When I woke again, I found myself in a bed bathed in soft moonlight, the sheer white curtains glowing as they framed the windows. For a moment, I couldn’t place where I was. The warm scent of cinnamon filled the air, instantly calming my nerves.

Ryan.

The bed beneath me was huge—king-sized, with the softest pale-blue comforter I’d ever touched. I stretched luxuriously, sinking deeper into the mattress that felt like a cloud. Part of me wanted to stay curled up in that peaceful cocoon forever, but curiosity tugged me awake.

I slowly sat up, glancing around. The room was simple, almost minimalist, with charcoal-gray walls and large windows that overlooked the front drive. Cream-colored curtains floated gently in the night breeze, just translucent enough to let the moonlight spill in. Double doors flanked the bed—one probably leading to a closet, the other to a bathroom. There was no clutter, no unnecessary decoration, just the essentials.

Ryan doesn’t keep much around him. That surprised me—he was always the lively, easygoing twin. I thought his room would be chaotic, full of stuff.

I slid off the bed, my bare feet making no sound on the cool, white-washed wood floor. As I wandered toward the framed photos on the wall, a sense of quiet intimacy settled over me.

The photos weren’t small—each one was a memory Ryan considered important. The largest in the center was a family portrait, a replica of the one downstairs in the hallway. In another, Ryan and Aaron stood side-by-side, dressed in sharp black suits, grinning like mischievous boys caught playing grown-up in a beautiful garden I didn’t recognize.

But it was the photo of the five boys sitting on a log by a lake that caught my eye. They looked younger—maybe from last summer—shirtless, wet, and sun-kissed, their smiles carefree and genuine. A pang of longing hit me. Was this taken during their first summer away for training?

I reached for another frame that rested on the nightstand, my heart speeding up when I realized what it was.

It was a picture of all of us—the five boys, Kylie, and me—laughing at my birthday party by the pool. I remembered the moment clearly. It was after my little breakdown, after I’d cried in front of everyone, but none of that showed in the photo. I looked... happy. Relaxed, even. Like being with them was the most natural thing in the world.

Why does he have this by his bed?

The thought stirred something deep in my chest, but I pushed it aside. Dwelling on it wouldn’t get me anywhere.

I set the photo down gently and tiptoed toward the door. The house was still and quiet as I slipped into the hallway. I had no idea what time it was, but my body clock insisted it was early. With no clock in Ryan’s room—probably because he relied on his phone—I padded toward the media room, hoping to grab mine.

When I reached the media room, I found Leo and Ethan sprawled on the couch, passed out. Devin was probably with Kylie in the guest room, which left one lingering question: Where had Ryan slept?

I picked up my phone from the ottoman—4 a.m. Perfect. My body was sore from yesterday’s training, but I knew better than to skip today’s session. My dad’s silence last night didn’t bode well, and I had a strong suspicion that was why I’d ended up staying here at the pack house. Still, I couldn’t avoid him forever, and skipping school wouldn’t help my case.

Luna Ava’s gifted leggings and sports bra were my saving grace. I jotted a quick note and left it on Leo’s phone, telling him I was heading to the training grounds early. I’d learned my lesson—if I disappeared without a word, these boys would hunt me down like a fugitive.

There. That should be enough notice for them, I told my wolf.

She snorted. Do you really think that will stop them? They’re protective of you now, haven’t you noticed?

Protective? Or just annoying?

It’s more than that. Something’s shifting between you and them.

All of them? I shook my head, trying to dispel the strange warmth curling through my chest. That’s not possible.

Maybe not mates, my wolf mused. But there’s definitely a connection there.

I slipped out the front door, heading for the training grounds, desperate for a morning run to clear my head.

Training with a New Purpose

When the boys eventually caught up with me at the training grounds, they looked annoyed but relieved.

“You left a note,” Aaron grumbled. “So I guess we’ll forgive you... this time.”

I rolled my eyes, but a smile tugged at the corners of my mouth. Boys could be so ridiculous.

Training with the warriors today was lighter, thankfully. Everyone was still sore from the wolf-versus-human drills the day before. Warrior Nickolas partnered with me and Kylie, much to the guys’ annoyance. They clearly thought we were hogging his attention, but that didn’t stop them from lurking nearby to steal tips.

By the end of the two-hour session, we were sweaty, exhausted, and laughing. Kylie and I beat the guys back to the truck, leaning against the door with triumphant grins.

“What’s taking so long?” I called, cupping my hands around my mouth. “Some of us have tests today, you know!”

“We’re coming!” Ryan hollered back. “Keep your shorts on!”

“Or don’t,” Devin added with a laugh, only to get smacked in the back of the head by Leo.

“Knock it off,” Leo growled, though there was no real heat behind his words.

Devin grinned, unrepentant. “Look, your sister and Kylie are hot. We’re just saying what everyone else is thinking.” He twirled his hand lazily. “Trust me—after the ass-kicking they gave us yesterday, the fantasies are only getting more vivid.”

Leo lunged, and the two tumbled to the ground, wrestling like idiots.

Eventually, Aaron and Ethan dragged them apart, and we piled into the truck, heading back to the pack house. As soon as we pulled into the parking lot, I made a beeline toward my house, but Aaron caught my arm.

“Where are you going?”

“Home. I need clothes that actually belong to me for school.”

Aaron gave me a lopsided grin. “All your stuff’s here.”

“What?” I blinked, stunned. “What do you mean, here?”

Leo shrugged casually. “We had it moved over this morning.”

“You what?” I spluttered. “You moved my stuff without telling me?”

Leo rubbed the back of his neck. “We were supposed to talk to you last night... but, you know, things got busy.”

“Busy?” My voice rose an octave as the full weight of what they’d done hit me. “Do the Alpha and Luna know about this? Does my father know?”

Leo’s face darkened. “He didn’t kick you out. I made the call—I wanted you away from him.”

His words should have comforted me, but instead, they just made me angrier. “You don’t get to make those decisions for me, Leo!” I snapped, shoving him away. “You can’t just move me around like a pawn because you feel guilty now!”

He reached for me, his expression softening. “Selene, I just—”

“No.” I shook my head, forcing back the sting of tears. “You all mean well, but stop trying to fix me without asking what I want.”

A New Room, A New Start

Luna Ava was waiting at the door, a knowing smile on her face. “Well said, my dear,” she chuckled, ushering us inside. “Now, let me show you to your new room.”

When she opened the door to what had once been the boys' study, my breath caught. The space was warm and inviting—clean, organized, and entirely mine. The pale-blue comforter on the king-sized bed mirrored the one in Kota’s room, and the fireplace was flanked by towering bookshelves already filled with books.

Luna Ava smiled gently. “They care about you, Selene. They just need to learn to ask first.”

I exhaled, letting go of the last bit of tension in my chest. Maybe this was a fresh start. Maybe, just maybe, I could belong here.

And for the first time in a long time, that didn’t feel so terrifying.