Chapter 11: The Tapestry

*Emory’s POV*

That night, Emory lay awake in her bed for hours, staring at the unfamiliar ceiling and listening to the howls that echoed from the forest. There were many. She wasn’t surprised; the entire area, Misaki told her, was owned and occupied by shifters.

One howl, in particular, sounded particularly heartbreaking, and Emory heard it in her dreams long after she finally drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, she rose and pulled on a fresh uniform before heading to class. When she spotted Misaki waiting for her, Emory hesitated. Ken had warned her to stay away from Misaki, saying she was “trouble.”

After a moment, Emory lifted her chin in a defiant gesture and marched right to the seat next to Misaki. Ken couldn’t control her, she decided, and Misaki was her only friend. They were all part of the same pack. How bad could she be?

“Morning, sweet thing,” Misaki greeted with a wink. “How was your first night?”