Page 143 of Hard Knot

"You're being such a grinch at Christmas," Carter accuses, dramatic as ever.

"It's not even Christmas," Felix points out dryly.

"Well, if it was, he'd get nothing but coal," Holmes retorts.

Carter gasps in exaggerated horror, clutching his chest.

"How dare?—"

"Yeah, he needs it 'cause his ego's too fucking high," James cuts in with a smirk.

"You're one to talk!" Carter fires back. "Mr. 'I Own The Academy Now So Bow Before Me.'"

The two of them launch into a rapid-fire exchange of increasingly ridiculous accusations, their words overlapping until they're practically talking over each other. The sheer absurdity of it —these supposedly dangerous Alphas bickering like children— breaks something loose in my chest.

The giggle escapes before I can stop it, bright and genuine.

The sound seems to freeze them mid-argument, all eyes turning to me in surprise.

Heat rushes to my cheeks, but I can't quite stop smiling.

"I haven't seen a pack bicker like this in a long time," I admit, fiddling with my new phone. "I mean, I've observed from afar inthe cafeteria and library, but I always assumed it was some kind of act. Like they were putting on a show of being close-knit. But this..." I gesture vaguely at their frozen expressions. "This feels natural. Real." I shrug. “It’s nice. I like it.”

They stare at me in silence, something soft passing between them that I can't quite read.

"Felix," Holmes says suddenly, "you're about to hit someone."

"Shit!" Felix slams on the brakes, the truck lurching to a stop mere feet from a familiar platinum-blonde figure.

"Keep going," James says immediately, recognition darkening his features.

I elbow him in the ribs, earning a satisfying grunt.

"Why doesn't Felix drop us here?" I suggest quickly. "We can meet in front of first period. Might be less...dramatic that way."

The tension in the truck eases slightly as they consider this.

"Probably smart," Felix agrees, pulling over to the curb. "Less chance of property damage or murder charges this early in the morning."

Carter's already opening the door, extending his hand to help me out. The gesture feels oddly natural now, like we've been doing this for years instead of days.

"My lady," Carter says with exaggerated formality, making me roll my eyes even as I accept his assistance.

The crisp October air hits me as I step out, carrying with it that distinct autumn chill that always makes Hard Knot Academy feel more like some fancy prep school than the prison it really is.

My attention catches on the trees lining the path, their leaves already shifting into a paradise of orange, red, yellow, and green. The colors paint the academy grounds in warmth that almost makes you forget what happens behind its walls.

I tug at my kilt skirt, hyper-aware of the eyes following our every move. Carter's talking to Holmes about something as the latter emerges from the truck, and I can't help but smile at the sight of sunglasses perched on his face instead of his usual blindfold.

Our conversation really did get through to him.

There's something different about him today — a subtle ease in his movements that wasn't there before. He'd even dozed off briefly during the ride, something I suspect is rare given how the others had fallen silent to let him rest.

The whispers start immediately, carrying across the courtyard like leaves in the wind.

"Is that their new pack?"

"I heard it's just temporary..."

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