Chapter 1 A dream

Adea I hate her. I fucking hate her. There’s no time. Come on, keep going. I’m going as fast as I can. My breathing is sporadic, my chest burning, legs surprisingly strong. I feel as if I’ve been running forever, everyone is just out of reach, and the stairs seem endless. Eventually, the stairs are behind me. When I reach the door, I push with everything I have but it doesn’t budge. Please, please, please. My panic goes up a notch but quitting is not an option. I take three steps back and propel my shoulder forward. Gasping, a sharp pain shoots up my arm. There’s no time to worry about myself. Retreating for the second time, inhaling through my nose, and exhaling out my mouth, I sprint and slam with every last bit of strength I have against the door. This time, it opens for me. There’s a blinding light and I can’t see anything. A wolfsbane grenade had gone off and I squint as shapes start to form. All of a sudden, everything is happening at once. The screaming, the crying, the fighting. I keep my eyes raised as I rush past the arms and legs of the fallen. Earlier, I had tried to link everyone, anyone. There wasn’t a response and I feared what that could mean. I didn’t want to entertain what that could mean. As soon as I find him, I’ll search for them. Lifting my nose to the air, I try and fail to smell him. The effects of the wolfsbane in my system have dulled my senses. Stumbling over something, I fall to my feet. I’m about to get back to my feet when an all too familiar shade of dirty blonde catches my attention. My suspicion was confirmed, I tripped over a body. I’m in shock as I stare at the head of my dearest friend, Gabriel. There’s a tremor in my hands as I reach for him. It’s all wrong, instead of beautiful flowing locks, it’s dirty and matted with dried blood. Time stands still and for a moment, everyone moves in slow motion. My lips part as I open my mouth to scream but no sound comes out. My wolf urges me to move on, she promises there will be a time to mourn, and pleads with me to find him. I can hear her, she’s The visions were clear, I was so sure I could change things. He had believed in me, had faith I could do it. All that confidence was misplaced. There’s a movement out of the corner of my eye. A pile of limbs rise and fall as a shape pushes through the bodies. Before he breaches through, my breath catches at the possibility of who it could be. Carefully, I lower Gabriel to the ground. I can see his black hair and my heart wells with hope. Relief hits me like a brick as my mate scans the surroundings. When his eyes lock on mine, I see the same relief wash over him. I’d been so wrong. I had no right to search for him but I had to, needed to. He stands to his feet and towers over those around him. My fingers twitch with the need to touch him. My feelings are overwhelming as my rock, my love, and my home takes a step toward me. His eyes are on my face as he takes another step. My shoulders shake, my chin trembles, and tears run down my face. The mate bond is strong but even as the emotions crash into me, I already knew from the look on his face. Need, relief, and gratitude. He freezes, his eyes wide with shock, his jaw is slack. The panic is back and frantically, I try to see what’s wrong. My gaze drops to his chest, his beautiful chest. An outstretched hand holds my mate’s beating heart. I cry out painfully as the mate bond snaps. A crippling pain tears through my chest and my throat tightens before I drop to the ground. My world is cold and for the first time in a long time, I’m alone. It hurts too much to cry. My eyes are locked on my mate as footsteps come closer. Something drops near my head and I’m aware as he leans down and grips me by the hair. The last thing I see before my head smashed against something hard is the empty look in my mate’s eyes. ** Beep beep beep beep beep beep beep* Jolting from the alarm, I groan. My daily migraine threatens to render me paralyzed for the rest of the day as if I had that option. I shut my eyes tightly as I reach around for my phone. Where did I put it? After minutes of feeling around for it, I finally find it on the floor by the bed. As much as I want to crawl into the fetal position, I need to get up. The Alpha and his family get up early and I need to make sure that I have breakfast ready by the time they get down to the kitchen. The Moon Goddess must have been watching out for me. Alpha Joshua had given me a job and the packhouse and provided me with a room. Normally when rogues cross pack lines they are killed. I have been a member of the Half Moon pack for the last four years. My parents died I was young and even though they didn't have to help me, Alpha Joshua and his Luna Rose did. Don't get me wrong, I'm thankful for the roof over my head and a warm bed to sleep in. Even though I've been getting up at this time for years it still sucks. I mentally push myself to get up and throw on one of the two pairs of jeans I own. After deciding between a white and black t-shirt, I went with the white one and paired it will a hoodie. The new bag of clothes Mavy, the Alpha's daughter, bought me sat on my bookshelf but I ignored it. I couldn't bring myself to open them just yet. I always felt a sense of guilt whenever she bought me stuff. There's a knock at the door as I try to put my hair up in a ponytail. Before I open it, I look at my reflection in the small mirror. My brown hair looks stringy and frizzy and the only nice thing about it is its length. When it's down it lands right above my backside. Brown bloodshot eyes stare back at me and I can't help but groan. The knocking at the door grows urgent. There's nothing I can do to make myself look better. Resigning myself to my fate, I lean over and open the door. "I'm here, I'm here," I whisper. I already know it's Gabe coming to grab me for work. He stands a good foot above my five feet three inches. He's got blonde hair and blue eyes but his signature crooked smile gets him all the admirers. Gabe whistles as I turn from him and grab my backpack. "Morning, Ady. You know I love you but honesty is the best policy. I have to tell you you look like shit," he chuckles as he looks down at my hair. "Thanks, Gabe. I didn't know that.""You're welcome," he said as he flashed his crooked smile. Gabe came to Half Moon shortly before I did. Some clothes went missing and a couple of pack members came into the kitchen while we were cooking. I was blamed for theft and I would have been punished if not for Gabe. He stood up for me and told them that I had been with him the entire time preparing food. From then on, he was a great friend of mine. The one thing I don't appreciate about Gabe is the fact that he likes to overshare. As in, he's straightforward and never sugarcoats. Tactfulness isn't his strong suit but at least I can rely on him to tell me the truth. "Morning, Gabe," I said as I rolled my eyes. "Have that dream again?" He asked, his voice was gentle. Deciding not to answer I nod. The dreams started after my seventeenth birthday and have been haunting me for a year now. I turned eighteen last week and I've had them every night since. The first time I had the dream, I woke up with tears running down my cheeks. They had been so vivid they had me questioning reality. I didn't know the people in my dream and that's how I told myself it wasn't real. I close my door and lock it before we head down the hall. I look at the tall white walls, years later they still make me feel small. When I first moved in, I fell in love with the old-fashioned vintage 19th-century European packhouse. Alpha Joshua was OCD so everything had a place and nothing could be out of place. It kept everything clean and organized so it worked. I realized Gabe had been talking and I focused on what he was saying. "... and amazing night with this she-wolf, Ady. You don't even know. Goddess! You should have seen the tits on her," Gabe said as he lifted two open palms to his chest. "I had her in-" I cut him off before he can finish. "Please, Gabe. Spare me the details. I do NOT want to hear where, how, or what position you had her in. I'll take your word for it. Now please, shut up!" I groan. Gabe is one of my best friends but as I mentioned earlier, he overshares. He's a manwhore and he knows it. After every sexcapade, he insisted on telling me every detail as if I cared. He swings an arm around my shoulder and leans in. "But that wasn't even the best part! There was a man too," Gabe said as he wiggled his eyebrows. "If not you who would I tell?" He whined. I can vividly imagine his wolf pouting and I have to stifle a laugh. "Oh, my virgin ears," I yell out as I try to cover my ears. Gabe continues to pout while we make our way to the kitchen. I feel a sense of deja vu as we begin our descent and run down the stairs.

Chapter 2 Gabe

Gabe turns on the light and snaps me out of my daydream. Alpha Joshua and Luna Rose were very considerate of me. They took me in and gave me a place to stay. I was a rogue and they could have killed me for trespassing on their territory. Instead, they welcomed me into the pack, gave me an initiation party, and gave me a home. Without them I would have been a rogue and most likely would have lost myself. After I recovered I started working in the Half Moon packhouse where the Alpha, his Beta, Gamma, and their spouses stayed. I’ve been here ever since. We enter the kitchen and it’s wide and open. There’s a long wooden table with black leather chairs. The kitchen sink and marble counter tops are on the right. Instead of pantries, there are long wooden shelves on the wall that hold the plates, bowls, and cups. I put on some music while Gabe and I start making breakfast. Later, Gabe will make lunch while I go to school. We see each other again for dinner and we work as a team to make dinner. Music makes the work go faster. I enjoy my early routine with Gabe. As we’re setting the table, Mavy comes running in and wraps her arms around my waist. “Good morning Adea! Thanks for breakfast!” She kisses me and takes a seat. “No problem Mave. I made your favorite!” I sing. She giggles as I grab her a plate. “How’d you sleep?” She sighs, “When I got home last night, I was so tired I slept like a log!” Alpha Joshua and Luna Rose had twins which are rare for werewolves. Mavy and Shane are polar opposites. The top of Mavy’s head lines up with my chest while Shane towers over me at 6 feet and they both have black wavy hair. Mavy has gray eyes while Shane has brown eyes like Luna Rose. Shane walks in and stares at me, smirks, and sits down. Gabe elbows me, reminding me to get their trifecta breakfast onto their plates. Today, we went for a simple breakfast. I fill their plates with scrambled eggs, buttered toast, and bacon and excuse myself as Alpha and Luna walk through the door. Alpha Joshua looks exactly the same and Luna Rose hasn’t aged a day. Alpha is tall like Shane and has black wavy hair and gray eyes, while Luna Rose has pencil straight brown hair and brown eyes. “You don’t need to leave, Adea. You’re more than welcome to sit with us for breakfast.” Alpha smiles at me. I can’t leave now so I grab a plate and Gabe fills my plate with scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and buttered toast, and smiles. I swat his arm and take a seat in between Shane and Mavy. Shane eats his food quietly while Mavy turns to me, “Trent is coming over before school if you wanna hitch a ride with us Adea.” My mouth is full and before I can chew my toast, I swallow my toast making my eyes water, “It’s okay Mavy. I’ve got to get some stuff done before school but you can go ahead.” Trent and Mavy aren’t dating but his feelings were obvious. I did not want to be the third wheel and have Trent give me the stink eye the whole way to school. “Oh okay, Adea,” she smiles looking a little sad. Turning back to her plate, she picks at her food. Shane scoffs, “What’ve you got to do Ady? Scrub the toilets?” Alpha Joshua glares at Shane, “Shane”, he warns. Shane tilts his head and stares at his dad, “Yes, Alpha?” he asks with a smirk on his face. His eyes have started glowing. Mavy reaches over me and slaps Shane’s shoulder, “Shane don’t be such an ass. She’s not a slave!” She sits down and looks at me, “I’m sorry, Adea. Excuse my idiot brother.” She rolls her eyes and checks her phone. Shane reaches over and touches my lower back. I sit straight up as chills crawl up my back. Shane looks down at his plate, “You know I’m just joking around, don’t you Ady?” he lifts his head and turns to look at me. Gabe stops and stares at us. “Yeah, I knew you were joking…” I tell the table. His hand slides lower on my back. “Shane’s sense of humor is oh so funny.”“Daddy, have you guys decided where the Crescent Ball is going to be this year?” Mavy asks. “We have a meeting this afternoon to vote on where the ball is going to be. " Alpha tells her. “Out of all the packs, it comes down to the Silver pack and the Desert Moon pack. Where will our vote go, Josh?” Luna asks Alpha Joshua. “We know that the Silver pack isn’t well off so it might be a burden financially for them if we vote to have them host the Crescent Ball. But if we don’t have the ball at the Desert Moon pack then we only have one other choice…” he says lost in thought. “Wouldn’t the best choice be the Desert Moon pack then?” Mavy asks. “Is the Desert Moon a safe place to visit?” Luna asks. “It’s safe we just don’t have an alliance with their new Alpha.” Alpha Joshua says. “Desert Moon would be the better of the two because they can afford to throw the ball and it could be a good opportunity for our packs to get to know each other. We’d have a chance to talk about an alliance.” Mavy squeals, “Adea, maybe we can find our mates at the Crescent Ball if it’s held at the Desert Moon pack!” I internally groan as I look at my best friend, “Visiting other packs raises the chances of finding your Goddess chosen mate…”“Me? You mean WE can find our mates at Crescent Moon this year.” She elbows me and gives me the side-eye. Her eyes are telling me I’m not going to escape this year. “Daddy, can Adea and I go shopping this weekend for dresses? Please?” she asks with doe eyes. Alpha looks at us with a thoughtful expression and before I can tell them there’s no need, he says, “That sounds like a good idea. Nothing inappropriate, Mavy, you hear me?”“YES! Thank you, Daddy”. Ding! Ding-Ding! “Trent’s here! Gotta go.” She stands up and gives her dad a kiss and her mom a hug. “Adea, we have plans tomorrow night! I’ll see you at school.” She glares at Shane as she runs out of the kitchen. I stand up and grab all of the dishes and put them into the sink. Gabe cleans up after breakfast so I can get ready for school. “See you later, Alpha Joshua and Luna. I’ll see you guys after school.”“See you after school” they smile. “See you Ady” Shane calls after me. I don’t know what is going on with Shane but he’s been slowly getting more and more aggressive towards me. Thankfully pack slaves were banned here at Half Moon. Shivers run up my back as I remember his fingers on my lower back. I grab my bag and run out the back door. My favorite time of the day is my morning run before school. I haven’t heard my wolf yet but I think she’s going to show up soon. My sense of smell is heightened and I love the smell of the woods in the back of the packhouse. I pull my hair out of my bun as I run. I keep running until I get to the clearing where the grass meets the small creek. I take a deep breath and enjoy the smell of the woods. This creek is my safe haven. I take off my backpack and lay down on the grass. The sounds of the grass swaying in the wind, the sunlight peeking through the woods a mix of orange, blue, and yellow. The birds sing their song, and the cheerfulness in their voices brightens my day. The light pounding of rabbits hopping along the ground brings a smile to my face. I could lay here all day if I could. Being out here makes me happy. I hear a bell out in the distance and grab my bag. Time for school.

Chapter 3 Mavy

I can tell you the exact moment my life changed. Everything I knew was turned upside down. Being a kid left in the world without parents is haunting. It all started the day after I turned 13 and my little sister Ava, was 8. My father was the Alpha of the Ice Moon pack and my mother his Luna. Ice Moon pack wasn’t the largest pack but when my dad was Alpha we had 400 pack members. One day my father was challenged and he had no choice but to accept. I remember how worried my mom was. The wolf that challenged my father was Davien Stockholm. He wasn’t from our pack but he was massive in size even before he transformed. His dark hair fell to his shoulders and his body was muscular. He lunged at my dad but one thing my dad had on him was speed. My dad ducked and punched him in the stomach. “Yes!” I fist-pumped the air. Ava copied me while screaming, “Go Daddy!” Davien grabbed his stomach and his head came down and my dad uppercut him in the face. There was a crunch as Davien’s nose broke and blood gushed out. “Ew Mom!” I said in disgust. I looked at my mom to see her worried expression. “Don’t worry, Mom.” Daddy can’t lose,” I reassured her. She smiled but her eyes never left my dad. Davien fell to the ground and put his hand on the ground. My dad looked up and saw me staring at him. He smiled and winked at me and Ava. I smiled back and my mom let out a scream. I looked up at her and then looked back at my dad. Davien lunged at my dad and had him pinned to the ground. My dad struggled against his hold but couldn’t break through it. Davien cocked an arm back and punched my dad in the face. Over and over again. I stared in shock as my dad’s face became unrecognizable. I screamed, “Stop it! Stop it, please!” Ava was crying hysterically. Davien stopped and turned to me and my mother. He looked down at my dad and said, “Give me the title and I will spare you and your family.” My dad’s eyes were covered with blood as he said, “I, Eduard Biscoff, step down as Alpha from the Ice Moon pack and declare Davien Stockhom as the new Alpha. In exchange, Davien Stockholm has promised my family and I, our lives.” After that day, my parents and I were cast out from our pack. We were declared rogues. I’d never lived anywhere but with the pack and the same could be said for my parents. My father didn’t know how the human world worked but he grew up building the pack up along with his father. He was determined to save us from going rabid. So he decided to move us to a human city where they both could try to get jobs. It wasn’t easy but with what we were able to salvage they bought a small house. We had a roof over our head and they both searched for jobs and put me and Ava into human school. It was hard for me to adapt, for the four of us. We weren’t used to the eerie silence now that we weren’t a part of the pack. We couldn’t even link each other. I honestly think if we didn’t have each other, we would have gone insane, or rabid like other rogues. Thankfully we could almost fill the void with our little family. It was quiet without a pack but we made it work. My dad got a good job as a contractor and my mom eventually got a job as an accountant for a small company. He’d come home and tell us about the newest house or business he was working on. Mom would be cooking in the kitchen and I’d listen to him go on and on. When he finished a project he’d drag us out of there and we’d marvel at his work. Every day went by filled with dad’s stories and mom’s food. We couldn’t go for runs or be a part of the forest because we lived in the city. I think that killed mom and dad the most. Their wolf’s suffered and they were easily irritated but we were able to make it work. “Just wait until you see this one!” he told us one day after work. We were going out to check out dad’s latest project. He’d been working on an internet cafe packed with the latest PCs and equipped with a small coffee section where baristas would make drinks. He was excited to show us the section where customers would order fresh hot sandwiches when they would get hungry. He was excited to be working with something tech-related. On the way to finally see this new place in person, we were hit by a semi-truck and I woke up to a room with machines beeping and an oxygen tube down my throat. “She’s coming to, hey, honey?” I reach for the tubes and yank them from my nose and mouth. Every breath I inhaled was painful and tore at my throat, tears welled in my eyes. Looking around I saw the nurse running towards me from across the room. She noticed me pull out the tubes. She grabbed my hands and I croaked, “Where’s my mom?” A look I could only identify as pity flashed in her eyes before she grabbed both of my arms. She looks me in the eyes and explains to me that there had been an accident. “Okay…” I said and waited for the rest. “Honey, your parents, and your sister… they all died on impact. You’re the only one that survived.” I couldn’t hear anything. I-what? They… they died? My mom? My dad? Ava? I was too cold to cry. I couldn’t believe it. This couldn’t be true. How… how could they just be gone? I reached out, I screamed, I thrashed. Two more nurses were called in and held me down. The first nurse injected something into my arm and I slowly lost control of my body. I went limp and they laid me down slowly in bed. “It’ll be alright, it’s going to be okay,” she said soothingly. “It’s going to be okay,” she said again as she looked into my eyes. “The accident happened on Half Moon pack territory. Alpha Joshua and Luna Rose have taken care of everything. You’ve been out for a couple of weeks and we weren’t sure you were going to ever come to.” My world is crashing around me and I feel like my breath has been stolen from me. I don’t have any control of my body as I lay there in bed. Dead? Gone? The nurses leave me and a few hours later when whatever they gave me wore off, she comes back again. “What am I going to do now?” I whisper when I see her. “Oh honey, Alpha Joshua has informed us that you are to be cared for as a pack member. Don’t you worry yourself! He has taken care of your medical bills and I’ll let him know you’re finally awake!” Her eyes gloss over as she mind links someone. I haven’t seen a mind link since I was a kid and it’s almost weird to witness. Her pupils were covered by a white fog. I look around the room and notice flowers on my bedside. When the nurse ends the mind link, “Who bought me flowers, Nurse?” I ask. “Oh! Alpha and Luna have twins. They just turned 14 and her daughter Mavy has been visiting you. I think the two of you will get along.” As if we conjured her, the door opens and a black-haired girl peers in. “Hey! You’re awake. Thank goodness, I was worried you’d sleep for the rest of the year. She bounces in with a big smile on her face like we’ve known each other for years. She’s got black hair and gray eyes and dimples poke both sides of her cheeks. I don’t have the strength to smile or reply. I look away from her and stare at the wall. I don’t know what I’ll do now, where I’ll go… I’m just a kid. The lump in my throat is too hard to swallow. The girl doesn’t say anything more until she leaves but she comes back. Day after day until I’ve grown used to her visits. Today she’s brought more flowers, and she’s talking about her day again. “…. Thanks for the flowers,” I say. She looks around the room, not knowing who was talking. She turns back to me, “Was that you?!” I nod. “Oh my gosh! So you can talk! I’m glad you like them! I wanted to bring something to brighten your room up. Shane helped pick them out. He’s my brother.” She smiles. “So mom and dad say you’ll be staying at the packhouse with us! I’m so excited to show you around. You’ll most likely be going to school with us too.” Mavy and I sit and she talks for the rest of the afternoon where she fills me in on herself. This time, I listened. She tells me she’s in the 8th grade and will be going to Trenton High next year. The Half Moon pack has been peaceful and has alliances with most of the surrounding packs. She tells me about the packhouse and how big it is but warns about her dad’s OCD. “Fair warning everything has to be perfect 100% of the time. My room is my own but the packhouse doesn’t have a speck of dust. The other pack members are okay.. when we initiate you into the pack you’ll be able to talk to everyone. Was it hard being a rogue?” She asks. I think of my parents and feel sad again. I think I might cry but nothing comes out, “No…” She stares at me and decides it’s better to move on. “Did you like anyone where you came from?”“No.. we stayed to ourselves. I didn’t have time.. to think about boys.” I told her. “Well, I’ve been friends with Trent, he’s my next-door neighbor since we were in diapers. He’s my dad’s betas son and puberty has treated him well.” She blushes, “He’s just a friend but he’s pretty, like prettier than me.”“We grew up making mud pies together he’s obviously just a friend..” she says super fast. I smile at her and nod. Note to self, Trent is off-limits. She smiles and grabs my hand, “I know that you’re not in a good place right now but just know that I’ve got your back.” Her words make tears come to my eyes and I smile and nod. I feel a little better knowing I’m not completely alone in the world.

Chapter 4 Gym

I slowed to a stop before I walked onto campus. Everyone’s still waiting for the doors to open. I pulled out my cell phone and sent Mavy a quick text. Made it. Where are you? I’m thankful I have the first period with Mavy. I can start the day off right every day. I glance down at my phone as the screen lights up. I’m waiting in the quad with Trent. Come over! Ugh, she’s still with him. I step onto campus and look at the Trenton High mascot statue. It’s a huge wolf standing on two legs with ripped jeans and a six-pack. When Trenton High was built it was built by a human with a werewolf kink. I spot Mavy standing on a ledge waving at me and head over. I see Trent and nod at him, “Hey Trent, how’s it?”“Morning,” he says. The bell rings and saves the day. “Time for class!” Mavy bounces and grabs my arm. “Later Trent!” she waves. We head to Chemistry when I see Shane and a few of his friends at the door. I avoid eye contact as we walk towards the door. Shane’s closest friend Liam is the oldest and the nicest out of the group. He doesn’t pay attention to me and doesn’t join in when Shane torments me. He’s the shortest at 5’11” but with his blonde hair and blue eyes, he’s easy on the eyes. Devin is Shane’s right-hand man but he’s got a nasty temper. He’s got inches on his friends and he’s built like a rock. He’s sporting a brown-haired Mohawk and has dimples when he smirks. I think Shane is going to appoint him as his Beta when he takes over. Shane spots us and hands Mavy her backpack. “Thank you brother,” Mavy says as she kisses his cheek. I shudder and look away. It’s been four years that I’ve known Mavy and Shane and I still can’t get used to how close they are. Mavy heads into class as Shane steps in front of me blocking the door with his hand. I look up at him as he cocks his head to the side. “What did you do before school?” I look at his friends and they’re watching us quietly. “I just had to grab some stuff and I ran here.”“Hmm…” he murmurs as he moves his hand from the door. Mavy caught me looking at the door and yelled for them to go to class. I head in and see she’s already bustling with excitement talking to Nikki about the ball. I like to keep to myself at school but Mavy’s friend Nikki was in our first period too. She always talks to her and she comes to the packhouse sometimes so I don’t mind her. Nikki loved that I didn’t seem to have any sense of fashion. She was always trying to get me to wear something she thought I’d look good in but I always declined. Mavy would turn to Nikki to help dress me and would pair me with cute skirts and the occasional dress. So I knew what was coming with this ball. No matter how hard I tried to focus, Shane enjoyed pestering me. I wasn’t sure how I should react to his attention. We have assigned seats in calculus, and I sit next to him. “Are you avoiding me Ady?” He said Gabe’s nickname for me enunciating every letter. “No Shane. I didn’t have time to do my homework last night.” I whispered as Becka glared at me. “Are you excited to go to the ball?” he grabs a strand of my hair and tucks it behind my ear. He wasn’t this handsy around Mavy. “No, I just know that I don’t have a choice when it comes to your sister,” I smile. He chuckles and I still as I feel his finger sliding down my neck. I shudder and he mistakes it and thinks I like it. He leans in and inhales, “You smell divine Ady.” I close my eyes as I feel his breath on my neck. I move away from him and I can feel the knives in my back as I avoid Becka's gaze. “Let’s talk after class,” he murmurs. “I can’t, I’m going home with Mavy.”“I only need a few minutes. I have a pack meeting so it won’t take too long Ady,” he says as he sits back. I’m not sure when Shane started having an interest in me. When I first moved into the packhouse we would spend time together because of Mavy. We weren’t friends. He would make that clear when it was just the two of us. Recently he’s been more physical with me. He doesn’t usually do anything when Mavy’s around but after this morning at breakfast, I’m worried. The bell rings and I run for the door. Becka trips me and all of my books fly across the floor. I feel pain and look at my hand. I look up at her as I pick up my books. “Whoops. I didn’t see you Ady,” she snickers and heads out. Everyone at Trenton High knows that Becka has the hugest crush on him. I pick up my books and head to lunch. “Don’t forget Ady,” Shane calls after me. Like I could forget. *** At lunch I find Mavy and Nikki sitting with Shane and his friends. “Adea here! I saved you a seat,” sings Mavy. I smile as I head over with my cafeteria pizza. I sit on her left and Nikki on her right. “So we were talking…” Mavy says slyly. “About shopping tomorrow after school for the ball. You need a dress Chika!” Nikki is not going to let an opportunity to play barbie with me slide by. She isn’t a werewolf but she’s been close to Mavy since they were kids. She’s the exception to the no telling our secret to outsiders rule. “I’m tagging along to help find something poppin and you can bet that I’m doing your makeup.”“I don’t—” Mavy cuts me off, “You don’t have to worry about it. Daddy’s buying our clothes for us. So don’t use the ' I don’t have any money ' excuse. I got you.” She leans in and bumps my shoulder. I roll my eyes, “I was prepared for this. I know I don’t have a choice. Just promise me you won’t make me wear something too flashy.”“No promises!” She scrunches up her nose and beams. “Seriously though. We were thinking of something simple yet elegant for you Adea. You’re already a natural beauty but I was thinking something that could highlight your curves and make your eyes pop.” I look over and see Shane smiling at my discomfort. I’ve never been one to dress up and he knows it. “You can put makeup on a pig but will it be pretty?” he jokes and his friends howl with laughter. "Har har. You’re sooo funny.” Mavy rolls her eyes and folds her arms across her chest. "Sike. That wasn’t nice Shane.” “It’s fine Mavy, I know he’s just kidding,” I tell her trying to defuse the situation. “Why are you such an asshole, Shane?” Nikki says as she gives Shane a death glare. If I could only have a pinch of Nikki’s attitude I think I’d be able to tell Shane to shove it. “Come one guys, it’s almost time for class.”“Sorry sorry, I took it too far. I’m sorry Ady,” he says as he blinks fast three times. “Mmm, I’m sure. See girls? It was just a joke.” Mavy and Nikki pout and glare at the boys. We decide to meet at the packhouse after I make dinner for Alpha and the rest of the house. Then we’ll head out. The last half of school goes by extremely slow. I let my mind wander to the trail in the woods, to the creek hidden in the woods. My thoughts drifted to my wolf and what she would look like. Would her hair be the same color as mine or would she have her own physical characteristics? I was pulled from my daydreaming when the bell rang and I felt my phone vibrate. I’ve got a message from Shane. Gym. Now.