. And you’re a big part of that ‘lot.’” She pauses, giving me a pointed look. “She’s not just going to throw her arms open and welcome you in because you’ve suddenly decided to be decent. It doesn’t work like that.”“But I’m trying here, you know? I mean, I’m not saying I deserve a medal or anything, but… I’m making an effort. I don’t know what else she wants from me.”“Trix, you have to realize that it’s not about what you want, or what you think is enough. It’s about what she needs. And right now, she needs time. She needs to see that yo