The scent of pine and earth welcomed me before I even crossed into Crescent Peak Pack’s territory. It was the scent of home, and no matter how many packs I had visited or how much I had learned from their Alphas, nothing compared to it. The moment my paws hit the familiar dirt, I shifted back into my human form, stretching and rolling my shoulders as the cool air of the forest kissed my skin. My bones ached from the long run, but it was the good kind of ache—the kind that reminded me of who I was. I was a wolf, destined to lead, and Crescent Peak was mine.

I pulled on the clothes I had tied around my leg before I’d shifted and made my way toward the packhouse. The towering structure loomed ahead, lights glowing warmly from within, and the sound of voices—familiar, loved—grew louder as I approached. My heart swelled with anticipation. I had been away for nearly three years, learning everything I could about leading a pack from some of the most renowned Alphas around the world. But nothing had prepared me for the feeling of coming home.

As I stepped into the clearing, the packhouse doors burst open. My mother, Luna Brianna, stood in the doorway with a radiant smile on her face, her eyes gleaming with unshed tears.

“Brooke!” she called, and within moments, I was wrapped in her arms, her familiar scent of lavender and cedar filling my senses. “We’ve missed you so much.”

“I’ve missed you too, Mom,” I murmured into her hair, squeezing her tight before pulling back to look at her. “You look great.”

“And you,” she said, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “You look... different. Stronger.”

I smiled, knowing she meant it as more than just a compliment. There was a subtle shift in my presence, one that came from the confidence of experience and knowledge. I’d been trained by Alphas of packs larger than ours, some stronger, some more ruthless. But Crescent Peak was where my heart was. It’s where I’d lead.

Before I could say anything more, my father, Alpha Samuel, appeared beside us. His tall frame still exuded the authority that commanded respect, but his eyes softened as they met mine.

“Welcome home, Brooke,” he said, his voice rich and warm. “We’ve prepared quite the celebration for you.”

I glanced beyond him to see the rest of the pack gathering in the clearing. There were tables set up, fires burning, and music playing. It was a grand homecoming, and my heart stuttered with emotion. This was my family. These wolves, my people.

“Thanks, Dad,” I said, reaching out to clasp his hand. His grip was firm, grounding me in the moment. “It’s good to be back.”

“About time you came home,” a teasing voice chimed in from behind my father.

I turned to see Wyatt, my younger brother, smirking as he leaned against a tree. His arms were crossed over his chest, and he gave me a playful nod. He had grown too, in my absence—more muscle, more confidence—but his mischievous grin was the same.

“Wyatt,” I called out, my voice carrying a playful warning. “Still causing trouble?”

“Who, me? Never,” he laughed, pushing off the tree to come closer. He pulled me into a tight hug, lifting me slightly off the ground. “You’re going to have your hands full soon.”

“Still the same, huh?” I teased back, giving him a look.

“You bet. I’ve been keeping the pack in line while you were out playing student.”

“Someone had to make sure you weren’t slacking off,” I said, raising an eyebrow. “Looks like you didn’t burn the place down, so I guess you’ll do.”

He grinned but then glanced over his shoulder, and I followed his gaze to a girl standing quietly off to the side. She was young, maybe a year or two younger than me, with soft brown hair that framed her delicate features. Her eyes flickered toward us but quickly darted away when she realized I was watching her.

“Who’s that?” I asked.

Wyatt’s expression softened. “That’s Audree. She’s new to the pack—a recent addition. An omega.”

The packhouse had quieted down, the celebration over, leaving only the faint crackle of the fires outside and the low murmurs of the last few pack members retreating to their rooms. I took a moment to savor the stillness, to breathe in the familiar scent of home after years away.

As I moved toward the kitchen, intending to grab a quick drink, a voice broke through the silence.

“Enjoying the spotlight, are we?”

I turned, frowning at the unmistakable tone of sarcasm. Audree stood in the hallway, leaning casually against the doorframe, arms crossed over her chest, her lips twisted in a mocking smile.

“Excuse me?” I asked, narrowing my eyes slightly, trying to keep my voice even.

She rolled her eyes, clearly unbothered. “You heard me. Big fancy homecoming, everyone fawning over you like you’re some kind of savior. It’s a bit much, don’t you think?”

I blinked, taken aback by the hostility dripping from her words. This was new. When we met earlier, she’d been shy, almost reserved. Now, there was a sharpness to her that I hadn’t anticipated.

“It's not like I asked for the celebration,” I replied coolly. “The pack was happy to have me back. We’re family.”

Audree’s smirk deepened, her eyes gleaming with something cruel. “Oh, I’m sure. The prodigal daughter returns, and all is well in paradise, right? Must be nice being the one everyone adores.”

Her words were like tiny barbs, but I refused to let them hit. If she wanted to be petty, I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of seeing me react.

“It’s not about adoration, Audree,” I said, crossing my arms. “I’ve earned my place here. It’s called respect.”

“Respect?” She scoffed, pushing off the doorframe and walking toward me. “Right. Born into power, everyone ready to bow at your feet the moment you walk in. Must be tough, huh?”

I didn’t flinch as she closed the distance, standing barely a foot away from me. Her eyes were full of challenge, and my wolf stirred, irritated by the blatant disrespect. I forced myself to stay calm, to meet her gaze without backing down.

“Where’s all this coming from?” I asked, trying to gauge what was really behind her attitude. “We just met today, and already you’ve got a problem with me?”

She gave a short, humorless laugh. “I don’t have a problem with you. I just don’t see what’s so special about you. You’re just another wolf in this pack, like the rest of us. But everyone here acts like you’re untouchable.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle at that, the absurdity of it all hitting me. “Untouchable? Hardly. I’ve worked my ass off to be where I am. And if you think for a second that I’m just here to coast on my family’s name, you’re wrong.”

Audree’s eyes narrowed, but she didn’t back down. “We’ll see about that,” she muttered under her breath.

There was a beat of silence, and I tilted my head, really looking at her now. The hostility, the jealousy—it wasn’t just about me. She was insecure, probably used to being overlooked as an omega. I’d seen it in other packs before, wolves who let bitterness eat away at them because they didn’t feel like they fit.

But that didn’t mean I’d let her walk all over me.

“You don’t know me, Audree,” I said, my voice quiet but firm. “And you certainly don’t know what it takes to lead this pack.”

Her eyes flashed with something—anger, maybe—but before she could respond, a familiar voice cut through the tension.

“Audree? Brooke?”

I turned to see Wyatt standing in the doorway, his brow furrowed in confusion. His eyes darted between us, clearly sensing the tension. Audree’s entire demeanor shifted in an instant. The sharpness in her eyes vanished, replaced by an almost sickly-sweet innocence as she stepped toward Wyatt.

“We were just talking,” Audree said, her tone dripping with sweetness that didn’t match the venom from moments ago. “Right, Brooke?”

I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to stay calm. “Yeah, just talking.”

Wyatt, oblivious to the underlying tension, smiled and wrapped an arm around Audree’s shoulders. “Good. I was worried for a second.”

Audree leaned into him, casting a smug glance my way before turning her attention back to Wyatt. “You worry too much, Wyatt.”

I wanted to say something—anything—but I held my tongue. Wyatt was my brother, and while he hadn’t had his coming-of-age ceremony yet to find his mate, he seemed taken with Audree. I didn’t like it, not one bit, but I wasn’t about to start a fight over it. Not yet, anyway.

Audree, sensing she had won this little round, smiled up at him and pulled him toward the stairs. “Come on, let’s head up. I’m tired.”

Wyatt hesitated, glancing back at me. “You sure you’re okay, sis?”

I forced a smile, not wanting to cause a scene. “I’m fine, Wyatt. Go ahead.”

He gave me one last look before letting Audree tug him away, the two of them disappearing up the stairs. The moment they were gone, my smile dropped, and I let out a slow breath, feeling my wolf pacing restlessly in my mind.

It had only been a week since I’d returned to Crescent Peak, but it felt like months. Not because of pack duties or the responsibilities I was preparing to take on, but because of Audree. She had wormed her way into every aspect of pack life—and worse, into Wyatt’s life. The more time I spent around her, the more I realized she wasn’t just irritating; she was exhausting.

Today was no different. We were gathered around the long dining table at the packhouse, sharing a casual meal. My parents sat at the head, discussing pack business, while Wyatt and I sat across from each other, Audree nestled closely beside him. She had perfected the art of clinging to him without it looking overtly needy, but it was obvious to anyone paying attention.

“Brooke, you’ve been so quiet lately,” my mother commented, her eyes flicking toward me with mild concern. “Everything okay?”

Before I could answer, Audree’s voice cut in, dripping with false sweetness. “Oh, she’s probably just tired. It must be hard coming home after so long and trying to fit back in.”

I clenched my jaw but forced a smile. “I’m fine, Mom. Just been busy catching up with everyone.”

Wyatt’s eyes darted between us, sensing the tension but choosing to ignore it—like he had every time Audree and I were in the same room. He had to know by now that something wasn’t right, but he was either too blinded by her or too stubborn to admit it.

Audree leaned closer to Wyatt, her fingers brushing against his arm in that way that made my skin crawl. “You know, I was thinking... maybe I could help you with some of the pack work, Brooke. It must be overwhelming for you, with everything going on.”

I bit back a laugh. Help me? The idea of Audree, an omega who barely lifted a finger when she didn’t have to, offering to help with anything was almost comical. “That’s... thoughtful, but I’ve got it covered.”

She tilted her head, giving me that wide-eyed innocent look she used so often around Wyatt. “Are you sure? I don’t want you to feel like you have to do everything by yourself.”

I forced myself to stay calm, even though my wolf was already pacing, agitated by the sheer phoniness dripping off her. “I’m sure, Audree. I’ve been training for this for years. I can handle it.”

She pouted slightly, turning to Wyatt with a sigh. “I’m just trying to help.”

Wyatt, ever the protector, frowned at me. “Brooke, she’s just offering. You don’t have to be so harsh.”

Harsh? I hadn’t even raised my voice. The frustration bubbled up inside me, but I tamped it down. This was her game—play the victim, make me look like the aggressor, and let Wyatt come to her rescue. It was the same pattern, over and over again.

“I’m not being harsh,” I said, keeping my voice measured. “I just don’t need help right now.”

Audree’s lip quivered just enough to be noticeable, her hand gripping Wyatt’s arm as though I’d just struck her. “I was only trying to be nice…”

Here we go again.

Wyatt sighed heavily, glaring at me like I’d crossed some line. “Brooke, you don’t have to be so dismissive. She’s just trying to fit in.”

I stared at him, disbelief rising in my chest. He couldn’t possibly be this blind, could he? “Wyatt, she’s fine. I’m not dismissing her, I’m just telling her I don’t need help.”

But Audree sniffed dramatically, playing up the wounded act. “It’s okay, Wyatt. Really. I don’t want to make Brooke uncomfortable. I’ll just... stay out of the way.”

My mother, sensing the growing tension, cleared her throat. “Audree, dear, Brooke’s been under a lot of pressure since she got back. I’m sure she appreciates the offer, but maybe give her some space.”

Audree gave a small nod, her eyes glistening as if she were holding back tears. “Of course, Luna Brianna. I didn’t mean to overstep.”

Wyatt rubbed a hand over his face, clearly torn between defending Audree and keeping the peace. “Look, can we all just... chill? We’re family. Let’s not turn this into something bigger than it needs to be.”

I gritted my teeth, trying not to snap. He wasn’t seeing what was right in front of him. Audree played him like a puppet, always managing to twist every situation so that she came out looking like the victim. And he fell for it every single time.

“Fine,” I said flatly, pushing back from the table. “I’m not hungry anymore.”

As I stood to leave, I caught the smirk that flickered across Audree’s face before she quickly masked it with a sad, doe-eyed expression. She had gotten exactly what she wanted—Wyatt’s defense and me walking away looking like the bad guy.