-Julien Grayson:
A week later:
Morning light slipped softly through the curtains of my room, painting the walls in pale gold. I stirred slowly beneath the blankets, blinking against the brightness as I listened to the quiet sounds of the house waking up. Somewhere downstairs, I could hear the faint clatter of dishes and the low murmur of voices.
For a moment, I stayed where I was, staring up at the ceiling.
Monday.
Another week of university.
A small smile tugged at my lips as I pushed the blankets aside and swung my legs off the bed. The wooden floor was cool beneath my feet as I stretched my arms above my head, letting out a quiet yawn.
The past week had gone… surprisingly fast.
Better than I expected.
Classes were interesting, the professors were kind, and Maren and her boyfriend had made it easy to settle in. I wasn't completely lost anymore. I knew which buildings held my classes, which hallways connected the studios, and where to get coffee when I needed it.
It felt… normal.
And normal felt nice. I liked University, so far at least.
I stood and walked over to my closet, sliding the door open slowly. The soft scent of fabric and perfume greeted me as I looked over the neatly arranged clothes inside.
My hand moved automatically to the pink section, the largest in my wardrobe. No surprise there.
After a moment of quiet consideration, I pulled out a soft pastel skirt that fell just at mid-thigh. The fabric was light and flowy, decorated with tiny embroidered bows along the hem.
"Perfect," I murmured.
Next came a pair of sheer tights, followed by my favorite thigh-high socks. They were white with pale pink stripes near the top, soft and warm against my skin as I pulled them on.
I added a cropped sweater, fluffy and pastel pink, the sleeves slightly oversized so they covered part of my hands. The front had a small embroidered Hello Kitty face stitched into the fabric.
Cute.
Very cute. My style. I love how comfortable these types of clothes make me feel.
I slipped my feet into a pair of soft platform shoes, white with tiny pink hearts along the sides. When I stood in front of the mirror, I turned slightly, letting the skirt move with me.
Satisfied, I moved to my vanity.
My hair needed a little work. I brushed it slowly, smoothing out the strands until it fell neatly around my shoulders. A few small pink clips went in next, followed by a thin ribbon tied gently at the back.
Then came the bag.
My backpack sat on the chair beside my desk, pale pink with several small Hello Kitty keychains dangling from the zipper. They clinked softly when I lifted the bag, their tiny plastic charms catching the light.
I smiled faintly.
My laptop rested on the desk nearby. The surface was covered in stickers—little pastel animals, hearts, stars, and a few more Hello Kitty ones scattered across the silver cover.
I slipped it carefully into my bag and zipped it closed.
Ready.
I slung the backpack over my shoulder and stepped out of my room, walking down the hallway toward the stairs.
The smell of breakfast drifted upward as I descended, warm and comforting.
When I reached the kitchen, everyone was already there.
Papa stood near the counter with a cup of coffee in his hand. Pops leaned against the kitchen island while Dad sat beside him, scrolling through something on his tablet. Caspian sat at the table, half-awake, pushing food around his plate with very little enthusiasm.
Pops looked up first.
"Good morning."
"Morning," I said softly.
Pops' eyes drifted over my outfit, and he smiled. "You look adorable."
"Thank you, Dad," I replied, smiling.
I walked over to the table, grabbing a quick piece of toast, not bothering to have a whole breakfast because I'm planning on eating at the university's cafeteria before slipping my backpack onto one shoulder again.
Pops cleared his throat.
"Julien… do you think I could drive you to university today?"
I paused.
"That's okay, Pops," I said lightly. "I can go alone. Why?"
He hesitated slightly.
"I don't know," he admitted. "I just… have a bad feeling today. With the rogue and everything."
My expression softened.
"I know you can go on your own, but the road to the university runs pretty close to the border," he continued quietly. "So I thought maybe it would be safer if I went with you today."
I shook my head gently.
"Pops, come on," I said with a small laugh. "I'm old enough to go alone. I've been going to university for a week now, and nothing has happened."
He sighed.
"I promise I'll be fine."
For a moment, he just looked at me.
Then he rubbed the back of his neck and nodded.
"Okay… okay. Fine."
I smiled and walked over to him first, leaning down to kiss his cheek.
"Bye, Pops."
Then Papa.
"See you later."
Dad next.
"Love you."
"Love you too," he murmured.
Finally, I stepped over to Caspian.
Without warning, I leaned down and kissed his cheek.
He immediately recoiled.
"Hey—get off me. Gross."
I chuckled and grabbed his face gently before planting another exaggerated kiss on his other cheek.
"I love you."
He glared at me.
I tilted my head.
"Well, I don't."
I grinned.
"I know you do."
He rolled his eyes but didn't answer.
Still smiling, I turned and headed for the door.
The morning air was cool when I stepped outside. A gentle breeze moved through the trees surrounding the house, making the leaves rustle softly.
My motorcycle waited where I'd left it in the driveway.
I walked toward it slowly, my shoes crunching lightly over the gravel. The metal of the bike glinted under the pale morning sunlight.
For a moment, I simply stood there.
The wind brushed against my skirt, cool against the tights beneath.
I ran my hand along the side of the motorcycle before swinging one leg over it and settling into the seat.
The familiar weight of the machine felt grounding.
I slipped my helmet on, fastening the strap beneath my chin.
Then I paused.
Something about the morning felt… different.
Quiet.
Too quiet.
I turned the key.
The engine rumbled to life beneath me, vibrating gently through the frame.
Slowly, I pulled out of the driveway and onto the road.
The ride started like it always did.
Wind brushes against my clothes.
Trees rushing past on either side of the road.
The soft hum of the engine steadied beneath me.
But as I approached the edge of pack territory…
I noticed something.
The border checkpoint.
I slowed slightly.
My eyes moved across the area automatically.
Usually, there were guards there.
Several of them.
Standing near the perimeter.
Watching the forest.
Talking quietly.
But today…
The checkpoint looked empty.
No guards.
No patrol wolves.
Nothing.
Just the road stretching past the barrier and the dark line of trees beyond it.
A strange feeling crawled slowly up my spine as I rode past.
The wind carried through the open space, whispering through the leaves.
And for some reason…
The silence felt wrong.