Chapter 0457

"Morning, Ivy." My ride-or-die, Seraphina, falls into step beside me as we head toward school. Senior year is almost over, and the weight of that reality hits me every morning.

"Hey, Sera."

We've been neighbors since birth, born a month apart. Same schools, same homework sessions, same extracurriculars—our lives have always been intertwined. Our parents practically raised us together. Lucky for us, we clicked instantly. Otherwise, childhood would’ve been hell.

"How was training?" she asks. The one thing we don’t do together anymore. Two years ago, she bowed out after completing the mandatory five years. Me? I live for the fight. She’d rather paint sunsets.

"I took down Silas today." I can’t hide my grin.

Her jaw drops. "Silas? The future Lead Warrior?"

"Pinned him until he tapped out." I’m practically floating. Beating him is a big damn deal.

"Ivy, that’s insane! You’re incredible!"

"Thanks, Sera."

A car slows beside us, window rolling down. Alpha heir Alistair smirks from the driver’s seat, his shadow, Gregory, lounging in the passenger side with that infuriating smirk of his.

"Morning, ladies. Need a lift?"

Sera goes rigid. Alistair’s been chasing her for weeks, ever since she shot him down cold. The shock on his face that day? Priceless. No one says no to the future Alpha. Now it’s become some twisted game to him.

"Good morning, Alpha. Guardian." I step in before Sera can speak. "We’re good."

Alistair ignores me, eyes locked on Sera. "What about you, Seraphina?"

She flashes him a smile so fake it’s almost insulting. "Like Ivy said, we’re fine."

Gregory leans over, his emerald eyes glinting. "Heard about your win today, Ivy. Impressive."

"Thank you, Guardian."

"Gregory. Call me Gregory."

I blink. Outside of training, he’s never acknowledged my existence. Too busy charming his way through every she-wolf in the pack. But ever since Alistair fixated on Sera, Gregory’s suddenly noticed me. Convenient.

"Last chance," Alistair drawls. "Sure you don’t want a ride?"

"Perfect day for a walk," I say sweetly.

"Next time, then." He revs the engine. "See you in class, Sera."

The second they’re gone, Sera groans. "Ugh. Why won’t he stop?"

"Because Alphas hate losing," I mutter.

"He’s slept with half the pack. Who’d want a mate like that?"

I side-eye her. "Uh, everyone but us? Also, newsflash—most Alphas are like that."

She sighs. "I just want someone kind. Quiet."

I snort as we hit the school parking lot. "We’re werewolves, Sera. Quiet lives don’t exist unless you mate a human."

"Worth a shot." She nudges me. "What was that with Gregory? He’s never spoken to you before."

"Guess beating Silas earned me his precious attention." I air-quote dramatically.

"He’s hot."

"Hot? Try dangerously attractive. Also, he’s a bigger player than Alistair. Hard pass."

Inside, the duo holds court by the lockers, surrounded by admirers. I’m mid-eye-roll when Gregory’s gaze snaps to mine. He winks—actually winks—while some girl hangs on his every word.

I shake my head just enough for him to see my disbelief. His smirk deepens.

Game on.