The mins of the Sacred Hall stul song and silent beneath the mollt sky. The air seat cond and crimp with the fingering danys earth and old stone. We had decided to set up camp before holding to the Eclining Pines the need morning.

A fire crackled in the center of our camp, its flames flickering again carvings, illuminating the stories etched into the stone storiesof

The ancient walls Shadows danced along the weathered

first pack over formed

Even in school, we had been taught about this place, how it was the birthplace of the werewolves, where the first Alpha and Lana swore their vows beneath the stars. But standing fett now, feeling the history beneath my feet, was different. It was like I could. sense the ghosts of the past, whispering through the wisd

1 wrapped my arms around my legs, staring into the flames as the others settled in Isalah sharpened his blade absentmindedly. Elijah leaned back against a rock with his arms crossed, and Austin ay stretched out, one arm resting over his eyes. Alex, however, stood a little ways off, gazing at the stars.

Something about the way he stood, the tension in his shoulders, marke

"I'm going to take a walk," I mutnuired.

Elijah lifted a brow but said nothing.

push to my feet.

nothing. Isaiah glanced up briefly, his eyes flickering toward Alex before nodding

I stepped away from the fire, my boots crunching softly against the gravel. Alex turned when he heard me approach, a small smirk tugging at his lips. "Couldn't resist my charm, huh?"

1 rolled my eyes. "Maybe I just wanted some peace and quiet."

He chuckled, tilting his head toward a secluded spot just beyond the ruins. "Come on, I wanna show you something"

I followed him through the broken archways until we reached an open clearing. The sky stretched endlessly above us, the stars burning bright and clear.

"Wow," I breathed,

Alex lay down on the grass, resting his hands behind his head. "Best view in the world."

I hesitated before sitting beside him, the cold grass tickling my palm

For a moment, we just stared at the sky. He pointed up at a cluster of stars. "See that?"

I squinted. "Which one?"

"The three bright ones in a row. That's Orion's Belt."

I nodded, watching as he traced different constellations with his finger. His usual playful demeanor was gone, replaced by something quieter, more thoughtful

"Used to stargaze a lot when I was a kid," he murmured. "It made everything feel... smaller. Like no matter what happened, the universe just kept going, and my problems didn't seem so big."

1 glanced at him, noticing the way his jaw clenched slightly. "You don't talk about

gave a wry smile.

1 nudged him. "Liar."

your past much."

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Chapter 161

rubbing a hand over his face. "I had dreams, you know. Big ones. I

feeling all

Thens bee

turnerd

his head i

his expression suddenly serious "And then

almost disbelieving laugh. "Stormi, you changed everything. You became the center of it all-of everything I think

chest tightened at his

brushing against his cheek. His

at the contact, his eyes locking

think, I

tasted warm, like fire, and something entirely Alex-familiar, yet thrilling all the same. His hand slid to the back of my neck, holding me

he exhaled a shaky

whispered, my heart

quiet settle around us. Then, from the campfire, we heard Austin's voice echo through

"Ohhh, you sly bastard!"

face in my hands as laughter erupted from

and offering me his hand. "Guess we should face the

1 sighed, taking h

"They're never gonna let this go,

"Not a chance."

where Isaiah, Elijah, and Austin were waiting

smug grins.

chance to go behind our backs and make your move huh? Elijah

"You're just too slow

"You've always been

been sneaking," Isaiah teased.

just shrugged, looking completely unbathered. "What can I say?

sat down, trying to ignore the heat rising to my

Isaiah tossed another

"We never got

everyone up

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Chapter 161

to face a version of myself that doubted

had to choose between what I wanted and

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