Beyond and Wild

Chapter 11

Aderyn Pov

The shrill beep of my phone pierced the early morning silence, pulling me from the depths of sleep. Groggily, I fumbled for the device, squinting at the screen as yet another message from an unknown number lit up.

"Next round will be held next month. Be there. It's a really big one."

With a sigh, I deleted the message without a second thought. Leaning back against the headboard, I exhaled slowly. My life had become a series of cryptic messages like these, each one a thread in the tangled web that seemed to tighten around me with every passing day.

For a brief moment, bitterness welled up, but I forced it back down. There was no point in dwelling on the unfairness of it all. Despite the chaos that had taken over my life, there were still things worth holding on to. My gaze drifted to the small, framed photo on my nightstand—my family. My mom, dad, and Nancy, all smiling back at me, frozen in time.

"I miss you, Mom, Dad, and Nancy," I whispered, pressing a kiss to the glass before setting it back down. The familiar ache in my chest was a reminder of what I had lost, but also of what I was determined to protect.

The routine of getting ready for the day was comforting, a small slice of normalcy in an otherwise unpredictable existence. I lingered in the shower, letting the hot water wash away the remnants of sleep. Wrapped in a towel, I wiped the fog from the mirror, catching a glimpse of my reflection.

"Hmm, I could use a haircut," I mused, tugging at a damp strand of hair. The thought flitted away as quickly as it came, replaced by the usual rush to get dressed. Black ripped jeans and a cowl-neck top were my go-to, a combination that felt like armor against whatever the day might throw at me. A quick swipe of lip gloss, and I was ready.

Slipping into my shoes, I grabbed my phone and card, mentally preparing for the day ahead. Bell and I had planned a trip out—something she insisted would be a welcome distraction. I wasn't so sure. The idea of spending the day shopping didn't exactly thrill me, but there were a few things I needed, and I hoped the place she was taking me would have them.

"Adie!" Bell's voice pulled me from my thoughts as she appeared at the end of the hallway.

"Morning," I greeted, giving her a once-over. She was dressed in a floral dress that hit mid-thigh, paired with boots and a shrug. Her hair was pulled back as usual, but there was a lightness in her step that I hadn't seen in a while.

"You look nice," I said, acknowledging the effort she'd put in.

"You too," she replied with a smile.

"Let's get going then," I said, turning toward the door. But Bell's voice stopped me.

"Wait, we need to check in with the Alpha first."

"What? Why?" I asked, puzzled.

"He needs to know where we're going. It's for safety," she explained, though her tone suggested there was more to it than that.

"Fine," I muttered, rolling my eyes as I followed her through the corridors.

As we approached Dylan's room, I couldn't help but wonder why we were going there instead of his office. Bell's explanation that he'd worked late and was still resting made sense, but it didn't make me any more enthusiastic about the detour.

Bell knocked on his door while I hung back, more interested in my phone than in whatever conversation was about to unfold. I scrolled through old messages, deleting them without much thought, when the door creaked open.

"What is it?" Dylan's voice was rough with sleep, a sound that somehow sent a shiver down my spine. I ignored it, keeping my eyes on my phone.

Bell stammered out a response, something about our plans for the day, but it was the sudden silence that made me look up.