Chapter 4: Are You Coming to the Party Tonight?

Layla's POV

Moving to Polaris Pack wasn't my first choice, but Mom found her mate, and that was that. At least my new stepfather's position as pack scientist gave me decent status - right below the leadership families.

The training center buzzed with energy when I walked in. Yeah, the boys stared, but something else caught my eye - a girl standing alone in the corner, surrounded by this weird invisible barrier. People weren't exactly ignoring her, but they weren't acknowledging her either. No one dared cross that unspoken line. Curious, I headed over.

"I'm Layla, nice to meet you," I said, holding out my hand.

She looked up, smoke-blue eyes full of confusion. Damn, she's actually cute. That thought came out of nowhere. She studied me for a moment before responding.

"I'm Briony."

Griffin paired us up for training, and honestly? Best luck ever. Behind those baggy clothes, she moved like someone who'd spent years perfecting every move. When he had us demonstrate and I hit the mat in under eight seconds, I knew this girl was something else. Like, guardian-level skill hiding in plain sight.

Her "just practice" excuse was weak, and that talk with Griffin about silver powder wounds? Yeah, things were starting to make sense. I followed her to the showers quietly.

When she yanked back that curtain and saw me there, her shocked face almost made me laugh out loud.

Briony's POV

There was Layla, just lounging against the wall, holding my healing salve like she'd won a prize. My safe zone, my one private place, suddenly felt invaded.

"Dropped this," she said. "And those back wounds? No way you can reach them properly."

My heart hammered. Nobody came into my space - ever. This was my hideout, my one place to just exist.

"You make a habit of ambushing people in showers?"

"Only when they need help. Turn around. I'll be gentle, no questions."

I stood there for a moment before turning. The twelve scars told their stories - seven from questioning Victoria in class, five fresh ones for daring to talk training with Maxwell and Christopher. Victoria made sure I'd remember each lesson.

Her fingers were gentle with the salve. My wolf growled, confused by this mix of wariness and comfort. No one had touched me with kindness in so long.

"Silver powder burns," she said simply. "My stepfather has better medicine - "

"No." I cut her off. "I handle my own problems. Trust me, the more people who know, the worse it gets."

"Fine. But since we're friends now, show me around school? I need a guide."

Friends? That word felt strange. I nodded, awkwardly getting dressed while she watched.

The empty school halls echoed with our footsteps as we handled her enrollment. The secretary's surprise at seeing me with someone showed in her quick glances between us. Like I was some rare creature suddenly acting normal.

"Check it out - Literature and Bio together," Layla said, comparing schedules. "Won't be boring with you around."

"What's the social scene like here?" she asked as we walked.

"Standard pack stuff. Higher ranks rule. I should have status as Beta's daughter, but..." I shrugged.

"You prefer being alone?"

"Prefer?" I laughed. "More like survive. When your dad's the Beta but acts like you don't exist, and your brother can't even see you in the hallway, trust me - alone is your only option."

The day stayed weirdly peaceful until after school. I was actually smiling at my locker when those familiar heels clicked down the hall.

"Smiling to yourself?" Victoria's voice sliced through the quiet. "Planning your next 'training session' with Griffin?"

I kept organizing my books, ignoring her. She slammed my locker shut, nearly catching my fingers.

Then Layla's arm dropped across my shoulders, casual as could be.

"Hey Bri, ready for that mixed grill you promised? I'm starving."

She turned me away from Victoria, eyes bright with mischief.

"Yeah, let's go," I grabbed my books.

"New girl," Victoria's voice went icy. "Careful who you hang with. Some people can make life difficult here."

Layla turned, calm but cold. "Thanks for the warning. I pick my own friends."

Victoria stepped close. "Listen, you - "

She stopped mid-sentence, face switching to sugar-sweet. "Hi boys!"

The hallway filled with male voices. Noah's group - my brother, the triplets, and Ethan - approached like they owned the place.

"Damn," Layla whispered. "Pictures don't do them justice."

I turned. These guys were everything I avoided.

Noah led the way, sharing my light golden hair with copper undertones and smoke-blue eyes, but his features were sharper, his build tall and broad like our father's. Ethan followed, sunny as ever. His golden-brown waves looked fresh from the beach, black eyes sparkling with energy.

Then came the triplets. Despite sharing similar dark brown curls and height, their personalities were distinct.

Maxwell walked point, movements measured, his gaze steady and penetrating, deep green eyes missing nothing. Christopher stayed half a step behind, wearing a friendly smile, blue-green eyes warm and inviting, casual strands of hair falling across his forehead. Benjamin maintained a subtle distance from the others, silent and vigilant, his deep green eyes with gold flecks scanning for potential threats. The tattoos on his forearms seemed more mysterious under the school lights, his whole presence radiating 'don't touch.'

Layla suddenly poked me in the back. I finally snapped out of it. Oh goddess, had I been staring at the triplets? I hope I hadn't been drooling...

"Bri?" Maxwell's voice registered, and I realized he'd been speaking to me.

"Um, sorry, what?" I stammered, heat rushing to my face.

Maxwell's lips quirked slightly. "I said that move today was impressive. Show us in advanced training? Ethan wants his record back. Can't have someone younger beating him."

First time he'd really spoken to me, despite growing up with Noah.

"Just luck," I managed. "Griffin's techniques for size difference."

Victoria's fake laugh interrupted as she latched onto Maxwell. "You're so sweet, being nice to... Briony and her friend." That pause before my name stung. Usually I was just "waste" or "fatty" to her.

"Can't compare lower ranks to elites like you," she added sweetly.

My wolf was snarling. I quickly looked down, hiding my eyes, preventing them from seeing the change in my pupils.

Maxwell shifted his weight back, and Christopher jumped in with a grin.

"Maybe Ethan should join the beginner class. Get those basics down." He nudged Ethan's shoulder. My brother's laugh mixed with the others, and I found myself smiling too. Something about their easy banter felt... normal. Like for once I wasn't the outsider at school. I had to look away, trying to slow my heartbeat.

When I glanced at Noah again, I seemed to catch a hint of guilt in his expression, but it vanished so fast I might have imagined it.

"Much as I love watching Ethan get roasted..." Layla bumped his arm. "I was promised food, and I'm starving. Excuse us, boys." She steered me through the wall of muscle toward the training center lot.

"Wait - you can drive?" I asked as we walked.

"Special permit." She grinned. "Perks of having workaholic scientist parents. The Alpha signed off as long as I keep my record clean." The way she said it, like bending rules was second nature.

"Hey, hold up!" Ethan's voice made us turn. He jogged over. "You guys coming tonight? To the party?"