Scarred Wolf Queen Chapter 21

**Briony's POV**

I slammed the bathroom door behind me and locked it. Soaked clothes stuck to my skin like a second layer, cold and miserable. The mirror showed what I already felt - a complete mess. Makeup streaked down my cheeks, wet hair clinging to my face, eyes wild.

My hands shook as I cranked the shower to its hottest setting. Steam rose immediately, clouding the small space. I peeled off my dripping clothes, dumped them on the floor, and stepped under the scalding water.

I winced as it hit my scarred back but didn't turn it down.

Only then did I break. Tears came first in silent streams, then harsh sobs that shook my shoulders as I pressed my head against the cool tile.

*Why am I feeling guilty?* I hadn't done anything wrong. *They ignored me for years, never saw what was happening until it was literally right in front of their faces. So why do I wish I'd handled it differently?*

*And since when do I care if they approve of me? When did their opinion start to matter so much?*

I stayed there till my skin turned pink and my fingers wrinkled. Finally, the water ran cold, forcing me out.

Wrapped in a towel, I stood dripping on the mat. Complete exhaustion hit me like a truck. The fight had drained everything, leaving nothing but bone-deep tiredness. I dried off robotically, pulled on my softest pajamas, and dragged myself to bed.

The clock read 12:17 AM. Birthday officially over. New day begun.

*End of one thing, beginning of another?* I wondered, collapsing onto my mattress. *Or just another round of the same old crap.*

Sleep wouldn't come. My mind kept replaying the hot springs scene on repeat.

*Tomorrow's gonna be a nightmare.* They'd have questions. So many questions. And I didn't know if I was ready to answer any of them.

The thought of facing them at training made my stomach knot up. I could skip, but that would just delay the inevitable. Plus, I never missed training. If I didn't show, they'd probably come looking, which would be a thousand times worse.

*Why couldn't I just shut up? Make up some bull about training accidents? They might've bought it.*

*No way,* my wolf finally chimed in. *Benjamin spotted those silver burns right away. Maxwell would've seen through any lie. And Noah? Noah wouldn't have let it go, period.*

She was right. Once they saw the scars, game over.

By 3:30 AM, I'd given up on sleep. I changed into running clothes - might as well do something with all this nervous energy. Maybe if I exhausted my body, my brain would finally shut up.

I crept downstairs, careful not to wake anyone.

"Wanna come out and play?" I asked my wolf while stretching my calves.

*Oh, now you remember me?* she snarked. *Been too busy with your new boy-toys to give me any attention.*

"I'm the one who wanted to keep you secret," I reminded her. "Can't exactly let everyone know I shifted early."

*Bit late for that now. They've seen the scars. It's just a matter of time.*

"At least we can run together," I said, changing subjects. "I'll warm up first, then you can take over."

*Whatever you want, kid. But don't act like I don't know what you're running from.*

I headed for Silver Pines, sneakers crunching on gravel. Once among the trees, I picked up my pace, falling into the rhythm that had gotten me through so many rough nights.

The forest was quiet except for occasional rustling as night creatures finished up their business. Moonlight spilled through branches, painting silver patterns on the ground.

As my muscles warmed, my mind began to settle. The steady pounding of feet on dirt pushed away the chaos in my head.

*Maybe I was too harsh on them,* I thought, rounding a bend. *They did throw me an amazing birthday. Maybe I should hear them out?*

Then I remembered Victoria and her crew, years of torment, silver-laced whippings, and how these guys had walked the same halls every day - seeing nothing.

I was so deep in my head that I almost missed it - something shifted in the forest. I kept my pace steady, but every sense went on red alert.

*Left side,* my wolf warned. *We're being tracked.*

I didn't break stride, pretending not to notice. My ears strained for sounds - there. A twig snapping, controlled breathing, footsteps matching my rhythm.

*From the sound pattern and breathing... at least six people. It's them, for sure. But how'd they know I'd be running?*

*They're everywhere,* my wolf warned. *Movement ahead and right side too.*

*Someone's closing in,* she urged. *We need to bail.*

*Agreed, but they know what I can do - how far and fast I run. They've got to have a plan to box us in.*

*So let's shift,* she suggested. *They can't keep up with a wolf.*

*It'll trash my clothes, and we've never tried shifting mid-run. Way too dangerous.*

*Trust me. I've got this.*

I took a deep breath and made my choice. They were getting closer. Had to move.

"Fine," I whispered. "On three. One... two... THREE!"

I launched myself forward, pushing off hard. Mid-jump, I let my wolf take over. 

Pain shot through me like lightning as bones snapped and reformed, muscles stretching in ways they shouldn't. My skin burned as thick silver-blue fur pushed through. My clothes ripped apart with a sound.

By the time my paws hit dirt, the change was complete. I bolted deeper into the woods.

Behind me, shocked voices:

"Holy shit! When did she wake her wolf?"

"She can shift while running? No freaking way!"

"Seriously? What else has she been hiding?"

*Don't stop!* I pushed my wolf. *We have to lose them!*

*They're our friends, Bri,* she argued. *Maybe it's time to let them help.*

*They don't get it! They'll just make everything worse!*

A new voice cut into my head - not my wolf, but a mind link from outside.

*Briony, I know you can hear me,* Maxwell's voice resonated clearly. *Obviously you can shift and receive links. Whatever's going on, we just want to help. Don't shut us out.*

I pushed harder, making my wolf run faster.

*Please,* Maxwell tried again. *Just talk to us. Stay in wolf form if that's more comfortable.*

I rounded a corner and skidded to a stop. Benjamin stood blocking the path, legs braced wide.

"Enough running," he said firmly. "We just want to talk."

My wolf hesitated, claws scratching lightly at the dirt. She wanted to trust them. But my caution made her uncertain.

*Let's go to my spot,* my wolf suggested. *Feel safer there.*

I glanced around. Completely surrounded. Maxwell to my left, Christopher right. Noah and Ethan behind me, Benjamin ahead. Even Layla had kept up, standing off to the side, looking determined but worried.

Trapped with no options, I let my wolf lead everyone to my secret place in Silver Pines.

We reached a small clearing ringed by towering pines - a natural shelter where I often came to shift and rest. My private sanctuary, now invaded. Benjamin and Ethan gathered branches and built a small fire. Flames danced in the darkness, lighting up everyone's faces.

I kept my distance, watching them warily. They settled across the fire, eyes full of questions.

Layla broke the silence, hands on her hips. "OK, this staring contest isn't working. Will somebody please tell me what you're all saying through mind links? Being on the outside blows."

Noah stared directly at me, jaw tight. "When did your wolf wake up?"