× 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
× Ryker ×Unpopular opinion, but I think Trix is doing way too much. Like, ever since that girl Dixie strolled into his life, it’s been dramaaaa upon dramaaaa.And now that they’re married? Forget it. Drama x 2000. And the worst part? There’s literally nothing I can do to help him out when I see my best friend going through it. Absolutely nothing.I toss another shirt into my duffel bag, the frustration growing up inside me as I fold my black tactical pants and shove them in. I’ve got to head out soon, go play undercover spy and sneak into the Nardoos' territory to get us some intel. Fun, right? But, all I can think about is leaving Trix in this mess with her . The cruelest girl I’ve ever met.I mean, I’m no therapist, but anyone can see Dixie’s been tearing him up since day one. And Trix? He doesn’t care. Or at least he pretends not to.&nbs
× Trix דHas the Luna eaten?” I ask, trying to keep my voice even. The maid before me hesitates, her eyes flickering toward me, before she shakes her head.I'm standing in the hallway, trying not to look out of place as I talk to one of Dixie's maids. She keeps her head down, respectful, as if she knows there's tension in the air, which, fair enough, there is.“She won’t come out of her room, Alpha. Refused everything we brought up,” she murmurs.I nod, even though inside, it feels like someone’s twisting a knife.It shouldn't be bothering me this much. It really shouldn’t. I tell the maid to send up the food anyway.Maybe she'll get hungry enough and eat something later.“Just leave it by her door,” I add.She bows and leaves, and I'm left
× Trix ×I hear a loud cry and I instantly figure it's Dixie.My heart slams in my chest, like it just forgot how to beat. For a split second, I freeze, my mind spinning out of control.Then I’m start running, the adrenaline quickly kicking in, and I head towards her. I don’t even think, just pure instinct.When I reach her, she’s sitting on the ground, holding her leg, her face and body in pain.I check around for what it is and I see a dark spot on her skin. No way.Was she bitten?Before I can even say anything, she looks up at me, frowning.“Before you say ‘I told you so,’” she hisses, her voice strained, “tell me this motherf ing snake isn’t poisonous.”My stomach drops, but I kneel down beside her, examining the wound.&n
FLASHBACK × Dixie × ~ 5 hours ago- I walk into this room, and the air just shifts . It's like stepping into another world entirely…everything feels softer, calmer. Sort of.I can’t believe I haven’t found this place before, but then again and on a second thought, I’ve barely explored a quarter of the rooms in this massive building, let alone the entire pack territory. I've been so caught up in everything, with Trix, with... well, everything , that I’ve hardly taken a second to just BE .My eyes sweep across the room, taking in the details. It’s elegant, sure, but not in that over-the-top, "look at me" way. It’s very thoughtful too. Peaceful. The colors, the way the light shines in through the tall windows, the little trinkets and pieces of art placed just so they all seem to whisper, "Stay here. And rest."And then, I notice the real magic. The art. Handmade, and a closer look at it and it's obvious that it's made of paper . I blink, leaning closer to get a better look, my mind
× Dixie דWow,” I murmur, trying to process it all. “That explains a lot, actually.”He chuckles, but there’s no humor in it. “Yeah?”“Yeah,” I say softly. “I mean, even back in high school... you were always so upfront. So... intense . I used to think it was just because you were, I don’t know, an arrogant jerk.”He snorts. “I probably was.”I shake my head, a small smile tugging at my lips. “No, I get it now. You weren’t just being a jerk. You were scared. Scared of what people would think if they didn’t see you as... perfect.”Trix doesn’t say anything, but I can see the way his jaw tightens. Like I hit too close to home, but I’m not wrong.“I never wanted to be perfect,” he says after a while. “I just didn’t want to be a failure.”Real. Because, honestly, I get it. That fear of failure? That constant pressure to be more than what you are? Yeah, I know that feeling all too well.“I feel that,” I say quietly. “I’ve always felt like I was never enough. Like no matter what I did, it
× Dixie ×I smile.Trix leans forward. “I get that. But you don’t have to give up your dreams just because things got complicated. You’re stronger than you think, and honestly? If anyone can juggle being Luna and killing it in the fashion world, it’s you.”I look down, chewing on the inside of my cheek again. “You really think so?”He smiles slightly, nodding. “Yeah. I do.”For a moment, I don’t know what to say.I glance around the room again, the peaceful atmosphere wrapping around me like a blanket.“I wish my life could just be this simple,” I say, almost to myself. “Just... peaceful, quiet. No drama, no supernatural craziness. Just... me.”“Maybe it can be. Maybe you just need to figure out how to balance it.”I look over at Trix, narrowing my eyes slig
× Trix ×I move a little closer to her, not enough to make it weird, but close enough to really look at her. I mean, really look at her.Her hazel brown eyes are staring at the mural, and the way the light hits them makes them even more intense. They shift between shades of brown, gold, something I can’t even name and I realize I’ve never actually taken the time to notice her like this.Her jawline is sharp but soft at the same time, fitting weirdly into her face, but in a way that works.It’s like a puzzle piece you didn’t think would fit, but then it clicks into place, and suddenly everything makes sense.She turns to me, probably sensing me staring, and raises an eyebrow.“What?” she says, “You planning on sketching me now or something?”I smirk, shaking my
× Trix דDixie, what’s with that pouty face?” Gran Gran’s voice comes from the hallway, teasing but warm. She steps into the room with that no-nonsense energy she always has. The kind that says she’s got a hundred things going on, but none of them are more important than getting to the heart of whatever’s happening here.“Grandma, it's lovely to see you.” I say, greeting her. “Trix, good to see you sweetheart. I see you're getting handsome by the day.” She says and she winks. Oh my, sometimes I forget how goofy this lady is. I turn to look at Dixie, my heart pounding a little harder now. Dixie’s pouting? She’s always got a way of hiding her feelings, but I can see it now, the tightness around her mouth, the uncertainty in her eyes. But before I can even process it, Gran Gran just waves it off.“Never mind. That’s not why I came down here.” She pauses, her eyes shifting between the two of us, a knowing glint in them. Dixie glances at me, she's curious. The air between us feels he
× Dixie ×Finally, the smell of home. There's this warmth that wraos itself around me as I step into the familiar wals of my Gran Gran’s house. I practically green up here. It’s small but cozy, with little sunlight streaming through the windows and that earthy scent I’ve missed for months. For the first time in what feels like forever, I can breathe easy. No more battles, no more scheming, no more bloodshed. Just the quiet comfort of being back where I belong.I slip my shoes off at the door and head straight to the kitchen, the warmth of the house seeping into my bones. There’s a kettle of tea waiting on the stove, just the way it usually is.I fill a cup and sit at the small wooden table by the window, staring out at the small garden where Gran Gran used to tend to the flowers. The petals are still in bloom, a bright splash of color in the morning light. I take a sip from the cup, the warm liquid soothing my nerves, but no matter how many deep breaths I take, there’s this tension
× Alvera ×It’s a new day, and for once, it actually feels like one. I lean against the wooden post of the meeting hall, watching Trix speak with one of the elders. The elder nods at something Trix says, his stern face breaking into what looks like approval. Approval from him is a miracle in itself, and I can’t help the small smile tugging at my lips. I’ve known Trix for a long time, and seeing this moment of quiet acceptance fills me with a sense of peace I didn’t know I needed. Things are finally falling into place. That doesn’t mean the wounds have healed but the scars are starting to feel like something we can bear. I’m still struggling with my own demons, the battles we fought left marks that don’t just disappear overnight. But today? Today feels lighter. I glance over at Dixie, who’s standing a few feet away, watching Trix with a soft expression. She looks tired, but there’s a warmth in her stare that wasn’t there before. The pack’s whispers about her have quieted, and th
× Trix ×The entire pack compound is filled with killings, and shootings a d fights. I can smell blood and sweat all around me. But I can also see dead bodies on the floor. It's painful but we're not done yet. I can even feel my own exhaustion scratching at the edges of my resolve, but there’s no room for weakness here. Not now. Not when everything depends on this moment. I look around quickly, taking in the scene. Dixie is taking the pack members to safety. Alvera ks fighting both Salcom and Hermes, she looks mad. And her injuries are supposed to slow her down but she isn't giving up.Just then, Blade Alpha fires at me again, his claws aiming for my throat. I barely sidestep in time, the whoosh of his attack grazing my ear. My wolf howls within me, urging me to finish this, to end him. But how? He’s too strong, his skin is thick to everything we’ve thrown at him so far. Every cut we’ve made heals almost instantly, as if mocking us. “Silver,” a voice whispers in the back of my m
× Dixie ×Alvera steps out of the healer’s hut, and for a moment, time seems to pause. “Alvera, no!” I shout, running to her. She waves me off. “I’m fine. Focus on the fight.” I want to argue, but there’s no time. She looks drained, her steps slower than usual. She’s in her battle suit, the dark leather clinging to her like a second skin, and her weapons gleam under the faint light breaking through the smoke-filled air. She looks like someone who crawled straight out of the flames, and trust me, that’s not just a metaphor. Trix notices her too, his head snapping toward her like he’d been holding his breath this whole time. He frowns, his lips moving slightly as if he’s about to tell her to sit back down, but then he stops himself. It’s not his call, and he knows better than to underestimate Alvera’s resolve. "Let’s finish this," she says, her voice a little hoarse but steady. Trix nods, his gaze hardening as he shifts his focus back to Salcom, who’s standing in the middle
× Dixie ×A gunman spots us, his eyes narrowing as he raises his rifle. Trix moves faster than I can blink, grabbing the guy’s arm and twisting it until I hear a sickening crack.Satisfying.The gun falls to the ground, and Trix kicks it away before slamming the guy into the dirt. I don’t have time to be impressed, because another gunman is already running toward us. “Behind you!” I shout. Trix turns just in time to dodge a swing from the guy’s rifle. He grabs the weapon, yanking it out of the man’s hands before delivering a swift punch to his jaw. The guy goes down, and Trix turns to me, his expression grim. “Are you okay?” he asks. I nod, even though my legs feel like they’re about to give out. The sound of a wolf’s howl pierces the air, and I glance over to see one of the Nardoos locked in a vicious fight with a pack guard. It’s a horrifying sight, but I can’t look away. I see Salcom retreating, and his stupid laughter fades as he steps away from the whole drama.
× Dixie ×Why does these things keep happening? It's been one chaotic event to another. One battle to the next and it's tiring.Trix steps closer to me, his hand instinctively reaching out, but I can’t take my eyes off the Bamboo Alpha. His chest rises. It’s slight, barely noticeable, but it’s enough to send a jolt through me. I grab Trix’s arm, my fingers digging into his sleeve as we watch in stunned silence. The Bamboo Alpha’s eyes snap open. I gasp, scrambling back instinctively, as my heart begins to race. His eyes are glowing, a piercing silver light that seems to cut through the darkness around us. His chest heaves again, this time more pronounced, as if he’s taking his first breath in centuries. “Trix…” I whisper, my voice trembling. “I see it,” he mutters, his tone laced with awe and unease. The Alpha’s gaze shifts slowly, locking onto me. It’s like being pinned under a spotlight, every nerve in my body screaming to look away, but I can’t. His expression is unr
× Trix ×The bamboo forest feels colder than usual, even under the faint glow of the moon. Shadows stretch long and thin across the ground, their dark parts weaving between the trees like whispers of things better left unsaid. I shouldn’t feel this uneasy here, not in the heart of my own territory, not in the presence of Dixie, but tonight, nothing feels right. Dixie walks ahead of me, her grip on the bottle of Moon’s Tears is so tight that her knuckles turn white, her other hand trembling at her side. She hasn’t said much since we left Alvera in the healer’s care, and I haven’t pushed her. This moment, this plan, feels too fragile to poke at. One wrong word might shatter whatever thread of hope she’s holding onto. “Are you sure about this?” I finally ask, my voice low as the bamboo alpha’s tomb comes into view. The ancient structure is now overgrown with moss and vines, with its stones worn smooth by centuries of wind, sun and rain. It doesn’t look like much… it's just like a fo
× Trix × My heart feels like it’s been torn straight out of my chest, and I’m running on pure adrenaline. And I'm fueled by a grief so massive I can barely keep it from swallowing me whole. Ryder’s face keeps flashing before my eyes, the bloody mess of him, the way his voice cracked when he told me to leave, and that final, broken smile he wore like some kind of shield. I can still hear him saying, “I’ll be fine,” but we both knew he was lying. My lungs burn, and every step feels like I'm trying to outrun a storm that’s already caught up with me. The forest blurs around us, dark and unfamiliar, shadows twisting like they want to pull us back. Ican hear Dixie’s ragged breaths beside me, and Alvera’s limping footsteps not far behind. Every instinct I have tells me to stop. To turn back for Ryder, to fight until there’s nothing left, but I can’t. We’re alive. For now. And as much as it kills me to admit it, that’s what Ryder wanted. Leaving him wasn’t part of the plan. None o