"I swear on my grandmother's grave," Sommy whispered in his ear, and he took off running," Jessica says, animated.
Elena leans in closer and mutters, "I bet her grandmother is still alive."
Jessica smirks. "I heard that. Tell them, Sommy."
Sommy shakes her head, an amused smile dancing around her lips. "I don't even know what really happened. I had a lot to drink tonight. All I know is that the big dog-looking like a wolf-didn't hurt us."
"Fine," Jessica says, her eyes rolling heavenward. "Be humble if you want. But I was there, and I know exactly what happened."
Zain raises her beer. "To the wolf whisperer!"
Everyone raises their glasses, and they all burst out laughing as Sommy joins them, clinking bottles and winking at Jessica. But the fact is, she hasn't had that much to drink at all. That was the plan, at first—until what happened in the woods buzzed her in such a different way. A way that had nothing to do with the alcohol and everything to do with the wolf. A raw, primal energy hums beneath her skin, her own wolf restless and aching to shift, to track him down.
But she can't. If there's a jamboree happening, it means he's likely not from around here. He'll have to play by the rules of the alphas: curfews, boundaries, keeping things civil. The safest option is to steer clear.
The fire dwindles to glowing embers, the girls drunk and drowsy. Sommy rises, stretching. "I'm beat. Anyone else ready for bed?"
Her friends shuffle up, gathering their things before disappearing into the RV. Sommy lingers behind, toeing at the fire, burying the remaining heat beneath a layer of dirt. In the distance, a howl rises—low, mournful, and it tugs at something deep inside her. The familiar ache of loneliness swells. She's learned to live with it, but tonight, that wolf stirred something long buried. Animal instincts scream for her to find him; her human half resists. She lets out a sharp breath and pushes the feeling down before slipping into the RV.
Sleeping arrangements were settled earlier—Sommy and Jessica ended up with the pull-out bed in the main area. The RV is quiet, filled with the slow, steady breathing of her friends. Just as she begins to drift, Jessica whispers, "Tomorrow morning, after my run, you're coming hiking with me."
Sommy sighs. "Fine. I'll make sure the others are ready."
"Just us, Sommy. You're not telling me everything about what happened in the woods tonight, and I'm not letting it go."
Sommy hesitates, staring at the ceiling. The weight of secrecy presses down on her. Jessica is her best friend, has been for years. If anyone could handle the truth, it's her. But knowing Jessica, she won't let it rest. Sommy exhales. "Okay. Tomorrow. Now go to sleep."
Morning comes way too early. Birds chirp as Sommy paces, waiting near the campsite with Jayden and Elena still huddled in a heap of asleep. Jessica's soft footfalls reach her before she appears, sweat dampening her forehead. "Hey," Sommy greets, flicking an ice-cold water bottle in Jessica's direction.
Jessica takes one deep gulp then jerks her chin toward the trail. "Ready?"
Sommy nods once, falling into step beside Jessica. "Good run?"
"Not bad. Had to pay attention, though."
Sommy smirks. "I can see where that'd be a challenge for you."
Jessica grins, swiping sweat from her brow. "At least I didn't get lost."
They continue in silence for a time, the only sounds those of the forest around them. Eventually, Sommy takes a deep breath. "About last night…"
Jessica interrupts, "I've been thinking. You weren't scared of those wolves at all. Why?"
Sommy hesitates, then, "Because they weren't just wolves."
Jessica pushes a branch out of the way. "What do you mean?"
"They were werewolves. They understood what we were saying."
Jessica snorts. "And you know this how?"
Sommy stops, touches Jessica's arms lightly. "Because I'm one too."
Jessica's eyebrows furrow together. "What?"
Sommy lets go, watching as realization dawns. Jessica rewinds through years of memories—Sommy sneaking back into their dorm room at odd hours, the way her eyes seemed to flash unnaturally when she was angry. Understanding settles over her expression.
"Holy shit," Jessica breathes. "That… actually explains a lot."
Sommy exhales, relieved. "Yeah. I can shift whenever I want."
Jessica's grin is immediate. "That's badass." Then, catching herself, "It is, right?"
Sommy chuckles. "It is. I should've known you'd think so."
Jessica links a companionable arm through hers. "So why did that wolf try to attack you?"
Sommy's jaw tightens. "Jealousy. The male was checking to see if either of us smelled like a compatible mate."
"Interesting." Jessica nudges her. "He liked the way you smelled. Once he realized I wasn't you, he moved on, right?
Sommy swallows, remembering the wolf's burning stare, her body's reaction. "Probably."
"So does that mean you found yourself a new guy?"
"No." The word snaps out. "I'm not interested in a mate."
Jessica snorts. "Why not? He was kinda cute. In a wolfy way. Bet he's hot as a human."
Sommy breathes out, the honesty pouring out with the words. "In my pack, there weren't that many females, but I did not find a mate. The males… they preferred human females over me. I'm not meant for it, apparently. And besides, he seemed already taken. It's better."
Jessica shakes her head. "Nope, no buying here. I am not going to believe you're supposed to spend your life alone.
"I'm good. Werewolf guys are irritating. You know, huge and muscular, full of themselves as hell."
Jessica gasps for dramatic effect. "I knew it! The wolfy man is a hottie." Then she cuts her voice. "Wait. This wolf was trying to defend you from the other. Not the one does not mean not one at all exists. What's that the gypsy told us? That Romeo's somewhere there for you,
Sommy rolls the small glass bottle between her fingers—the potion the witch gave her. A reluctant smile tugs at her lips before she pushes it back into her pocket.
They walk along in comfortable silence until Jessica stops and asks suddenly, "Wait. The firemen. They're werewolves, aren't they?"
Sommy smirks. "Yep."
"And the un-touchable frat guys at school? The ones that are really sexy?"
"Uh-huh."
Jessica groans, playfully punching her arm. "You could've told me! No wonder they wouldn't ask me out. I thought it was my personality."
Sommy snorts. "That's what you're taking from this? You don't care that your best friend is a freak?"
Jessica spins to face her, serious now. "You're not a freak. You're amazing. I'm kinda jealous, honestly. Can you run super fast?"
"Yeah. Want to race?"
Jessica's face lights up. "Can I?"
"No! I tease."
Jessica pouts for a moment but then bounces back. "So, tell me more. I want to know everything. And I mean everything."
Sommy sighs but smiles. "Fine. But no, you can't become one."
Jessica grins. "Worth asking."
And just like that, Sommy knows she made the right choice telling her.