E

ce, but I couldn't hear-my hea

e tapped me

iled, snapping o

ades! Are you okay?" she asked,

" I replied, stretching ou

. We have some catching

glad to escape the heavy

-

tled onto the brown

you have a crush," Aiden teased

d, though I coul

on't p

e a crush-but he isn'

A wolf amongst the huma

er everything-his tall build, handsome fac

back there you're not only Rowena but.

gets on my last nerves. I feel guilty

ed. A message from Dad:

some other time. Bye!"

-

his car whe

hugging him tight. I lowere

promise," he said, then zo

s Dad," I

your presence," Mama

ded. I wiped away the tears that had tr

ly, watching g

Its cover was black and stormy with etched wolves, and at the center sat a gleaming silver lock, wai

a Lupa said, han

his? Why was she giving me

an now stood beside me, hi

id, guiding me gently to sit. "This book belongs to our ancestors. It's passed down from Alpha to Alpha. And now,

me. The moment my fingers touched the c

Alpha. The pages were thick, their edges yellowed wi

d to pronounce it. It

apa chuckl

rd-a secret code. Once you're able to read it, it means you've unlocked th

urmured, watc

rmer as he read: "Only

ldly on their own-wind tearing throug

, si

owing white fur. Beside her, other wolves bowed. She radiated strength a

my chest. Something abo

o I might become-or who

t coated

tand it?" Papa as

o how am I supposed to understand the re

l understand everything. Just a tip-when you get in trouble, the book

in trouble?" I

when the ti

-

chest, and slipped it into my backpack.

toward t

r drums. A storm had ro

en

landed on

shut like someone-or someth

hts fli

dark

rbell rang-once. T

ed dow

d frozen, alarm in their eyes.

forward and began

followed. His hand ho

he door exp

backward, hitti

d. "Who are the