Scarred Wolf Queen Chapter 15

**Briony's POV**

I nodded.

Layla took a shaky breath, her hands trembling as she cleaned another cut. "Someday I'm gonna make Victoria pay for this."

"Don't." I grabbed her wrist. "Promise me you won't try anything. I can handle this, but if something happens to you because of me..."

She met my eyes, and I saw anger mixed with something deeper. "You deserve so much better than this, Bri."

"Maybe. But this is what I've got."

From that day on, Layla became my secret lifeline. Every injury got treated in her room, every silver burn got her special ointment that actually helped with the burning. She never asked questions when I showed up at her window, just pulled me inside and got to work.

The physical pain didn't go away, but knowing someone actually gave a damn? That made everything bearable.

My routine settled back into its old pattern - early runs, classes, training, home. The only difference was having a real friend who knew the truth and stayed anyway. But I kept my distance from the five boys. 

During training, I picked spots far from them. In class, I avoided eye contact. When we passed in hallways, I kept my head down and walked fast.

Saturday cub training continued, and those guys started showing up regularly. They'd sit in the bleachers watching, sometimes coming down to help. The kids loved them, especially Ethan.

"Sister Bri!" One of the little girls tugged my hand. "Brother Ethan says he'll teach us new moves next week!"

"That's great, sweetheart. Better practice hard then."

I couldn't completely avoid them during training, but I kept conversations short. Just training stuff, nothing personal. I could feel their confusion, especially Noah trying to corner me for private talks, but I always found excuses to slip away.

Spring was coming to Polaris. Silver Pines sprouted new growth, and the air smelled like fresh flowers. Everything seemed peaceful, if you ignored the occasional "lessons" Victoria sent my way.

**Benjamin's POV**

"She's avoiding us," I stated the obvious.

The five of us sat at our usual table in Wolf's Corner, but the vibe was all wrong. Ever since that dinner, Briony had switched back to being a ghost - the girl who lived in shadows.

"No shit," Christopher sighed. "Question is why."

"Maybe her dad?" Maxwell suggested. "Didn't Noah say Beta Raymond went ballistic that night?"

Noah shook his head. "Dad was pissed, but I handled it. He's left her alone since then."

"Then what's her deal?" Ethan asked, genuinely confused. "Did we screw something up?"

I replayed the past few weeks in my head. Briony's change was too sudden - from a girl finally showing who she really was, back to that shadow deliberately making herself invisible. This wasn't normal.

"Remember that day at the restaurant?" I said suddenly. "After Victoria showed up, she bolted."

"You think..." Maxwell's eyes narrowed.

"I'm not sure," I admitted, "but the timing's pretty fucking suspicious."

"Victoria." Christopher's voice went ice cold. "If that bitch actually did something..."

"We've got no proof," I reminded them. "And you know the rules. Unless there's solid evidence, we can't step in."

That was the problem. We were stuck with this "survival of the fittest" bullshit. If Briony didn't ask for help, we couldn't interfere. Pack tradition and all that crap we'd been fed since we were kids.

"This rule is stupid as hell," Ethan muttered.

"But it's still the rule," Maxwell said, frustrated.

Silence fell over us. I knew we were all thinking the same thing - we wanted to help her, but our own principles had us tied up in knots.

"By the way," Noah spoke up suddenly, "day after tomorrow is Bri's birthday."

"What?" All four of us whipped around to stare at him.

"Her sixteenth," Noah said.

"Why the hell didn't you mention this before?" Ethan demanded.

Noah's expression got complicated. "Because it's also the anniversary of my mom's death."

Another silence, heavier this time.

"Has she... ever actually celebrated her birthday?" Maxwell asked carefully.

"Never." Noah's voice was barely audible. "Dad won't allow it. To him, that day's only for mourning, not celebrating."

"That's fucked up," Christopher said bluntly.

"What if we threw her a party?" The words came out before I could stop them.

"Are you serious?" Maxwell looked at me.

"Hell yeah!" Ethan's eyes lit up. "Think about it - she's never had a real birthday. We could give her something special!"

"She won't even look at us right now," Christopher pointed out. "How's she gonna come to a party we're throwing?"

"Simple - we don't tell her we're throwing it," Ethan said. "We get Layla to help."

Noah looked thoughtful. "Maybe... that's actually not a bad idea. At least she'd know someone remembered."

I glanced around the table. Maxwell was thinking it over, Christopher was already planning, Ethan looked hopeful.

"Alright," I nodded. "But we keep it low-key. Don't want to freak her out."

**Briony's POV**

I woke up at four AM sharp. Today was my birthday - sixteen years old.

*Happy birthday,* my wolf whispered softly.

*Thanks,* I replied. *At least you remember.*

I got up and pulled on my running gear. Outside was still pitch black, the whole world asleep. Perfect - nobody would remember this day, so there'd be no awkwardness or disappointment.

I slipped out the front door, cold morning air hitting my face. I took a deep breath and started jogging. Today's route deliberately avoided all the usual spots - I didn't want to run into anyone.

*Why do this to yourself?* my wolf asked.

*Because expectations just lead to disappointment,* I answered. *I learned not to expect anything.*

I remembered being five, thinking birthdays meant cake and presents like other kids. Instead I got dad's rage and a day locked in my room. I learned quick - expectations just set you up for disappointment.

The only exception was that tiny cake Noah secretly made for me. Even though he got punished badly for it later, that small gesture still warmed something in my chest.

My steady running rhythm helped calm my thoughts. Today was Saturday - I still had cub training later. Life had to go on. Birthdays were just numbers on a calendar.

I avoided all the usual spots, taking back roads where I wouldn't run into anyone. When I passed Layla's house, I noticed it was completely dark. Usually she was up by now, getting ready for our weekend run.

*Probably overslept,* I told myself, but disappointment still hit. I hadn't told her about my birthday, so I couldn't expect her to remember. Still, some stupid part of me hoped...

*Don't be an idiot,* I thought. *You're not a kid anymore.*

I ran longer than usual, watching the eastern sky turn orange-red. Another day starting, same as every other day.

When I got home, I expected the usual empty house. Dad would be at the pack house already - he always avoided this day. Noah was probably still asleep or already gone too.

I took a deep breath and opened the front door.

"Surprise!"

I nearly jumped out of my skin.