39. Maddox

I didn’t sleep a wink. Looking in the mirror, I am a shadow of my former self. Dark grey bags have aged my face ten years. I look miserable. This is what White Forest life is doing to me, I tell myself. This is how low Zena has dragged me.

The fact that I keep being sick doesn’t help. I’m pretty certain it's Mani’s way of silently protesting my choices. Tonight is the full moon, and it’s time to pick a side. I want the winning one.

Even though my stomach lurches with nausea each time I consider it, I choke it back. Betraying an Alpha, abandoning the pack that raised you is not as simple as handing in a resignation letter.

It just means I’ve got to get the job done and get up to the North before the full moon rises. Which also means I’m on a bit of a deadline.

I head to take breakfast in the large dining hall early, trying to find anything I can hold down. This place used to be full of Warrior students, staff, and guards. Bustling with energy and gossip. Now, every sound echoes.

I