The roller coaster jolted without warning. I lost my balance, my body tilting to one side—and before I knew it, I was falling. Gasps rang out from the werewolves below. My reflexes kicked in. I instantly shifted into wolf form and slammed my claws into the top of the coaster car to keep from falling. "Oh my god, there's someone on top!" "What? What’s going to happen to her? If something goes wrong, she’s done for!" "Yeah, seriously! She’s just a kid... poor girl. So young, and this happens." "Call the cops! Maybe she’s still got a shot!" The panic in their voices reached my ears. I was dangling in midair, way above the ground. Just a quick glance down made my head spin. Damn it. Even as an Alpha, I was still terrified of heights. Suddenly, the roller coaster car jolted again. The front half of the roller coaster started coming off the tracks—one car after another breaking loose like a chain snapping apart. The screech of metal tearing apart, mixed with the screams of the crowd, pounded in my ears. "No way! The whole ride’s falling apart!" "She’s done for... that poor girl’s not going to make it." Gritting my teeth, I reached up with my other hand and grabbed the edge of the coaster car, eyes locked on the ones about to fall. Freya, it was all you now. I gave Freya her final command. Even with Alpha strength—and even with Freya being a true wolf king—falling from over 300 feet with that much weight crashing down... it wouldn’t end well. Not even close. Our only chance was to time it perfectly, using the falling coaster cars to spring up to a higher track. A massive crack echoed through the air as the structure finally gave way. A massive burst of sound tore through the night as the coaster cars twisted in midair and dropped like a crashing chain of steel, trailing smoke and sparks.I shouted, "Freya!" Freya burst out midair, falling with the wreckage. But before she dropped more than ten feet, she let out a powerful roar and kicked off a tumbling car, rocketing herself upward. Another car came crashing from above. She twisted midair and dodged it, then flipped sideways and landed hard on another falling car. With that momentum, she sprang upward again—this time clearing nearly forty feet. She leapt through the night air, a flash of silver against the dark sky, and landed firmly on the upper track. How about that, Alpha? Not bad for jumping, huh? Freya bragged. You were incredible, Freya. Now just stay put and wait for the rescue team. Are you sure you don’t want me to jump down? Over 300 feet—piece of cake for me. Freya sounded eager. I stopped her immediately. Don’t even think about it. Lay low, my sweet Freya. I don’t need anyone figuring out who I really am. Whatever you say. After that, I shifted back into human form and lay flat on the track, waiting patiently until the werewolf rescue team arrived with a ladder truck to bring me down. As soon as I stepped off the ladder onto the ground, I was surrounded by a swarm of frantic werewolves. "Raelyn!" Nora was the first to throw her arms around me. Adam came right after and hugged me tightly too. "Raelyn, you... you scared me to death." Adam’s eyes filled with tears. "I’m fine." I smiled and glanced up at the roller coaster. For the first time, I actually felt a little impressed with myself. I’m scared of heights, and I stayed up there that long? That’s a first. Adam gently cupped my face. "Okay, enough talking. I’m taking you to the hospital." I lightly pushed his hand away and shook my head. “I’ve spent more than enough time in hospitals. I just need somewhere quiet to lie down for a bit.”Max Goldberg, Nora’s father, walked over. "Why don’t we take Ms. Beck back to our rental villa? It’s only five minutes away on foot." I hesitated. “I really don’t want to be a bother. I can find somewhere else to rest.” Nora tugged on my arm, pouting. “Raelyn, come on, please? Our place is huge. You’ll be super comfy. Please?” “She’s right, Ms. Beck,” Mary Reeds—Nora’s mom—chimed in. “You saved all of us tonight. You don’t need to feel bad about accepting some help.” "Okay. Thank you." I didn’t argue anymore. Nora and I got into Max’s car and headed to their villa. Adam wouldn’t even let me walk. He insisted on carrying me—and I didn’t have the energy to fight him on it—so I let him carry me up to one of the guest rooms. As soon as we stepped inside, I squirmed out of his arms. "What, you really hate being held that much?" I pouted. "I’m just not used to it." Then, for a moment, I thought of that other embrace—the one I knew so well. That familiar scent still haunted me. And just thinking of him again made my chest ache. “Alright,” Adam said, backing off. “You get some rest. I’ll be downstairs.” I nodded. "Okay."