“What bonfire?” Kylie asks, turning to me with an accusing look.

I shrug, feeling awkward. “I don’t do parties... I don’t have friends.” The words tumble out before I can stop them. I immediately look down, embarrassed by the blunt confession. Taking a deep breath, I glance back up at her, waiting for the inevitable shift—the moment she realizes I’m not worth knowing and moves on like everyone else.

Devin chuckles, probably thinking I’m joking, but his expression shifts when he realizes I’m not laughing with him. He clears his throat awkwardly and glances between Kylie and me.

“The bonfire is a tradition,” he explains. “We always have one the weekend after the first full week of classes—so, tonight. It’s in the clearing behind the pack house, nothing too wild. You should both come. Please say you’ll be there.” He turns his gaze to Kylie, practically pouting. Puppy dog eyes? Really, Devin?

Kylie beams at him. “Of course! We can’t break tradition!” Her voice is bubbly, her smile dazzling. “Is there a dress code for this little gathering? Or is it more of a ‘come as you are’ vibe?” She tilts her head, playful curiosity shining in her eyes.

Devin looks momentarily lost, like he forgot how to speak. Then he blinks, pulling himself back together. “Come as you are. But dress warm—it’s cooling off, and the clearing is in a valley, so it holds the cold air.”

“What time?” Kylie asks, still smiling up at him. She’s good at this.

“We’re setting things up now, so you can come anytime. The fire’s usually lit around nine.” Devin grins at her, clearly under some kind of spell. It’s honestly kind of cute to watch him flirt—though I’m not sure he even realizes that’s what he’s doing.

“We’ll see you there, Devin.” Kylie’s smile doesn’t waver as she opens the car door.

I follow her lead, slipping into the passenger seat. As soon as the doors close, she turns to me with a mischievous grin. “Okay, I was just trying to get us away from the b*tch trio and the hot brigade, but now I’m actually starving. Where’s the best burger place in town?”

“The hot brigade?” I shake my head in disbelief, unable to hold back a laugh.

“What? I call it like I see it,” she says, starting the car with a grin.

Still chuckling, I give her directions to the best burger joint in town. We eat, and afterward, we head to her place—which, as it turns out, is at the end of my street.

“I didn’t realize your aunt and uncle are lead warriors,” I say once we’re in her room. I sit on the edge of her bed, watching as she digs through her closet. “That explains your fighting skills. I guess I never asked much about you today... sorry.”

She waves me off, unbothered. “Don’t worry. We’ve got plenty of time to get to know each other.” She pulls out a bright red peacoat, examining it in the mirror. “But what I do want to know is what you meant earlier—‘I don’t do parties because I don’t have friends.’ You’re not just going to drop that bomb and hope I forget.”

I cringe, regretting the slip. “Exactly that. I don’t have friends. I don’t go to parties. Most people avoid me. You’re the first person I’ve had more than one conversation with that wasn’t about school or training.” I shrug, trying to sound indifferent. It used to hurt admitting it, but now I just feel... numb. That can’t be good, right?

Kylie pauses, her eyes soft with concern. “That’s a lot to unpack. And I’m guessing those silver-laced whip marks on your back fall into the same story?”

I freeze. “How do you know about the silver?” My heart skips a beat. No one was supposed to know about that, except Delta Kyle—and that was an accident.

She gives me a knowing look. “My parents are chemists, remember? They work for the Alpha King, developing antidotes and weapons for war. They’ve seen everything—silver, wolfsbane, you name it.” She sees me flinch and softens her tone. “They aren’t bad people, Selene. They just know how to stop bad things from happening. That’s one of the reasons I’m here—my parents are on a mission, and it wasn’t safe for me to be alone. Staying with my aunt and uncle made the most sense.”

Her gaze sharpens, and she adds, “That goes without saying—keep this to yourself.”

I frown. “You just met me. Why would you trust me with something like that?”

Kylie smiles. “Because you’ve been taking beatings for something you didn’t even do, and no one’s managed to get the truth out of you. That tells me you have integrity. And loyalty. Though your lack of self-preservation is a bit concerning.” She giggles, lightening the mood. “So, tell me—why is someone using silver to torture you? You don’t seem like the type to steal boyfriends or cheat. Which means you’re a threat, and you don’t even realize it.”

I sigh, running a hand through my hair. “Honestly? I don’t know. It all started when I stepped in to protect a younger kid from being bullied. Things just escalated from there.”

Kylie raises a brow, clearly unconvinced. “Is that the same line you gave Delta Kyle?”

I shrug, feeling cornered. “Maybe.”

She grins, like she’s enjoying a game I didn’t realize I was playing. “Alright, back to the no-friends thing. Care to elaborate?” She twirls in front of the mirror, trying on a third coat. “From what I can tell, you’re awesome. And I’m an excellent judge of character.”

I shift uncomfortably. “It’s complicated. It’s just easier to stay distant. I don’t want anyone else getting hurt just because they were dumb enough to befriend me.” I pause, gathering my thoughts. “My brother will take over as Beta, and I’ll end up wherever my mate’s rank puts me. I don’t really have anything to offer. You’ll see—soon enough, you’ll move on, like everyone else.”

Kylie spins to face me, hands on her hips. “You’ve obviously never had real friends, because I’m not going anywhere. And from what I saw today, you’re too good a fighter to let anyone treat you the way they have.” She grabs a matching hat for the red peacoat and strikes a pose in the mirror. “I can’t believe your brother or the Alphas haven’t stepped in.”

“It’s complicated,” I repeat. “They don’t know about the worst stuff, like the whipping. And anything else isn’t worth their time. I’m a Beta by blood. I should be able to fight my own battles without running to them for help.” I pause. “Minor bullying is just... tolerated. It’s survival of the fittest.”

Kylie snorts. “They’re all d*cks. But they probably don’t know half of what you’ve been through—guys are clueless about emotional stuff.”

I laugh—really laugh, long and hard. She’s not wrong. The mess in my head is worse than any of the physical scars.

Kylie smiles, satisfied with her work. “So, here’s the plan. Tonight, we’re going to make you look and feel as hot as you are. And maybe, just maybe, we’ll get some answers from these boys at the bonfire.”