Summer Camp Mates

✨ Melanie’s POV (FLASHBACK ) There is nothing better than summer. The warmth. The freedom. The way the world feels wide open, like anything can happen. And for me? Summer meant everything. No school. Endless adventure. My birthday. But this summer… This wasn’t just any summer. This was the summer. The summer I was finally old enough to go with my dad to the most incredible place on earth— Camp Black Falls. A hidden camp made only for people like me. Supernaturals. Yeah… you heard that right. I’m not just some normal girl. I’m a hybrid. Half werewolf. Half witch. My dad, Jason Scott, is the beta of the Black Moon Pack—and one of the main leaders at the camp. Strong. Respected. The kind of man everyone listens to. My mom, Teresa Scott, comes from a powerful witch bloodline… but her magic skipped her generation. And landed on me. Lucky me. I didn’t always know what I was, though. Not until I got older. When I was little, I just thought my life was… normal. Well—normal enough. Except for one thing. Every summer, my dad would leave. For months. And no matter how many times I asked, I never really got a clear answer. Until one day… He came home with pictures. Pictures of towering trees and hidden cabins. Of bonfires lighting up the night. Of wolves running beneath a glowing moon. Of the Falls. He told me it was life-changing. That it was where he met my mom. His mate. “I can’t wait to find my mate,” I remember saying, my younger self practically bouncing with excitement. He just smiled at me—soft, knowing. “One day you will, little firecracker.” I groaned and rolled my eyes, crossing my arms. I hated that nickname. Okay… maybe not hated. I was born at exactly midnight on July 4th, so yeah—it made sense. Especially with my strawberry blonde hair, lighter than my mom’s fiery red but warmer than my dad’s old platinum blonde. I got my mom’s eyes too—ocean blue with a hint of green. And her temper. Definitely her temper. ⸻ The morning I left for camp, I woke up before the sun. I was 11 and a half—technically supposed to be 12—but since my birthday landed right in the middle of summer, they made an exception. And I was not about to waste it. My bags were already packed. I jumped out of bed, threw on my clothes, and bolted downstairs, dragging my suitcase behind me like my life depended on it. “Melanie Jade Scott!” I froze mid-run. My mom stood there, arms crossed—but her expression softened as she walked over. She cupped my face gently and pressed a kiss to my forehead. “Be good, okay?” “I will,” I said quickly, already halfway out the door. And then I was gone. ⸻ The drive felt like it took forever. But the moment we pulled up… Everything inside me exploded with excitement. There it was. The sign. WELCOME TO CAMP BLACK FALLS Before the truck even fully stopped, I flung the door open and ran. Fast. Too fast. Because the next thing I knew— SMACK. Pain shot through my head as I slammed straight into someone. “WATCH WHERE YOU’RE GOING, YOU DUMB REDHEAD!” I blinked, dazed, pushing myself up off the ground and brushing dirt from my knees. My temper flared instantly. Rude. I looked up— And froze. Amber eyes. Bright. Sharp. Glowing with irritation… but also something else. Something that made my chest feel weird. I meant to apologize. I really did. But instead— “How about YOU quit being a butthead and learn some manners? It was an accident!” His expression shifted—shock flashing across his face like no one had ever talked back to him before. And just like that… Something changed. ⸻ His name was Jaxson Blackwood. He had just turned 12 before summer started, making him a little older than me—and way too confident for his own good. He told me his dad was powerful. High-ranking. But he never said more than that. And honestly? I didn’t care. Because from that moment on… We were inseparable. ⸻ We did everything together. Pranking the camp leaders. Sneaking out after curfew. Racing through the woods under the moonlight. Laughing until our sides hurt. But our favorite place? The Falls. At night, the water glowed silver, reflecting the moon like it was made of light itself. It was quiet there. Peaceful. It felt like the world disappeared when we were there. Like it was just us. ⸻ Until the summer everything broke. ⸻ I had just turned 14. It was the middle of July. And I woke up to yelling. Loud. Sharp. Angry. “NO, JASON! IT’S NOT SAFE ANYMORE!” My mom. Her voice echoed through the cabin, filled with fear—and something worse. Finality. I crept closer, my heart pounding. “What’s not safe…?” I whispered to myself. My dad stood there, jaw tight, hands clenched—but he wasn’t yelling back. He was just… taking it. Finally, he spoke. “Teresa… you know I can’t leave the pack.” Silence. Heavy. Then— “I’m sorry, Jason… but I think it’s for the best.” My chest tightened. Something was wrong. Really wrong. “I, Teresa Lynn Scott…” Her voice didn’t shake. “I reject you as my mate.” The words hit like a physical blow. “I’m leaving. I’m taking Melanie with me. We’re going to Knoxville, Texas.” “No—” my dad started. “Jason,” she cut him off, her voice breaking just slightly. “I want a divorce.” ⸻ I couldn’t breathe. I didn’t think. I just ran. ⸻ Tears blurred my vision as I bolted out the door, my chest aching, my thoughts spinning. There was only one place I could go. The Falls. I pulled out my phone with shaking hands and texted him. Jax… please meet me. Our spot. Then I ran. Faster than I ever had before. ⸻ When I got there, the Falls were glowing like always. Beautiful. Peaceful. Unchanged. Unlike everything else. I waited. Minutes passed. Then more. 8:48. Still nothing. ⸻ Anger snapped inside me. I dropped to my knees at the edge of the water, smacking the surface hard, sending ripples through the glowing reflection. “Why?!” I cried, looking up at the sky, tears streaming down my face. “Why is this happening to me?!” The stars didn’t answer. The moon didn’t answer. No one did. ⸻ Until— Strong arms wrapped around me from behind. I gasped, startled— But then I knew. My dad. He pulled me into a tight embrace, lifting me effortlessly like I was still his little girl. “It’s going to be okay,” he whispered softly against my hair. “My little firecracker.” I didn’t believe him. Not really. But I didn’t fight him either. I just let him carry me back. Back to a life that was already falling apart. ⸻ That night… I fell asleep knowing one thing for sure. By morning— Everything would be different. And I might never see Jaxson Blackwood again. ⸻ ✨ (END FLASHBACK) ✨ Present Day – 2 ½ Years Later …Mel… …Melanie… …MELANIE! “WHAT—?!” I shot upright so fast my headphones nearly strangled me, my heart slamming against my ribs like I’d just been yanked out of a nightmare. My mom stood outside the car, one eyebrow raised, my headphones dangling from her hand. “Well, good morning to you too,” she said dryly. I blinked, trying to catch my breath, my mind still stuck somewhere between memories and reality. “Mom—seriously? I was listening to Nickelback,” I groaned, giving her my best you just ruined my life look. She didn’t even flinch. “Melanie, honey, I am not going to repeat myself a thousand times,” she said, leaning against the door. “We’re about three hours out. I’m getting gas. Do you want anything?” I let out a small sigh, running a hand through my messy hair. “No… I’m good. Thanks, Mom.” She studied me for a second—like she knew my head wasn’t really here—before nodding and shutting the door. ⸻ The second she walked away, the silence in the car shifted. Heavy. Annoying. I slowly turned my head. And there she was. Tara Johnson. My soon-to-be step-sister. Sitting there like she owned the world, flipping through her little notebook—probably planning out her “perfect camp experience” like this was some kind of summer Pinterest board. I nudged her foot off the middle console. She didn’t even look up at first. Then— “Oh… she speaks,” Tara muttered, finally glancing at me with an eye roll so dramatic it deserved an award. “I was starting to think you lost that ability.” Her expression twisted into something between irritation and I wish you didn’t exist. Cute. Really cute. I leaned back slowly, meeting her stare with one of my own. The kind that said try me. “Oh, I speak,” I said coolly. “I just don’t waste it on people who annoy me.” Her lips twitched. “Funny. I was just thinking the same thing.” ⸻ We didn’t get along. At all. And honestly? Could you blame me? It’s only been two and a half years since my entire life got ripped apart—and suddenly her dad just walks in, takes my mom’s hand, and boom… instant family. Darin wasn’t the problem. He was… fine. Nice. Stable. Human. That was the problem. He didn’t know what I was. What we were. And I had to keep it that way. Always careful. Always hiding. Always pretending. ⸻ Tara shifted again, kicking the console lightly like she owned the space. I snapped. “Move your foot,” I said sharply. She smirked. “Make me.” My wolf stirred. Low. Irritated. Mel… “Don’t start,” I muttered under my breath. “What was that?” Tara shot back. I leaned forward slightly, my voice dropping just enough to carry a warning. “I said… move your foot.” ⸻ “GIRLS.” My mom’s voice cut through the tension like a blade as she opened the driver’s door. “That is enough.” We both leaned back instantly. “You will get along,” she continued, her tone leaving no room for argument. “And if you don’t… you’re both going to wish you had.” Silence. Thick. Heavy. “Sorry,” we both muttered at the same time. She narrowed her eyes like she didn’t fully believe us—but got in anyway. ⸻ The car started again. Back on the road. Back toward a place I hadn’t seen in years. ⸻ Camp Black Falls. ⸻ I stared out the window, my reflection staring right back at me. “So yeah…” I whispered under my breath. “This is my life.” Melanie Jade Scott. Seventeen and a half. On my way back to the one place that changed everything. ⸻ The closer we got… The harder it became to breathe. Something inside me was waking up. Something wild. Roxy. Mel… she whispered, restless. “I know,” I murmured softly. She was getting stronger the closer we got. More alert. More alive. ⸻ Roxy came to me on my 15th birthday—but honestly? It felt like she’d always been there. Waiting. Watching. A part of me long before I understood what I was. ⸻ Being a witch had come first. Thirteen years old. That’s when my powers started showing. And not just any powers. Elemental. Rare. Dangerous. Fire came easy. Too easy. Water… not so much. It slipped through my fingers like it had a mind of its own. ⸻ But my wolf? That part of me was solid. Strong. Natural. I came from a long line of betas—and it showed. Roxy was beautiful. Medium-sized, powerful, her coat a mix of white and soft strawberry tones like mine. And her eyes… Purple. Not normal. Not even for wolves. But then again— Neither was I. ⸻ “I miss him…” Roxy’s voice was quieter this time. Softer. It hit harder. My chest tightened. “I know…” I whispered. “Me too.” My dad. Jason. He called when he could. Visited when pack duties allowed. But it wasn’t the same. It would never be the same. Not after that night. ⸻ BEEP My phone lit up in my hand. I blinked, shaking off the heaviness as I opened the message. ELAINE: Hey girl where are you at btch I’m going crazy here with these muts!!* I couldn’t help but smile. MELANIE: Girl SAME. I’m stuck in a car with my step-sister from hell. About 3 hours out. ELAINE: Tell your mom to drive faster I NEED YOU. I huffed a quiet laugh. MELANIE: Trust me if my grandma was alive she’d be yelling at her to speed up 😂 ELAINE: OMG YES 😂 hurry up I’ll be waiting!! XOXO ⸻ Elaine Blackwood. My best friend. My chaos partner. My almost-sister. We met the same summer everything fell apart—and somehow… she stayed. She was the only one who did. ⸻ Which meant… He didn’t. ⸻ My smile faded slightly as I stared at the screen. Jaxson. He never texted. Never called. Nothing. Like I didn’t exist anymore. ⸻ Roxy shifted uneasily. Mel… “It’s fine,” I whispered, more to myself than her. “He probably just moved on.” The words tasted like a lie. ⸻ I quickly changed the subject in my head. “Hey,” I told Roxy. “You know what this summer means, right?” She perked up instantly. THE YEAR WE TURN 18. I snorted softly. “Yeah, yeah. Calm down.” But she was right. This was the year. The year everything could change. ⸻ The mate bond. Something every wolf dreamed about. Your other half. Your forever. The one person made just for you. ⸻ And yeah… That part? Terrifying. I shifted slightly in my seat, heat creeping up my neck. I hadn’t even had my first kiss yet. Not one. And the idea of suddenly being tied to someone on that level? Yeah… No pressure. ⸻ “Traffic,” my mom muttered suddenly. I blinked, snapping out of my thoughts. Cars stretched endlessly in front of us. Brake lights glowing. “We’re gonna be stuck for another 40–45 minutes.” I groaned, letting my head fall back against the seat. “Great…” ⸻ Roxy let out a low, restless whine. I slid my headphones back on, turning my music up just enough to drown everything out. The world. The tension. The memories. ⸻ But not the feeling. ⸻ Because no matter how hard I tried… Something deep inside me knew— We were getting closer. And nothing about this summer… Was going to be normal. *** Hi I’m the other of this story if it shows that this is episode two it really is not I had a mishap with this app trying to figure it out so I apologize before hand. This is also my first store so be kind please and thank you I will be continuing this store so stay tuned ;) ***