l town that would now be home. The house was more of a cottage, with a wide veranda out front and a gravel driveway. C

ith my father. Mateo unlocked the gree

here? There are plenty of places in town

t. Thank you, Beta,

could probably show me a thing or two. Just call me Mateo-and welcome to the Pack." He gave my f

m most wolves," he said,

d. "What d

you settle in. Just a reminder-pack runs are compulsory on Friday afternoons at six sharp. I know you're excused this week,

. "We'll do our

rch, she gave me a pointed look.

-stained floorboards gave the space a rustic, lived-in charm. It smelled musty-like it hadn't b

ops, stainless steel appliances, and a small island in the middle. A few of

t was right next to the bathroom, with a large window that overlooked the fo

ed away. The rest of the day passed in a blur of unpacking and cleaning. By nightfall, I was too exhausted

unlike our last house on a busy road. No cars. No shouting. Just the sound of crickets outs

uvet, tucking it under my chin and snuggl

outine. I pulled on a pair of jeans and a blue T-shirt, grabbed my schoolbag, and loade

d curled in my stomach. My mother c

ight be working here, too. Just keep your head

ding loomed above me, and I already knew-it would be just

d me with a warm smile. She had shoulder-length auburn hair

ust be

ere for my

tack of papers and pul

ool, your library card, and your

s a day. And Tuesdays and Wednesdays had an extra hour of wolf training. Panic tightened my chest. I wouldn'

ed and headed off

penly rude, which was something. I stashed some books, grabbed what I needed

e ring, and thick eyeliner tha

mine," she said, grabbing my

I said

me classes. You can follo

That'd

m Alpha Jackson

So, the gossip ha

ere. He heard Alpha Ezra tal

it didn't mean mu

only female warrior in Jackson'

guess. Like a

e let anyone transfer. Your parents must have a so

is is English. Mr. Tonks is chill, b

othing like my old school, where chaos reigned. Jasmine pulle

he said, gesturing toward a group of nerdy-looking kid

is Angie. Queen bee and total bitch. Tr

and went straight to the whiteboard. No big

and kept to myself. At lunch, we sat on the oval whi

hours of training, and I'd already be exposed. My pulse quickened-u