5
1200 Words
Trey blinked first. “Did… did we just get threatened by a girl half my size?”
Will scrubbed a hand over his face. “Two of them. Don’t forget Del. She looked like she was already mapping out the fastest way to break into the pack servers.”
Elijah leaned back in the booth, laughing. “Yeah, Trey, you’re supposed to be the intimidating one. Alpha-in-training and all that. Yet Rae looked two seconds away from punting you into the parking lot.”
Trey shot him a glare. “You heard her. She knew exactly where our firewall gaps are. How the hell does she know that?”
“Because she’s smarter than you,” Elijah said, smirking.
“Don’t start.”
“Oh, I’m starting,” Elijah said. “You felt it. The way you stared at her? That wasn’t concern—that was interest.”
Trey froze. “It was adrenaline.”
“Adrenaline?” Elijah snorted. “Your wolf practically climbed onto the table.”
Will raised a brow, silently agreeing.
Trey groaned. “I do not have chemistry with someone who dumped a milkshake on a wolf and threatened to shave her dog.”
Elijah only grinned. “Admit it. You liked her fire.”
Trey opened his mouth—and shut it.
Will exhaled. “Speaking of chemistry… I have to talk to Remi.”
Elijah winced. “Yeah, you do.”
Trey pointed at Will. “Actually, you’ve got the hard part. You’ve gotta tell Remi she’s your mate.”
Will stiffened, jaw tight. “I know.”
“Remi’s gonna freak,” Elijah said.
“And Rae’s gonna set something on fire,” Trey added.
“Del’s gonna hack the system and spell i***t across every pack screen,” Elijah finished.
Will let out a long breath. “Yeah. I know.”
They sat in silence, knowing this was only the beginning.
⸻
The familiar gray brick house came into view, and the sight made something tighten in my chest. As I pulled into the driveway, a huge brown wolf with striking green eyes stood at the edge of the woods, watching. The second I blinked, it vanished into the trees.
Rae stretched as she got out. “Well, Sass, welcome back. Same trees, same humidity, same nosy wolves.”
Del rolled her suitcase behind her. “That wolf wasn’t subtle.”
Aspen trotted into the yard like he owned it.
The front door opened before I could knock. My dad, David, filled the doorway. “Sass. Long drive. Let me help.” He grabbed my luggage and headed upstairs without waiting.
Rae smirked. “Sass? Yep, that tracks.”
Inside, the smell of warm chocolate chip cookies wrapped around us. Mom turned from the counter, beaming, and pulled me into a hug.
“Sass, it’s so good to have you home.”
“Good to be home,” I said softly.
Rae and Del dove for the cookies. Del bit in and sighed. “I would drive ten hours for these.”
Mom gave her a fond smile before glancing at Dad. Something in that look made my stomach twist.
“Speaking of change,” Mom said carefully, “we have some news.”
Dad nodded. “William Carter became Alpha two years ago. His brothers help him lead. It’s unconventional, but it works.”
I blinked. “Will Carter? From high school?”
Rae nearly choked. “The same Will Carter who shoved your books in the mud?”
Del raised her brows. “And now all three run the pack?”
Dad’s tone sharpened. “People change. The pack’s stable.”
“If he’s changed, fine,” I said. “But I just want a shower. I have hospital paperwork in the morning.”
Rae leaned against the counter. “Town’s got a whole lot more Alpha than it used to.”
Del nodded. “Don’t worry, Sass. We’ve got your back.”
⸻
Upstairs, my room looked exactly the same—gray walls, soft lighting, vanilla scent.
Rae flopped on the bed. “Time capsule. I love it.”
Del stacked her suitcase neatly. “Feels like teenage Remi could walk in.”
“Teenage Remi didn’t have to face three Alphas,” I muttered.
Rae took another cookie. “You can handle them. You just don’t want to.”
“She’s not wrong,” Del said.
“I just don’t want drama,” I groaned. “The past was bad enough.”
Rae grinned. “I live for drama. Especially involving mysterious wolves and overconfident Alphas.”
Aspen woofed as if agreeing.
Del glanced out the window. “That wolf earlier—did you recognize it?”
I hesitated. “No. But it felt… familiar.”
Rae wiggled her brows. “Maybe it was Will. Plot twist.”
“Funny,” I deadpanned.
Rae grinned wider, pleased with herself. “Hey, maybe jerk-Alpha grew a conscience.”
“Or muscles,” Del added.
“Great,” I muttered. “Love that for me.”
Del laughed. “So what’s the plan? Ignore them? Pretend they don’t exist?”
“I’ll be professional. Civil,” I said.
“Until one of them calls you Sass,” Rae teased.
I threw a pillow at her. “You’re impossible.”
“Impossibly loyal,” she corrected.
Del smiled softly. “We’re here, Sass. No matter what wolves or pack politics you walk into.”
The tension in my chest loosened a little.
Rae suddenly sat up dramatically. “Oh no, whatever shall Sass do? Her childhood nemesis is Alpha!”
Del snorted, laughing so hard she nearly dropped her cookie.
“Ridiculous,” I muttered, but I was smiling.
Rae tossed the pillow back. “And if Will tries anything Alpha-y, I’ll bite him.”
Aspen thumped his tail in agreement.
We fell into easy, familiar laughter—like a sleepover from years ago. For the first time since arriving, I felt… okay.
I changed into my leopard-print pajamas while Rae got comfortable in her “Nap Queen” shirt and Del braided her hair. Aspen curled by the bed with a sleepy sigh.
Rae stretched. “You sure you’re okay being back?”
“It feels strange,” I admitted. “Like everything’s the same but not. I hope I made the right choice.”
“You did,” Del said gently.
“You always land on your feet,” Rae added. “And if Will or his brothers try anything, I’ll take them out at the knees.”
“Please don’t start a war on day one,” I said, laughing.
“No promises.”
The lights dimmed, the house quiet settling around us. But my mind drifted back to that wolf with the green eyes. The way it watched me felt… connected.
Coming back here meant facing things I wasn’t done with—memories, old wounds, and an Alpha who used to make my life hell.
But lying there between my best friends, hearing Aspen snore softly, I breathed a little easier.
Whatever was coming, at least I wasn’t facing it alone.
And tomorrow, everything would change.
- Writer
