The Last Wolf Princess

*

wn, and mind her business. Most kids ignored her, and the few who didn't usually just made things awkward with forced smiles o

Lucy a reassuring smile as they unbuckled. "Remember, just be yourselve

dent grin and squeezed

ile others lingered outside. Usually, she felt like a stranger in these situations, just passing through. But with Lucy's ha

way. Lucy, unfazed, was practically bouncing with excitement. "I'm so glad you're finally here! Now

nted her there felt foreign and thrilling. "Sou

of new faces. Their teacher, Ms. Taylor, called the class to order, introducing Lila as the "new student" before starting the less

smates, who surprised her by welcoming her with genuine smiles, treating her like someone they'd known for months rather than minutes. Lucy's energy was infectio

already gathered. Lila took a deep breath, bracing herself for the awkwardness she usually faced in these situations. But when Lucy plopped down and i

oo. She wasn't used to it yet, but she liked how it sounded i

a warm smile. "Welcome to the table, Lila. Luc

eart swelling. "Thanks.

tand. They asked for Lila's opinions, laughed at her jokes, and shared their own embarrassing stories, pulling her into their circle as if sh

in months, the familiar tension in her shoulders loosened by a day that had felt surprisingly...

day?" Lucy asked, bou

, her smile turning real. "A

nd as they climbed in, Lucy launched into a play-by-play of the day, describing everything they'd done with

that made Lila's stomach growl. Ethan and Nate were in the kitchen, chopping vegetables and stirring a p

Ethan asked, glancing over hi

catching Lucy's huge, knowing grin. "

o ruffle Lucy's hair. "She tend

into the rhythm of their conversation with surprising ease. It wasn't like past dinners she'd experienced, where she'd been

r. The day had been... good. On her first day in a new school, she didn't feel like she was tip

t thought wrap around her like a warm blanke

ushed and urgent, carried through the walls. She sat up, straining to hear.

ssing her ear to it, holding her breath to catch every word. It was Ethan's voice, unmist

ugh her mind. Maybe it was nothing- grown-ups argued all the time, right? But her gut told he

she heard Maria's voice break through, clearer this time.

spun with possibilities, each one darker than the las

afety she'd felt earlier felt suddenly fragile, like something she could lose at an

he unease that had taken root. But as sleep finally pulled her

y hiding fro