The Luna's Shadow

CHAPTER 3

When we got to school, we went straight to Bella’s locker first, then mine. Everyone knew who we were—but they kept their distance. Both our fathers were infamous, and no one wanted to cross the Alpha or Beta’s daughters. That meant we only had each other at school—and honestly, that was fine. The further away from people we stayed, the less likely anyone would pry into what really went on at home.

First class, we slid into the back row as usual. I pulled out my notebook and pen, my fingers moving almost on autopilot. When our geography teacher began droning on, I rested my head in my hand, letting my pen scratch across the page. My thoughts wandered far away from maps and rivers.

When I was six, I woke up to my parents screaming at each other. Mom was twenty-six, Dad forty-eight. The house felt smaller then, older somehow, before we moved into the packhouse.

I stayed in bed for what felt like hours, paralyzed by fear. Things smashed. Mom’s screams cut through the walls. Then came the sharp slap that made my stomach drop. I couldn’t stay in bed anymore.

I crept down the hallway and froze at the kitchen doorway. Mom was on the floor, hands pressed to her face, and Dad loomed over her. She saw me standing there and scrambled to her feet.

“It’s alright, sweetie. I’m okay,” she said, crouching to my level. “Why don’t you get dressed and go play with Bella? How does that sound?”

I shook my head and looked at Dad, anger and fear knotting my chest. Then I turned and retreated to my room, closing the door behind me.

I dressed slowly, my hands shaking as their shouting carried through the walls. But I had to get through it. When I returned to the kitchen, Dad was storming out the back door, and Mom held a rag to her bloody nose.

“Why does Daddy get so angry all the time?” I asked softly.

“I don’t know, sweetie. He just does,” she admitted. “Are you ready? Bella’s outside. Go find her while I clean up this mess.”

I nodded, hugged her quickly, and ran outside. Bella was on the swings, her legs pumping in rhythm with her laughter.

“I could hear your dad screaming from here,” she said, glancing toward the house. I only nodded. No words could explain what had happened.

“Do you want to go annoy Ethan? He’s with his friends,” she suggested, and my lips curved into a smile.

The swings abandoned, we ran to find Ethan, teasing him and laughing like we always did. That small rebellion, that simple joy, had always been our escape.

I was snapped back to the present by Bella nudging my shoulder. My eyes fell to the notebook, to the snarling wolf I’d been absentmindedly sketching—its teeth bared, attacking a woman and child. I shut the page quickly, forcing myself to pay attention to the class. Geography would have to wait; I needed to keep my head in the game.

The day passed slowly, dragging its feet through lectures and notes. But finally, the bell rang, and we grabbed our bags, savoring the quiet before heading home.

Outside, the familiar black BMW waited.

“Ethan. What are you doing here?” Bella asked, surprise breaking her voice.

“I’m giving you girls a lift home,” he replied, grinning from behind the wheel.

“It’s okay. We can walk. It’s not that far,” I said automatically.

“Too bad,” Ethan said with a laugh. “Get in.”

We climbed inside, and instead of heading home, he drove us into town. I frowned.

“The Alpha said we had to get home straight after school because of the party tonight,” I reminded him.

“Don’t worry,” he said. “Dad and the Beta know you’re with me. I told them before I picked you up. You won’t get in trouble.”

We ended up at a small ice cream shop downtown. Ethan and Wyatt both ordered, while I just watched, sipping my coffee.

“You know we’re not ten anymore, right?” I said lightly, raising an eyebrow at Ethan.

“I know,” he said, smiling. “But I thought we could all sit down and talk.”

“A coffee shop would’ve been better,” I muttered, sliding into the booth.

“So, Tessa,” Ethan said, his tone careful, “how are the ribs?”

“Pretty good. Just bruised. Should heal soon,” I lied smoothly. He nodded, clearly relieved.

“Thank goddess for werewolf healing,” he muttered under his breath, and I couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at my lips.

“Bells, how’s your dad been since I left? Worse?” he asked casually.

“About the same, I guess,” Bella said, taking a bite of her ice cream before side-eyeing me. Ethan noticed, but he didn’t comment.

A bad feeling settled in my chest. He was fishing—asking too many questions. I stayed quiet, letting Bella and Ethan talk like normal, recounting old memories and teasing each other.

By the time we returned to the packhouse, Ethan had errands to run for his dad before the party, leaving Bella and me to face what awaited inside.

The living room was quiet, but both fathers sat there, eyes sharp and waiting. My stomach twisted. That couldn’t be good.

Even as Bella squeezed my hand, a silent anchor, I felt the weight of what was coming. Their presence was more than just authority—it was a warning. Every scowl, every narrowed gaze, told me that tonight wouldn’t be simple.

I braced myself.

No matter what they wanted, no matter what plans they had, I couldn’t let Mason take me. I had to be clever, careful, and fast.

Because in this pack, even one mistake could cost everything.

And I wouldn’t let it happen.