Red Moon Pack.

“You shouldn’t let them talk to you like that, you know?”

Theo, Felix’s son and the future Beta, falls into step beside me. He’s not awful, but he’s never been kind either. I’m pretty sure he resents how much time Felix gave me growing up.

“Your class is in the other direction,” I say flatly.

“You know my classes now?” A slow smirk stretches across his face.

“I know everyone’s schedule. You’re not special. I just like to know where to avoid.”

“Well, you clearly didn’t get the update. Zion and I are taking advanced this year. Alpha wants us ready to graduate if we need to.”

I huff. “Oh, fantastic.”

We turn the corner toward Advanced English, and there he is. Zion. Leaning against the door like he modelled for the position. The smug bastard pushes off the wall and gives Theo one of those obnoxious ‘bro’ hugs.

“Did you inform the little warrior?” Zion asks, as if I’m invisible.

“Nah, not yet. Thought you’d want to do the honours.”

They both turn to me. I focus on the classroom door, silently begging it to open faster. Zion steps right in front of me, blocking my path, and I roll my eyes at him dramatically.

“You’re going to tutor us,” he says.

“Ah, no.”

“I’m the future Alpha, Envy. You kind of have to do what I tell you.”

“See how you said ‘future’? Meaning not yet. Meaning I don’t have to do anything you say.”

His jaw ticks. “How about I tell my father then?”

I roll my eyes so hard it should qualify as a workout and glare up at him.

“Alpha Marcus will tell you my schedule is full. I have business outside the pack every day now.”

“So when will you study then?”

“Late.”

“Great. We’ll meet you at your room every day at ‘late’ then.”

Infuriating bastard. Of course, that’s when Mrs Parker, our English teacher, chooses to arrive. The group files inside, and I make sure I’m last so I can take the furthest seat from everyone.

The day drags on forever, and by lunchtime I’m convinced. If this is what the year will look like, I’m finishing it early and getting the hell out. After school, I run home for a shower and pull on fresh workout gear I can wear under my riding leathers. I take a moment to look at myself in the mirror. I’m not insecure, but this is my first time visiting another pack, and I want to make a good impression. My long black hair is braided down my back. My tanned skin looks smooth, my green-blue eyes sharp and bright. I’m not stick-thin like the other females in our pack. I have curves, large breasts, a toned ass from constant training, and strong arms and legs. Not masculine, just powerful. Of course, that’s enough for those bitches at school to talk about me. I like the way I look, though. That should be enough. Still, something is nudging at the back of my mind. Nerves, maybe. I’ve never seen another pack before. I just hope they don’t hate me immediately.

Aleisha

“When’s your new trainer getting here, sis?”

Xavier asks as he drops onto the couch beside me. He’s the eldest of my four brothers, though only by a few minutes. I check my phone and roll my eyes just in time to see Haiden, the second eldest, leading another she-wolf through the house to his room.

“Shouldn’t be too much longer. Why? You looking to get some lessons?” I tease.

He scoffs. Xavier doesn’t need lessons. Honestly, I didn’t think I needed them either, but apparently being mated to Tommy, my brother’s best friend and our future Beta, means I suddenly need more training. Dad is paranoid. Always has been.

“What about Noah and Levi? Where are they?”

“Pretty sure they’re out with their girlfriends.” Xavier pulls a face.

I gag. Lucy and Sarah. My dumbass younger-yet-older brothers insist on calling those she-wolves their girlfriends. Xavier doesn’t like them either. Out of all four of them, he’s the only one who has never given in to the constant flow of she-wolves throwing themselves at them. He’s always stood firm on waiting for his mate. Not that the pack believes him. The quads have such a reputation that people assume they all behave the same way. He stopped defending himself years ago. Says only his mate’s opinion will matter. They’ve been waiting seven years already. Twins and triplets sometimes share a mate, so the assumption is that the quads will too. But I guess no one will know until she actually appears, and Xavier refuses to settle for anyone else.

“I’ve gotta go anyway,” he says, rising from the couch. “Have fun with your training.”

I roll my eyes again. Easy for him to say.

I hear the rumble of a motorbike outside and pause. Strange. Dad said my new trainer was a girl. I step outside, expecting to see one of my brothers’ friends messing around. But the bike that pulls up is sleek black, with dual swords strapped across the rider’s back. The swords are dripping with blood. A lot of it. The rider swings off the bike, pulls off the helmet, and a long black braid falls free. My eyebrows shoot up. Okay… definitely a girl. A badass one.

“Hey, you Aliesha?” she asks.

“That’s me.”

I step forward with my hand out, but she laughs and holds up her gloved hands.

“Sorry. I’m filthy. Ran into some rogues on the way here.”

“Rogues? How many? Where? I should tell my brothers!”

“Eight or so. They’re all dead though, don’t worry.”

She says it as if she had just picked up groceries.

“You took down eight rogues by yourself? With those swords?” I stare at her in disbelief.

“Yep. Haven’t got my wolf yet, so I learned to fight with these.”

She grins and pulls her swords free. They’re huge, sharp, and terrifying.

“Oh wow. Okay. Can you teach me to do that? That’s… that’s amazing!”

She laughs, full and real, not mocking. I probably sound ridiculous, but I’ve never killed a rogue. Hell, I’ve barely been in a real fight. And she casually took down eight before breakfast.

“That’s the plan, I’m pretty sure,” she says. “You got somewhere we can train?”

“Yeah, of course. Come around the back. There’s plenty of space where we won’t be disturbed.”