The wheels in motion
Days seemed to blend together as Star’s routine continued as per usual, the group had agreed on fewer meetings, choosing to communicate via burner phones to limit the risk of being sought out as they gathered information on The Academy.
“Turns out Dean Atterman is the one who threw the organization out of order, he’s kept his doings from the authorities for years, cooking the books and adjusting the number of trainees in the records. There’s no record of you or your family ever being trained at The Academy.” Star’s jaw clenched, she was glad she insisted on a copy of the non-binding agreement they had signed and had it stashed in a safe place.
“I can prove my attendance there so that’s proof enough tha
Finding true north Star’s fists clenched on her lap, they were almost at their destination and her heart was beating wild with anticipation from her position beside Ray. Her plan was finally in motion and now that midterms were over, all she had to focus on was taking down The Academy before they did any serious damage. Star watched as wolves flanked their vehicles the moment the Lockwood pack borders came into view, it wasn’t marked with anything obvious, but having spent so much time there, Star could feel the bounds of the place she once called home. After a few tense minutes the vehicles came to a stop, through the tinted windows Star could see a large group waiting outside the packhouse, but she hardly took notice of who was there. Her breath hitched when her eyes landed on him, he looked bulkier somehow, his eyes scanning the vehicles with a hard look. She didn’t realize Ray got off the car till he pulled her door open and reality hit her. She w
The missing pieceMax watched from the sidelines as members of his pack made their way up to Star to greet her with a smile on his face, Donna clung to her left arm, leaning her head against her friend’s shoulder almost as if she were afraid she would disappear.After they strategized, Max invited the group of vigilantes to join them for lunch and they were all seated around a table nearby waiting for the food to be brought out.“Did you know she joined them?” Max shook his head, the people he paid to keep an eye on her reported that she had made a few friends and hung out with a group of people, but apart from that, there was nothing different about her routine.“I had no idea, bu
A hand to holdStar paced from wall to wall of her apartment, it’s been days since the meeting at the Lockwood Pack and just as long since she decided to make some changes, what those were, she still had no idea.She just got off the phone with Ray who informed her that the anonymous tip-off was sent to the investigating authority regarding the illegal practices of The Academy and his contact at the high court confirmed that the inquiry was sitting on the desk of the right person. Truly they had no way of knowing who was clean and who was dirty, but they had to try.She was tasked with the duty of informing Maximus, but she hesitated, how would he react to her calling him.Sucking in a deep breath s
HomecomingStar walked alongside Maximus as they made their way to Landon and Donna’s newly built home, the air between them was awkward and heavily charged with tension, but still he insisted he is the one to escort her to his Beta’s house.Donna had no idea she was visiting, she wanted to surprise her friend and made her bring along a huge pamper pack for the mom-to-be. Hoping to make up for some of her absence.“She’s due any day now so Landon took time off to care for her, she’s on bed rest.” Star nodded as the house came into view.“How bad has it been?” She looked up to Max, afraid of the answer when he grimaced.
AcceptanceSitting up on her bed, Star sighed. The room looked exactly the same as she left it, even the little items she added to the room remained in place, it almost seemed like she hadn’t left at all.“No one touched anything,” Max stated when she took in the room.“Why?” She looked up at him with curious eyes, noticing the sad gleam he held.“Besides the fact that Donna wouldn’t let them, everyone hoped you’d come back one day.” His lips turned up in a smile at his last words, the question was on her tongue, but she bit back her curiosity, no need to get more into our feelings.
The patter of tiny feet“Star!” Donna cried abruptly letting go of her mate’s hand to reach for her friend.“I’m here sweetheart, you’re doing a wonderful job, I’m so proud of you.” Star smiled and tucked a few strands of wayward hair from her face.“It hurts so much.” Donna’s face scrunched up like she was about to cry and Star shushed her.“I know, but you’re a fighter and soon you’ll be known as supermom.” Donna Smiled tiredly.“You think so?” Star recoiled like she was offended.
The moments that matterAfter what seemed like hours, Beta Landon Pierce welcomed them into the room to meet the newest member and future Beta of the Lockwood pack.Azaiah Pierce was born on 22 December at 9:11 am, weighing 8lbs.“Oh, Donna!” Star teared up when her eyes landed on the delicate red-faced baby lying on his mother’s chest. Donna was beaming, the pain replaced by a relieved and adoring smile.“Congratulations both of you.” Star heard Max’s happy voice behind her, but her eyes were set only on the tinny hands that clenched when he moved.“He’s so beautiful, you did so well.” She reached
Fighting for love The meal prepared by the pack’s kitchen staff looked delectable, but she could hardly taste her food above the tension between her and Max. “You should eat more, you've lost too much weight since you left.” Max glared at her plate which consisted of a single egg, a slice of toast, and one rasher of bacon. She could see the disapproval in his eyes. “I don’t have much of an appetite.” She tensed up. She knew they would notice, but she never expected him to mention it outright. “I don’t believe you, you hardly ate last night.” He narrowed his eyes at her and her hands balled up into fists. “You don’t get to tell me what to do!” Star snapped and pushed back her chair, she’d had just about enough of his scrutiny. She discarded the leftover food and rushed out of the dining hall, she could hear Max following her, but her agitation kept her gaze focussed ahead. “Star, stop!” Max’s firm grip pulled her to a stop, the jerk causing a tear to fall