× 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 ×This morning’s been a mess. My mind’s like… all over the place, bouncing from one problem to the next without even a second to breathe.Feels like there’s this invisible playlist on loop in my head, frustrations from training, weird vibes from the pack, and Dixie, always Dixie, like a song you can’t stop humming. By the time I finally get to my room, I’m just over it.The shower’s been calling my name, so I just head straight in. Maybe if I let the hot water drown me out for a few, I’ll walk out with a clearer head. I crank it up, and the steam fills the space, giving me a second to just stand there and lose myself a bit. Gosh, I love this.But the second I close my eyes, it’s like the volume of my thoughts cranks up too.I start going through everything, every single conversation from yesterday, every comment, every look. An
× Trix ×I shrug. “All yours.” But I don’t move, because frankly, I don’t trust half the people in this room.Jennie looks at Dixie. “You doing okay?”Dixie rolls her eyes, but I can see the tiny smile she’s fighting to keep hidden. “Yeah, just peachy. Y’know, sparring room and all.”Jennie gives her this look, like she’s seeing straight through her. “Right. Because ‘peachy’ is exactly the vibe I was getting.”Dixie snorts, and I realize she’s probably one of the only people who can make her laugh like that.Then, Jennie looks at me. “Don’t worry, Alpha. I’ll bring her back in one piece.”I smirk. “I better hold you to that.”Dixie rolls her eyes but looks amused, then turns to Jennie. “So, what have you been up to? ‘Classified pack business,’ really?”
× Trix ×We’re almost at my room, but I can feel that Dixie is calm, she doesn't seem to be triggered anymore.She’s keeping it together, but that edge in her posture says it all. I stop by the balcony door instead, opening it and gesturing for her to head outside. She raises an eyebrow at me, clearly skeptical.“Let’s just stay out here for a bit,” I suggest, leaning casually against the doorframe.She crosses her arms, giving me that look. The one that says she’s not about to make this easy for me.She steps out onto the balcony, glancing out at the view, and I can see the way her eyes are practically glowing just by staring at them, even if she’s still playing it cool.“I know it’s… a lot, alright? Everything here. The people. All this pack pressure stuff,” I start, rubbing the back of my neck. “I didn’t think
× Trix ×I’m standing in front of the closet, half of my wardrobe spilled out on the bed. A suit here, casual jacket there.Honestly, packing has never been my thing, but this trip feels different. I’ve gotta play human for two whole days, and it’s a room full of Nardoos too, which means it’s not exactly my typical crowd. I mean, I grew up around humans, went to school with them, I know how to blend in.But this..this feels like another level. It’s like every part of me has to be on guard.I toss a few more things into my suitcase, mumbling to myself. "Just two days, Trix. You’ve got this." I check my reflection in the mirror, still rugged enough but just the right amount of polished. This face will pass as harmless and normal to them, or at least that’s the hope.Reaching for my watch, I glance around the
× Trix ×There’s something about her, just being here, that makes everything feel…easier. Lighter, even. Which is ridiculous, but here I am.“Alright, fine,” I add. “Guess I’ll let you stick around. You know, just in case I trip over my own shoelaces or something.”She laughs under her breath, and I swear, the sound is the best thing I’ve heard all day.She glances up at me, rolling her eyes like I’ve just demanded she handle gold. “Relax, your pants are fine. I’ve got this under control.”I watch as she’s carefully folding them when she frowns, suddenly untangling something. “Wait… how did your belt even get this tangled?” Her voice goes from confident to annoyed, her fingers working carefully.And then I see it, the belt loop is actually stuck in her hair.She pulls, just sli
× 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.
× Trix ×The air is frigid as we make our way to the safe house. It’s like walking through a storm, even though the sky is clear. It’s not the weather. It’s her. Dixie. She’s wrapped in a coldness I can’t penetrate, and it hits me harder than the biting chill in the air.Falling into the pond has got me so wet and a bit cold but her attitude is way colder.We don’t speak. Not that I expect her to. She hasn’t said a word since we landed asides ‘I'm fine’. And I get it. I get why she’s upset, angry ,hell, I probably deserve all of it. But it doesn’t make it any easier to deal with. There’s this thick wall between us, and I can feel it with every step I take beside her.I try to offer her comfort, but I can’t even do that without her shutting me down. She doesn’
× Dixie ×I can't breathe. The jet is shaking so violently, it's like it's alive, thrashing against its own destruction. The walls are vibrating under the pressure, the floor beneath me feels like it's going to give way any second.Every breath I take feels like a struggle, like the air’s been sucked out of this goddamn plane. I want to scream, to let it out, but I can't. All that comes out is a choked sob that I barely even hear over the noise of the plane.My whole body is shaking.I can’t do this.I can’t jump.The thought hits me like a ton of bricks. I can’t even wrap my mind around it. The air is so thin up here, and the thought of throwing myself out of this tiny jet ,no, it’s not even a thought, it’s a nightmare.Heigh
× Trix ×One of the guards, his face pale as death, looks at me with wide eyes. "The pilot... he’s been sniped."My stomach drops like a stone. What the hell?I move before I can think. “Check the systems,” I bark, my voice a razor-sharp command. But even as I speak, I know it’s pointless. The damage is done. Our pilot’s gone. The jet’s flying itself, and we’re at the mercy of whoever did this.I hear the low hum of frantic voices in the background. The guards are trying to figure out what happened, but it doesn’t take long for the panic to spread through the cabin. The guards and a few helps start whispering. Some start standing, trying to move toward the exits, but I don’t have time for any of that. I need to keep them together. I need to control the chaos."Q
× Trix דI hate you!” she screams, her fists pounding against my chest again. It’s weak. Pathetic. But I know the meaning behind every hit, every word. “I hate you for doing this to me.”The words are like daggers in my chest. I can’t help it. They hurt. But I force myself to stay calm, to keep my hands steady.“I don’t give a damn if you hate me,” I say, my voice shaking with an emotion I won’t let her see. “But you’re coming with me. Whether you want to or not.”She tries again to break free, her body tense with anger, but I tighten my grip on her, pulling her away from the door.“Let me go!” she cries out, struggling in my arms, kicking at me, clawing at me. But nothing works.“I’m not letting you
× Trix × A few minutes pass before Alvera returns, and I already know what she’s about to say before she opens her mouth. “She’s refusing to leave,” Alvera says, her voice low but clear. Her eyes flicker with concern, but there’s no hesitation. “She doesn’t want to go with you.”I grit my teeth. "I figured as much," I mutter. A storm brews in my chest, but I force myself to stay composed, to keep my cool. "I’m going to get her myself." Alvera nods, stepping aside as I move past her. I can feel the anger burning behind my eyes, but I suppress it. This isn’t the time for rage. Not now. But damn it, I need her to understand. I march down the hall, my mind racing with the thought of what might happen if I can’t get her to understand. If I can’t make her see reason. I know how stubborn she is, how her heart’s set in its ways. But right now, I need her to see that this isn’t about trust anymore. It’s about survival. I reach her door, my knuckles rapping against it sharply. "Dixie," I
× Trix ×Stunned. I stare at Salcom, my blood boiling beneath the surface, every muscle in my body coiled tight. He’s playing his games again, twisting the moment to fit his narrative, and I’m already tired of it. Exhausted by the dance, the posturing, the damn theatrics he always loved. I don't ask him anything else. No more questions. I won’t give him the satisfaction. I know his tricks, his manipulations ,the way he thrives on pulling strings and watching people squirm. I won’t be his puppet. But then, with that oily smirk plastered across his face, he opens his mouth, and the words that come out hit like a sucker punch.“I’m here to issue an ultimatum,” he says, his tone shifting, a faux casualness that screams deception. An ultimatum? My instincts are already screaming that it’s a lie. Every syllable drips with calculated intent, a setup waiting to ensnare. My eyes narrow, heart pounding in my chest. “What ultimatum?” I ask, my voice low, dangerous. His eyes gleam, feeding o
× Salcom ×The energy is electric , dangerous, inviting, almost intoxicating. This baby girl , standing there with fire in her eyes and betrayal written across her face, has no idea what she’s radiating. Just by looking at her, I can tell. The connection is undeniable. Her bond with Trix pulses in the air, something primal, something sacred ,and that’s what makes it delicious. Fragile things always shatter so beautifully.I take a step closer, and the chaos around them fades. Pack members are still scattered, watching, whispering, but I barely hear them. All I see is her. The way she holds herself, defiant yet trembling, like a candle flickering in a storm. Who would’ve thought this was the one who could unravel him? Trix, the almighty Alpha, brought to his knees by a human. I almost laugh. Fate really does have a twisted sense of humor.And Trix? Oh, he’s trying so hard to play it cool. Standing there, fists clenched, that classic scowl plastered on his face. But I see it ,the flic
× Trix ×What? Salcom?The name alone sends a chill down my spine, like ice-cold claws raking through my veins. I freeze for a split second, but in that moment, everything around me seems to slow. The noise of the pack, the murmurs, the anger ,it all fades to a low hum, like I’m underwater.All I can focus on is the figure standing there. Salcom.He’s the last person I expect to see here, and the look in his eyes, that predatory glint, is more than enough to send alarms blaring in my head.Why is he here?
× Dixie דI never loved her,” he says again, his voice hard. Final. Like a door slamming shut.I flinch. I can’t help it. Each repetition is a reminder, a confirmation of every fear I’ve ever had.Why does it hurt so much? I knew this. Deep down, I knew. The whispers, the rushed marriage, the way he always kept me at arm’s length. It was never about love. It was strategy. A means to an end.But hearing it. God, hearing it is something else.The crowd is eating it up. I can feel their relief, their satisfaction. They wanted this. They wanted him to put me in my p