Dark Woods

Chapter 2

I tune out my friends' excited chatter, offering the occasional "mm-hmm" as we make our way to Kylie's locker. My mind drifts elsewhere—anywhere but party planning—until the sudden shift in atmosphere snaps me back to reality. The hallway goes from its usual chaos to this almost reverent hush, like someone just walked into church.

I look up to find the source of the disturbance. The Alpha heirs move down the corridor like they own it—which, technically, they do. Gabriel Preston of Black Eclipse, Keaton Jackson from Winter Moon, and Lucas Blackwater of Howling Moon command attention without even trying. Their Betas flank them in perfect formation: Nick Deluca, Jamie Bronson, and Max Taylor creating this wall of supernatural power and teenage arrogance. The scent of lust rolls off nearby girls in waves so thick it makes me wanna gag.

Gabriel catches my attention first, as he always does. Sandy blonde hair that looks effortlessly perfect, sharp jawline that could cut glass, and those intense dark eyes that seem to see straight through people. He's tall and heavily muscled, his broad shoulders and powerful build making it clear he's spent years training for his future Alpha role. Everything about him screams controlled strength and predatory grace. Everything about him should repel me, given our packs' complicated history, but I'd be lying if I said he didn't affect me.

Keaton Jackson walks beside him, equally commanding but in a different way. Dark brown hair, warm hazel eyes, and a more approachable vibe than Gabriel's intimidating presence. He's tall and athletic, built like a runner rather than a warrior, but no less dangerous. Where Gabriel gives off raw power, Keaton projects calculated intelligence. Plus, he's technically pack royalty since his dad's our Alpha, which makes him both attractive and completely off-limits for someone like me.

Lucas Blackwater completes their trinity of supernatural royalty. Jet black hair, piercing green eyes, and pale skin that makes him look almost otherworldly. He's leaner than the other two but moves with this fluid grace that suggests hidden strength. There's something almost otherworldly about Lucas, like he's not entirely present in the same reality as the rest of us.

The supernatural elite continue their procession toward the lockers directly across from Kylie's, their presence still commanding every eye in the hallway. Sarah and Kylie remain oblivious, their party planning reaching fever pitch. I watch the clock above the lockers, willing the minutes to move faster. The day feels endless, each second stretching like taffy.

"What's up, Jazzy?"

I turn to find Nick Deluca approaching, his trademark smirk already in place. Future Beta of Winter Moon Pack and master of annoying nicknames. He's got that classic all-American look—brown hair, blue eyes, athletic build from years of training. He's also got a reputation as the school's biggest player, which makes every girl except me and my friends swoon over him.

"Hey there, Nicky." I return his grin, knowing the childhood name still makes him cringe.

Our mutual nickname torture is a tradition dating back years—Nick practically grew up in the Armstrong household when Daisy babysat for his family. Same age, same interests, same school forged this easy friendship between us. He's like the annoying brother I never wanted but somehow got stuck with anyway.

"Heard Daisy finally left for her mate's pack. You surviving without your sister?"

"Barely." I roll my eyes. "Though I'm grateful they're gone. Two weeks of needing earplugs every night was two weeks too many."

Nick's laughter booms through the hallway, loud enough to make Sarah and Kylie pause their party planning. When his gaze lingers on Kylie with that familiar lovesick expression, I suppress a groan. I've lost count of how many times he's begged me to play matchmaker, and how many times I've told him to f**k off.

"Still pining after my friend, I see," I say dryly.

"I don't pine," Nick protests, but his cheeks go slightly red.

"Right. And I don't have anger management issues."

Nick drifts toward Sarah and Kylie, seamlessly inserting himself into their conversation about the party. I let their voices fade to background noise, my mind wandering until this uncomfortable prickle across my skin brings me back to the present.

I glance up to find Gabriel Preston and Keaton Jackson watching me with an intensity that makes my stomach flip. My lingering smile from Nick's joke suddenly feels way too exposed, my dimples probably making me look younger than my seventeen years. Heat creeps up my neck under their scrutiny.

Gabriel's stare is particularly unnerving—like he's trying to solve a puzzle and I'm the missing piece. There's something almost predatory in the way he watches me, and it sends an unwelcome shiver down my spine. Keaton's attention feels different, more curious than intense, but no less uncomfortable.

Why are they staring at me? I've managed to fly under their radar for two years, which is exactly how I like it. The last thing I need is to get caught up in whatever supernatural politics they're involved in.

"I need to get to class." I stand abruptly, grabbing my bag.

Sarah frowns. "The bell hasn't even—"

"Coach Johnson wants to see me about tryouts." The lie rolls off my tongue as I back away from the group. I catch the confused looks Sarah and Kylie exchange but don't give a s**t. I need distance from those burning stares and the way they make me feel like prey.

I force myself to focus on navigating the crowded hallways, pushing thoughts of piercing stares from my mind. The rest of the day blurs together in a haze of lectures, assignments, and the mental exhaustion that comes with pretending everything's normal. By the time the final bell rings, my brain feels like cotton and my bed calls to me like a siren song.

Released early from my last class, I head to the parking lot to wait for my friends. I find refuge under an old oak tree, the shade offering sweet relief from the afternoon heat. My exhaustion wins out, and I sink onto the grass, using my bag as a makeshift pillow while scrolling through my phone.

The September air is still warm, carrying the scent of upcoming autumn. Students stream out of the building, eager to start their weekend. I can hear the cheerleaders practicing nearby, their voices carrying across the parking lot. Everything feels normal, ordinary, which is exactly what I need after this weird day.

"Hey, Armstrong."

I look up to find Nick standing over me, the rest of the supernatural elite lounging at a nearby picnic table. Gabriel's intense gaze finds mine briefly before I force myself to focus on Nick.

"What's up, Deluca?"

"I need to show you something." He pulls me to my feet, leading me toward the table where five pairs of eyes track our movement.

Great. Just what I needed. I can feel the weight of their attention like a physical thing, pressing against my skin.

The moment I step within their circle, alpha aura presses against me like a physical weight. Nick's voice becomes white noise as the power radiating from Gabriel and Keaton makes my skin prickle. I manage a polite nod and smile, fighting the urge to submit to their dominance. My stubborn nature wars with the ingrained pack hierarchy—I refuse to bow to anyone, regardless of their rank, wolf or no wolf.

These guys might be future Alphas, but I'm a Beta's daughter. I don't back down from anyone, even if they could probably snap me in half without breaking a sweat.

Nick presses a small velvet box into my hands. My heart stops.

Oh, hell no. If Nick's about to propose to me, I'm gonna kick his ass.

"Do you think Kylie will like it?"

Relief floods through me as I open the box to reveal an exquisite vintage diamond ring—Nick's grandmother's ring, the one he's sworn would only go to his mate.

Holy s**t.

"Kylie's your mate?" The words come out as barely a whisper.

His soft smile confirms everything. "Found out after my eighteenth birthday."

"You asshole!" I punch his arm, earning chuckles from the watching Alphas. "I thought you were just being your usual player self."

"My rep precedes me, apparently," Nick says with a sheepish grin.

"Your rep could fill a damn library." I cross my arms. "But this changes everything. I'll help you this one time. Mess this up, and I'll personally make sure you don't live to regret it."

Nick's grin could power the school. "You're the best, Jaz."

"I know. I'll text you the details about Kylie's birthday plans." I step closer, my voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "But Nick? Break her heart, and I'll break you. That's not a threat—it's a f*****g promise."

From the corner of my eye, I catch Gabriel's lips quirk upward in what might be amusement. The expression transforms his face from intimidating to devastatingly attractive, and I quickly look away before he catches me staring.

The afternoon bell echoes through Northwood High as students pour into the hallways. I spot Sarah and Kylie near the exit and hurry to catch up with them.

"Ready to find the perfect party outfit?" Sarah asks as we head to her car.

"More than ready," I reply, though I can't shake the restless energy building in my chest. "I still have no idea what to wear to Jamison's party. Just promise me you won't make me try on anything ridiculous."

Sarah and Kylie exchange a look that makes me immediately regret my words.

"Define ridiculous," Kylie says with a mischievous grin.

"Anything that shows more skin than a bikini, requires a bra I don't own, or makes me look like I'm trying way too hard to impress someone."

"So... basically everything we had planned," Sarah laughs.

The three of us spend the afternoon at the mall, with me desperately trying to steer my friends away from the more outrageous outfit suggestions while searching for something suitable for the party. Sarah holds up a dress that's more holes than fabric, while Kylie advocates for something in neon pink that would make me visible from space.

"Hell no," I say for the tenth time, pulling a simple black dress from the rack. "This is more my speed."

"Boring as f**k," they chorus together.

"Safe," I counter. "And comfortable. And I won't spend the entire night tugging at something trying to cover myself."

We compromise on a deep emerald green dress that brings out my eyes without making me feel exposed. It's fitted but not tight, elegant but not formal. For a while, I manage to push aside the strange dreams that have been haunting me lately, losing myself in the familiar comfort of shopping with my best friends.

The dress hugs my curves in all the right places without being too revealing. It's got this plunging neckline that's sexy without being slutty, and it hits just above my knees. The emerald green makes my blue eyes pop and complements my olive skin tone perfectly.

"Perfect," Kylie says, stepping back to admire her handiwork. "Gabriel won't know what hit him."

"This isn't about Gabriel," I protest, but my face heats up anyway.

"Right," Sarah smirks. "And I'm not obsessed with Jacob."

"Speaking of Jacob," Kylie says, her eyes lighting up with mischief, "I heard he's gonna be at the party too."

Sarah's face goes bright red. "Shut up."

"You guys are ridiculous," I say, but I'm smiling despite myself. This is what I love about my friends—they can make me laugh even when I'm stressed about weird dreams and mysterious alpha stares.

By six o'clock, Sarah drops me off at home. I exchange brief pleasantries with my parents before retreating to my bedroom. Exhaustion hits me like a wave the moment I close my door. I collapse onto my bed without changing clothes, still wearing the outfit from school.

The events of the day replay in my mind—Nick's mate reveal, those intense stares from Gabriel and Keaton, the shopping trip with my friends. It all feels surreal, like I'm watching someone else's life unfold.

Sleep reaches for me with unusual urgency, pulling me into darkness that seems deeper than it should be. As consciousness fades, a warning whispers in the back of my mind that tonight will be different.

The dreams are waiting for me in that darkness, more vivid than before. And somewhere in the shadows of my subconscious, crimson eyes watch and wait, drawing me deeper into a web I don't yet understand.