Meret leaned closer to the mirror, dabbing at the faint bruise along her cheekbone with the last bit of concealer she had left.

It didn’t do much, just dulled the purple into a sickly yellow, but it was better than nothing. Her fingers trembled as she pressed them against the edge of the sink, trying to steady herself.

“Just get through today,” she whispered like a prayer, though none of her prayers had ever been answered.

If they had, her father would still be alive. He would be steady and strong, guiding her through a life that had never felt more uncertain.

If the Moon Goddess had listened, she would have shifted when everyone else did. She would have felt her wolf stir beneath her skin like she was supposed to.

But there was nothing. No pull, no voice, no shift.

And when her father died, the title of Gamma hadn’t passed to her, even though he had no sons.

It went to his brother. Her uncle.

Because even in mourning, the pack couldn’t be led by someone without a wolf.

Gammas were warriors , and they needed their wolf strength to thrive as one.

It had been six years since then.

Six years of biting her tongue, shrinking herself smaller, hoping they would stop.

Six years of being shoved into lockers, laughed at in training, of whispered slurs in the cafeteria line.

Six years of being reminded at Lunaris Academy, of all places that in their eyes, she was nothing.

Meret swallowed hard and adjusted the strap of her backpack, her fingers brushing the cracked leather like it could somehow anchor her.

Then, with one last glance at her reflection, she turned away from the mirror and stepped out of the bathroom.

Laughter met her almost immediately…sharp, cruel, and far too familiar. It echoed down the hallway like a warning.

She paused. Just for a second.

Then she inhaled through her nose, tucked her hair over her shoulder to cover the bruise, and walked forward like she didn’t feel every stare crawling across her skin.

The cafeteria was already buzzing by the time she entered. She spotted her usual table near the back—empty, like always—and started toward it.

“Meret!”

The voice made her stop.

Too sweet. Sticky with fake honey.

She turned slowly, her gaze landing on Cassia—her cousin. The same cousin whose father had taken over the Gamma title after Meret’s own father died.

Perfect curls. Perfect smile.

Cassia waved her over like they hadn’t just passed each other in the hallway… like she hadn’t just slammed Meret’s locker shut on her fingers a few minutes ago.

Like she wasn’t the reason Meret was running low on concealer.

“Come sit with us,” Cassia said brightly. “There’s space.”

Meret hesitated. Every instinct screamed no. But then she saw him… Ace. Already at the table. Already watching her.

Cassia only ever played nice when he was around.

Meret forced a smile and nodded, moving toward the group with heavy, reluctant steps.

It was a trap. Of course it was.

But what choice did she have?

As she sat down, Ace offered her a soft smile, nudging his tray slightly closer to her.

“You look tired,” he said gently. “You okay?”

He was the only one who still showed her kindness even after her wolf never surfaced, even after her father died. He was always there for her, steady and loyal.

But Meret had stopped feeling comforted by it a long time ago.

Because every time he was kind to her, it only made Cassia angrier. The bullying got worse.

Cassia hated that Ace still cared about Meret. But she couldn’t do anything to change his mind, and she didn’t want to risk getting on his bad side.

So she smiled sweetly and pretended to care whenever he was near.

That was how she got close to him. Not through friendship. Just calculated performance.

“I’m fine,” Meret finally managed, forcing the words out.

Ace looked like he was about to ask something else, but Cassia jumped in before he could.

“Ace, are you going to the ceremony tonight?” Cassia asked brightly. “I heard most wolves meet their mates there—since they come from all over for it. And now that we’ve all come of age… Well, everyone except you, since you turn nineteen tomorrow. It's finally our chance! So, what are you wearing?”

Ace let out a low chuckle. “Definitely dressing to impress. And since it’s my birthday tomorrow… you know the after-party is going to be insane.”

Cassia burst out laughing. Loud and dramatic. Nothing he said was all that funny, but she laughed until she was dabbing at imaginary tears.

“Oh, Ace, you’re hilarious! You’d look good in anything, so I already know you’re going to slay. I just hope my mate is half as good-looking as you.”

Meret took his laughter with Cassia as her cue to leave. She peeled herself out of her seat, leaving her tray behind. Her appetite was gone anyway.

But she’d only made it three steps before Ace called out, “Meret, wait!”

She froze.

Slowly, she turned only to find him already coming toward her.

Her gaze flicked to Cassia, who was biting her thumbnail so hard she looked ready to draw blood.

Oh Goddess.

“Meret, are you okay? You look pale. I can walk you to the infirmary if—”

“No,” Meret cut in quickly, forcing a small smile. “I just need to use the restroom. My food’s still there. I’ll be back soon.”

Ace studied her, like he didn’t quite believe her. Then he stepped closer and gently took her wrist, his touch warm and familiar.

“I know things have been hard lately,” he said softly. “I know it’s not easy. But I want you to know I’m here for you. With or without your wolf, it doesn’t matter. You’ve got Cassia. You’ve got me. I’ll always be here for you.”

“Thanks,” Meret murmured, trying to pull away as her eyes darted toward Cassia—who suddenly took on a giraffe role.

“But I’m fine. Really. I’ll catch you later.”

Meret tried to walk away again, but Ace caught her wrist gently, stopping her.

“Will you be coming out tonight for the ceremony?” he asked, softer this time. “I’m planning to celebrate my birthday after, and I want you there. You didn’t come to my last one.”

She remembered why all too well.

Cassia had made sure she didn’t. She’d cornered Meret in the dorm hallway that day, sneering something about how the party wasn’t for charity cases. About how Ace needed to be surrounded by real wolves, not strays.

Meret had stayed behind, humiliated, hoping to disappear quietly.

But Ace had noticed. He’d left his own party to come find her. Sat with her in silence while Cassia’s rage smoldered behind her pretty smile for weeks after.

“I don’t know, Ace,” she said finally. “I’ll be pretty swamped. It’s our senior year, and I need to keep my grades up. Since I can’t really do… anything else.”

“So you have no plans to attend the ceremony?” he asked, frowning.

Meret hesitated, then shrugged. “I mean… I don’t have a wolf. So even if I do find my mate, he’d probably be embarrassed to have me as his. Might as well save us both the trouble.”

“Come on, Meret. Don’t say that. Any guy would be lucky to have you. You’re smart, you’re beautiful—”

“—and wolfless,” she cut in flatly.

Ace let out a laugh despite himself.

Meret looked away, but she couldn’t stop the small smile tugging at the corner of her lips. She hated how easy it was to feel safe with him. Hated how, for just a second,

She forgot who was watching.

Especially Cassia.

“Peak dark humor right there,” he said, nudging her lightly. “But promise me you’ll come? For old time’s sake.”

She was about to respond when movement from the side caught her attention.

Cassia gave one of her shadows a look, and the girl was suddenly stumbling toward them like she’d tripped… except her eyes were locked on Meret’s tray. A spill tactic. Classic Cassia.

Meret quickly glanced at her watch. “Sorry! I have a class to get to,” she called over her shoulder as she turned away.

“I thought you were going to the restroom?” Ace called after her, confused.

“Well—both! Restroom, then class,” she said, already speed-walking down the corridor.

She didn’t look back. Didn’t have to. She could feel Cassia’s glare like knives in her spine.

Now all she had to do was find a hallway with actual lectures happening, and disappear before Cassia caught up.