17
1306 Words
Chapter Seventeen
Returning to school felt surreal, like slipping into an old coat that didn’t quite fit anymore. The chatter of students, the squeak of sneakers on linoleum floors, and the clang of lockers were all achingly familiar, yet my world had shifted so drastically that it felt like I was watching everything through a pane of glass.
I wandered through the hallway, hoping for a return to normalcy, though deep down, I knew that was a long shot. Just as I reached my locker, I heard the telltale squeal of my best friend.
“Milli!”
Jessa barreled toward me, her arms flung wide. Before I could brace myself, she wrapped me in a bear hug that nearly knocked me over.
“My sweet Millicent! I missed you so much!” she said, pulling back just enough to scrutinize my face. “You look different. Glowy, almost.” She narrowed her eyes. “I take it the trip was a good one?"
I chuckled. “I wish.”
“Spill everything,” she demanded, tugging me toward our usual spot near the windows.
We settled in, and I gave her a condensed version of the chaos. Everythring from the attacks at Tala's pack, the visions at the Seer's house to being captured and escaping the rogue fortress. Jessa listened with wide eyes, nodding occasionally but staying surprisingly quiet.
When I finished, she leaned forward, her expression serious. “Wait. Did you have the charm I gave you for your birthday?”
I frowned. “Yeah, I had it on. Why?”
She let out a sigh of relief. “Because I asked my aunt to put a spell on it.”
My jaw dropped. “You what?”
“She said it would help mute the effects of silver,” Jessa explained. “I thought it might come in handy if you were ever in danger.”
I blinked at her, overwhelmed by her thoughtfulness. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t want to freak you out. A charm to protect you from silver isn't something you just give your best friend,” she admitted, shrugging. “Plus, I wasn’t even sure if it would work. My aunt’s more of a seer than a full-on witch, but she said it might help so I took my chances.”
“Jessa,” I said, shaking my head in amazement. Jessa was really one of the best things to happen to me. “You’re incredible. I love you. Thank you.”
She waved me off, but her cheeks pinked slightly. “Don’t mention it. Seriously. I just can’t believe it actually worked.”
The bell rang, signaling the start of our first class. Jessa nudged me with her elbow as we walked to our seats. “By the way, you didn't mention the triplet mates aspect of your trip. How are things on that front?”
I laughed, feeling a little lighter. "Better. I was a bit afraid at first but I think things will work out well between us.”
"Do I need to start planning your mating ceremony?" She asked playfully. I kept quiet which caused her to squeal. "I was just asking but I didn't think it was forreal. How long do we have?"
"They said it needs a full moon."
Jessa looked up as if she was looking at a mental calendar. "That's in 2 weeks." He grin widened and she nodded her head as she was accepting the challenge of planning a mating ceremony in 2 weeks. "Bring it on."
***
The rest of the school day passed in a blur.
Math problems and history lectures felt trivial compared to everything I’d been through, but the routine was comforting. For a few hours, I let myself pretend that things were normal.
When I got home, that illusion shattered.
The moment I stepped inside, I spotted Evan sitting at the kitchen table, chatting with my dad like they were old friends.
“Evan,” I said, startled. “What are you doing here?”
He turned toward me, his signature calm smile in place. “Waiting for you.”
“Why?”
“Because you need to pack a bag,” he said matter-of-factly.
I crossed my arms. “I’m staying here tonight.”
Evan’s smile didn’t falter. “Our wolves don’t like that. You’re still in danger, and we’d prefer to have you where we can see you.”
I rolled my eyes. “I’m not far from your house. If I stand on the porch, I'll be able to see the balcony from my room at your house.”
“Close isn’t close enough,” he said smoothly.
“And if you don’t come with me, Flint and Orion will set up camp on your front lawn. Your dad might not love that.”
My dad chuckled from his spot by the stove. “He’s not wrong. That Flint boy seems stubborn.”
I sighed, defeated. My dad was clearly on their side so I knew I wouldn't be winning this fight. “Fine. I’ll pack a bag.”
Back at the triplets’ house, the atmosphere was surprisingly light.
After dinner, Flint coaxed us all into going for a run. Shifting into my wolf felt like shedding a heavy coat, the tension in my body dissolving as my paws hit the forest floor.
The triplets led me through the woods, their wolves flanking mine protectively. Eventually, we reached a secluded clearing surrounded by towering trees and a crystal-clear stream. Moonlight bathed the scene in a silvery glow, and I couldn’t help but marvel at its beauty.
“This is where we used to come as kids,” Orion said, his voice tinged with nostalgia.
“We’d sneak out here whenever things got too chaotic at home,” Evan added, his wolf sitting beside him.
Flint’s wolf gave a low growl of amusement before shifting back into his human form. “Mostly because Orion couldn’t handle losing at training drills.”
“Not true,” Orion retorted, shifting back as well.
“I just didn’t want to embarrass you in front of Dad.”
Their bickering made me laugh, the sound echoing through the clearing. For the first time in days, I felt a sense of peace.
“You three are so different,” I said, smiling as I watched them. “Evan’s the calm, logical one. Orion’s the protective big brother type—though I guess that fits since you’re the oldest.”
Flint snorted. “Actually, I’m the oldest.”
I blinked, surprised. “What?”
“Flint’s the oldest, I’m second, and Evan’s the youngest,” Orion explained.
“Then why are you so… playful?” I asked, turning to Flint.
His smirk softened into something more vulnerable. “Because it’s easier than letting people see how much I care. If I tease you, I get to see you smile. And I like that.”
His words left me breathless, my heart racing. There was something so raw, so real about the way he said it. Flint was an ace at expressing his feelings.
Before I could respond, a sharp sound broke the moment.
*Thwack.*
An arrow embedded itself in a tree trunk, inches from where I stood.
Orion was the first to react, moving to shield me. Flint scanned the surrounding forest, their eyes sharp and focused.
Evan plucked the arrow from the tree, inspecting the note tied to its shaft.
“What does it say?” I asked, my voice trembling.
Evan’s expression darkened as he read aloud.
“This isn’t over, Millicent. If you go through with the ceremony, it will weaken you—and then you’ll be mine.”
My blood ran cold. The rogue leader wasn’t done with me yet.
- Writer
