The Wolf She Feared: five years of silence little sparrow

Five Years Ago Prom is supposed to be the best night of your life—sneaking a bottle of wine from your parents’ liquor cabinet, dancing with the guy you’ve been crushing on forever, staying out until dawn. But that’s for normal teenage girls, with their heels and tiny waists and perfect makeup. Not for me. I’m a monster. I was a monster then, too, even if I hid it under baggy hoodies and trailed in my brother Kade’s shadow, invisible to everyone. Prom was the first time my secret slipped out, and I learned my lesson. Never, never again. My prom dress was a shimmering green, chosen to match my eyes. The satin hugged my curves with a beaded empire waist that cinched at my ribcage, flowing into soft drapes. At the store, I couldn’t stop spinning, watching the fabric swirl around my legs, feeling like someone else—someone noticed. Jace said I was the most beautiful girl he’d ever seen when he picked me up, and again when we danced the last dance in the hotel ballroom. “I don’t want to go home,” I said. “I want tonight to last forever.” “It can, Little Sparrow,” Jace said. He grinned at me, his dark eyes glinting under the colored lights. His hands were sweaty, but so were mine. I rested my head against his shoulder, swaying to the music. Fake palm trees stood in the corners, draped with bright tulle, and someone had spiked the punch. After a couple of glasses, everything glowed a little brighter. “Where’s the after party?” I asked. “Is it just at Andy’s house, or…?” “I rented a room here at the hotel,” Jace whispered in my ear. I looked up at him in surprise, and he smirked, all confidence. “I told my dad...” “It’s okay,” Jace said, pulling me closer. “I told Andy to cover for us if anyone calls. Even Kade thinks I’m out training for the fights tonight.” A hotel room? The idea sent a thrill through me, but fear coiled in my gut. Getting caught by my dad would be bad enough, but Kade finding out—my overprotective brother who’d pound Jace into the dirt—was worse. I was… inexperienced, to put it mildly. Jace was the only boy I’d ever kissed, unless you count that kindergarten moment when Matty pecked my cheek on the slide and then got us both in trouble. Jace’s kisses at the end of our secret hangouts were soft, tentative. Once, his hand had grazed my chest, but I’d flinched, and he never tried again. Now we were heading to a hotel room together. My mouth went dry, imagining what might happen. Would he know what to do? Could he guide me? I didn’t want to ruin this. The magazines I read were full of bedroom tips, but they were for confident women, not girls like me, always hiding behind Kade’s shadow and my own insecurities. Jace squeezed my waist, and I gave him a nervous smile. In my green dress, I felt clunky next to his lean, fighter’s build. His tailored suit fit like a glove, gold cufflinks catching the light. I wondered why he chose me—Kade’s best friend, the underground boxer with blood on his knuckles, untouchable and dangerous. The song ended, and Jace took my wrist, leading me off the dance floor. The satin swished against my legs, but I barely felt it. I was going to a hotel room with Jace Harlan! As we left the ballroom, Jace held the door open and bumped into Mike, the prom king, standing with his crew. “Hey, watch it!” Mike snapped. “Sorry,” I said, though I hadn’t done anything. “Where you taking her?” one of Mike’s friends sneered. I recognized him from history class—his dad had been laid off at the mill Jace’s family owned. His eyes burned with hate. “None of your business,” Jace said, squaring his shoulders. He wasn’t tall, but his fighter’s strength was undeniable. Mike’s friends laughed anyway, mocking him. “Back to SeaWorld, maybe,” Mike said, shoving Jace’s shoulder. “Didn’t know they made whale-sized dresses for the fat sister.” I rolled my eyes. I was used to their taunts about my curves. But Jace tensed, his fists clenching. I didn’t want him starting a fight he couldn’t win—not against Mike’s crew, not with Kade’s rules hanging over us. I tugged his arm. “Come on, Jace, let’s go,” I said, sensing his urge to lash out. “Nah, they’re going to the zoo,” another guy jeered. “Kade’s sister is just an animal b***h. What’s that wolf rumor about your mom, huh?” My cheeks burned. That word—animal—hit too close. Adrenaline surged, and I felt my wolf stir inside me. I fought to keep it down. No one could know my secret. Rumors about my mom’s shifter blood had haunted me at school, but I never confirmed them. If I stayed quiet, maybe they’d think it was a lie. That there wasn’t a beast clawing inside me. “Don’t you dare talk like that—” “Jace, it’s okay. Come on,” I said, pulling harder. He relented, jaw tight. “Oh, your b***h is in a hurry,” Mike taunted. “She must be in heat. Better hurry before Kade finds out and breaks your face.” Jace turned away, leading me down the hall. His face was red, sweat beading on his lip. The insults followed us. “b***h! Fat b***h!” “I hear she’s wild in bed!” “woooooo!” We turned the corner. Jace’s hand shook as he pressed the elevator button. In the elevator, he stood fuming, silent. I wiped my sweaty hands on my dress. “I’m sorry,” I said, trying to ease his anger. “Those guys are just jealous. They’ll never get anywhere.” “I know that!” Jace snapped. “They’ll pay. When I’m running the pack one day, they’ll beg for scraps. They’ll pay for this.” “It’s my fault,” I said, hoping he’d soften. “It’s because of… what I am.” “You’re beautiful, Lila,” Jace said, his face still hard. “They’re the real animals. They’re not worth your time. And Kade would kill me if he knew we were here.” “They’re worth exactly… one of my fingers,” I said, flipping off the elevator door. Around Jace, I could be sarcastic, and making him laugh was my greatest high school thrill. He gave a sharp laugh, but it faded as the elevator lurched upward. His frown deepened as he led me to the hotel room, slamming the door behind us. My heart raced. Was I more nervous about the bullies or Jace? I’d never seen him this angry. He ran a hand through his dark hair and grabbed a whisky flask from the hotel bar, pouring a glass. “This room is beautiful,” I said, trying to shift his mood. “It cost enough,” Jace said. I glanced back as he downed half the glass, coughing before pouring another. The amber liquid gleamed in the crystal, and I looked away. The room was stunning. Abstract oil paintings adorned the walls, and I studied one closely, tracing the red and gold lines. Behind me, Jace dimmed the lights. I swallowed hard. “Did you see this painting?” I asked. “It’s gorgeous.” Jace glanced at it, then at me. “It’s not half as gorgeous as you, Little Sparrow,” he said, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. His whisky-scented breath brushed my lips as he leaned in to kiss me. I closed my eyes, kissing him back. His tongue probed, hot, and his hand pulled me closer. Desire twisted with fear—and the forbidden rush of being with Kade’s best friend.