Winter put herself together. She was standing before the packhouse of her high school bullies, she had to compose herself. She couldn't afford weakness here. Not with them. Memories of high school – the printed deep fakes, the gossips with her name on their lips, the deliberate humiliation – flashed behind her eyes.
Blood Moon was a sub-pack of Cedar Ridge, small, only about twenty-four wolves in the pack, all packed into the mansion and noisy house except their omegas who stayed in the detached quarters. Blood Moon Pack was a pack of her old high school mates who had bullied her and made her feel miserable. Esther lived here. Esther, who'd been a genuine friend until she'd left for her Master's abroad. News of her return a few days ago had been Winter's only spark of hope.
She planned to welcome her and then ask for a corporate dress for her interview at Riggs Corporation. She had to do that before 10.
Taking a deep, shuddering breath that did nothing to calm the fluttering in her chest, Winter raised a fist and knocked. Hard. Five times. Then, chaos erupted as the door flew open.
Music, raucous laughter, and the sharp crack of a billiard ball colliding spilled out, assaulting her ears. Raquel stood framed in the doorway, her perfectly sculpted eyebrows arching in surprise that quickly changed into a smirk. She leaned against the doorjamb.
"Well, well," Raquel drawled, her voice dripping with something Winter recognized as mockery. "Look what the mangy cat dragged in. Winter Cross. Haven't seen you since... what? The great locker plastering incident?" Her eyes sharp, swept over Winter's worn jeans and slightly damp sweater. "Damn, girl. You look...miserable. Life at the big, bad Stone Pack not treating their little human pet well?"
Winter's jaw tightened. She met Raquel's gaze, her green eyes hard. "Esther," she stated flatly, ignoring the mockery. "Is she here?"
Before Raquel could reply, Jackson materialized behind her, sliding an arm possessively around her waist. His eyes locked onto Winter. A slow, unpleasant smile spread across his face. "Winter? No way." He leaned down, nuzzling Raquel's neck with exaggerated moans. "Mmm, baby, who's at the door? Oh, just the rejected, miserable human." He pulled Raquel closer, his hands roaming deliberately, his moans growing louder.
Winter's stomach lurched. Jackson. The source of the deep fakes. The one who she had rejected and the man who decided to take revenge for the rejection by spreading deep fakes of her. The memory of those deepfake images plastered on her locker, her desk, even shoved into her textbooks, came rushing back with a nausea feelings in her stomach. The laughs in the hallways as she walked by, the pointed fingers at her in the cafeteria, the feeling of being utterly exposed and violated. Her carefully constructed composure broke instantly at that ugly memory. They ruined her life, she thought as she felt raw pain stab her chest.
"Never mind," Winter clipped out, her voice tight. She took a step back. "Tell Esther I stopped by. Clearly, you're all… busy." She turned, ready to start walking away.
"Winter?!"
The voice, bright and familiar, cut through the noise from inside. Winter froze, looking up. Esther leaned over the wrought-iron balcony railing above the entrance, her face lit with genuine surprise and delight. Her dark curls were slightly mussed, her smile wide and warm.
"Winter! Oh my Goddess, get up here!" Esther vanished from the balcony. Seconds later, she was pushing past a smirking Jackson and a now-pouting Raquel, grabbing Winter's icy hand. "Ignore these idiots. Come on! My room!" Esther's grip was firm, pulling Winter inside before she could protest.
Immediately, the coldness from outside changed into a warm, stale air as she went inside. The air smelled of beer, cheap cologne, and wolf – a potent, musky scent that always set Winter's nerves on edge. Who drinks beer so early in the morning? The large, open-plan living area was chaos. A billiard game was in full swing near the back. Winter kept her gaze fixed straight ahead, her face masked, hiding the anxiety as Esther dragged her through the gauntlet. She felt multiple stares on her – curious, hostile, amused. She recognized them all: Thompson and Thomas, the identical twins who'd loudly speculated about the 'authenticity' of her deep fakes; Vicky, who'd expertly edited that humiliating video of her looking like she was giving someone a ride; Riper, who'd spat in her cafeteria pudding and watched her eat it. Their gazes felt like blade cutting through her skin. Her palms grew slick with sweat inside her pockets.
Just get to Esther's room. Get the dress and get out. She whispered to herself.
In Esther's room, half-unpacked suitcases spilled clothes onto the floor. "Sorry about the mess," Esther said breathlessly, shutting the door firmly. "Just got back last night. The pack ambushed me with a truth-or-dare welcome-back binge. I haven't settled properly until now." She gestured vaguely at a large box. "Unpacking is today's thrilling adventure."
Winter stood rigidly just inside the door, taking in Esther's appearance. She looked good. Polished. Her clothes were neat, stylish – the kind of sleek trousers and silk blouse Winter desperately needed. The main reason she was here slammed back into her, cold and urgent.
"Esther," Winter began, her voice sounding strained even to her own ears. "I need… I need a favour. A big one."
Esther turned from rummaging in a suitcase, her expression instantly concerned. "Anything, Win. You know that. Why didn't you call first? Could've saved you walking in on the welcoming committee." Before Winter could explain, Esther crossed the room and enveloped her in a fierce hug. "God, I've missed you," she murmured into Winter's hair.
Winter stiffened in the embrace, then forced herself to relax into her embrace, patting Esther's back awkwardly. "Missed you too," she managed. She pulled back, putting space between them. "But… the favour. It's… clothes."
Esther blinked. "Clothes?"
"Corporate clothes," Winter clarified, forcing herself to meet Esther's eyes. "Suit, dress, blazer and trousers… anything smart. Professional. I have a job interview. Today. At four." The admission felt like exposing a huge secret. She didn't want to tell anyone because she knew it was going to be a failure and she'd never get accepted. "And I… I don't have anything like that. Nothing suitable."
Esther's face softened with understanding. "Oh, Winter! That's amazing! An interview! Where?" She immediately turned back to the suitcases, flinging blouses and sweaters aside. "Let me see… I definitely brought back some work stuff…" She rummaged furiously, holding up items – a silky camisole, a colourful maxi dress, a pair of designer jeans. "Damn it," she muttered after a minute. "The corporate stuff… it must be in the shipment coming next week. All my serious interview gear is still boxed up somewhere between here and London."
Winter's heart sank. "It's… it's okay," she said, her voice flat, already turning towards the door. "I'll figure something else out."
"Wait!" Esther commanded, her eyes lighting up. "Yolanda! Yolanda has tonnes of corporate stuff. She works downtown, remember? Big finance job. She's practically allergic to casual wear." Esther grabbed Winter's arm again, her sudden excitement terrifying. "She's probably downstairs. Come on!"
Panic rose in Winter. "Esther, no! It's fine, really, I don't want to bother–"
"Nonsense! She won't mind!" Esther declared with the oblivious confidence of someone who'd always belonged. "And it's just downstairs. Quick in-and-out." She was already pulling Winter towards the door, her grip surprisingly strong. Winter's protests died in her throat, choked by rising anxiety. Downstairs. With them all.
Thompson, Riper, Vicky...
Fuck!
Esther dragged her back into the noisy room of the pack house living room. The billiard game was still underway. Jackson and Raquel were now draped over a sofa, whispering and laughing. Thompson and Thomas leaned against the pool table, cues in hand. Vicky perched on the arm of the sofa beside Riper, who nursed a beer. Their collective gaze snapped to Winter as Esther pulled her into the room, as if they all scented unexpected prey.
"Hey everyone!" Esther announced brightly, oblivious to the sudden drop in casual chatter from the group. "Winter needs a favour! She's got a super important job interview today and needs a corporate outfit, stat! Like, a suit or something sharp. Anyone got anything Yolanda-sized she could borrow? Or know where Yolanda is?"