Memories from yesterday flash through my head.

It would've been Kia's 18th birthday. Mom, Zander and I, along with some of her friends/followers buried her ashes beside Dad in the graveyard at the heart of territory. I miss her; I didn't always enjoy her company but I did know her my whole life.

I shake myself out of memories and look around the pack's main hall, where pack meetings or gatherings take place.

Choral risers stand pushed up against the front of the four-foot-tall stage at the back of the large room. Circular tables are placed around the room with enough space in the middle to make a dance floor for anyone who feels like dancing. Kids are already there, laughing and running around together while their parents sit at the tables, talking with friends but keeping an eye on the kids.

Raiden, Scott, Dean, Mom, Zander and I sit at one table, talking and laughing together. Rei and the others said they'd be here soon.

"So what do you wanna do next year?" Mom asks all of us.

"Marry Dean," Scott says immediately, grabbing Dean's hand and showing us the gold engagement ring on his finger.

"Nice." Raiden grins. "Congratulations."

"When'd you propose?" I ask.

"Christmas morning," Scott replies, smiling widely.

I scowl playfully and whine, "You should've waited! I wanted to be there!"

Dean shrugs and grins. "Too bad, Ceniza."

I give him a pout. I really wanted to be there when one of them proposed.

Anyway, since Rei called me Ceniza, the others have started using the nickname too. I don't really mind, I like it. But that also means I'm calling them nicknames (Denny, Scooter and Winchester) more often. We've all started using Rei's, Clove's, Killian's and Zaine's nicknames too and they don't mind. Something about it makes us all feel closer, like we're all family.

"I wanna take Strange somewhere special," Raiden says.

"Ooo, can we go somewhere tropical?" Clove asks, appearing behind him and resting her elbows on his shoulders.

I feel Rei do the same with me, leaning on me.

"Hey Ceniza," she says happily.

"Reina," I reply, tilting my head back to see her.

"This is gonna be great," Zaine says happily, standing with Killian by Mom. I notice the twins Chase and Rhea running over to join the other kids in dancing. "The pack's gonna love it."

"The choir worked hard," Rei replies. "And they sound amazing."

"Glad you decided to join in?" Killian asks Zaine.

"Of course!" Zaine chirps. He grins fades, his expression becoming more serious, "The song represents them, and me. We will show them that we will not fall. They can hurt us day after day but we will stand strong. They can't break us."

"You're singing?" I ask.

Zaine nods. "Why not? It's one of the things I love to do most."

"He loves to do me the most," Killian pipes up, smirking.

"Oh goddess," Rei mutters.

The two warlocks only laugh mischievously.

➵

The omegas and the kids of Unity choir stand on the risers, oldest and tallest on the highest step and younger and shorter kids on the lowest. Zaine stands alone on the stage while Chase and Rhea stand on the first step. The omega Riley is at the middle of the highest step, a nervous expression on his face.

I watch as Zaine kneels down and nudges him lightly, whispering in his ear. Whatever he says, it makes Riley relax and nod. Zaire smiles at that, patting him on the shoulder before standing again.

The people who aren't singing sit at the tables or on the floor in the middle of the hall.

The others and I have moved to a table closer to the stage to have a better view. Rei sits next to me, her eyes looking over the omegas and kids on the risers. I take her hand in mine, gently rubbing my thumb over the back of her hand. When she looks at me, I give her a happy smile and she gives me a small smile in return.

Internally, I sigh softly. She said she'd give us a chance but I can't help but feel like she's trying to keep some distance between us. I don't know why but I want it to disappear. I know she's leaving soon but I don't think that's the reason, at least not the whole reason. I hope I can convince her to stay longer. We-Raiden, Zander and I-just got her back, she can't leave so soon, if she leaves at all.

The dimming lights pull me out of my thoughts. I see Quira standing in front of the choir, conducting them. Zaine is the only one holding a microphone while four other microphones held by stands are placed in front of the choir. Hearing the tune played on a piano, I recognize the song immediately: This is Me, from The Greatest Showman.

(, Choir, )

"

His voice holds so much emotion. You know he's not just singing words, he's singing memories, and probably reliving those memories too behind his closed eyelids. The light from the spotlight shining on him reflects on the ring of brass around his finger and I know that if he didn't have it on, his body would probably be shifting uncontrollably.

I glance at Killian and see a sad but proud smile on his lips.

The choir kids join in singing, some singing in higher pitches while others vocalize. Their voices mix with Zaine's, which sparks with determination.

As they sing, the choir uses their arms to add to their performance, stomping their feet once at certain parts of the song. They're basically dancing in place but keeping their movement restricted on the crowded risers.

"Another round of bullets hits my skin.

Well, fire away 'cause today, I won't let the shame sink in.

We are bursting through the barricades,

And reaching for the sun,

Yeah, that's what we've become.

Oh-oh-oh-oh

Oh-oh-oh-oh

(Oh-oh-oh-oh)

(Oh-oh-oh-oh)

Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh, oh."

I'm a little surprised that Zaine manages to hit the notes sung but he does so perfectly.

Look out 'cause here I come.

And I'm marching on to the beat I drum.

When the sharpest words wanna cut me down,

I'm gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out.

I'm gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out.

The room echoes with applause as the lights brighten again. Row by row, the choir bows, holding hands, arms above their heads. All of them wear wide grins, happiness dancing in their eyes. After a while, Zaine holds one hand up, making the clapping die down.

"Thank you," Zaine says into the microphone. "We're amazing, I know." I hear a few chuckles ripple through the pack. "Anyway, the show isn't over yet. The choir and I agreed that someone else has to join in the fun. We already picked a song for her to do solo and we all know she'll do amazing. So come on Reina, you're singing whether you like it or not."

I feel my mate's surprise. Reluctantly, she gets up and joins Zaine on the stage as the choir steps off the risers and moves to sit on the floor in the middle of the room. Rei and Zaine whisper quietly for a few seconds and she shoots him a quick glare, to which he returns with a proud smirk.

Zaine hands Rei the microphone then walks off the stage and takes his place sitting next to Killian.

"Why'd you force her up there?" Scott asks, tilting his head curiously.

"Oh, she loves to sing," Zaine replies. "Just not in front of crowds. We wanted to show her that she doesn't have to be.... nervous about showing others what she can do. Her voice is great and others will think so too."

I wince slightly, remembering what I told her years before. How her voice sounded horrible.

As she stands on the stage, I can see the tension in her body, her muscles rigid. Her eyes scan the crowd, her face blank. Then I hear the start of the song. Even though she's nervous, Rei still opens her mouth and sings.

"Like a small boat on the ocean.

Sending big waves into motion.

Like how a single word,

Can make a heart open.

I might only have one match,

But I can make an explosion.

And all those things I didn't say.

Wrecking balls inside my brain.

I will scream them loud tonight.

Can you hear my voice this time?"

My eyes are fixed on her as she stands in the center of the stage, looking out at the crowd of wolves. Her voice is strong, confident and beautiful. It's all I can hear. Only her voice, belting out the lyrics that fits perfectly with the events that happened in her life.

As she sings, I can see her body relaxing, more energy flowing into the words she sings, starting to just have fun and enjoy singing. She moves her body and free arm to make gestures that go along with each line of lyrics, making her performance even more captivating.

"This is my fight song.

Take back my life song.

Prove I'm alright song.

My power's turned on,

Starting right now, I'll be strong,

I'll play my fight song.

And I don't really care,

If nobody else believes,

'Cause I've still got.

A lot of fight left in me.

Losing friends and I'm chasing sleep.

Everybody's worried about me.

In too deep, say I'm in too deep (in too deep).

And it's been two years, I miss my home.

But there's a fire burning in my bones.

Still believe,

Yeah, I still believe.

And all those things I didn't say.

Wrecking balls inside my brain.

I will scream them loud tonight.

Can you hear my voice this time?"

Rei looks at Raiden as she sings the pre-chorus. Her gaze drifts to Zander, then Mom, Scott, Dean, then to me. My eyes meet hers but I don't have it in me to smile. Memories of the past play in my mind, bringing back the guilt I've felt ever since it dawned on me how wrong I was.

"This is my fight song.

Take back my life song.

Prove I'm alright song.

My power's turned on,

Starting right now, I'll be strong.

I'll play my fight song.

And I don't really care,

If nobody else believes,

'Cause I've still got,

A lot of fight left in me.

A lot of fight left in me.

Like a small boat on the ocean.

Sending big waves into motion.

Like how a single word,

Can make a heart open.

I might only have one match.

But I can make an explosion."

As she sings the last word, she tosses the microphone to the side. Clove's eyes glow and the microphone stays in the air, then slowly floats down to rest on the side of the stage. My eyes quickly snap from the microphone back to Rei just as flames erupt along her outstretched arms, her eyes bright and glowing.

Rei continues to sing, her voice loud enough to be heard without the microphone. The flames dance on her arms, not giving off any smoke at all.

"This is my fight song (hey!).

Take back my life song (hey!).

Prove I'm alright song (hey!).

My power's turned on,

Starting right now, I'll be strong (I'll be strong).

I'll play my fight song.

And I don't really care,

If nobody else believes,

'Cause I've still got,

A lot of fight left in me.

No, I've still got a lot of fight left in me."

The flames on my arms slowly fade away as applause roars up from the pack.

I smile softly and bow before leaping off the stage, landing in front of the risers. Heart pumping with adrenaline, I make my way over to my friends and family as the chatter and music from earlier resumes.

"You did great, Reina," Zaine says, grinning.

"Doesn't change the fact that I hate that you didn't tell me sooner," I reply despite the grin on my lips.

Zaine shrugs. "There's no way you would've done it if you'd known earlier."

I roll my eyes and huff but don't reply, knowing he's right. I sit down next to Asher again and notice his sad, guilty expression.

"What is it?" I ask softly.

Asher blinks and looks at me. "Just memories. Of before my sixteenth birthday."

I don't reply right away, drawn into the memories resurfacing in my mind. Asher, Scott and Dean bullying me. Brianna secretly starving me. Leon abusing me. I sigh softly and pull myself out of the memories, resting my head on Asher's shoulder.

"That's all in the past," I say quietly. "But if the bullying ever happens again, just know I'll kick your ass, Ceniza."

Like I hoped, Asher chuckles softly and I can sense his mood brightening. "If that does happen again, I'll ask you to kick me."

I laugh quietly and nod. "In the crotch?"

"I don't know about that," Asher replies. "Those are precious goods, you don't wanna break 'em."

"How do you know what I do and don't wanna break?" I ask, grinning.

Asher gulps, a little exaggeratedly. I chuckle and he wraps one arm around my shoulders.

We sit like that for a while, talking with the others, before I hear the Macarena come on, playing loudly on the speakers.

"Oh my god, come on Flash!" Zaine grins. "We're so dancing to this shit!"

Killian grins and nods. The two of them both run onto the dance floor, closely followed by Clove, Raiden, Scott, Dean and even Dad and Carrie. They join in the kids and other people dancing, hips swinging as they dance.

Asher and I get up to join them, when my phone starts ringing on the table, Thatcher's name flashing on the screen.

I groan quietly and grab my phone. "I have to take this. I'll be back soon."

Asher nods but I can see the slight apprehension in his eyes. I give him a smile then quickly head outside where the music can't be heard from the soundproof walling.

"King," I say, answering the call.

"Queenie," Thatcher's voice replies. I hear mumbling in the background and Thatcher yells, "How much have you drunk, idiot?!"

"Only a pussy or two..." Daring's voice slurs. "Or maybe it was four... Six? I don't know."

"Oh goddess," Thatcher mutters. I hear soft footsteps and he asks, "Where are the other Rulers?"

"Uh..." Daring thinks for a few seconds. "Number (Four) fell down in the living room, Maxi went to fuck Junior (AJ) and the one you call Hoe is throwing up in the bathroom... I think."

"For fuck's sake," Thatcher grumbles. "Daring."

"What?"

"Go to the kitchen and drink a glass of water," he orders.

"Why?" Daring asks.

"Just do it, Daring, then go make sure your idiot is still alive and not bleeding over the carpet."

I hear his footsteps stumbling around, hopefully towards the kitchen. Soon, I hear water running, then turn off.

"Will he be alright?" I ask, already knowing the reply. "And why aren't you drunk like the rest of them?"

"Of course he'll be fine," Thatcher replies, "I wouldn't let anything happen to my brother, no matter how stupid he is. And I'm not the kind to get drunk. You lose all sense and I've already done that. Whatcha doing?"

"Talking to you," I reply.

"Ha ha. Before, what were you doing?"

"Sitting with Asher at the pack's New year's gathering."

I think I hear him give a soft growl but if he does, it's barely audible.

"Queenie, have you ever wondered what it feels like to crush a skull? Or tear limbs off a corpse? Or taste the blood as it flows out of a body?"

He says it so... casually, as if he was simply talking about the weather. It sends a shiver down my spine. I don't remember ever hearing Thatcher talk like that.

"You'll be back soon, right?" he asks suddenly, startling me a bit.

"Yes, we'll be back, King," I say. "Surely you can wait five days."

"I'm holding you to that, Queenie," Thatcher replies sternly. "You better be back."

"Yeah yeah," I say. "Oh, and King?"

"What?"

"Happy early birthday."

"Thanks, Queenie."

I go to reply but he hangs up.

I look at my phone. "Huh. Rude."

"You're not gonna stay?"

I spin around, hearing Asher's voice close behind me. My gaze locks onto his shimmering amber eyes. His wolf.

"I can't," I say softly, slipping my phone into my pocket and glancing at his wolf ears and tail.

"Why not?" His voice sounds a little hurt and desperate. Then his ears flatten, his voice turning upset and angry, "Is it because of him? King?"

I shake my head. "I'm not into him, if that's what you're asking. He may seem like a love interest but he's not, I promise."

Asher's wolf-who I have yet to learn the name of-studies me for a few seconds, then slowly nods, his ears raising up again. His eyes turn back to blue but his ears remain his wolf's, his tail still out.