I shiver when the cold wind brushes past me. Autumn is around the corner. I don't know for how long I will be able to sit outside. It would also be a good idea to start wearing a jacket.I pull the lunch I packed for myself out of my bag. Since I am not getting my food from the cafeteria anymore, I had to start packing food for myself. It's not the tortilla roll-ups, but this will have to do. I cannot function properly if I don't have something to eat.I pull my phone from my back pocket and glance at the screen. The changes I made caused the story to deviate completely from the original story and so far it has been getting out of hand. I asked the author to fill me in on the outcomes of the changes, but there has been no answer.And nice work on the author's side. They decided to get rid of Max by letting him move away. Why does he get an easy way out of his scandal, but I have to face the consequences? That is what I call lazy writing.With a sigh, I look around at the few students w
I frown at the guy next to me and he turns the phone to me. Before he has to press play, I recognize the video. Oh shit! I told him not to leak the video. He is in serious trouble. He has to get away from here as soon as possible. What were you thinking Jake? Tyler is going to kill him. I have to find him.In Art class, I bite my bottom lip while staring at the door. If Jake doesn't show up to class, he is dead. I hope he got away. The last students enter the class and the teacher greets us.Where is Jake? Shit Jake, don't do this to me. Please don't let him die. He is the closest thing to a friend I have. I need to find him.I put my hand in the air to get Miss T's attention. She gives me permission to go to the restroom and I scramble out of the class. I need to find Jake. Where do I even start?First, check whether he is still here. I run toward the exit and search through the parking lot.His car is still here, but Tyler's is gone. Would he take Jake out into the woods to kill him?
I'm at Cora's tonight. Mum and Dad just texted me that they have a business dinner to attend tonight. Get yourself something to eat.Wow, what a coincidence. Everyone is away while Jake and I are home alone. Since everyone is gone for tonight, I might as well park Jake's car in the driveway. I don't want the car to be towed away.After I park the car, I order two large pizzas as I make my way up the stairs to my room.The door creaks open silently and I see Jake clutching the blanket around him, fast asleep. Is he cold? I crouch next to the bed and place my hand against his forehead. He doesn't have a fever which is a good sign, but he is covered in goosebumps. I throw another blanket over him.I decide to take a quick shower. I grab an oversized t-shirt and long pajama pants. I enter the bathroom and see the mess I made earlier with the first aid kit. I sigh, making a mental note to remember to put all of that back.After I'm done, I clean everything up and put the first aid kit on m
His answer seems simple, but it confuses me even more. His eyes meet mine and there is a sincere look in his eyes. I keep his gaze and we stay like that for a few minutes. I notice that he has green spots in his brown eyes. I would cast him as the alpha. He is way more attractive than Tyler. And nicer. Jake gives me a smirk and I avert my eyes. I feel a blush making its way up my cheeks and I stand up, retrieving the first aid kit.Seriously, Emily? You cannot start liking this guy. You're going to die in any way."I should replace those bandages. I don't want those wounds to get infected." I sit on my knees on the bed, inching closer to see which distance Jake feels comfortable with. He is more conscious than before, so I doubt that I will get away with being as close as before.I stop when Jake is within arm’s reach. This is not too close and Jake does not seem to be bothered.I remove the bandages from his forehead and cheek. I need to put them somewhere and the nightstand is the c
"Kate, wait up," Allison calls from behind me. I pivot to her with my sports bag over my shoulder. She hurries over to me with parts of cardboard boxes in her arms. What is she going to do with that?"Yeah?" I take a subtle look at my watch. I still have volleyball practice. I turn my eyes to her while I cross my arms.She invited me to sit with them when lunch arrived, asking like it was just another day. She never apologized for throwing me away or for believing Tyler instead of me. She assumes we are best buds again, forgetting what had happened."A few of us are making signs for the game tonight. You are welcome to join us tonight." She sounds excited. I was not aware of the game tonight. I'm also guessing that the "us" refers to the other girls from the pack."I'll see." I turn and start to the back of the school where the volleyball court is. She grabs my arm and pulls me back to her. I look at her with an arched brow."Why are you like this? You didn't talk to me during lunch. Y
I sit next to Allison and her friends who have made signs with cardboard pieces. They can barely contain their excitement. This is the first game and it's a home game. The atmosphere is filled with excitement and liveliness.The other school chants when their cheerleaders make their way onto the field. Our side of the bleachers erupts into cheering when our cheerleaders run out. I smile and give Cora a thumbs-up. She grins and returns her focus to the cheerleaders."Mind if I sit here?" I look to my side and see Wesley. I nod and motion for him to sit. "Thanks." He sits next to me and leans back, sighing."Are you all right?" He groans as he folds his arms over his chest."No. Jake's playing tonight," he says with irritation."What? He's in no shape to play." I snap my eyes to the field to look for Jake. I cannot believe he is going to play. That wanker!"I know," Wesley exclaims. I squint my eyes, trying to find Jake. I know he has his werewolf healing, but there is no way he is fully
As I wander through the school halls, Dad's casual reminder that it's Friday echoes in my mind. A sigh escapes me when I round the corner, the weight of the day pressing heavily on my shoulders. There’s so much to do.The cheerleading tryouts are at the top of my list. If I want to join the squad, I need to prove myself just like everyone else. I understand why Miss T said to do tryouts since it would be unfair to the girls who did not make the squad if I just joined without any tryouts.First, I need to find Cora to arrange everything. But she’s nowhere to be found. Where on earth is she? I’ve checked her classes and the restroom. No luck.I know she was at school earlier—I saw her talking to Oliver this morning. Something is going on with the two of them.Those two are going through it lately, fighting over the pettiest things. I think Oliver might like some other bird. Bianca or someone.Only one place left to check.I hurry down the hall, out of the building, and toward the cheerlea
Anna lent me her tracksuit bottoms and a T-shirt. I didn’t have time to go home and change, so this will have to do for now.I stretch while waiting for Cora. She is the captain of the squad, so she will be the judge today. Some of the other cheerleaders came to support me after they heard I would be trying out this afternoon."Kate?" I turn my head to the girl who called me. I turn toward the girl who addressed me. I’ve seen her before. She helped with the routine before Tuesday’s game."Yes," I answer, walking towards her. "You ready for this? Cora is running late so I will be the judge. You're going to do the routine we did Tuesday but on a different song. Easy." She gestures behind her, and a guy wheels a massive speaker onto the basketball court.The girl connects her phone to the speaker and tilts her head, waiting for me."I'm ready," I say with confidence. Hopefully, Kate’s muscle memory kicks in because I barely know this routine.I nod my head to indicate I am ready."Panda"
We move quickly but quietly toward Jake’s truck, my heart pounding in my chest. The night air is cool against my skin, but it does nothing to calm the heat inside me. We hurry into the truck and Jake starts the engine before he maneuvers the truck toward the farthest corner of the parking lot.The moment he shifts into park, his lips are on mine again. I sigh into the kiss as my hand moves over his chest to settle on his neck. His hands roam my waist before he pulls me onto his lap, making me gasp.“Jake,” I scold between kisses, pressing my hands to his chest. “Be careful with the dress.”He chuckles, low and deep, his breath warm against my neck. “I’ve got you,” he murmurs, fingers tracing the fabric slowly before he lifts it just enough.A giggle escapes me as he shifts my underwear aside. His touch sends shivers up my spine. “I’ve never done this in a car before,” I admit, breathless. The space feels both thrilling and awkward, the newness of it making me giddy.“I’ll take care o
I check my phone and notice a message from my mum. I hope you are having fun xA soft smile forms on my lips and I check the time. It is already past ten. We should probably get going. But I want to get another dance in with Jake. With a playful grin, I take Jake’s hand and pull him toward the dance floor. The music pulses around us and I cannot help but sway to the beat, my energy infectious.“Come on, don’t just stand there!” I urge, glancing up at him with a teasing glint in my eyes. As I start to dance, I turn my back to him and playfully grind against him. Laughter spills out as I watch his cheeks flush a faint pink.“Uh, Kate,” he says, his voice low but with that shy confidence I find so endearing, “maybe we should keep it—”“Oh, stop being so serious!” I interrupt and twirl around him with a cheeky smile. The way he tries to maintain his composure only makes me want to tease him more.“Really, I need to—” he starts and I let out a soft giggle.“Need to what?” I tease, winkin
The music thrums through the air, a steady pulse of sound that makes the entire room feel alive. Twinkling fairy lights are strung across the ceiling like fireflies caught in midair and tall artificial trees line the edges of the dance floor. Their leaves are dusted with tiny glowing lanterns. The whole venue looks like something out of a dream. Like an enchanted forest brought to life.Cora twirls me under her arm, laughing as my dress flares out around me. I’m breathless, my cheeks aching from smiling so much. We’ve been dancing for what feels like forever, moving to the beat of every song.“You’re having fun,” Cora teases, bumping her hip against mine.I grin at her. “Obviously.”She gasps dramatically. “Girl, I knew you would have fun. And you wanted to skip this?”I roll my eyes, but I’m still smiling. It’s true. I can’t remember the last time I felt this light, this carefree. And I did want to skip. Maybe it’s the music, or the warm golden glow of the lights, or just the fact th
The doorbell rings just as I take a sip of my morning tea, the warmth of it still lingering in my hands. I set the mug down and make my way to the door.When I swing it open, Cora stands there, beaming, her arms full of garment bags and makeup pouches. “Morning, girl! Ready to make me look like a goddess?” she teases, stepping inside before I can even answer.I laugh and shut the door behind her. “You already do. But, of course, I’ll work my magic.”We got the day off for prom and the house is buzzing with energy. My mum is in the kitchen with Cora’s mum, chatting over tea and biscuits. We take over the sitting room with our dresses, heels, and endless supplies of makeup and hair products.Cora carefully unzips the garment bag, revealing her emerald green dress. It’s stunning/ It is tight-fitting with an elegant neckline, hugging her curves in all the right places. She holds it up against herself, grinning. “What do you think?”I give her an approving nod. “You’re going to steal the
After my shower, I tiptoe to my walk-in closet. I grab some fluffy pajamas before stepping back into the room. The warm glow of my bedside lamp casts long shadows against the walls. The air is cool against my damp skin. Jake is still sitting on my bed, quiet as always. His gaze is sharp, tracking me as I move.He looks exhausted. More so than usual. There is a tiredness settled into his shoulders. I don’t say anything at first. Instead, I climb onto the bed beside him. I lay down with a sigh before shifting closer. Without thinking, I wrap an arm around his legs and hold him where he sits. He stiffens for half a second, exhales, and relaxes slightly into my touch. His body is warm and solid. Safe. I never knew he had such thick thighs. Super hot.He doesn’t pull away and I don’t loosen my hold. It’s comfortable, natural like I belong tucked against his side.For a moment, my mind drifts back to where we started. How different everything was before. How, just a few months ago, I woul
The box sits on my bed, still unopened. The curiosity buzzes inside me and it feels almost unbearable. I carefully remove the wrapping and open the box. Inside is a dress.And it is breathtaking.The fabric is soft and delicate, almost ethereal, the color a muted cream that seems to shimmer as it catches the light. The dress looks like something out of an old movie from the 1900s. It is elegant and timeless. The long sleeves are sheer and lace-trimmed. The neckline is high with a beautiful cut. There’s something vintage about it, something otherworldly. I run my fingers over the delicate lace at the collar and the silk of the bodice, and I can already tell it will feel like a dream to wear.I slip out of my clothes, letting the dress fall gently over me. It is a bit bigger, so it hangs a bit loosely, but it still looks perfect. I turn in front of the mirror, taking it all in. The flow of the skirt as it billows around my feet, the way the lace on the sleeves gives the whole look an
Cora stands in front of my full-length mirror, smoothing down the emerald-green fabric of her prom dress. She turns slightly to check the fit from every angle before she looks over her shoulder at me.“Well?” she asks with a wide grin.I lean against my bed frame, legs crossed beneath me, and tilt my head. “You look absolutely gorgeous.”Cora beams, giving the skirt a little spin so it flares out around her. “I knew this was the one. The color isn’t too much, right?”“Not at all,” I assure her. “It’s perfect on you. The green makes your eyes look even brighter.”She studies herself for another moment, then sighs happily. “I can’t believe prom is Wednesday. It’s actually happening.”I smile at her excitement, but she catches something in my expression. She turns to me, hands on her hips. “What about you? What are you wearing?”I pause. “I… don’t know yet.”Her brows knit together. “Kate. It’s Monday.”“I’m aware,” I say lightly, but the truth is, I hadn’t really given it much thought.
I sit on the edge of the bed, staring at the door Kate just walked through. The weight of her words hits me harder than I expected. She gave up prom for me. It’s a small thing, a silly high school tradition, but the fact that she’s so ready to give it up for my pack, for the chaos and danger we’re facing... it hits me deep. I know she wasn’t all that keen on going, but there was a part of me that saw the way her eyes lit up when I mentioned it. She didn’t even hesitate before throwing it all away.Kate’s so different from Blaire in every way that matters. Where Blaire is all about her own plans, her own agenda, Kate never asks for anything in return. It’s like she’s made of something soft and rare. Something that makes my wolf restless, wanting to protect her, to give her everything. I’ve been fighting it to some degree despite knowing that Kate is my mate. Despite knowing she is nothing like Blaire. I cannot deny it anymore. I love her. It’s a truth so loud inside my chest that I c
Jake pulls into the driveway, the car’s engine winding down to a quiet stop. I glance over at Jake, who gives me a small nod before getting out of the car. I take a deep breath as I feel the weight of the evening finally settle on me.I head inside, slipping off my shoes by the door. The house is quiet, but it’s the kind of peaceful that feels right after a long day. There is a smell of something my mum must’ve been cooking earlier and I smile at the thought of her. I make my way upstairs, my steps soft on the wooden floorboards.Outside her room, I stop and knock lightly. There’s no answer, but I know she’s in there. I push the door open slowly and peek inside.Mum’s lying in bed with her eyes closed, but I can tell she’s not asleep. She is just worn out from everything. The volleyball game, the lunch out... it’s all added up.I walk over to the bed and sit down beside her, reaching for the blankets to adjust them. I tuck her in carefully. She opens her eyes, looking at me with a tir