Lunar Legends

Lyric POV My alarm goes off at 5am sharp as usual, loud and unforgiving, dragging me out of a sleep that never feels long enough. Another day in a pack that never lets me forget exactly where I stand. I groan before rolling over and turning it off. “You’re so cranky in the mornings,” my wolf Nova snickers in my mind. I climb out of bed and head to the shower, my body moving on autopilot even though my mind is already racing ahead to everything waiting for me today. “I hope you’re ready for a week of chaos,” my best friend Winter links me. Winter is the youngest pup of our Alpha and Luna. “What do you mean?” I link back. “Seriously, Lyric, besides the fact that the pack will be crawling with visiting packs soon for the ball on Saturday,” she links. How could I forget? Like that hasn’t been hanging over my head all week. Our future alpha Mason Lane, who is Winter’s older brother, and my older brother Hunter, the future beta, both turn 18 this week. Hunter’s birthday is Thursday, and Mason’s is today. Even though the mating ball is Saturday, he can scent his mate today, even if she isn’t 18. “Don’t remind me, but what does that have to do with me?” I link as I step into the shower, letting the hot water hit my skin, hoping it washes away the tension already building in my chest. “Well, Summer already walks around the pack like she is our future Luna, and now today we’ll find out,” she links back. Summer is my twin sister—I say twin loosely because we are on opposite ends of the genetics spectrum. I’m 5’0” tall with caramel skin, curvy and thick no matter how much I train, with copper-red hair and green eyes. Summer, on the other hand, has olive skin like our mother and pale blue eyes. She is also 5’7” and slim. Total opposites, I know. And in this pack, opposite doesn’t just mean different—it means less. That makes me an easy target for the pack’s so-called “future Luna.” In public, she’s sweet and perfect, but behind closed doors, where no one can see, she finds ways to make my life hell. The worst part wasn't what she did. It was how slowly it happened. Summer never went from zero to cruel overnight. Every year she got a little meaner, a little bolder, and I got a little quieter. By the time I realized how bad things had become, staying silent felt easier than trying to explain years of hurt to people who only saw the perfect version of her. “Please tell me you’re almost ready—training starts in 15 minutes,” Winter links me. “Getting dressed now,” I reply as I put on my leggings and sneakers. I just throw on a sports bra and a cropped tank. My hair does whatever it wants, so I style it into the best version of a bun. “You’re trying too hard,” Nova says in amusement. I ignore her, because trying too hard is better than not trying at all in a place like this. I ignore her and walk out of my room. “Meet me in the dining room,” I link Winter. I head downstairs from the beta floor to the dining hall. When I walk into the kitchen, I spot Mason sitting at a table with Hunter, Lucas, and Micah—the future gamma and delta. His eyes are locked on me the moment I step into the dining hall. It hits instantly—sharp and unexpected, like he’s seeing me in a way he never has before. My stomach flips, and I walk away before I think too much about what it means. Because thinking about it would be a mistake. A dangerous one. “Good morning, Mary,” I say to the head omega. “Good morning, sweetheart. How are you today?” she asks, checking me over. Her eyes linger just a second longer than usual, like she’s making sure I’m actually okay. “I’m fine. Need help with anything?” I ask. “No, sweet girl. I’ll see you after training,” she says. I walk out and find Winter waiting by the door. “Finally, we’re already late,” she says as soon as she sees me. “I’m sorry. Let’s go,” I say. When we get to the training grounds, I get a link from Delta Sam. “I would like to use you for a demonstration today.” “Why me?” I link back, my stomach tightening because attention is the last thing I want. “Because you are the only one who knows how to do the move properly,” he links back. “Fine,” I say. “What was that about?” Winter asks. “I’m being used for a demonstration,” I say, annoyed. Annoyed… and a little uneasy. “It’s going to be okay,” Nova says. "I'd rather keep my head down until I can leave this place," I tell her. “You are not meant to keep your head down, Lyric,” she says softly. “Tell that to Summer,” I murmur. “Good morning, everyone,” Delta Sam says, getting everyone’s attention. “Today, we will be practicing offensive moves that can be useful when fighting a wolf, whether in human or wolf form,” he adds. “We will have a demonstration before we pair off to practice,” he says. “Our gamma will be demonstrating with Lyric,” he continues, and all eyes turn to me—including Mason’s and Summer’s. The shift is instant. Heavy. Suffocating. Like I just stepped into a spotlight I never asked for. Great. I walk over to where Delta Sam and Gamma Jake stand. “Okay, Lyric will be on offense, and Gamma Jake will be on defense. He’ll attack you in his human form first, then his wolf form.” My heart pounds in my chest, loud enough that I swear everyone can hear it. I know I can handle this, but all this attention? Not my favorite thing. He yells, “Begin!” And I drop into a fighting stance, waiting for Jake to make the first move. He swings out, aiming for my ribs. I sidestep and land my own punch right there, solid against his side. He staggers back and tries a leg sweep. I hop back just in time, avoiding the trip. Then he lunges, grabbing me around the waist. I twist with his momentum, wrapping my legs around his hips and my arms around his neck. In a quick spin, I’m on his back like a backpack from hell. The movement is clean. Controlled. Mine. Before he can shake me off, I drive my elbow into the back of his head. Delta Sam calls, “Time!” I leap down from Jake’s back, breathing hard, a big grin splitting my face. For a second, I forget where I am. Forget who’s watching. It feels good. Too good. When I look up, Mason’s eyes are fixed on me, intense with some emotion I can’t quite understand— not amusement… not indifference… something deeper. Something that makes my stomach drop instead of flip. —but it sends chills racing down my spine. And for the first time, the way he’s looking at me doesn’t feel like nothing… it feels like the beginning of something I’m not sure I’ll survive.

Lyric POV My alarm goes off at 5am sharp as usual, loud and unforgiving, dragging me out of a sleep that never feels long enough. Another day in a pack that never lets me forget exactly where I stand. I groan before rolling over and turning it off. “You’re so cranky in the mornings,” my wolf Nova snickers in my mind. I climb out of bed and head to the shower, my body moving on autopilot even though my mind is already racing ahead to everything waiting for me today. “I hope you’re ready for a week of chaos,” my best friend Winter links me. Winter is the youngest pup of our Alpha and Luna. “What do you mean?” I link back. “Seriously, Lyric, besides the fact that the pack will be crawling with visiting packs soon for the ball on Saturday,” she links. How could I forget? Like that hasn’t been hanging over my head all week. Our future alpha Mason Lane, who is Winter’s older brother, and my older brother Hunter, the future beta, both turn 18 this week. Hunter’s birthday is Thursday, and Mason’s is today. Even though the mating ball is Saturday, he can scent his mate today, even if she isn’t 18. “Don’t remind me, but what does that have to do with me?” I link as I step into the shower, letting the hot water hit my skin, hoping it washes away the tension already building in my chest. “Well, Summer already walks around the pack like she is our future Luna, and now today we’ll find out,” she links back. Summer is my twin sister—I say twin loosely because we are on opposite ends of the genetics spectrum. I’m 5’0” tall with caramel skin, curvy and thick no matter how much I train, with copper-red hair and green eyes. Summer, on the other hand, has olive skin like our mother and pale blue eyes. She is also 5’7” and slim. Total opposites, I know. And in this pack, opposite doesn’t just mean different—it means less. That makes me an easy target for the pack’s so-called “future Luna.” In public, she’s sweet and perfect, but behind closed doors, where no one can see, she finds ways to make my life hell. The worst part wasn't what she did. It was how slowly it happened. Summer never went from zero to cruel overnight. Every year she got a little meaner, a little bolder, and I got a little quieter. By the time I realized how bad things had become, staying silent felt easier than trying to explain years of hurt to people who only saw the perfect version of her. “Please tell me you’re almost ready—training starts in 15 minutes,” Winter links me. “Getting dressed now,” I reply as I put on my leggings and sneakers. I just throw on a sports bra and a cropped tank. My hair does whatever it wants, so I style it into the best version of a bun. “You’re trying too hard,” Nova says in amusement. I ignore her, because trying too hard is better than not trying at all in a place like this. I ignore her and walk out of my room. “Meet me in the dining room,” I link Winter. I head downstairs from the beta floor to the dining hall. When I walk into the kitchen, I spot Mason sitting at a table with Hunter, Lucas, and Micah—the future gamma and delta. His eyes are locked on me the moment I step into the dining hall. It hits instantly—sharp and unexpected, like he’s seeing me in a way he never has before. My stomach flips, and I walk away before I think too much about what it means. Because thinking about it would be a mistake. A dangerous one. “Good morning, Mary,” I say to the head omega. “Good morning, sweetheart. How are you today?” she asks, checking me over. Her eyes linger just a second longer than usual, like she’s making sure I’m actually okay. “I’m fine. Need help with anything?” I ask. “No, sweet girl. I’ll see you after training,” she says. I walk out and find Winter waiting by the door. “Finally, we’re already late,” she says as soon as she sees me. “I’m sorry. Let’s go,” I say. When we get to the training grounds, I get a link from Delta Sam. “I would like to use you for a demonstration today.” “Why me?” I link back, my stomach tightening because attention is the last thing I want. “Because you are the only one who knows how to do the move properly,” he links back. “Fine,” I say. “What was that about?” Winter asks. “I’m being used for a demonstration,” I say, annoyed. Annoyed… and a little uneasy. “It’s going to be okay,” Nova says. "I'd rather keep my head down until I can leave this place," I tell her. “You are not meant to keep your head down, Lyric,” she says softly. “Tell that to Summer,” I murmur. “Good morning, everyone,” Delta Sam says, getting everyone’s attention. “Today, we will be practicing offensive moves that can be useful when fighting a wolf, whether in human or wolf form,” he adds. “We will have a demonstration before we pair off to practice,” he says. “Our gamma will be demonstrating with Lyric,” he continues, and all eyes turn to me—including Mason’s and Summer’s. The shift is instant. Heavy. Suffocating. Like I just stepped into a spotlight I never asked for. Great. I walk over to where Delta Sam and Gamma Jake stand. “Okay, Lyric will be on offense, and Gamma Jake will be on defense. He’ll attack you in his human form first, then his wolf form.” My heart pounds in my chest, loud enough that I swear everyone can hear it. I know I can handle this, but all this attention? Not my favorite thing. He yells, “Begin!” And I drop into a fighting stance, waiting for Jake to make the first move. He swings out, aiming for my ribs. I sidestep and land my own punch right there, solid against his side. He staggers back and tries a leg sweep. I hop back just in time, avoiding the trip. Then he lunges, grabbing me around the waist. I twist with his momentum, wrapping my legs around his hips and my arms around his neck. In a quick spin, I’m on his back like a backpack from hell. The movement is clean. Controlled. Mine. Before he can shake me off, I drive my elbow into the back of his head. Delta Sam calls, “Time!” I leap down from Jake’s back, breathing hard, a big grin splitting my face. For a second, I forget where I am. Forget who’s watching. It feels good. Too good. When I look up, Mason’s eyes are fixed on me, intense with some emotion I can’t quite understand— not amusement… not indifference… something deeper. Something that makes my stomach drop instead of flip. —but it sends chills racing down my spine. And for the first time, the way he’s looking at me doesn’t feel like nothing… it feels like the beginning of something I’m not sure I’ll survive.

Lyric POV My alarm goes off at 5am sharp as usual, loud and unforgiving, dragging me out of a sleep that never feels long enough. Another day in a pack that never lets me forget exactly where I stand. I groan before rolling over and turning it off. “You’re so cranky in the mornings,” my wolf Nova snickers in my mind. I climb out of bed and head to the shower, my body moving on autopilot even though my mind is already racing ahead to everything waiting for me today. “I hope you’re ready for a week of chaos,” my best friend Winter links me. Winter is the youngest pup of our Alpha and Luna. “What do you mean?” I link back. “Seriously, Lyric, besides the fact that the pack will be crawling with visiting packs soon for the ball on Saturday,” she links. How could I forget? Like that hasn’t been hanging over my head all week. Our future alpha Mason Lane, who is Winter’s older brother, and my older brother Hunter, the future beta, both turn 18 this week. Hunter’s birthday is Thursday, and Mason’s is today. Even though the mating ball is Saturday, he can scent his mate today, even if she isn’t 18. “Don’t remind me, but what does that have to do with me?” I link as I step into the shower, letting the hot water hit my skin, hoping it washes away the tension already building in my chest. “Well, Summer already walks around the pack like she is our future Luna, and now today we’ll find out,” she links back. Summer is my twin sister—I say twin loosely because we are on opposite ends of the genetics spectrum. I’m 5’0” tall with caramel skin, curvy and thick no matter how much I train, with copper-red hair and green eyes. Summer, on the other hand, has olive skin like our mother and pale blue eyes. She is also 5’7” and slim. Total opposites, I know. And in this pack, opposite doesn’t just mean different—it means less. That makes me an easy target for the pack’s so-called “future Luna.” In public, she’s sweet and perfect, but behind closed doors, where no one can see, she finds ways to make my life hell. The worst part wasn't what she did. It was how slowly it happened. Summer never went from zero to cruel overnight. Every year she got a little meaner, a little bolder, and I got a little quieter. By the time I realized how bad things had become, staying silent felt easier than trying to explain years of hurt to people who only saw the perfect version of her. “Please tell me you’re almost ready—training starts in 15 minutes,” Winter links me. “Getting dressed now,” I reply as I put on my leggings and sneakers. I just throw on a sports bra and a cropped tank. My hair does whatever it wants, so I style it into the best version of a bun. “You’re trying too hard,” Nova says in amusement. I ignore her, because trying too hard is better than not trying at all in a place like this. I ignore her and walk out of my room. “Meet me in the dining room,” I link Winter. I head downstairs from the beta floor to the dining hall. When I walk into the kitchen, I spot Mason sitting at a table with Hunter, Lucas, and Micah—the future gamma and delta. His eyes are locked on me the moment I step into the dining hall. It hits instantly—sharp and unexpected, like he’s seeing me in a way he never has before. My stomach flips, and I walk away before I think too much about what it means. Because thinking about it would be a mistake. A dangerous one. “Good morning, Mary,” I say to the head omega. “Good morning, sweetheart. How are you today?” she asks, checking me over. Her eyes linger just a second longer than usual, like she’s making sure I’m actually okay. “I’m fine. Need help with anything?” I ask. “No, sweet girl. I’ll see you after training,” she says. I walk out and find Winter waiting by the door. “Finally, we’re already late,” she says as soon as she sees me. “I’m sorry. Let’s go,” I say. When we get to the training grounds, I get a link from Delta Sam. “I would like to use you for a demonstration today.” “Why me?” I link back, my stomach tightening because attention is the last thing I want. “Because you are the only one who knows how to do the move properly,” he links back. “Fine,” I say. “What was that about?” Winter asks. “I’m being used for a demonstration,” I say, annoyed. Annoyed… and a little uneasy. “It’s going to be okay,” Nova says. "I'd rather keep my head down until I can leave this place," I tell her. “You are not meant to keep your head down, Lyric,” she says softly. “Tell that to Summer,” I murmur. “Good morning, everyone,” Delta Sam says, getting everyone’s attention. “Today, we will be practicing offensive moves that can be useful when fighting a wolf, whether in human or wolf form,” he adds. “We will have a demonstration before we pair off to practice,” he says. “Our gamma will be demonstrating with Lyric,” he continues, and all eyes turn to me—including Mason’s and Summer’s. The shift is instant. Heavy. Suffocating. Like I just stepped into a spotlight I never asked for. Great. I walk over to where Delta Sam and Gamma Jake stand. “Okay, Lyric will be on offense, and Gamma Jake will be on defense. He’ll attack you in his human form first, then his wolf form.” My heart pounds in my chest, loud enough that I swear everyone can hear it. I know I can handle this, but all this attention? Not my favorite thing. He yells, “Begin!” And I drop into a fighting stance, waiting for Jake to make the first move. He swings out, aiming for my ribs. I sidestep and land my own punch right there, solid against his side. He staggers back and tries a leg sweep. I hop back just in time, avoiding the trip. Then he lunges, grabbing me around the waist. I twist with his momentum, wrapping my legs around his hips and my arms around his neck. In a quick spin, I’m on his back like a backpack from hell. The movement is clean. Controlled. Mine. Before he can shake me off, I drive my elbow into the back of his head. Delta Sam calls, “Time!” I leap down from Jake’s back, breathing hard, a big grin splitting my face. For a second, I forget where I am. Forget who’s watching. It feels good. Too good. When I look up, Mason’s eyes are fixed on me, intense with some emotion I can’t quite understand— not amusement… not indifference… something deeper. Something that makes my stomach drop instead of flip. —but it sends chills racing down my spine. And for the first time, the way he’s looking at me doesn’t feel like nothing… it feels like the beginning of something I’m not sure I’ll survive.

Lyric POV My alarm goes off at 5am sharp as usual, loud and unforgiving, dragging me out of a sleep that never feels long enough. Another day in a pack that never lets me forget exactly where I stand. I groan before rolling over and turning it off. “You’re so cranky in the mornings,” my wolf Nova snickers in my mind. I climb out of bed and head to the shower, my body moving on autopilot even though my mind is already racing ahead to everything waiting for me today. “I hope you’re ready for a week of chaos,” my best friend Winter links me. Winter is the youngest pup of our Alpha and Luna. “What do you mean?” I link back. “Seriously, Lyric, besides the fact that the pack will be crawling with visiting packs soon for the ball on Saturday,” she links. How could I forget? Like that hasn’t been hanging over my head all week. Our future alpha Mason Lane, who is Winter’s older brother, and my older brother Hunter, the future beta, both turn 18 this week. Hunter’s birthday is Thursday, and Mason’s is today. Even though the mating ball is Saturday, he can scent his mate today, even if she isn’t 18. “Don’t remind me, but what does that have to do with me?” I link as I step into the shower, letting the hot water hit my skin, hoping it washes away the tension already building in my chest. “Well, Summer already walks around the pack like she is our future Luna, and now today we’ll find out,” she links back. Summer is my twin sister—I say twin loosely because we are on opposite ends of the genetics spectrum. I’m 5’0” tall with caramel skin, curvy and thick no matter how much I train, with copper-red hair and green eyes. Summer, on the other hand, has olive skin like our mother and pale blue eyes. She is also 5’7” and slim. Total opposites, I know. And in this pack, opposite doesn’t just mean different—it means less. That makes me an easy target for the pack’s so-called “future Luna.” In public, she’s sweet and perfect, but behind closed doors, where no one can see, she finds ways to make my life hell. The worst part wasn't what she did. It was how slowly it happened. Summer never went from zero to cruel overnight. Every year she got a little meaner, a little bolder, and I got a little quieter. By the time I realized how bad things had become, staying silent felt easier than trying to explain years of hurt to people who only saw the perfect version of her. “Please tell me you’re almost ready—training starts in 15 minutes,” Winter links me. “Getting dressed now,” I reply as I put on my leggings and sneakers. I just throw on a sports bra and a cropped tank. My hair does whatever it wants, so I style it into the best version of a bun. “You’re trying too hard,” Nova says in amusement. I ignore her, because trying too hard is better than not trying at all in a place like this. I ignore her and walk out of my room. “Meet me in the dining room,” I link Winter. I head downstairs from the beta floor to the dining hall. When I walk into the kitchen, I spot Mason sitting at a table with Hunter, Lucas, and Micah—the future gamma and delta. His eyes are locked on me the moment I step into the dining hall. It hits instantly—sharp and unexpected, like he’s seeing me in a way he never has before. My stomach flips, and I walk away before I think too much about what it means. Because thinking about it would be a mistake. A dangerous one. “Good morning, Mary,” I say to the head omega. “Good morning, sweetheart. How are you today?” she asks, checking me over. Her eyes linger just a second longer than usual, like she’s making sure I’m actually okay. “I’m fine. Need help with anything?” I ask. “No, sweet girl. I’ll see you after training,” she says. I walk out and find Winter waiting by the door. “Finally, we’re already late,” she says as soon as she sees me. “I’m sorry. Let’s go,” I say. When we get to the training grounds, I get a link from Delta Sam. “I would like to use you for a demonstration today.” “Why me?” I link back, my stomach tightening because attention is the last thing I want. “Because you are the only one who knows how to do the move properly,” he links back. “Fine,” I say. “What was that about?” Winter asks. “I’m being used for a demonstration,” I say, annoyed. Annoyed… and a little uneasy. “It’s going to be okay,” Nova says. "I'd rather keep my head down until I can leave this place," I tell her. “You are not meant to keep your head down, Lyric,” she says softly. “Tell that to Summer,” I murmur. “Good morning, everyone,” Delta Sam says, getting everyone’s attention. “Today, we will be practicing offensive moves that can be useful when fighting a wolf, whether in human or wolf form,” he adds. “We will have a demonstration before we pair off to practice,” he says. “Our gamma will be demonstrating with Lyric,” he continues, and all eyes turn to me—including Mason’s and Summer’s. The shift is instant. Heavy. Suffocating. Like I just stepped into a spotlight I never asked for. Great. I walk over to where Delta Sam and Gamma Jake stand. “Okay, Lyric will be on offense, and Gamma Jake will be on defense. He’ll attack you in his human form first, then his wolf form.” My heart pounds in my chest, loud enough that I swear everyone can hear it. I know I can handle this, but all this attention? Not my favorite thing. He yells, “Begin!” And I drop into a fighting stance, waiting for Jake to make the first move. He swings out, aiming for my ribs. I sidestep and land my own punch right there, solid against his side. He staggers back and tries a leg sweep. I hop back just in time, avoiding the trip. Then he lunges, grabbing me around the waist. I twist with his momentum, wrapping my legs around his hips and my arms around his neck. In a quick spin, I’m on his back like a backpack from hell. The movement is clean. Controlled. Mine. Before he can shake me off, I drive my elbow into the back of his head. Delta Sam calls, “Time!” I leap down from Jake’s back, breathing hard, a big grin splitting my face. For a second, I forget where I am. Forget who’s watching. It feels good. Too good. When I look up, Mason’s eyes are fixed on me, intense with some emotion I can’t quite understand— not amusement… not indifference… something deeper. Something that makes my stomach drop instead of flip. —but it sends chills racing down my spine. And for the first time, the way he’s looking at me doesn’t feel like nothing… it feels like the beginning of something I’m not sure I’ll survive.

Lyric POV My alarm goes off at 5am sharp as usual, loud and unforgiving, dragging me out of a sleep that never feels long enough. Another day in a pack that never lets me forget exactly where I stand. I groan before rolling over and turning it off. “You’re so cranky in the mornings,” my wolf Nova snickers in my mind. I climb out of bed and head to the shower, my body moving on autopilot even though my mind is already racing ahead to everything waiting for me today. “I hope you’re ready for a week of chaos,” my best friend Winter links me. Winter is the youngest pup of our Alpha and Luna. “What do you mean?” I link back. “Seriously, Lyric, besides the fact that the pack will be crawling with visiting packs soon for the ball on Saturday,” she links. How could I forget? Like that hasn’t been hanging over my head all week. Our future alpha Mason Lane, who is Winter’s older brother, and my older brother Hunter, the future beta, both turn 18 this week. Hunter’s birthday is Thursday, and Mason’s is today. Even though the mating ball is Saturday, he can scent his mate today, even if she isn’t 18. “Don’t remind me, but what does that have to do with me?” I link as I step into the shower, letting the hot water hit my skin, hoping it washes away the tension already building in my chest. “Well, Summer already walks around the pack like she is our future Luna, and now today we’ll find out,” she links back. Summer is my twin sister—I say twin loosely because we are on opposite ends of the genetics spectrum. I’m 5’0” tall with caramel skin, curvy and thick no matter how much I train, with copper-red hair and green eyes. Summer, on the other hand, has olive skin like our mother and pale blue eyes. She is also 5’7” and slim. Total opposites, I know. And in this pack, opposite doesn’t just mean different—it means less. That makes me an easy target for the pack’s so-called “future Luna.” In public, she’s sweet and perfect, but behind closed doors, where no one can see, she finds ways to make my life hell. The worst part wasn't what she did. It was how slowly it happened. Summer never went from zero to cruel overnight. Every year she got a little meaner, a little bolder, and I got a little quieter. By the time I realized how bad things had become, staying silent felt easier than trying to explain years of hurt to people who only saw the perfect version of her. “Please tell me you’re almost ready—training starts in 15 minutes,” Winter links me. “Getting dressed now,” I reply as I put on my leggings and sneakers. I just throw on a sports bra and a cropped tank. My hair does whatever it wants, so I style it into the best version of a bun. “You’re trying too hard,” Nova says in amusement. I ignore her, because trying too hard is better than not trying at all in a place like this. I ignore her and walk out of my room. “Meet me in the dining room,” I link Winter. I head downstairs from the beta floor to the dining hall. When I walk into the kitchen, I spot Mason sitting at a table with Hunter, Lucas, and Micah—the future gamma and delta. His eyes are locked on me the moment I step into the dining hall. It hits instantly—sharp and unexpected, like he’s seeing me in a way he never has before. My stomach flips, and I walk away before I think too much about what it means. Because thinking about it would be a mistake. A dangerous one. “Good morning, Mary,” I say to the head omega. “Good morning, sweetheart. How are you today?” she asks, checking me over. Her eyes linger just a second longer than usual, like she’s making sure I’m actually okay. “I’m fine. Need help with anything?” I ask. “No, sweet girl. I’ll see you after training,” she says. I walk out and find Winter waiting by the door. “Finally, we’re already late,” she says as soon as she sees me. “I’m sorry. Let’s go,” I say. When we get to the training grounds, I get a link from Delta Sam. “I would like to use you for a demonstration today.” “Why me?” I link back, my stomach tightening because attention is the last thing I want. “Because you are the only one who knows how to do the move properly,” he links back. “Fine,” I say. “What was that about?” Winter asks. “I’m being used for a demonstration,” I say, annoyed. Annoyed… and a little uneasy. “It’s going to be okay,” Nova says. "I'd rather keep my head down until I can leave this place," I tell her. “You are not meant to keep your head down, Lyric,” she says softly. “Tell that to Summer,” I murmur. “Good morning, everyone,” Delta Sam says, getting everyone’s attention. “Today, we will be practicing offensive moves that can be useful when fighting a wolf, whether in human or wolf form,” he adds. “We will have a demonstration before we pair off to practice,” he says. “Our gamma will be demonstrating with Lyric,” he continues, and all eyes turn to me—including Mason’s and Summer’s. The shift is instant. Heavy. Suffocating. Like I just stepped into a spotlight I never asked for. Great. I walk over to where Delta Sam and Gamma Jake stand. “Okay, Lyric will be on offense, and Gamma Jake will be on defense. He’ll attack you in his human form first, then his wolf form.” My heart pounds in my chest, loud enough that I swear everyone can hear it. I know I can handle this, but all this attention? Not my favorite thing. He yells, “Begin!” And I drop into a fighting stance, waiting for Jake to make the first move. He swings out, aiming for my ribs. I sidestep and land my own punch right there, solid against his side. He staggers back and tries a leg sweep. I hop back just in time, avoiding the trip. Then he lunges, grabbing me around the waist. I twist with his momentum, wrapping my legs around his hips and my arms around his neck. In a quick spin, I’m on his back like a backpack from hell. The movement is clean. Controlled. Mine. Before he can shake me off, I drive my elbow into the back of his head. Delta Sam calls, “Time!” I leap down from Jake’s back, breathing hard, a big grin splitting my face. For a second, I forget where I am. Forget who’s watching. It feels good. Too good. When I look up, Mason’s eyes are fixed on me, intense with some emotion I can’t quite understand— not amusement… not indifference… something deeper. Something that makes my stomach drop instead of flip. —but it sends chills racing down my spine. And for the first time, the way he’s looking at me doesn’t feel like nothing… it feels like the beginning of something I’m not sure I’ll survive.

Lyric POV My alarm goes off at 5am sharp as usual, loud and unforgiving, dragging me out of a sleep that never feels long enough. Another day in a pack that never lets me forget exactly where I stand. I groan before rolling over and turning it off. “You’re so cranky in the mornings,” my wolf Nova snickers in my mind. I climb out of bed and head to the shower, my body moving on autopilot even though my mind is already racing ahead to everything waiting for me today. “I hope you’re ready for a week of chaos,” my best friend Winter links me. Winter is the youngest pup of our Alpha and Luna. “What do you mean?” I link back. “Seriously, Lyric, besides the fact that the pack will be crawling with visiting packs soon for the ball on Saturday,” she links. How could I forget? Like that hasn’t been hanging over my head all week. Our future alpha Mason Lane, who is Winter’s older brother, and my older brother Hunter, the future beta, both turn 18 this week. Hunter’s birthday is Thursday, and Mason’s is today. Even though the mating ball is Saturday, he can scent his mate today, even if she isn’t 18. “Don’t remind me, but what does that have to do with me?” I link as I step into the shower, letting the hot water hit my skin, hoping it washes away the tension already building in my chest. “Well, Summer already walks around the pack like she is our future Luna, and now today we’ll find out,” she links back. Summer is my twin sister—I say twin loosely because we are on opposite ends of the genetics spectrum. I’m 5’0” tall with caramel skin, curvy and thick no matter how much I train, with copper-red hair and green eyes. Summer, on the other hand, has olive skin like our mother and pale blue eyes. She is also 5’7” and slim. Total opposites, I know. And in this pack, opposite doesn’t just mean different—it means less. That makes me an easy target for the pack’s so-called “future Luna.” In public, she’s sweet and perfect, but behind closed doors, where no one can see, she finds ways to make my life hell. The worst part wasn't what she did. It was how slowly it happened. Summer never went from zero to cruel overnight. Every year she got a little meaner, a little bolder, and I got a little quieter. By the time I realized how bad things had become, staying silent felt easier than trying to explain years of hurt to people who only saw the perfect version of her. “Please tell me you’re almost ready—training starts in 15 minutes,” Winter links me. “Getting dressed now,” I reply as I put on my leggings and sneakers. I just throw on a sports bra and a cropped tank. My hair does whatever it wants, so I style it into the best version of a bun. “You’re trying too hard,” Nova says in amusement. I ignore her, because trying too hard is better than not trying at all in a place like this. I ignore her and walk out of my room. “Meet me in the dining room,” I link Winter. I head downstairs from the beta floor to the dining hall. When I walk into the kitchen, I spot Mason sitting at a table with Hunter, Lucas, and Micah—the future gamma and delta. His eyes are locked on me the moment I step into the dining hall. It hits instantly—sharp and unexpected, like he’s seeing me in a way he never has before. My stomach flips, and I walk away before I think too much about what it means. Because thinking about it would be a mistake. A dangerous one. “Good morning, Mary,” I say to the head omega. “Good morning, sweetheart. How are you today?” she asks, checking me over. Her eyes linger just a second longer than usual, like she’s making sure I’m actually okay. “I’m fine. Need help with anything?” I ask. “No, sweet girl. I’ll see you after training,” she says. I walk out and find Winter waiting by the door. “Finally, we’re already late,” she says as soon as she sees me. “I’m sorry. Let’s go,” I say. When we get to the training grounds, I get a link from Delta Sam. “I would like to use you for a demonstration today.” “Why me?” I link back, my stomach tightening because attention is the last thing I want. “Because you are the only one who knows how to do the move properly,” he links back. “Fine,” I say. “What was that about?” Winter asks. “I’m being used for a demonstration,” I say, annoyed. Annoyed… and a little uneasy. “It’s going to be okay,” Nova says. "I'd rather keep my head down until I can leave this place," I tell her. “You are not meant to keep your head down, Lyric,” she says softly. “Tell that to Summer,” I murmur. “Good morning, everyone,” Delta Sam says, getting everyone’s attention. “Today, we will be practicing offensive moves that can be useful when fighting a wolf, whether in human or wolf form,” he adds. “We will have a demonstration before we pair off to practice,” he says. “Our gamma will be demonstrating with Lyric,” he continues, and all eyes turn to me—including Mason’s and Summer’s. The shift is instant. Heavy. Suffocating. Like I just stepped into a spotlight I never asked for. Great. I walk over to where Delta Sam and Gamma Jake stand. “Okay, Lyric will be on offense, and Gamma Jake will be on defense. He’ll attack you in his human form first, then his wolf form.” My heart pounds in my chest, loud enough that I swear everyone can hear it. I know I can handle this, but all this attention? Not my favorite thing. He yells, “Begin!” And I drop into a fighting stance, waiting for Jake to make the first move. He swings out, aiming for my ribs. I sidestep and land my own punch right there, solid against his side. He staggers back and tries a leg sweep. I hop back just in time, avoiding the trip. Then he lunges, grabbing me around the waist. I twist with his momentum, wrapping my legs around his hips and my arms around his neck. In a quick spin, I’m on his back like a backpack from hell. The movement is clean. Controlled. Mine. Before he can shake me off, I drive my elbow into the back of his head. Delta Sam calls, “Time!” I leap down from Jake’s back, breathing hard, a big grin splitting my face. For a second, I forget where I am. Forget who’s watching. It feels good. Too good. When I look up, Mason’s eyes are fixed on me, intense with some emotion I can’t quite understand— not amusement… not indifference… something deeper. Something that makes my stomach drop instead of flip. —but it sends chills racing down my spine. And for the first time, the way he’s looking at me doesn’t feel like nothing… it feels like the beginning of something I’m not sure I’ll survive.

Lyric POV My alarm goes off at 5am sharp as usual, loud and unforgiving, dragging me out of a sleep that never feels long enough. Another day in a pack that never lets me forget exactly where I stand. I groan before rolling over and turning it off. “You’re so cranky in the mornings,” my wolf Nova snickers in my mind. I climb out of bed and head to the shower, my body moving on autopilot even though my mind is already racing ahead to everything waiting for me today. “I hope you’re ready for a week of chaos,” my best friend Winter links me. Winter is the youngest pup of our Alpha and Luna. “What do you mean?” I link back. “Seriously, Lyric, besides the fact that the pack will be crawling with visiting packs soon for the ball on Saturday,” she links. How could I forget? Like that hasn’t been hanging over my head all week. Our future alpha Mason Lane, who is Winter’s older brother, and my older brother Hunter, the future beta, both turn 18 this week. Hunter’s birthday is Thursday, and Mason’s is today. Even though the mating ball is Saturday, he can scent his mate today, even if she isn’t 18. “Don’t remind me, but what does that have to do with me?” I link as I step into the shower, letting the hot water hit my skin, hoping it washes away the tension already building in my chest. “Well, Summer already walks around the pack like she is our future Luna, and now today we’ll find out,” she links back. Summer is my twin sister—I say twin loosely because we are on opposite ends of the genetics spectrum. I’m 5’0” tall with caramel skin, curvy and thick no matter how much I train, with copper-red hair and green eyes. Summer, on the other hand, has olive skin like our mother and pale blue eyes. She is also 5’7” and slim. Total opposites, I know. And in this pack, opposite doesn’t just mean different—it means less. That makes me an easy target for the pack’s so-called “future Luna.” In public, she’s sweet and perfect, but behind closed doors, where no one can see, she finds ways to make my life hell. The worst part wasn't what she did. It was how slowly it happened. Summer never went from zero to cruel overnight. Every year she got a little meaner, a little bolder, and I got a little quieter. By the time I realized how bad things had become, staying silent felt easier than trying to explain years of hurt to people who only saw the perfect version of her. “Please tell me you’re almost ready—training starts in 15 minutes,” Winter links me. “Getting dressed now,” I reply as I put on my leggings and sneakers. I just throw on a sports bra and a cropped tank. My hair does whatever it wants, so I style it into the best version of a bun. “You’re trying too hard,” Nova says in amusement. I ignore her, because trying too hard is better than not trying at all in a place like this. I ignore her and walk out of my room. “Meet me in the dining room,” I link Winter. I head downstairs from the beta floor to the dining hall. When I walk into the kitchen, I spot Mason sitting at a table with Hunter, Lucas, and Micah—the future gamma and delta. His eyes are locked on me the moment I step into the dining hall. It hits instantly—sharp and unexpected, like he’s seeing me in a way he never has before. My stomach flips, and I walk away before I think too much about what it means. Because thinking about it would be a mistake. A dangerous one. “Good morning, Mary,” I say to the head omega. “Good morning, sweetheart. How are you today?” she asks, checking me over. Her eyes linger just a second longer than usual, like she’s making sure I’m actually okay. “I’m fine. Need help with anything?” I ask. “No, sweet girl. I’ll see you after training,” she says. I walk out and find Winter waiting by the door. “Finally, we’re already late,” she says as soon as she sees me. “I’m sorry. Let’s go,” I say. When we get to the training grounds, I get a link from Delta Sam. “I would like to use you for a demonstration today.” “Why me?” I link back, my stomach tightening because attention is the last thing I want. “Because you are the only one who knows how to do the move properly,” he links back. “Fine,” I say. “What was that about?” Winter asks. “I’m being used for a demonstration,” I say, annoyed. Annoyed… and a little uneasy. “It’s going to be okay,” Nova says. "I'd rather keep my head down until I can leave this place," I tell her. “You are not meant to keep your head down, Lyric,” she says softly. “Tell that to Summer,” I murmur. “Good morning, everyone,” Delta Sam says, getting everyone’s attention. “Today, we will be practicing offensive moves that can be useful when fighting a wolf, whether in human or wolf form,” he adds. “We will have a demonstration before we pair off to practice,” he says. “Our gamma will be demonstrating with Lyric,” he continues, and all eyes turn to me—including Mason’s and Summer’s. The shift is instant. Heavy. Suffocating. Like I just stepped into a spotlight I never asked for. Great. I walk over to where Delta Sam and Gamma Jake stand. “Okay, Lyric will be on offense, and Gamma Jake will be on defense. He’ll attack you in his human form first, then his wolf form.” My heart pounds in my chest, loud enough that I swear everyone can hear it. I know I can handle this, but all this attention? Not my favorite thing. He yells, “Begin!” And I drop into a fighting stance, waiting for Jake to make the first move. He swings out, aiming for my ribs. I sidestep and land my own punch right there, solid against his side. He staggers back and tries a leg sweep. I hop back just in time, avoiding the trip. Then he lunges, grabbing me around the waist. I twist with his momentum, wrapping my legs around his hips and my arms around his neck. In a quick spin, I’m on his back like a backpack from hell. The movement is clean. Controlled. Mine. Before he can shake me off, I drive my elbow into the back of his head. Delta Sam calls, “Time!” I leap down from Jake’s back, breathing hard, a big grin splitting my face. For a second, I forget where I am. Forget who’s watching. It feels good. Too good. When I look up, Mason’s eyes are fixed on me, intense with some emotion I can’t quite understand— not amusement… not indifference… something deeper. Something that makes my stomach drop instead of flip. —but it sends chills racing down my spine. And for the first time, the way he’s looking at me doesn’t feel like nothing… it feels like the beginning of something I’m not sure I’ll survive.

Lyric POV My alarm goes off at 5am sharp as usual, loud and unforgiving, dragging me out of a sleep that never feels long enough. Another day in a pack that never lets me forget exactly where I stand. I groan before rolling over and turning it off. “You’re so cranky in the mornings,” my wolf Nova snickers in my mind. I climb out of bed and head to the shower, my body moving on autopilot even though my mind is already racing ahead to everything waiting for me today. “I hope you’re ready for a week of chaos,” my best friend Winter links me. Winter is the youngest pup of our Alpha and Luna. “What do you mean?” I link back. “Seriously, Lyric, besides the fact that the pack will be crawling with visiting packs soon for the ball on Saturday,” she links. How could I forget? Like that hasn’t been hanging over my head all week. Our future alpha Mason Lane, who is Winter’s older brother, and my older brother Hunter, the future beta, both turn 18 this week. Hunter’s birthday is Thursday, and Mason’s is today. Even though the mating ball is Saturday, he can scent his mate today, even if she isn’t 18. “Don’t remind me, but what does that have to do with me?” I link as I step into the shower, letting the hot water hit my skin, hoping it washes away the tension already building in my chest. “Well, Summer already walks around the pack like she is our future Luna, and now today we’ll find out,” she links back. Summer is my twin sister—I say twin loosely because we are on opposite ends of the genetics spectrum. I’m 5’0” tall with caramel skin, curvy and thick no matter how much I train, with copper-red hair and green eyes. Summer, on the other hand, has olive skin like our mother and pale blue eyes. She is also 5’7” and slim. Total opposites, I know. And in this pack, opposite doesn’t just mean different—it means less. That makes me an easy target for the pack’s so-called “future Luna.” In public, she’s sweet and perfect, but behind closed doors, where no one can see, she finds ways to make my life hell. The worst part wasn't what she did. It was how slowly it happened. Summer never went from zero to cruel overnight. Every year she got a little meaner, a little bolder, and I got a little quieter. By the time I realized how bad things had become, staying silent felt easier than trying to explain years of hurt to people who only saw the perfect version of her. “Please tell me you’re almost ready—training starts in 15 minutes,” Winter links me. “Getting dressed now,” I reply as I put on my leggings and sneakers. I just throw on a sports bra and a cropped tank. My hair does whatever it wants, so I style it into the best version of a bun. “You’re trying too hard,” Nova says in amusement. I ignore her, because trying too hard is better than not trying at all in a place like this. I ignore her and walk out of my room. “Meet me in the dining room,” I link Winter. I head downstairs from the beta floor to the dining hall. When I walk into the kitchen, I spot Mason sitting at a table with Hunter, Lucas, and Micah—the future gamma and delta. His eyes are locked on me the moment I step into the dining hall. It hits instantly—sharp and unexpected, like he’s seeing me in a way he never has before. My stomach flips, and I walk away before I think too much about what it means. Because thinking about it would be a mistake. A dangerous one. “Good morning, Mary,” I say to the head omega. “Good morning, sweetheart. How are you today?” she asks, checking me over. Her eyes linger just a second longer than usual, like she’s making sure I’m actually okay. “I’m fine. Need help with anything?” I ask. “No, sweet girl. I’ll see you after training,” she says. I walk out and find Winter waiting by the door. “Finally, we’re already late,” she says as soon as she sees me. “I’m sorry. Let’s go,” I say. When we get to the training grounds, I get a link from Delta Sam. “I would like to use you for a demonstration today.” “Why me?” I link back, my stomach tightening because attention is the last thing I want. “Because you are the only one who knows how to do the move properly,” he links back. “Fine,” I say. “What was that about?” Winter asks. “I’m being used for a demonstration,” I say, annoyed. Annoyed… and a little uneasy. “It’s going to be okay,” Nova says. "I'd rather keep my head down until I can leave this place," I tell her. “You are not meant to keep your head down, Lyric,” she says softly. “Tell that to Summer,” I murmur. “Good morning, everyone,” Delta Sam says, getting everyone’s attention. “Today, we will be practicing offensive moves that can be useful when fighting a wolf, whether in human or wolf form,” he adds. “We will have a demonstration before we pair off to practice,” he says. “Our gamma will be demonstrating with Lyric,” he continues, and all eyes turn to me—including Mason’s and Summer’s. The shift is instant. Heavy. Suffocating. Like I just stepped into a spotlight I never asked for. Great. I walk over to where Delta Sam and Gamma Jake stand. “Okay, Lyric will be on offense, and Gamma Jake will be on defense. He’ll attack you in his human form first, then his wolf form.” My heart pounds in my chest, loud enough that I swear everyone can hear it. I know I can handle this, but all this attention? Not my favorite thing. He yells, “Begin!” And I drop into a fighting stance, waiting for Jake to make the first move. He swings out, aiming for my ribs. I sidestep and land my own punch right there, solid against his side. He staggers back and tries a leg sweep. I hop back just in time, avoiding the trip. Then he lunges, grabbing me around the waist. I twist with his momentum, wrapping my legs around his hips and my arms around his neck. In a quick spin, I’m on his back like a backpack from hell. The movement is clean. Controlled. Mine. Before he can shake me off, I drive my elbow into the back of his head. Delta Sam calls, “Time!” I leap down from Jake’s back, breathing hard, a big grin splitting my face. For a second, I forget where I am. Forget who’s watching. It feels good. Too good. When I look up, Mason’s eyes are fixed on me, intense with some emotion I can’t quite understand— not amusement… not indifference… something deeper. Something that makes my stomach drop instead of flip. —but it sends chills racing down my spine. And for the first time, the way he’s looking at me doesn’t feel like nothing… it feels like the beginning of something I’m not sure I’ll survive.