As we all enter the bar, we look around to find a place to sit. We order food and drinks and watch the game on the big screen. Keenan goes on and on about the dance thing. He complains that it will interfere with practice and our monthly runs, which we desperately need.

I tell him to chill, and we will find a way to make it work. Ace begins to laugh and asks him what makes him think he will even make the team. Keenan punches his arm, and Ace laughs harder. The door to the bar opens, and in walk a bunch of girls from school. They walk up to our table and begin talking to us.

Ace and I, being the loyal men we are, back away. That same girl who was all over me the first day of school walks over to me. I step back, and my back hits the wall behind me. "I didn't introduce myself; I'm Sasha." She says.

"This is Gage; he is currently madly and deeply in love with Star. Nice to meet you," Ace pipes up. I begin to laugh as he makes the girl uncomfortable and embarrassed. Anger covers her face, and she says, "No one ever turns me down."

I step forward and look down at her. "I guess there's a first time for everything. Don't come near me again."

She screams as I walk away, motioning for the team to follow. I look at the time, and it's midnight. Time for a run. I get in my truck, and Ace jumps in.

☾

We head to the cellar of the campus and make our way down the dark and narrow stairs. As we reach the bottom, my eyes shift, and I begin walking down the corridor and move toward the door at the end. I open it up, and a sinister smile crosses my face as I walk in.

The room is dimly lit, and I can hear the sound of dripping water echoing through the walls. I walk to the corner and crouch down. The look of terror on the person in front of me makes me contend.

"We did warn you, Levi." I tell him as he tries to pull on the chains drilled into the concrete wall.

"What are you?" He says it with fear. I grip his neck and lift him, placing him up against the wall. "I'm your worst nightmare." I say as my fangs protrude. The man's eyes widen in terror as he realises the truth about me. He struggles to break free from my grasp, but it's too late. My fist collides with his jaw, and I knock him out.

"Night, Night." I say as I pat his face. When the pack howls, I turn around and join them, feeling a rush of adrenaline and power coursing through my veins.

We run out of the cellar and lock the door behind us. Heading toward the cliffs behind the campus. I crack my neck and feel the night take over me as I shift into my wolf form. I lead the pack, feeling the wind in my fur and the earth beneath my paws. As we reach the edge of the cliff, we let out a triumphant howl that echoes through the night sky.

I needed this; being cooped up inside and not being able to run whenever I feel like it has been torture. Ace says.

I agree. I respond.

I stand in front of my pack, and we go over the prep for the next full moon. Ace stands behind me as I speak. Laura will be our next turn.

Seriously? Ace asks.

I bow my head and tell him that Levi needs to be diminished, and she will do it without hesitation. Rustling in the trees catches our attention. The Lakewood Pack emerges from the forest. We all growl. The tension in the air is palpable as the two packs stare each other down, waiting for the first move. I can feel my heart pounding in my chest as I prepare for the impending fight.

Zion steps forward, and I jump down and stand tall in front of my pack. I let out a low growl, matching Zion's intensity. The silence is broken as the two packs charge towards each other, teeth bared and claws outstretched.

I feel the adrenaline pumping through my veins as I prepare for the fight of my life. The clash of fur and flesh echoes through the forest as we battle for dominance. I dodge Zion's attack and counter with a swift bite to his hind leg, causing him to yelp in pain. The rest of my pack follows my lead, and we quickly gain the upper hand in the skirmish.

His claw digs into my side. I howl in agony, but refuse to back down. With a fierce growl, I sink my teeth into Zion's neck, asserting my dominance over him.

The Lakewood pack backs away as they watch me take down their Alpha. I stand there, breathing heavily, waiting for their next move, but they turn and run in fear. Zion limps off, howling in pain. I turn to face my pack, and they all bow.

I run and shift back into my human form. I grab my jeans and throw them on. I look at my side in the side mirror of the truck and watch as the blood drips down my side. "She's going to kill you." Ace says it from the other side of the truck.

"Yeah, I know." I say as I grab the first aid kit. I clean up the wound, and I wrap my torso to hold the bandage in place. Ace wraps his arm after I throw him the gauze. I get in the truck and start the engine. I wince in pain as it jolts up my side. I drive fast, speeding down the road.

☾

I pull into the driveway, and Ace and I part ways. I head in and walk toward Star's bedroom. She turns the lamp on as I walk in and says, "Hey." Her eyes still showing sleepiness.

"Hi," I say quietly as I lean down and kiss her; I grunt from the pain.

"What's wrong?" Concern covers her face.

"It's nothing," I say as I take my shirt off.

"What do you mean, nothing?" She jumps off the bed. "You're bleeding, like a lot." She heads to her bathroom and grabs her first aid kit and rubbing alcohol. She slowly unravels the bandage I have and uses a wet cloth to clean the area. She presses the gauze with the alcohol on it, and I tense up, clenching my jaw.

"Fuck," I mumble.

She puts pressure on the wound, and I feel a sharp sting, causing me to flinch. "Sorry," she says softly, continuing to clean the wound with a gentle touch. She bandages me while still applying pressure.

"Would you like to explain what happened?" Her eyes narrow as she walks away and puts everything away. I rub my face and say, "The Lakewood Lycans are what happened."

She sits down and shakes her head. "Gage, you need to stop whatever feud you have with this guy. You could have been seriously injured tonight. more than what you are now." Sadness takes over as she speaks. I try to lighten the mood. "Well, you should see him."

"It's not funny." I can see the worry in her eyes. She truly does care for my well being.

"I'm sorry." I kiss her, and the softness of her lips makes all the pain go away. I lay her back in bed and continue to kiss her, ignoring the pain that shoots up my side.

I lay next to her, and my eyes don't leave hers. She shuts the light off and gently places her hand on my waist, avoiding my side as she snuggles her head into my chest. I wrap my arm around her and feel her warmth against me, as we both drift off to sleep in each other's embrace. The silence of the night is only interrupted by the sound of our steady breathing and the beating of our hearts in unison.

☾

The rest of the weekend goes by quickly, and Monday comes around. I wake up and head to the kitchen, where I see Star making coffee. She offers me a cup as I yawn. I nod and thank her. She tells me I should clean my wound today, and I tell her not to worry about it. I heal quickly, and I should be okay.

I step into the shower behind her and wrap my arms around her waist. The water pours over us, and I feel relaxed. Without notice, she rips the bandage off, and her fingers linger over the almost healed wound.

"How?" The look on her face is one of complete shock.

"I told you, I heal quickly. I'm fine. I'll be left with a little scar." I smile and kiss her before getting out. I take a deep breath and close my eyes; I can't hide this side of me from her forever.

I brush my teeth and then head to get dressed. I put on jeans and a hoodie. I look over at Star, who has blue leggings on and a matching sports bra; she throws on my white and grey hoodie and allows her hair to flow down her shoulders.

She yawns as she grabs her bag and keys. We head out, and she hands me her keys and says, "You drive. I'm too tired." I nod and take them. I get in and start her Jeep. She leans against the window and closes her eyes.

☾

Once on campus, I kiss her goodbye, and we part. The day goes by kind of slowly. After our last class, Star and I split once again. She heads to the gym, and I head to the locker room with the team. We change out of our day clothes and put on something we can comfortably move in.

I throw on basketball shorts and a white muscle shirt. I throw on my fitted hat, placing it backwards, and tell Ace I'll be back. I walk toward the cafeteria and order a coffee. As I wait to pay, I notice all the girls walk by me and giggle. I laugh and grab the coffee.

"Ladies," I say as I pass them. I walk the halls and meet up with the team. "Alright, guys, say goodbye to our dignities." Ace says, and we all laugh.

I look through the window panel of the door and see Star sitting on the stage with a clipboard and pen. She yawns, and I shake my head. I look at the time and realise we still have half an hour before we really need to be in there. I look over at the guys and smirk. Before we go in, we grab snacks. I take a sip of the coffee, and we head back to the cafeteria. I grab a bag of chips and sit down. As we walk to a table, Laura walks by and grabs Ace. "You, with me. Now."

We all tease him as he gets dragged away. I tell the guys that all weekend, Ace was forced to learn how to dance for the partner routine.

"We get to grind on some girls?" Keenan asks with a smile.

"Basically," I say as I pop a chip in my mouth. The boys howl, and I feel my eyes shift. I look at the ground until they stop. The only downfall of being an Alpha is when my pack howls and my inner wolf emerges. I take a deep breath and try to regain control, reminding myself that I am still human. It's a constant battle between my human and wolf sides, but I know that I must keep them both in balance.

I tell the guys I'll meet them at the gym. I head back to the counter and order another coffee, this time for Star, because she is going to need it. As I wait for the coffee, I check my phone and see a message from Star telling me to hurry up. I laugh and send her a message back.

I'm on my way.

I grab her coffee and head to the gym. All the guys are waiting outside the doors, waiting for me to enter first.