× Dixie × I stay lying on my bed, staring at the ceiling, feeling that familiar weight of boredom settle over me. Another day stuck in this house, in this territory where everyone looks at me like I don’t belong. Which, like, okay, maybe I don’t. But they don’t have to make it so obvious. It’s like they all think I’m some fragile outsider who can’t handle the fact that I’m human and not a werewolf like them. Honestly, I couldn’t care less about what they think.But still… it doesn’t exactly make me want to, you know, mingle.I roll onto my side, grabbing my phone, but the signal here is trash, so I can’t even doomscroll through my socials like a normal person. Ugh. This place sucks. It’s like being in the middle of nowhere with wolves judging you and no Wi-Fi. Fantastic. If I had known it was gonna be like this, I might’ve thought twice about agreeing to stay. And yet, it’s not all bad. Somehow,bsomehow this place has become bearable. Or, okay, maybe just a little less miserable
× Dixie ×He seems shock. “Yeah, well, I figured I’d need the real thing. Selfies don’t do you justice.” He says it so casually, but my heart skips a beat. I roll my eyes, trying to keep the conversation where I feel safe. In the land of sarcasm. “Please, spare me the cheesy compliments. You’ve been hanging around the elders too much.”“Maybe. But they’re not wrong.”I laugh, mostly because I don’t know what else to do. “Okay, Romeo, what’s really going on? You’re acting… weird.”He leans back, looking up at the ceiling, letting out a long breath. “I don’t know. I guess… I’ve just been thinking a lot.”“Oh, wow. Trix thinking? Should I call the news?” I tease. He glances at me, and there’s this moment where our eyes meet and everything feels too serious, too real. Then, as if on cue, he snaps back into sarcasm mode, and I’m grateful. “Ha ha, very funny. Don’t break your leg patting yourself on the back for that one.”I snort. “It wasn’t that great, honestly. But points for delive
× Dixie × I’m staring at my food, and it’s staring back like it’s got something to say. While my fork is just hovering there, like it’s unsure too. I poke at the food a little, trying to get myself to actually eat, but my brain has apparently decided it’s snack time for thoughts, not actual food.And those thoughts? Yeah, they’re all about him. Trix. With that ridiculously intense gaze, the way his voice gets all low and serious when he’s focused, and… ugh, why am I doing this to myself? He’s cocky, a little frustrating, and yet somehow, I can’t get him out of my head. What is wrong with me?I shove a forkful of food into my mouth, hoping it’ll knock some sense into me, but all it does is sit there while I chew... and think. I can feel his presence even when he’s not here, like some permanent shadow, lurking in my thoughts. I swear, it’s like he installed himself in my head, rent-free, and now he’s just kicking back, smirking.A sigh escapes me, and I’m barely even aware I’m rolli
× Trix × I can't get her out of my head. It’s like she’s taking up all the space in my mind, and it’s driving me crazy. So, yeah, I summoned her. What else was I supposed to do? Sit here and pretend like she isn’t all I’ve been thinking about since that whole venom incident? Not a chance.But now she's standing here, looking at me with those sharp, curious eyes, asking me, basically demanding to know if I care. Like, really care. And I get it, she needs to hear it. But the words? They’re stuck in my throat. How do I even explain this mess of feelings, this ridiculous urge I’ve had all day to make sure she’s okay, to protect her? To tell her that if anything happened to her, I’d probably lose it?I take a breath, trying to figure out how to get the words out without sounding like a total idiot. But then she’s just standing there, waiting, with that damn smirk like she already knows what’s coming. She always makes me feel like I’m on the edge of something, like she’s daring me to s
× Dixie ×I pull my hair up into a messy bun, adjusting my gloves, and take a deep breath as I step into the sparring room. This overly big space used as a sparring room, which I feel is a waste of space. The usual scent of sweat and mats fills the air, not exactly pleasant, but familiar. Normally, we’d all be outside, sparring under the open sky. But since Ryder decided to disappear on whatever “important” mission he’s got going on, we’re stuck in here with the co-masters. They’re alright, I guess. But it’s just… not the same.Plus, there’s the added bonus of the squad of “pain-in-the-ass princesses”, as I’ve taken to calling them. They’re already here, warming up and gossiping loudly in the corner, making way more noise than any workout should. I try to ignore the fact that they’re glaring in my direction, whispering like I can’t practically hear them. I’m honestly grateful Ryder’s not around to scream at me for every tiny mistake, but dealing with these girls? It’s like choosing
× Dixie × They both look scandalized, and I almost expect them to start gasping like I’ve just told them the juiciest piece of gossip. Instead, Kaia-Kayla’s face goes all red, and Miranda just glares at me, like she’s thinking of a comeback but can’t find one. Ha. Score one for Team Dixie.“Dixie!” Zara calls out again, her tone sharper this time. “Less talking, more kicking!”Ugh. Right. Training. I quickly turn back to the dummy, feeling my face heat up. Great. Now I look like the troublemaker, while the girls behind me try to hold back their smug little smirks.I go for a roundhouse kick, putting a little extra power into it, just for the satisfaction of releasing some pent-up irritation. But my timing’s off, and I end up stumbling, which, of course, earns me another giggle from the peanut gallery.“Nice form,” Kaia-Kayla snickers, all fake-sweet.I spin around and give them my best glare. “You know, you two should try stand-up comedy. Except you’d have to be funny first.”They b
× Dixie × I laugh, and I realize how good it feels. It’s like Jennie’s just washed away the lingering snark from the girl squad, and for the first time in forever, I actually feel… happy? Relaxed? Like maybe everything isn’t a total disaster.“Seriously, Luna,” she says, putting a hand on my shoulder and looking at me with these big, concerned eyes. “Are you okay? I heard a little about what happened, and… well, I was worried.”I feel my throat tighten a bit, but I just nod, smiling like it’s nothing. “Yeah, I’m good. I mean, kind of. It’s complicated.” Understatement of the century. “Let’s just say it’s been a trip, but seeing you right now is making it all a little less complicated.”We’re interrupted by another exaggerated sigh from Kaia-Kayla or whatever. I roll my eyes, ready to throw one last snarky line at them, but Jennie beats me to it.“Oh, hi girls,” Jennie says, giving them her best innocent smile. “Did you need something? Or were you just lurking?”They give each other t
× Dixie × “I’ll wait for you, Luna. After all, this is the last lap, right?”My heart feels way too full. Here’s my best friend in this pack, the only person I feel comfortable sharing everything with, holding her ground for me like she’s a one-woman army, and I can’t even find the words to tell her how much it means.“Thank you,” I finally manage, my voice a bit choked, though I play it off with a shrug. “Guess I’ll go give my best impression of someone who’s interested in this… workout thing.”Jennie laughs, giving me a wink. “I’ll be here, moral support and all. If they give you any more trouble, just let me know, I’ve got a whole arsenal of bad jokes to throw at them.”I let out a quiet laugh, walking over to the sparring area where the others are pretending they didn’t just witness the whole scene. I know they’re annoyed, I can see it in the way they’re rolling their eyes and shooting me death glares. But honestly? For the first time, I actually feel like I’ve got backup. And t
× 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.
× Trix ×The light in my room catches on the glint of silver buckles as Dixie carefully secures the straps on my pack.Her movements are almost precise, fast. She’s exuding nervous energy but as always she wouldn't say so. She would rather disguise as an expert packer, and she’s trying very hard to act like her hands aren’t trembling, under my watch obviously.I lean back in my bed, using my hand as a shield for my head, watching her in a way that I hope comes off as casual.Spoiler: It’s not. Not even close. Because nothing about Dixie has ever made me feel casual. And right now, with only hours left before the Nardoos Ball, all I want is to make sure she’s... ready. Safe. But mostly, I just want to be around her.“We need to sort out your cover, and it has to happen fast,” I say, cutting into the silence. My
× Dixie ×I’m helping Trix fold the last of his shirts when he suddenly says, “Come to the ball with me.”I freeze, the shirt slipping from my hands as I stare at him like he just spoke in another language.Did he seriously just invite me to that ball? The one thrown by people who’d probably love nothing more than to see me six feet under? But there’s this glimmer in his eyes, like he’s actually waiting for me to say yes.And suddenly my mind is a chaotic mess of thoughts.“Hold up. You want me to go with you?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady, but my heart’s pounding.He shrugs like it’s no big deal. “Yeah. Might be better if we’re together, you know, strength in numbers and all that,” he says, but there’s something else in his tone, liike maybe it’s not just about safety.