Kylie wades through the crowd of pups and throws her arms around me. “Why are they so excited? They lost.”

“They put the flag as high as they could and made me work for it. It was my fastest time yet,” I reply, patting a little boy on the back while a girl clings to my leg like a koala.

The air buzzes with their chatter. Snippets of their excitement float around us.
“Did you see that jump? It was, like, 20 feet!”
“No way, it was more like 30! I could totally do that.”
“She’s gotta be part cat or something—did you see how she ran on those walls?”
“She’s faster than a cheetah, I swear!”

Just as I let out a small laugh, a deep voice interrupts from behind me.
“Nice work today.”

I jump, and the kids instantly fall silent. I turn to see Alpha Michael, his towering form watching me with a subtle smile. His presence is impossible to ignore, commanding and effortless.

“Alpha Michael!” I stammer, cheeks flushing. “Uh—thank you. We’ve been practicing this game for a while, so they’ve definitely kept me on my toes.”

He chuckles, folding his arms. “I wasn’t just talking about the game—though that was impressive. What I really meant was getting these guys out of bed before 6 a.m. on a Saturday to teach pups.” He gestures toward Devin, Leo, Ethan, Ryan, and Aaron, who stand behind me looking suspiciously guilty. “That’s pretty close to a miracle.”

I blink, taken aback. He noticed that?

The Luna steps up beside him with a proud smile. “You’ve got a gift, Selene. Delta Kyle always says you’re one of his best. Now I can see why.”

And just like that, I can feel the heat rise to my cheeks again. It’s creeping down my neck, too—I swear.

“Well,” Devin drawls, slinging an arm around my shoulders, “thanks for completely destroying what was left of our fragile egos, Alpha, but we’ve got plans. And Ethan here owes us lunch.”

I bite my lip, trying to stifle a grin. “Actually… there’s one more class,” I mumble, glancing apologetically at the group. “You guys can leave if you want—I’ll catch up later.”

“No way.” Devin leans back, eyeing me suspiciously. “How many more classes?”

“It’s just the basics class. Two hours. Then we’re done for the day.”

Ryan groans dramatically. “Two more hours? You’re going to kill us, Little Bit.”

“You should’ve eaten before we came, like a normal person,” Kylie teases, nudging Devin.

Devin clutches his chest as if wounded. “How was I supposed to know I’d be dragged through some kind of boot camp?”

Ryan smirks. “Face it, Devin. She’s got us whipped.”

“I'm officially dead inside,” Devin grumbles but follows us back into the arena with the others trailing behind.

Surviving the Basics Class

Basic training is slower-paced but just as rewarding. The pups stay sharp through drills that build strength and agility, and the older pack members—who join to stay in shape—keep things lively. What surprises me most is how the current leadership, including the Alpha and Beta, join in, working side by side with the pack members.

The look on everyone’s faces—seeing their leaders engage in the exercises—is worth every bead of sweat. It’s rare to see them this relaxed, and I think it does more for morale than anyone realizes.

We move through dynamic stretches and bodyweight exercises, correcting form and technique. Kylie and the guys wander through the groups, making suggestions where they can. I glance over to find Ryan and Aaron teasing some of the older pack members, earning good-natured laughter in return. Ethan is focused and serious, helping a young warrior adjust his stance, while Devin carries on like he’s the most exhausted man alive, but with a grin that suggests otherwise.

When the session finally ends, we’re all a sweaty mess. My shirt sticks uncomfortably to my skin, and my ponytail feels like a damp knot at the back of my neck.

“Should we head home and change before grabbing lunch?” I ask, eyeing the guys, wondering if I look as terrible as I feel.

Devin shakes his head, growling dramatically. “Not a chance, Little Bit. Get your sweaty ass in the truck. If we don’t eat now, I’m not gonna make it.”

Ryan laughs, clapping Devin on the shoulder. “Somebody feed him before he wastes away.”

Kylie smirks. “How many menu items do you plan on inhaling, exactly?”

“All of them,” Devin declares. “Every. Single. One.”

We pile into the truck, chaotic as ever. Devin hauls Kylie onto his lap in the back, despite her protests. Leo slides in beside them, and Ethan grumbles as he’s squished in on the other side.

In the front, I barely get my foot on the sideboard before Ryan hooks his hands around my waist and lifts me into the center seat like I weigh nothing. “Get comfy, Tiny,” he says, smirking as he keeps his arm draped behind me.

Aaron fires up the engine. “Let’s roll. If we don’t feed Devin soon, we might not survive the day.”

I laugh, trying to adjust myself between the twins without feeling awkward. Despite the heat and the overwhelming scent of sweat, I’m not bothered. In fact, it feels oddly... comforting. The collective scent of the boys—musky, warm, and faintly woodsy—reminds me of safety, of belonging. How strange is that?

Five minutes later, Aaron pulls into the parking lot of the local diner. Without waiting to be seated, the guys stride straight to their usual corner booth, like they own the place.

I find myself sandwiched between Aaron and Ethan, the two of them taking up most of the space on either side of me. My legs barely touch the floor, and I can’t help but laugh.

“What’s so funny?” Aaron asks, glancing down at me.

“Some situations really make my size feel... obvious.” I grin, gesturing to where my natural line of sight lands—right at the middle of his bicep. I glance at Ethan, who raises an eyebrow at me, and repeat the motion. “I feel like I belong in a booster seat.”

Devin leans over the back of the booth with a wicked grin. “Want me to ask the waitress for one? Just in case?”

I roll my eyes. “No thanks. Knowing my luck, I’d probably fall out of it.”

The table bursts into laughter, and for the first time in a long time, I feel... light. Normal.

As the conversation flows, I realize something unexpected. Sitting here, crammed into this too-small booth with these ridiculous, infuriating, wonderful people—I don’t feel like an outsider anymore.

Maybe—just maybe—things are starting to change. And maybe, just maybe, I belong here after all.