Twin Alpha's Secret Guardian

The town sign for Ridgeview leaned a little to the left, like even the wood was tired of being here. I slowed down as I drove past it and stared through the windshield at the cluster of buildings ahead. It looked peaceful. Too peaceful. Like someone had painted a postcard and forgotten to include the part where monsters actually lived here. Good thing I happened to be one too. I cleared my throat and forced myself to breathe slowly. Human pace. Human rhythm. Human everything. My scent was masked so well I could barely smell myself. It made my wolf huff in irritation deep inside me, but she could deal with it. If anyone here figured out who I was or where I came from, everything would get messy fast. The road curved, revealing houses that were too neatly spaced and lawns that were too perfectly trimmed. It felt wrong, like walking into a movie set. Wolves lived here. A lot of wolves. Yet not a single one lingered outside. Suspicious. Either they were hiding or they were watching from inside their perfect little houses. I kept driving through town until I reached acres of land past the forest along the Montana wilderness until I finally found what I was looking for. In the middle of nowhere. I parked in front of the rental cabin I was supposed to call home. Small, unpainted wood, with a porch swing that looked ready to collapse. I carried my bag inside, dropped it on the floor, and scanned the place. Empty. Quiet. Dusty, but safe enough. My wolf pushed against my ribs. She hated the walls, the quiet, all of it. I ignored her. I had to. First day at Ridgeview High. I needed to get through it without punching someone, shifting, or being caught. Ideally all three. I changed into ripped jeans and a black top, shoved my hair into a messy ponytail, and stared at my reflection. I looked exhausted. “You can do this,” I told myself. Ridgeview High sat on a little hill, dramatic for no reason. Brick building, old enough for ghosts, new enough to hide secrets. Students loitered, couples clung, someone vaped behind a truck. Wolves everywhere. I felt them the second I stepped out of my car. Warm cinnamon. Sharp pine. Metallic Beta bite. None of them smelled like the pack I left behind. Good. If they caught even a trace of that scent, I would be screwed. Bag over my shoulder, I started walking. Five seconds in, the staring began. Wolves watched me with too much intensity. Not curiosity. Something heavier. A blonde girl elbowed her friend. A tall guy froze mid laugh. A group near the doors stared like I was a riddle they needed to solve. My wolf growled under my skin. I forced a smirk. “Great. First day and I already feel like a zoo exhibit.” Some humans looked away fast. Wolves didn't. It was the one town in the country where werewolves and humans lived side by side and actually knew about each other. Humans understood the wolves protected them, so they were not afraid to have them around. Maybe they just forgot that added protection also meant added danger. Whispers drifted toward me. “Who is she?” “That smell. I don't recognise it.” “New blood.” “Pretty sure she is human.” I almost laughed. If they only knew. The entrance doors opened and two boys stepped out. Boys on the outside. Wolves everywhere else. Identical except for hair. One dark. One blond. Both staring at me like something inside them had snapped awake. Jack and Beau Hayes. Twin heirs of Ridgeview Pack. Loved, feared, wanted. The last people I needed attention from. I straightened and kept walking. Maybe if I moved fast, they would ignore me. Wishful thinking. The moment my boot hit the first step, something pulsed through the air. Thick. Electric. It slid right under my skin. Their wolves reacted like magnets slamming into place. Jack’s eyes darkened. Beau’s chest lifted like he forgot how to breathe. I kept climbing even though every instinct screamed at me to run. Running would be suspicious. And embarrassing. I tossed my hair. “Take a picture, boys. It lasts longer.” A couple humans snorted. The wolves went dead quiet. Jack’s mouth twitched like he could not decide if he wanted to grin or growl. Their attention slammed into me like live wires. My wolf stirred, confused and restless. Not great. I kept my bored expression in place and walked past them inside. The halls were thick with wolf energy. Too many scents. Clove, smoke, mint, pine. My head spun. I pushed through it and found the office. The secretary smiled. “Lainey, right? New student?” “Yes. Let me guess. First new face in forever.” “You have no idea.” She handed me a schedule and a map. I thanked her and slipped out before she could chat more. Outside the office, a scent hit me hard. I leaned against the wall and breathed slowly. My chest felt tight. Their wolves. That pull. I had never felt anything like it. Alpha heirs had presence, sure, but not whatever that was. “Focus,” I muttered. “Blend in. Don't stare at pretty wolves.” I followed the map to my locker. The hallway buzzed with noise. Humans laughed. Wolves lingered. I opened my locker and tried to look normal. A girl with braids appeared beside me. “Hey. I like your boots.” Warm brown eyes. Cute smile. Human, faint wolf scent from hanging around them too much. “Thanks,” I said. “I am Addison. Addy. And I claim you now,” she declared. “You look like you need someone to help you survive.” “That obvious?” “So obvious.” She hooked her arm through mine. “Come on. Cafeteria tour. And who to avoid.” “Let me guess. The pack of staring wolves outside.” She laughed. “Yes. And also Melody.” “Who?” Addy pointed at a blonde surrounded by clones. They all glared at me like I had kicked their puppy. “Melody is obsessed with the twins,” Addy whispered. “In her head she already owns them. You existing offended her.” “How? I have never met her.” “She noticed them noticing you. That's enough.” “Oh perfect. I love collecting enemies.” Addy snorted. “You and I are going to get along great.” She tugged me down the hall. “that's Josie. Sweet. Anxious. Cries if someone raises their voice.” “That's Walker. Moody. Loyal. Axel is a big dumb puppy. Colton and Tyler are cousins. And idiots. You will probably like them.” I looked at the group she pointed to. They seemed safe. Friendly. Manageable. But they were human and werewolves being friends was rare. The cafeteria hallway opened up and the scents shifted. Wolves sat everywhere, laughing too loud or staring too hard. My skin prickled. My wolf pushed forward. Then I felt it. That pull. My stomach flipped. I turned before I could stop myself. Jack and Beau stood at the far end of the hallway. Their eyes locked on me instantly. Jack’s lips parted. Beau’s jaw flexed. Something sparked in their eyes, the same lightning from earlier. Addy leaned close. “Yep. And those two? Bad news.” “I figured. Most pretty boys are.” “And they are staring at you like you're a full moon gift basket.” I groaned. “Fantastic.” Jack started walking toward us. Beau followed. Each step seemed to drain the hallway of sound. Students quieted. Wolves watched. I straightened my shoulders. I wouldn't back down. I had survived worse than two heirs with intense eyes and stupidly strong wolves. Jack stopped a foot in front of me. Close enough that I could smell cedar on him. Beau smelled like rain on warm stone. Both scents hit my lungs hard. Jack studied me. “You're new.” “Thanks for noticing.” Beau tilted his head. “We have not seen you before.” “Wow. Very good at pointing out obvious facts. Do you want a prize or something?” Beau blinked. Jack let out a rough, accidental laugh. Addy slapped my arm, hiding her grin. I shifted my weight. I could not let them keep staring like they wanted to peel back my soul. My wolf strained, but I pushed her down. They were too close. Too aware. “Well,” I said, “this has been fun, but I have places to be.” I walked past them. Their attention followed like a shadow. Something about them was wrong. Not dangerous wrong. Destiny wrong. Like I had walked into someone else’s story. I kept moving until I reached a quieter row of lockers. I leaned against one and breathed out. My phone buzzed. Unknown number. Welcome to Ridgeview, Lainey. A chill crawled up my spine. No one should have my number. Another message. We have been waiting for you. My stomach twisted. My wolf snapped her teeth. Footsteps echoed behind me. A warm breath brushed my ear. A low voice whispered my name. “Lainey.” I froze. I had never gave anyone my phone number.