I sit in front of the fire, pulling the oversized shirt tighter around me. The hem brushes my knees, reminding me just how much smaller I am compared to the guys. It smells like Ryan—fresh pine and rain—and it offers a strange sort of comfort, grounding me. But it doesn’t change the fact that what I’m about to say is going to be one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.

The guys are all sitting silently around the pit, their attention unwavering. Devin’s tapping his fingers against his knee, Ryan leans forward, resting his forearms on his thighs, and Leo sits stiffly, eyes fixed on the flames like he’s trying not to look at me until I’m ready. Kylie shifts next to me, offering quiet reassurance by keeping close but giving me space.

I keep my gaze on the fire, letting its flickering warmth soothe the rising anxiety swirling inside. It’s strange how a fire can feel like both destruction and comfort. And right now, I need both.

"Okay," I start, my voice low and raspy from holding back too many emotions. "I’ll give you something to work with. But just this once. After this, I don’t want to hear apologies, or promises that you’ll fix it. Because you can’t."

The flicker of flames dances in their eyes, but no one interrupts.

"I shifted when I was thirteen," I begin, avoiding their gazes by focusing on the embers glowing at the heart of the fire pit. "And yeah… it was because I was attacked. More than once. My wolf had to come early to save me, and that’s the only reason I’m still here."

Leo lets out a sharp breath, and I can feel the tension radiating from him. His hands clench into fists on his knees, knuckles white.

"You’ve seen the scars," I continue, trying to keep my voice steady, "but those aren’t just from training. They’re from… her."

A low growl rumbles from one of them—Aaron, I think. The sound is sharp, full of frustration and regret. But I don’t look up.

“One of the popular girls. She’s behind it. And I know she doesn’t act alone." I exhale slowly, my chest tightening as the memories bubble to the surface. "There are others, but I can’t prove who they are. Every time I get close to finding something—some kind of evidence—it’s wiped clean. It’s like they know exactly what they’re doing."

"F*ck," Ethan mutters under his breath, shifting restlessly beside Ryan, his fingers dragging through his hair. "And you’ve been dealing with this alone?"

I bite the inside of my cheek to keep my emotions in check. "I didn’t exactly have a choice."

Leo’s voice is strained when he speaks next. "We would’ve—"

"No," I cut him off sharply. "You wouldn’t have." I finally lift my head, locking eyes with him, and it hits me just how much guilt is written all over his face. "I was the kid no one noticed, Leo. Not at school, not at home. You were all too busy being the perfect leaders-in-training to care about what happened to me. So I learned how to survive on my own."

Aaron rubs a hand over his face, his frustration visible. "But we’re not those guys anymore, Selene."

"You think that changes things?" I ask, tilting my head. "Do you know what it’s like to be told you’re invisible? To be made to feel like you don’t matter? And then suddenly—after all these years—you notice me? You care now? Why?"

Silence settles between us, thick with unspoken regrets and painful truths. Devin clears his throat and leans forward, his expression unusually serious. "Because we were idiots, Selene. And we were wrong."

I let out a dry laugh, but there’s no humor in it. "Yeah. You were."

Leo shifts beside Ethan, guilt etched into every line of his face. "I thought keeping my distance would help. I thought... if I stayed away, Dad wouldn’t come down so hard on you. That he’d leave you alone."

My jaw clenches. "Well, that plan backfired, didn’t it?"

He winces, dragging his hands through his hair again, his frustration palpable. "I know. I know that now. But you never told me... not once. How was I supposed to know?"

"You weren’t," I say flatly. "You weren’t supposed to know because I didn’t trust you to care. Not after years of being ignored, of being left behind. It wasn’t just the attacks, Leo. It was everything. You shut me out long before she ever laid a hand on me."

The weight of my words settles heavily over the group, the fire crackling quietly in the silence that follows.

Aaron speaks next, his voice softer, calmer. "We can’t undo what’s been done. But we’re here now. You don’t have to go through this alone anymore."

I scoff, shaking my head. "It’s too late for that."

Ryan shifts beside him, his green eyes dark with regret. "We f*cked up. I get that. But we want to make it right, Selene. Let us help."

I want to believe them. But the scars run deep. And I’ve learned the hard way not to trust easily.

Kylie’s hand brushes against mine, her voice quiet but steady. "We’re not going anywhere, Selene. No matter how hard you push, we’ll still be here."

I glance at her, my throat tightening. Her unwavering loyalty hits me harder than anything the guys could’ve said.

Devin leans back on his hands, his usual smirk replaced by something softer. "Look, you can hate us if you want. But you’re not getting rid of us. Pack’s pack. Whether you like it or not."

A bitter laugh escapes me, but there’s something warm curling in my chest. It’s not forgiveness—not yet. But it’s a start.

Leo leans forward, his expression raw and unguarded. "I’ll earn your trust back, Selene. All of us will. Whatever it takes."

I swallow hard, feeling my resolve waver. "This isn’t just about me," I say quietly. "There are other kids—other pack members—going through the same thing. She’s not just my problem. She’s hurting people, and no one’s doing anything about it."

Ethan’s jaw tightens. "That changes now."

"Yeah," Ryan adds, determination flashing in his green eyes. "No more looking the other way."

My wolf shifts inside me, her approval radiating through our bond. See? They just needed a push.

I close my eyes briefly, exhaling the tension I didn’t realize I was holding. "I’m not ready to forgive you yet," I whisper.

Leo’s hand lands gently on my shoulder, grounding me. "We’re not asking for that. Just... let us help."

The fire crackles between us, and for the first time in a long time, the weight on my chest feels just a little lighter.

Maybe... just maybe... I don’t have to carry it all alone anymore.