YOU CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE HOW IMPORTANT THAT NECKLACE IS TO THEM, ZED. DON'T LOSE IT OR BREAK IT.

Carson's nerves were thrumming excitedly as Wyatt led her out of Seabrook and to the Forbidden Forest. Though she'd never been in the forest more than twice — when the bus crashed and when they brought her to the den earlier. But the way felt familiar for some reason. Perhaps it was because Wyatt was the one taking her, his warm hand guiding her and sending an electric feeling through her magic.

"So, where are we going?" she asked, squeezing Wyatt's hand as Seabrook was left behind.

"It's a surprise," was all he'd tell her. "But it's a special place for me."

"Then it's special to me too," Carson said, having no idea how right she was. "How much farther?"

"Just a couple minutes," he said, smiling at her impatience. "So, where were you at before sneaking in? I was surprised when I beat you to your house."

"Oh, um, I just walked around town. You know, cleared my head," Carson said, not going into detail. Though she threw in a few to keep him from asking questions. "I got some fro-yo from Coach. Well, not from him. I used magic to unlock the cart and then left money for him to find. It helped me calm down after everything."

"Makes sense," Wyatt said, nodding. "Things got kind of intense back at the den."

Carson looked down at the ground, recalling the fight. "Let me guess — you think I was too harsh? God forbid someone was honest with Addison for once."

"I can tell that you and your cousin have a very complex relationship — one that I have no idea about. I'm almost sure you two aren't always like this," he told her. "And at the end of the day, you were looking out for my pack. I'll never fault you for that."

"You don't think I'm too mean?"

"I think that you get protective and territorial when someone you care about it threatened or in pain, just like us wolves do," he told her softly. "You were ready to do anything to help save us sooner. I couldn't think that was mean when all I do is admire you for it."

"You mean it?" she asked, feeling much better.

Wyatt smiled and nodded to her. "But—" Carson held back a groan. "—she must be the Great Alpha, Carson."

"Wyatt," she said sharply. "Can we talk about anything else but my cousin?"

"Of course," he murmured, realizing it wasn't the best road to go down. It also wasn't the time for him to bring up her comment about 'letting Addison have Zed,' which instantly filled him with jealousy without knowing the backstory behind it. Because if that zombie thought for even a moment he had a chance with Carson, he'd have to go up a very territorial werewolf. "I know what I'd rather talk about anyway."

"Let me guess? You wanna talk about how beautiful the moon is tonight?" she asked in a joking tone while looking up at the nearly full moon through the treetops.

"I'd say you're more beautiful," Wyatt flirted, not caring how cheesy it was. As Carson laughed, he twirled her under his arm so that he could rest it over her shoulder while she still held his hand. She felt warmer now that she was wrapped up in him. "You really are perfect, Carson."

She turned her head to look up at him, knowing he wouldn't let her stumble on the terrain. "I mean, I already know that, but feel free to count the reasons," she told him, smirking.

"Well, number one, you found the moonstone," he said, eyes shining in wonder. She'd literally saved all of them from dying.

"That was no big," she said, shrugging it off. "Just a spell and well-timed demo explosion. Willa is going to lead your pack to retrieve it."

"It is a big deal — bigger than you'll ever know," Wyatt said, shaking his head. "And number two, you got cheerleading captain. I know I've only seen you in action today, but you were amazing. Sure, I had fun participating but it was more fun to watch you."

"Would that be because you have a love for the sport or because of the uniform?" she asked teasingly.

He learned in so that his lips would brush her ear, sending shivers down her spine. "Definitely both," Wyatt said lowly, a smirk forming. "More so the last."

Though Carson's cheeks heated up, she rolled her eyes playfully. "Any other reasons you think I'm perfect?"

"You're smart, confident, funny, passionate," he listed off. "So gorgeous that it's hard to breathe around you sometimes."

"I think you're exaggerating a bit," she mumbled, getting shy from his attention now.

Wyatt looked at her for a moment longer before bringing them both to a stop, just a few yards from their destination. "Do you remember when you showed me your magic in the library? How it felt around me?" he asked quietly. She simply nodded. "You can't think I don't feel like that around you too."

"You don't have magic, Wyatt. I may not know why it's like this, but it's different for me," she said, shaking her head. "But I - I'm tired of acting like you're not everything I think about because of it. I like you, Wy. So, I guess this is just me putting that out there."

Wyatt cupped Carson's face gently, and she felt her heart picking up speed. For a moment, she thought he was going to kiss her — she wanted him to kiss her. But instead, he smiled warmly, his fangs appearing as he did so. "You're not the only one that feels that way. C'mon, let me show you."

"Show me what?" she asked when he started walking again, speeding up a bit. Whatever it was had to be important if it kept him from kissing her.

"Our spot," the words slipped out, and then he had to correct himself. "My spot."

Carson let Wyatt lead her through the trees and into some kind of field in a clearing. Wyatt only took her a few steps before stopping and looking at her closely as she took in the scene.

The beginnings of an odd headache started to set in, and Carson couldn't pinpoint the origin. Her feet took her to one spot in particular — to a huge rock that was nearly as tall as her. Wyatt stayed back, letting her reach out and touch the boulder. Then Carson heard crunching under her feet, causing her to look down.

For whatever reason, the grass surrounding the boulder was dead — it looked like it'd died a long time ago, and nothing would grow back in its place. The pounding in Carson's head grew even louder, and without her brain really telling her to, she crouched down and brushed her fingertips over the blades.

Suddenly, something kick-started inside of her. Carson let out a gasp and stumbled back, her eyes glowing red as her magic swirled inside of her, overwhelmed with hazy memories that were overloading her.

Running through the Forbidden Forest in light-up sneakers and pajamas. A semi-annoying werewolf boy. Talks about fangs and bad jokes and school plays. The same werewolf boy becoming the closest friend she'd ever had. The day she showed him her magic and he ran, which was the very reason the grass was dead in the first place. She also remembered him coming back with flowers in hand and accepting her as she was.

But then she was the one that never came back.

"Carson?" she heard Wyatt's voice vaguely. She had to blink a few times and focus to clear her head of the new memories before she realized that he'd been holding her upright after she stumbled to the ground.

She turned her head and looked up at him through teary vision. "Wyatt?" Carson questioned, putting a hand on his cheek to feel him. "Wyatt?"

"What is it?" he asked, placing his hand over hers on his face. "What happened? You scared me with all that."

"Wyatt," Carson breathed out, staring deep into his eyes. Eyes she'd known for a lot longer than she thought. She twisted in his arms so that she was fully facing him, and Wyatt shifted so that she was on his lap. "I remember you. Wy, I knew you."

A weight that had been on Wyatt's shoulders for far too long finally lifted. There was new recognition in Carson's eyes as she stared at him adoringly. Wyatt grinned and placed his other hand on her cheek to bring her closer, pressing his forehead to hers. "Took you long enough, Princess."

"Ugh, never mind," Carson complained while laughing, finally remembering the dreaded story. "I'd rather forget that name. Let me just go through something traumatic real quick to repress the memories again." She tried to pull away from him, but Wyatt slipped both arms around her waist, keeping her up against his chest.

"Really?" he questioned, raising an eyebrow. "Something tells me you like it, now."

"Maybe," she admitted. Carson may have hated it when she was little, but now, every time she heard the pet name leave his lips with that low voice that could take her breath away, she melted inside a little more. "Wyatt?"

"Mhm?"

"You said I wasn't the only one that felt this way," she reminded him. "How do you feel?"

"There's a reason that I always want to be near you. There's a reason that you're everything I think about too. There's a reason that I hang on every word you say, a reason I go to sleep thinking about you and wake up thinking the same," Wyatt whispered. Then he got even quieter, as if he didn't want anyone but Carson to hear, not even the universe. "You're mine, Carson, you're my mate."

"Mate," Carson repeated the word, it falling off her lips naturally. She also found that she knew what it meant — her father's bedtime story revolved around a werewolf and his mate after all. She slowly slid her hands up his chest and rested them behind his neck, toying with his hair. "You're my mate."

"Whatever the witch equivalent of it is," he said, nodding. "You're it for me, Carson. Losing you when we were kids was one of the hardest things I've ever been through, and I won't let you go again. Tomorrow, we'll have the moonstone, and then I'll have a lifetime with you — if that's what you want too."

Carson didn't respond — well, with words at least.

Wyatt's entire world stopped on its axis as her lips met his, Carson pressing up close to him and winding her fingers in his hair. If Carson thought her magic had gone haywire before when around Wyatt, it was exploding inside of her now, every single nerve ending singing and craving more as her lips worked against his.

Wyatt slid a hand up her body and neck to hold her jaw in place before his tongue slowly worked its way into her mouth. Carson let out a weak whimper, readjusting her position on his lap so that she was straddling him, not wanting any space in between them. When they finally had to part for air, they still stayed close, foreheads pressed together and breathing in each other's air.

When she opened her eyes, Carson saw that the grass around them was no longer dead. During the kiss, her magic flourished and reached out to the earth, bringing it back to life. Wildflowers grew in the place of weeds, and healthy moss began climbing up the boulder.

"Wow," Carson whispered, looking back at his brown eyes and smiling.

"Wow," he repeated breathlessly. "You taste like candy."

She giggled at his response. "That's the fro-yo. I got cherry."

"I've still not tried it," he revealed. Then Wyatt smirked at her. "I think I'd like another taste."

Carson surged forward to kiss him again with so much force that he fell back on the grass. They both smiled into the kiss before Wyatt rolled them over, fixing himself on top. Carson's hands got lost in his hair, tugging on it in a desperate attempt to get him closer even though he was as close as could be.

Even as they stopped for a second time, Wyatt placed a few soft kisses to Carson's jaw.

"So?" Carson asked, raising an amused eyebrow. "Is fro-yo for you?"

"Definitely for me," he murmured against her lips. "More."

"Wanna break into Coach's cart again?" she asked teasingly, knowing that's not what he meant.

A low, wanting growl rumbled through Wyatt's chest, and Carson could feel it vibrating against her own. She felt his teeth nip at her jaw, not nearly hard enough to draw blood but enough to have Carson draw in a sharp breath while arching up into him.

"I already have what I want," Wyatt said, kissing underneath her ear. "And I don't plan on letting you go any time soon."

☽

Even when the time came for the newly formed couple to part, the goodbye was filled with lots of quick kisses and promises to see each other in the morning. Carson leaned out her window, lips locked with Wyatt's, who was hanging onto the trellis with one hand and had the other holding the back of her head. After pulling away for the final time, she had to bite her bottom lip to keep from leaning back in. And Wyatt eyeing her hungrily didn't help curb the urge to keep kissing him either.

"I have to be up early for school," she whispered, her lips nearly brushing his own. "So do you. You've got a big day ahead of you — moonstone and all."

"I'll come find you as soon as we have it," he promised.

"Please, don't get hurt. Watch out for Willa and Wynter too," Carson said, knowing it'd be dangerous to break into the Power Plant. She didn't want any of them to get hurt or arrested.

"We'll be careful," he assured her. Then he smirked and tucked some hair behind her ear. "Night, Princess."

"Night," she said quietly. Then she looked back at her dark room and smiled. "You are so lucky this is not my dad's house. His hearing was so good he'd have caught you just because he could detect a new person breathing in the room."

Then Carson leaned in and rushed to kiss Wyatt on the cheek before pulling back. Her hair that'd been wound in his fingers as he held her head slipped through his grasp, and for a second — maybe less than a second — bit of white hair mixed with the red, causing Wyatt's eyes to go wide, trying to process what he was seeing.

His reaction was a bit too delayed, as Carson shut the window and separated them for the night. After dropping to the ground, Wyatt scratched the back of his neck while thinking on it, knowing he'd probably need to mention it to Willa.

Because Carson had a strand of white hair just like the rest of the wolves. It was just incredibly hard to see as it grew from the back of her head. Willa's hair was similar but because of how it curled, the white hair made its way to the front for everyone to see. After what Willa discovered about Carson's last name, Wyatt was finding himself filled with doubt and was asking questions he never thought he'd be asking himself.

Genuinely unsure of what to make of the situation, Wyatt could only mutter under his breath while walking back to the den with plans to wake up his sister. "Well, shit."

☽

Carson couldn't wipe the smile off her face as she arrived at school the next day. It had nothing to do with the election being held or the fact that she might officially be the new cheer captain within a few hours. She was simply smiling because she was thinking about Wyatt, as nauseatingly gushy as it seemed. But she couldn't wait to see him again, to hold his hand while walking through the hallway and kiss him on the cheek before leaving for cheer practice. Carson wanted it all with Wyatt — fro-yo dates, long nights whispering to each other over the phone, sneaking kisses every chance they could. So much had changed between them in a matter of hours, and she was ready to embrace that change.

The whole school was buzzing with excitement. No one really paid attention to any of their early classes, far too hyped up for the speeches that Zed and Bucky would be giving.

"It's election day, Seabrook! We have an assembly to hear from our presidential candidates, and it is going to be so good to see you all," Principal Lee announced over the intercom.

Carson had already changed into her uniform for the assembly and was placing her textbooks in her locker. There wasn't much time to get to the gym if she wanted to be on time for both Bucky's and Zed's speeches. While she was finishing up, she could hear whispers and questioning exclamations thrown around the hallway, which only meant one thing.

Addison.

The girl was walking down the hallway, her head held high as she glared at anyone that dared give her a questioning look, given that she was still in her wolfish attire. The first to dare speak to her was Lacey, with the other two Aceys flocking her. They'd previously been handing out ballots for voting to start right after the speeches.

"Whoa! Bad hair day?" Lacey asked, her eyes wide.

"Bad hair life," Stacey muttered, scoffing.

"I think it looks great," Addison said, smiling proudly.

"Yeah, not so much," JC told her.

"Addison, if you're wondering why you didn't get cheer captain, this—"

"Well, maybe I don't care!" Addison snapped, cutting Lacey off while glaring. "Maybe cheer team isn't for me after all."

As the Aceys gasped and scurried off, Carson's jaw dropped, unable to believe Addison's attitude had changed so quickly all so she could fit in with the wolves. But no one ever said she had to quit cheer to be the Great Alpha. It was ridiculous to quit something she obviously loved because of this.

"Addy, you can't be serious," Carson said, walking up to her. "Cheerleading is your life."

"No, now the wolves are my life. Nothing else matters," she said stiffly, obviously remembering their fight. "That's what you wanted, after all — dedication. I don't need cheer."

"So what's next? You don't need Zed? Or Bree?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "Didn't you just get mad at Zed for changing himself for votes? Seems like you're changing yourself for approval from the pack."

"I am so not having this conversation again—"

Addison was cut off by Zed running toward them, shoving past students as he went. "Addison!" he exclaimed. "I was up all night thinking. You're not a werewolf, you can't be."

"No, shit," Carson said under her breath.

"But I love moonlight strolls," Addison told him, as if that was scientific evidence. Who didn't love moonlight strolls?

"Yeah, you like sunsets too," Zed said, trying to reign in his sarcasm. Addison had been testing all their patience. "That doesn't mean you're a vampire."

"Zed—"

"Look," he interrupted. "It's really hard being considered a monster. Trust me." To him, it was almost like Addison was begging to be considered an oppressed minority just so she wouldn't feel alone.

"All I've ever wanted is to find my pack. And now I finally have," Addison told Zed. "When I see the wolves, I'm going to put this on." She pulled out the box with the moonstone and handed it to Zed so he could admire it. Carson leaned in and looked at the glowing stone, but when the magic inside of her stirred up uneasily, she took a step back. "And I'm really sorry I can't make the debate, but I need to find the wolves."

Carson would never understand her cousin's reasoning. She couldn't put the necklace on last night when the wolves needed it and instead waits until one of the biggest moments of Zed's life to do it and draw attention from his debate. She had to bite her tongue hard to keep from making a snarky remark that would ruin their relationship even more.

"Good luck," Addison said, hugging Zed and kissing his cheek. Then she turned to go and find the wolves. However, she realized she was forgetting something very important and turned back around to retrieve the box from Zed's hand. "Whoops, almost forgot. You'll do great, Zed."

As Addison ran around the corner, Carson shot a defeated-looking Zed a knowing look. A look that had him squirming. She'd seen what he stole.

"You can't even begin to imagine how important that necklace is to them, Zed. Don't lose it or break it," Carson said threateningly.

"I won't," he promised quietly, hiding it inside his coat.

Carson nodded and took a few steps back. "I'll be at your debate, but I kind of need to see how this pans out with Addy," she said, looking to where her cousin ran off.

Was it mean — cruel even — to want to see the wolves' reaction to Addison losing the necklace? Absolutely. But Carson didn't care after how many disagreements they'd had over this. Anyway, she'd have Zed return the necklace as soon as the assembly was over and the wolves had the moonstone. She just wanted her cousin knocked down a few pegs. Well, even more pegs.

The halls were fairly empty given that everyone was rushing to the debates, so it was easy to spot a huddle of werewolves standing in the middle of the hallway and looking at a map. Carson caught up to Addison just in time to overhear what was being said.

"It's my responsibility to make sure we're all safe. We follow my lead," Willa said sharply, looking at Wyatt. He must've suggested something she wasn't a fan of.

"It's a good plan, Willa," he said, curbing his annoyance. They were all stressed with the moonstone so close to being in their grasp.

"What plan?" Addison asked, rushing up to them. Carson followed at a slower pace, knowing the pack wouldn't appreciate being eavesdropped on.

"We're going after the moonstone. Top secret. You can't tell anyone," Wynter said quickly. Then she saw the looked the others were giving her and realized she wasn't meant to repeat the plan, even to Addison. "Bad wolf, bad wolf!"

"You're going after the moonstone now?" Addison asked, her eyes going wide.

"It's smart," Carson told them. "It might not survive the detonation tonight. Just be careful, especially with the Z-Patrol out there." Willa nodded appreciatively at her support.

"Then let me join you," Addison said enthusiastically while moving closer to them. "I'm ready to become a wolf."

"If you really are one," Willa said cautiously.

Carson bit the inside of her cheek and gave nothing away as Addison pulled out the box. The girl's face dropped when she opened it and saw the necklace was no longer inside.

"It's gone," she said in disbelief.

"You lost it?" Wyatt asked in alarm.

"Do you know how precious a moonstone necklace is?" Willa questioned, glaring at her. "If she was serious about being a wolf, if she was the Great Alpha, she wouldn't have been so careless."

Again, Carson stayed silent. At the very least, Addison was learning a lesson about protecting valuable things.

"No, I - I don't know how!" Addison exclaimed. "I—"

"Stay out of our amazing hair," Willa said, flipping her hair over her shoulder before sauntering off. The other wolves turned to follow, even a downtrodden Wynter.

Wyatt stood in front of Carson, not even caring to glance at Addison, who had tears in her eyes. He placed a hand on his mate's shoulder. "Maybe you were right," he said stiffly while pulling her to the side.

"We'll get the necklace after you get the moonstone. Just please stay with your pack and don't get hurt," Carson told him softly.

He managed a smirk despite his bad mood. "Oh, you've only just gotten me, Princess. I don't intend to take all this away."

"Barf," she said, giggling at his flirty attitude. Then she gently shoved him in the direction his pack went. "Go. Get your moonstone. Come back nice and strong."

Wyatt pressed his forehead to hers, already feeling stronger just by being in contact with his mate. "I'll come back for you."

And then he was off, leaving Carson with a crying Addison that she didn't have time to deal with.

"Carson," Addison said through her tears. "Where could it be?"

Carson held back a sigh. "I'm sure you'll figure it out if you retrace your steps," she said. It was kind of obvious Zed took the necklace. "But for now, I've got a debate to get to. Assuming since you're not in uniform, I'm guessing you're out for the day."

"Shut up about cheer!" Addison snapped before hiding her face in her hands.

"Damn it," Carson said under her breath, a bit of sympathy creeping up on her. "Damn it — fine! Addy, I promise to help you get the necklace after the debate is over. You can tell the wolves you found it all on your own before putting it on. But stop crying. You've been like a faucet these last few days."

"I think I've had good enough reason," she mumbled, feeling sorry for herself.

"I'll send Bree to check on you in a little bit," Carson said, patting her cousin's shoulder. "She'll be able to tell you who's president when she does."

"I hope it's Zed," she said, wiping her eyes.

"Of course. He's your boyfriend—"

"No. I hope he wins so that for just once, you know what it feels like to lose something," Addison told her bitterly.

All that sympathy washed away as Carson took a threatening step forward. Addison was too depressed to care enough to feel concerned.

"Tonight, when you go home, I want you to remember as you look your two not-dead parents in the eye over the dinner table that I'd trade every single win of my entire life to have what you have," she said coldly. "I'd swap every single happy memory so long as it meant I got back the childhood memories I lost."

Then Carson stormed off before Addison could even think about taking her words back.