Chapter 145

Abigail

If anyone tells you eavesdropping never ends well, they’re lying. It ends exactly how you'd expect—like your heart has been drop-kicked into a blender and someone forgot to put the lid on.

I wasn’t even trying to listen. Okay, maybe a little. Fine, I fully ducked behind the garden wall because I heard Dad say my name. But that’s not the point.

The point is: Owen said yes. My twin brother—who still can't fold a shirt without making it look like a wrinkled tortilla—just agreed to start Alpha training.

Alpha. Training.

The kind of training that changes your whole life. The kind of training I should have been considered for. I mean—hello? Our mom is an Alpha. Our dad is an Alpha. And yeah, Owen is great and strong and whatever—but I’m not exactly chopping onions and waiting for fate to pick me. I fight. I train harder than most of the guys. I care.

If mom could do it, wasn’t I being included?

But no. It's always, “Owen this,” and “Owen that,” and now it's, “Owen, let us completely reshape your future and dump a truckload of responsibility on your head.”

And what do I get? A pat on the head and an all-access pass to “supportive little sister” duties. Woo. Dreams do come true.

Why him? We both haven’t unlocked out wolf forms yet! Something I have been chancing, waiting for! I clearly wanted it more than him.

I didn’t even wait to hear the rest. I just turned around and stormed off like the emotionally responsible young adult I definitely am not. The trees swallowed me up in a tangle of pine needles, branches, and rage. The crunch of my boots against the forest floor sounded like applause, except it was sarcasm, and it was clapping for my downfall.

“Whoa, who died?” a familiar voice called, way too casual for the volcanic meltdown bubbling beneath my skin.

Theo.

He was leaning against a tree, arms crossed, all smug and forest-goblin-like in his hoodie and scuffed-up sneakers. His hair was a mess in that ‘I woke up and didn’t try and somehow still look good’ kind of way, which was annoying on a moral level.

“Leave me alone,” I snapped, plowing past him.

“Can’t. Morally obligated to annoy you when you look like you’re about to fight a tree.”

“I will fight a tree. Don’t test me.”

Theo trotted up beside me, long legs easily matching my angry pace. “Okay, fine. But at least let me pick which tree. I’ve got money on that crooked birch near the stream. It’s seen some things.”

I scowled, trying not to laugh. “I’m serious.”

“I know you are. You’ve got that ‘I’m-about-to-burn-down-a-village’ look in your eye. Which, for the record, is hot. Slightly concerning. But hot.”

I shoved him lightly in the shoulder. “You’re an idiot. Besides, you can’t just say that to me, I’m the Alph’a daughter.”

“And you’re deflecting.” He grinned. “Come on, what happened? Spill.”

For a second, I didn’t say anything. The trees around us grew denser, their leaves whispering things I didn’t want to hear. Eventually, I stopped at a mossy stump and sat down, shoving my hands into my jacket pockets so I didn’t punch a rock.

“They picked Owen,” I muttered.

Theo blinked. “Picked him for what? Wait, don’t tell me—new pack ambassador to the Canine Council? Secret agent? Muffin delivery boy?”

I shot him a look.

“Okay, okay. Not the time for muffin jokes.” He dropped down next to me, elbows on his knees, toes burying into the diirt. “They picked him for Alpha training, didn’t they?”

I nodded, jaw clenched.

He let out a low whistle. “Well… that’s kinda huge.”

“Yeah. It is.”

We sat in silence for a minute. The kind of silence that makes you feel like the world is shifting under your feet, and you’re the only one without a seatbelt.

“It should’ve been me,” I finally said, voice cracking in a way I hated. “Or at least also me. I’m not saying Owen doesn’t deserve it, I’m just… why didn’t anyone even ask?”

Theo didn’t answer right away. He just picked up a stick and poked at the dirt like it had wronged him.

“I mean,” he said slowly, “maybe they didn’t ask because your path isn’t Alpha. Owen’s got that… honnor, and soft leadership side to him. He’s always been kind of… leader… ish?”

I snapped my head toward him. “And you’re saying I’m not? Wow. That’s helpful. Thanks. Great pep talk.”

He held up a hand. “Hold on. Let me finish, drama queen. I mean it’s not your path because you’re meant for something else. Maybe even something better. Besides, it doesn’t take a genius to se your impulsive.”

I rolled my eyes. “Impulsive? I’m driven! I do what I need to. If I hadn’t been for me convincing Owen to get the Alpha King, he never would have joined the fight. You saw it! It’s not fair! If I’m not meant to lead, transform and be a strong wolf like my mom, what am I meant for? Like what, Theo? Flower arranging? Mid-level werewolf HR?”

He smirked. “Maybe you're meant to lead in a different way. One they haven’t even thought of yet. Keep in mind, you’re mom was a doctor before a fighter.”

I made a noise that was part laugh, part growl. “You’re impossible.”

“And you’re terrifying, but here we are.” He bumped his shoulder against mine. “You’re fire. Owen’s stone. They need different training. Doesn’t mean one is better. Just different weapons for different battles. Maybe he got picked because he wasn’t so eager.”

That hit harder than I wanted it to, muttering. “That maks no sense.”

We sat like that for a while—two misfits in the woods pretending we weren’t unraveling in real time. The wind picked up, cool and sharp, and I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

Besides, I wasn’t the only one going through it. Theo, his Dad, the only family he has known—gone. But I had no clue how to bring it up, comfort him.

“You’re the only one who doesn’t treat me like I’m second-best,” I said softly, surprised by my own honesty.

Theo went quiet.

Then, he reached out, pinky extended.

My eyebrows shot up. “Seriously? A pinky promise?”

“Dead serious,” he said, totally unfazed. “I, Theo the Tolerant, hereby swear to always remind you that you’re a menace, a hurricane, and the best thing to ever happen to this boring forest. And that you’re not second to anyone.”

I stared at his hand, then hooked my pinky around his. “You’re such a dork.”

“I know. But I’m your dork.”

For a second, the world paused. Like the trees leaned in. Like even the wind held its breath.

I leaned closer before I could stop myself. And just like that, there was a kiss—quick, surprised, soft around the edges.

Then we both pulled back, wide-eyed.

“Was that—” I started.

“That didn’t count,” Theo said too fast.

“Definitely didn’t,” I agreed, heart pounding. “We’re… too young or that anyways.”

“Yeah,” Theo leaned away, trying to hide his redding ears to my hot cheeks.

But we were still smiling.

Owen

I sat on the roof of the west tower, legs swinging off the edge like I wasn’t in the middle of an existential crisis. The wind tugged at my hoodie, cool and steady, and Mark sat beside me—silent, as always. This time we weren’t under the moon, the sun hot against the black tiles.

Down below, through the thinning trees, I could see Abigail and Theo making their way back toward the house. Their shoulders kept bumping as they walked, laughing at something dumb, like the world hadn’t just changed beneath our feet. Like everything was still simple.

“They really think I can’t see them from the river. I swear she is still such a child. That kiss…they’re going to be a problem forever, huh?” I muttered, mostly to myself before bumping Mark with my elbow. “It’s weird, watching her depend on someone who isn’t me or Dad.”

Mark didn’t answer. But I felt him—like I always did—in that quiet space where words weren’t needed. He spoke through the wind which usually meant silence. Mostly.

I let out a slow breath, my chest tightening in a way I didn’t want to name. “I feel… jealous,” I admitted. The word sounded small, but it rang too loud in the stillness. “I’m not what she needs anymore. Neither is Dad. And that’s good, right? That’s what we wanted. All I’ve ever wanted is for her to be safe. Happy.” I swallowed hard. “And… I guess I wanted to be enough, too.”

Mark said nothing. But somehow, his silence filled in every blank.

I nodded slowly, still watching her. Them. “Yeah. You’re right. She’s growing up.” I glanced at him. “And so am I. Even if we’re twins… we’re not on the same path.”

A smile tugged at my lips—bittersweet and quiet.

“Guess we never were… Man she’s gonna be pissed when she finds out about Alpha Training.”