pticism, and most of all, the strange pull that she felt toward the forest all left her shaken and full of questio

lves a

d would make it easier to believe. Even with the memory of E

es. Lyla tried to blend in, but it was hard to ignore the way some people stared at her as she wal

rn hair bouncing as she walked. "Morning," she said,

ep much," L

closely. "Someth

that she had spent the night in the woods with a pack of

es take some getting used to. The town's got

ned. If only Clara kn

final bell rang, Lyla was practically vibrating with anticipation. Eli

jukebox in the corner that looked like it hadn't worked in decades.

near the back. He looked up as she appro

d as she slid into th

e replied, trying to

rdered coffee. Lyla hesitated b

eaned forward, her voice low.

ore you need to know. Silverwood is divided into three packs: the Blackwood pack my pack the Alder

how?" Ly

pack. They've always been a problem, but they're getting bo

y n

ay. "That's the part we don't know.

fit into all thi

forest called you here, Lyla. That doesn't happen by ac

ed. "Diffe

"But the forest recognizes you. I

ade sense, but at the same time, it felt like pie

y mom?" she a

urrowed. "Wh

ed here because... I don't know why. He won't talk

ng moment, his expression

arp gaze immediately finding Eli and Lyla. He made his w

he said, hi

le?" Eli asked, his

ied. "They're sniffing a

his breath. "Th

" Lyla asked, loo

cuse to challenge us," Eli explained. "The

if you're weak? Aren't all the pac

You don't know a

warned, his

d, glaring at Mason. "Why

ut that doesn't mean we're friends. Everyone's fighting for dominan

li said, his voice

his arms. "You're too soft o

i muttered un

an?" Lyla asked, h

and motioned for Mason to follow him.

ai

ving Lyla alone in the booth wi

t happened when Clara appeared in the diner,

o the seat across from her. "I

mile. "Just gra

round. "Were yo

," Lyla repl

fading. "Are you okay? You've b

erent

a said. "Like you'

ut she couldn't risk dragging her into the werewolf w

I get it. Moving to a new place is hard.

Lyla said,

happening in the forest. She waited until her dad had gone to

cross the ground. She didn't know what she was looking for answers, maybe

d the clearing,

of them?" Mason's voice

replied. "But we can

s not? What

hat bridge whe

clearing, and the two

tay out of the forest," she

I didn't think

"She shouldn'

ght to be here as w

're going to talk about me, at

but Mason look

want, Lyla?

half-truths, no more cryptic warnings

serious. "You're right. It'