Zoey finished dinner and headed upstairs, setting her alarm for 8 a.m. Her body was tired, but her mind buzzed with anticipation for the next day. She barely drifted off before a familiar voice woke her.
"Zoeyyyyyy! Wake up! You have training!" Elaine squealed as she bounced on Zoey's bed.
"Okay, okay! I'm up!" Zoey laughed, tickling her little sister until she squealed with laughter. But as Elaine giggled, Zoey suddenly flashed back to a memory of her younger brother. It hit her like a wave his smile, his voice. She blinked it away and forced herself to sit up.
Downstairs, the morning chatter of family and friends filled the house.
"Good morning, Z," Jada called.
"Good morning, sweetie," her mom, Sarah, added with a warm smile.
"Ready for training?" Sarah asked.
"Yup," Zoey replied.
"Eat something this time," Alina chimed in, already in full-on nerd mode. "If you don't, you could black out, fall into a coma, or even lose your memory."
"Okay, okay! Look, I'm eating an apple and a muffin!" Zoey said, raising the food dramatically.
Everyone laughed.
"Zoey, you'll ride with Jace and the girls. Your dad, Elaine, and I will take the other car," Sarah said.
"Actually… can I ride with you?" Zoey asked.
"Yesss! Mommy, please let Zoey ride with us!" Elaine begged.
Sarah smiled gently. "That's fine, sweetie."
Zoey felt another flash of memory her brother again but she shook it off. "I'm gonna run upstairs and get dressed. Be right down!"
Upstairs, she rummaged through her closet.
"Zoeyyy! Can we come in?" Jada called.
"Yeah, come in! I'm just ugh trying to find something to wear."
"We've got you covered," Alina said, holding up a perfectly assembled training outfit.
"Oh my gosh, what would I do without you guys?"
"Um, be lonely and miserable with no happiness," Mya teased.
They all burst into laughter.
"I'm so happy I still have you guys," Zoey said.
"We are too," the girls replied together.
After changing and styling her hair, Zoey came downstairs. The group headed out to a hidden training ground deep within Whispering Hollows.
There, her training began.
Alina taught her magic and spells, guiding her through chants and incantations. Jada helped her through painful transformations, showing her how to control the wolf within. Mya taught her how to use her vampire speed and mental manipulation. Jace, calm and patient, helped her focus her hybrid nature and keep her powers from blending chaotically.
Zoey struggled. She fell, cried, and screamed—but her friends and family never let her give up. Even when Alina accidentally turned her hair green, or when Mya opened up about the pain of her first transformation, Zoey pushed forward. She was stronger with them.
During break, Jace snuck her off into the woods. They sat beneath a tree, sharing snacks.
"I never told anyone this," Jace said quietly, "but the first time I turned, I killed my family too. I was scared. Alone. But then your parents found me... and I had a family again."
Zoey's heart twisted. "I'm so sorry." She hugged him tightly and, exhausted, drifted off asleep in his arms.
A sound woke her. Leaves rustled. She stood cautiously. Then
An arrow whistled through the air.
Jace caught it just in time.
"Run, Zoey!"
"What—?! Jace!"
"Go!"
A second arrow struck him. He collapsed.
"No! I'm not leaving you!"
"Don't be stupid go!"
Heart pounding, Zoey ran. She burst into the house, breathless.
"They got Jace!"
"Who?" Sebastian asked.
"I don't know they had arrows, guns they hit him!"
Sarah's face turned grim. "Hunters."
"Who are they?" Zoey demanded.
"They hunt us," Sebastian said. "People like us."
"Then we're getting him back," Zoey growled. "I don't care who I have to fight. Alina, track him. Everyone else, get ready. I want our best wolves, vamps, and witches."
They split into units. Zoey led the charge. Sarah led the witches, Mya the wolves, Sebastian the vampires.
"Alina, location?"
"They're underground. Tunnels. Only two guards."
"Let's move."
They drove fast. In the tunnels, Zoey fought both guards without hesitation. Her team covered the area.
"Oh my gosh, Jace... I'm gonna kill them," she said, rushing to him.
"You came for me?" he murmured.
"Duh. I wasn't letting you die."
Back home, Zoey cleaned his wound, removed the bullet, and healed him with her power.
Jace sat up slowly. "Thanks, Zoey."
"You're welcome."
They kissed gently.
"We better sleep. School in the morning," he said.
"Yeah, but you need a shower," Zoey teased.
"You're right." He grinned.
While Jace showered, Zoey crawled into bed, finally feeling like she belonged. Moments later, he joined her and they fell asleep, safe, side by side.