But then, like every other good thing in my life, it went to shit really fucking fast.

  Jade wasn’t happy with that arrangement, and honestly, I don’t know why I thought she would be. I know better. I know her better. I should have known she wouldn’t be happy with being forced into a marriage, being second in command. But I had a plan, a plan I knew would work, if she’d just given me the chance. We would rule the pack together. I just didn’t have the opportunity to tell her. Because everything went to hell in a matter of hours.

  The human who saw Ranger and Donevan change. Jade falling for him. Me feeling obligated to save him. Me being taken; him saving me. And then not hating him as much as I thought I did. For a little while, I’d kind of accepted Rev. I mean, as long as I had Jade I didn’t care if she had Rev too. Him and I, we’re different. He is able to give her something I can’t, and I was okay with that…Because I had her first. I had her heart and soul long before he did and that’s what made me okay with it.

  But Ranger. Fucking Ranger.

  This is just… this is something I can’t handle.

  We used to be friends, the three of us... and then I don’t even know what happened. I blame them, they blame me. It’s a clusterfuck.

  But what I do know is I was never in a million years expecting Ranger to stick his dick in Jade. Not once did that thought ever cross my mind. He was always the best friend. The tagalong. Always. And once you’re friend-zoned, you don’t come back from it. We all know that, even us wolves.So what gives? Why is Ranger the only man on the planet who figured out how to get out of the fucking friend-zone? I’ll tell you how, because that’s how much my life fucking sucks. It has nothing to do with giving him something good, it just has to do with me getting all the bad this universe has to offer.

  A knock on the entryway door has me jumping. I turn quickly to find Scarlet, Jade’s sister, standing there. I narrow my eyes at her for a moment, confused as to why she is here.

  “They aren’t here,” I say, assuming she’s looking for Jade and her fucking boy toys. I turn back around, wanting to get back to being fucking miserable and feeling sorry for myself.

  “I’m here for you,” she says confidently.

  Me? What the hell does Jade’s little sister want with me? Sure, she’s hung around with us before, when we were younger, but I’m not sure I’d consider us friends.

  “What do you want from me?” I ask in surprise.

  “Well,” she starts, taking a step into the room and looking around. Much to Jade’s dismay, Scarlet was always up Ranger’s ass, and didn’t pay much attention to me. Though, maybe she did, but I only had eyes for Jade so I wouldn’t have noticed. “I learned something interesting this morning. Something I thought you should be aware of as the future alpha of the Hollow Pack.”

  I raise a brow. What is this girl up to?

  “Is that so?”

  She nods, walking closer to the wall to inspect some of the polaroid photos that are tacked there. I’m surprised those things are still surviving. They’ve been stuck to the same spot for ten years. Scarlet turns to me, dark green eyes shaded with emotions I know all too well. Anger. Hurt. Betrayal.“I went by the guesthouse this morning to get Jade for breakfast. Well, when she opened the door, she wasn’t alone.” Her eyes flick to me. “And she wasn’t just with Reverie. She—”

  “Look, Scarlet,” I cut her off. “If you’re trying to turn me against your sister, you can stop right now.” She looks at me, a bit of fear edging in with the anger in her eyes.Why did it take this moment for me to realise this reality? “Your sister could completely ruin my life. Tear my heart out, stomp on it, run it through a meat grinder and stuff it back into my chest and it would still beat for her.” Scarlet scoffs, and the sight is slightly unnerving. I think some of her blonde hair actually falls out of place. “It’s always been her, Scarlet, and it always will be her.”

  Her eyes widen and they fill with tears. Her bottom lip trembles, and suddenly the anger is gone. Replaced by something sharper. Pain.

  “I just…” Tears fall and I close the distance between us and pull her into a hug. She grips at my shirt and she lets it all out. Her tears come like a waterfall, and if there’s anyone who understands pain, it’s me. “I just want someone to love me that way. Why can’t I get just one? Jade has three. Three!” She sobs, her voice more sad than anything else. This poor girl is heartbroken. “It’s just not fair,” she cries. “And Ranger? Why did it have to be him?”

  I know all about life not being fair.

  “Shh,” I say quietly, brushing my fingers through her soft, fine hair. “You’re a beautiful girl, Scarlet, and you’re so talented and smart. Someone is out there for you, you just haven’t found them yet. Besides,” I let out a harsh sigh as I look at the photos on the walls. A million memories flood through my mind and my chest aches. My vision catches on one photo in particular, a polaroid of Jade, Ranger, and I in front of the community center, for a gathering. Ranger’s arm is around her as he leans up against the wall. I’m standing next to her, our shoulders touching. Jade stands there between us, refusing to smile, but you can see it in her eyes. Hair falling wild around her shoulders. The summer before my sixteenth birthday. The summer she loved me, but kept me a secret. “It isn’t her fault.” I can feel my cold heart warm at the sight. “It’s not Jade’s fault that the three of us are in love with her.”

  “Like the prophecy?” Scarlet asks, looking up at me, eyes red and watery.

  “The what?”

  She sniffles and wipes her tears. “You know, the old wives tale. The one the Elders speak of. Of the wolf who will join the divided packs. Do you think that’s Jade? Do you think it’s about her?”

  I vaguely remember hearing about this, but old wives tales are not something my father pays attention to. I make a mental note to look into this later. Scarlet sure has piqued my curiosity.

  “I don’t know, Scarlet. Anything’s possible.” Because who am I to say whether or not a prophecy is real or not?

  “Dustin?”

  “Yeah?” I ask, meeting her bright green eyes.

  “I think… I think I really messed up. I… I did something I shouldn’t have. I was mad at Jade and, well, I just… I’m sorry.” Her lip trembles again and the tears start to fall. I pull her in for another hug.

  “It’s okay. Whatever it is can be fixed. I’ll make sure of it.”

  Chapter 50

  Jade

  Rev paces in the kitchen, and I know the shift will be soon.

  His energy is all over the place, and he can’t stand still.

  He’s made lunch and dinner, and I have to admit if he keeps this up, he is going to give my mom a run for her money. Thankfully, Ranger and I aren’t opposed to doing dishes; my mom has us trained pretty well.

  He is a decent cook, to tell you the truth.

  Ranger had taken him for a run a few hours ago to try and let off some of that boundless energy, and I suspect from the grin on his face when they’d returned, he’d tried to expel the energy other ways too.

  I don’t mind. Truthfully, I know I should, but after the other night, after watching the two of them together, I don’t feel anything but complete. I know going forward, navigating a relationship between the three of us is going to have some challenges, and I also know it is somewhat crazy to think I’d have them to myself all the time.

  It’s always a big deal when you have your first shift. Humans celebrate special occasions, usually with cake and a few family members.

  We celebrate with a big spread of food and a big bonfire, where we can sit with our packs and soak up their wisdom, their experiences. We shift. We run with them.

  We howl at the moon.

  Since arriving home, and learning I was now the leader of my own pack, I am determined not to fuck this up.

  I need to make Reverie feel as loved and cherished as he makes me feel.

  So I bake him a cake. By myself. I don’t have the finesse my mom or sisters have when it comes to baking, but at least it’s edible.

  Since he doesn’t have any extended family here, I ask my mom if we can light a bonfire in the yard for him.

  True to her nature, she thought the idea was lovely, and said we could.

  My dad still gave me the shifty eye, but mom assured me it wasn’t because of what I’d done to Reverie.

  It still makes me nervous though.

  Ranger runs his fingers up and down my arm, planting the softest kiss on my neck.

  “You’re doing it again,” he whispers. The low rumble of his voice is like velvet.

  “What?” I ease into him, any tension I had melting away in his warmth.

  “Fidgeting like you’re anxious.” I can’t help when I reach my arm back behind me, running my fingers through the ends of his light brown hair.

  “By my calculations, we have an hour until he shifts,” I whisper back.

  “He’ll be fine. He has you to teach him.” Ranger purrs in my ear. I can feel his warmth as I sink into the hold of his arms around my waist, like a warm fire. I close my eyes, and breathe deeply.

  “And you. He’s going to need you too, you know.”

  Ranger kisses my jaw.

  “I’ll go tell Jo we’re heading out.” He pushes away from me, and I don’t want him to.

  “I’ll meet you guys out by the clubhouse.” Ranger runs a hand through his hair, and I watch the locks fall back into place, the curve of his bicep as it tenses.

  He is just as nervous as I am, but he doesn’t want me to know.

  We are going to have to work on that.

  I watch Rev’s head snap in his direction as he walks out the door. It is just the two of us now.

  “Where’s he headed?” Rev’s voice was higher than usual.

  “Just letting Mom know we’re going out for a bit.”

  Ranger knows I had planned to celebrate Rev’s shift. He’d always been the keeper of my secrets. I know he won’t spill the beans, though.

  “Out?” A look of worry crosses his face. I reach out for his hand, hoping to reassure him.

  “It’s time, Rev.” I run my fingers through his hair.

  A shiver runs through him, and I can see the fear etched on his face.

  “I want this…” He swallows, eyes frantic. “I know it's what I’m supposed to do, I can feel it, but…”

  “What?” My voice comes out in a soft whisper as I focus my gaze on his beautiful, dark eyes.

  “I’m scared.”

  “I know. I know exactly how you feel.” He leans closer to me, his free hand settling at my waist.

  “Is it going to hurt?” he asks, eyes fluttering.

  “Yeah. But the pain doesn’t last long.” I assure him.

  “I’ll be right there with you. You won’t go through this alone,” I sense his tension lessening at my words.

  Seeing his reaction makes me think of my first shift.

  I shifted earlier than the other kids. I was only thirteen.

  Dustin followed the month after, but Ranger had lived his entire life with his wolf. He’d shifted by accident when he was only six. We all knew what it was like to shift alone.

  Which is why I won’t be leaving Rev’s side.

  “Come. It’s time to make our way.” I pull him through the kitchen and out the door.

  The clubhouse isn’t too far, but I want to take our time.

  Rev doesn't say much, he seems content to just squeeze my hand and walk beside me, the dusk casting down its deep golden orange glow on us, the moon starting to peek through.

  When we stop at the clubhouse, he looks up the massive structure.

  “This is where it all began,” he says softly.

  “It seems like ages ago, but it’s only been days,” I answer.

  “I wouldn’t change a thing.” He turns to me, pulling me close. I can see the fire in his eyes, and I know the pull of the shift is strong. His hold on me is tight, possessive.

  My mind flashes back to the moment he’d awakened, like me.

  A wolf.

  He’d claimed me then, but I know now my heart was his before that.

  Reverie never struck me as a dominant person—he was bold with me, braver with me, but next to Dustin or Ranger, as a human, he wasn’t commanding or authoritative. But that morning, he woke up a different man.

  He was still the same guy, but it was like my bite brought out the person he’d been hiding.

  I could feel his wolf on the surface, lying in wait. That feeling I’d felt that morning, when he’d taken me, reared itself with new vibrancy.

  Rev’s lips move against mine with hunger and need.

  I melt into him, into his searing kiss.

  My wolf stirs within, and I reluctantly break our kiss, thanks to Ranger interrupting us for the moment.

  “I hope you save some of that energy for later, angel.”

  Rev smirks at him. “I think I still owe you for the other day, Range.” His eyes take on a darkness that makes my legs feel like Jell-O.

  “It’s time,” I say as I look at the moon. I ready myself, the feeling of shifting reverberating in my blood.

  Rev grimaces, and I know the shift is starting.

  “Fuck…” he inhales sharply.

  “Just breathe, it’s okay.” I keep my voice calm. Ranger moves to stand beside me.

  “Don’t fight it, I know you want to,” he chimes in, his own voice steady, like the ever flowing river he is.

  Rev’s shoulders crack, and he lets out a groan of pain.

  “It… fucking hurts…” His eyes close tightly, and he speaks through his teeth.

  My heart starts to race, and I can feel the anxiety flowing from him. I want nothing more than to take his pain away, but I know he needs this. He needs to know he’ll survive it. That the peace it brings is nothing like anything else in the world.

  Ranger settles his hand firmly on my shoulder.

  “Ride the wave, Rev. Let go.” Ranger’s voice is stern, solid, and unwavering.

  I watch Reverie embrace the change, and my wolf will not be ignored any longer. I let the shift overcome me.

  I watch through sharp eyes, focusing on Rev as he completes his shift. I can feel Ranger beside me, his arm brushing against mine.

  He looks beautiful.

  His wolf is gray, with the same dark, beautiful eyes of his that turn me to liquid.

  In the light of the moon, against the forest, he looks absolutely perfect. My wolf feels full and content.

  I did this.

  This is mine.

  I approach him cautiously as I watch his eyes fixate on the setting of the forest, no doubt trying to get used to the feeling of being on four legs instead of two.

  I’m right here. I say through our telepathic link.

  Jade… is that you?

  I nudge him softly.

  A large, copper wolf flanks his side instantly, whimpering slightly.

  Ranger? Reverie’s voice is curious, but also carries a sense of relief in my head.

  I cock my head in the direction of the lake, signaling to Reverie.

  Run with me.

  My wolf is smitten with pride as I take off, Rev catching up quickly.

  Ranger is behind us, and for a moment all I can feel is utter bliss.

  The wind through my fur, my pack at my side.

  But I don’t feel complete.

  I’m missing something. Someone.

  I wish Dustin was here.

  I wish he wasn’t so wrapped up in the succession. That I... no, we… meant more to him than the position of alpha does.

  I wish he could see Rev in this moment. He’d know that it was all meant to be this way.

  I’d always been competitive, and I always won the race. But right now, it isn't about winning. It's just my pack and I, running alongside each other as one.

  We run until we reach the cliff, stopping above the waterfall.

  The same waterfall where Dustin approached me to tell me Ranger had been hurt.

  That a human saw him shift.

  I sit on the edge, my eyes gazing up at the moon. Rev trots up beside me, while Ranger lays down on my left, head between his paws. Rev twitches his head, as if unsure of what to do next.

  You know what to do. Your wolf knows. Listen to it.

  Rev sat straight, looking up at the moon.

  The howl which he let out was magnificent. My wolf answers his call, and Ranger’s head bows in submission as he lets out a deep howl of his own.

  Ranger is the first to shift back once we get back to the guesthouse.

  Rev and I sit there on the edge of the forest, watching as Ranger flicks the lights on, no doubt going to grab us some fresh clothes, and a protein bar for Rev.

  Shifting can take a toll on you when you’re not used to it. Hell, it still takes a toll on me sometimes. I hope the appetizers and snacks in the main house will make up for it.

  Rev nudges me softly.

  Thank you, Jade. Rev’s voice is warm and appreciative in my head.

  For what? I speak back.

  For everything. This isn’t the direction I ever saw my life going, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

  Ranger quietly steps onto the deck, and sets down two piles of clothes. He looks at us both, and slowly makes his way back inside.

  Give over to your humanity. I remind Rev, who seems to be having slight difficulty trying to make the change back.

  Rev’s body trembles, and I set a paw on his.

  Remember all the things you can feel as a human.

  I watch his eyes, and want to know what he's thinking about. His shift back is slow, but he doesn't seem to be in as much pain, which is a relief.

  When he fully transitions, I follow suit.

  He crouches on the edge of the woods, pale flesh standing out against the dark trees, and when he looks up at me, my heart swells with pride. I bring my lips to his, and in this moment I don’t care if we are on Hollow’s ground, on the outskirts of the forest.

  I don't care about anything except Reverie Jacobs.

  I want him, need him, and I know he needs me too.