Bellatrix’s POV

The quiet hush of the library was the perfect place to finish off my math homework. After jotting down the last problem, I leaned back in my chair, stretching out the ache in my writing hand. But, of course, homework wasn't the end of it—I still had to get my hands on a book for the report due next week. With a sigh, I headed to the shelves.

I walked down the aisle, skimming the shelves for the Divergent series, and suddenly got the sense I was being watched. I turned my head and saw Luna standing by a shelf, pretending to read a self-help book. I squinted—was she even looking at the page? Seemed like she was more focused on me than on “Improving Your Inner You.”

Rolling my eyes, I ducked into another aisle, finally spotting my book on the bottom shelf. But just as I grabbed it, I glanced up to see Wyatt, pretending to read a book that was, unfortunately for him, upside down.

“Okay, this is a little bit weird,” I muttered, clutching my book and heading back to my table where Addison and Bree were waiting.

Just as I reached the table, I saw a girl with two space buns—a sure giveaway for Wynter—swoop down, grab Bree's math homework, and shove it in her mouth.

“Hey, that dog just ate my homework!” Bree yelped, looking horrified.

I smirked. “Now, Bree, don’t be rude. What happened to that nauseatingly peppy attitude?”

Before Bree could snap back, Willa appeared, looking like she was on a mission as she slammed a stack of books down on the table.

“Lies! These history books claim werewolves attacked Seabrook settlers. But they struck first and stole our moonstone,” she said, her voice seething with frustration.

I shrugged. “Don’t be surprised. Seabrook has a knack for twisting the truth.”

Before I could finish, Addison kicked me under the table. I shot her a look, and she glared right back.

“Bella!” Addison scolded, turning to Willa with a soft, sympathetic expression. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know that.”

Willa glared at Addison with a look that said How could you possibly understand? before muttering, “There’s a lot you don’t know.” She turned sharply and stormed off toward the exit, books still in hand.

Addison watched her go, eyebrows scrunched with worry. “I know the alarm’s going to go off if she doesn’t check those books out.”

We all watched as Willa pulled out her necklace, using it to disable the alarm, and walked right out without a single beep.

“Woah…” I muttered, more than a little impressed.

Just then, Luna and Wyatt stepped up beside me.

“Our necklaces have a way with electronics,” Wyatt explained with a sly grin.

“Do you want to hang with us?” Luna asked, tilting her head in that half-inviting, half-mischievous way.

I smirked, feeling a thrill at the thought of ditching homework for something more… exciting. “Sure, why not?”

As I gathered my stuff, Addison spoke up, “Bella, wait, what about your homework? And I thought you were hanging with Bree and me?”

I shrugged. “I’ll finish my homework later, and I was never planning on hanging with you guys—you just assumed I was.” With that, I left Addison and Bree at the table and followed Luna and Wyatt out of the library, feeling a strange thrill at ditching my usual crowd.

We made our way to Zombietown, where Willa was rifling through stacks of old books, her face set in a determined scowl.

“Useless. None of these history books say where the moonstone is hidden,” she muttered, slamming another book shut.

“Why is this moonstone so important to you guys?” I asked, genuinely curious for the first time.

Willa glanced at Luna and then back at me, her eyes searching mine as if deciding whether I could handle the truth. But before she could answer, Zed, his sister Zoey, and Eliza strolled over, looking every bit as curious about what was going on.

“I’m Zed, zombie, football star, presidential hopeful.” Zed extended his hand to Willa, but she just gave him a withering look that clearly said, Take a hike.

Undeterred, Zed continued, “When zombies first came to Seabrook, we were outsiders too.”

“And that’s why you need a great president like Zed to represent you. We’d be honored if you guys joined us,” Eliza added, looking at Willa with an enthusiastic smile.

Wynter snorted, crossing her arms. “Our pack is our pack. We don’t need anyone else.”

Zoey, Zed’s little sister, stepped forward, undeterred by Wynter’s icy attitude. “Who doesn’t want more friends? Underneath all that fluffy hair, I bet you’re a real softie,” she teased.

Wynter crouched down to Zoey’s level, narrowing her eyes. “I am a mean, mean werewolf, kid. I am tough and rough.”

Zoey’s smile only grew. “Aww, you said ‘ruff.’ Like a sweet little puppy dog. Ruff, ruff!”

Wynter rolled her eyes but let Zoey scratch behind her ear, her eyes closing in undeniable bliss. I snickered as I caught Luna’s death glare at Zoey—apparently, she wasn’t happy about a seven-year-old taming her packmate.

“We’re nothing like you zombies,” Willa said firmly as Luna yanked Zoey’s hand away from Wynter.

“You sort of are,” Eliza pointed out, nodding toward Willa’s necklace. “Your necklace is powered, right? Kind of like an organic Z-band.”

Willa blinked, clearly surprised by Eliza’s insight. “You’re smarter than he looks,” she said, glancing over at Zed.

Eliza blushed, smiling shyly. “Thanks.”

Zed, looking a bit annoyed by the budding camaraderie, pointed to Willa’s necklace. “So, that necklace keeps you from fully wolfing out?”

Willa’s face hardened. “The opposite. Our moonstones make us our true werewolf selves.”

“So, without it, you’d be… human?” Zed asked, and I rolled my eyes. For a guy who was supposed to be smart, he sure was slow.

Willa’s voice dropped, cold and serious. “No. We’d die. We’d be nothing.”

A chill ran down my spine at her words. “Damn… this got dark fast. Dark as my diary,” I muttered under my breath.

Wyatt nodded solemnly. “Imagine how alive you’d feel if you didn’t have to hold back your true selves.”

Eliza nodded, looking thoughtful. “I’ve got this theory that zombies might’ve evolved beyond their need for Z-bands.”

Zed immediately shut down the idea, crossing his arms. “Z-bands are great. They help you fit in. And I think you guys would have a much better time at Seabrook if you just followed in our footsteps. Join a club, play football. I’ll even teach you how to tackle. Just lighten up. Be more like us.”

I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Oh, lord…”

Willa glared at him, her eyes blazing. “We are beasts of the forest, and we will never be tamed.” She spun on her heel, the rest of the werewolves following her as she stormed off.

I stood there for a moment, watching her go, realizing that maybe, just maybe, there was more to this pack than I’d ever understood.