Page 8 of Dead Girls Don’t Forget

A few girls snickered. One shot me a quick look, then pretended she had not.

I kept lifting. My cat stretched inside me, unimpressed.

Coach’s voice cut through. “Naomi.”

She froze, then turned with a bright, innocent smile.

He did not return it. “If you have enough breath to gossip, you’re not working hard enough. Back to your reps.”

A few wolves hid grins. Naomi’s smile tightened but she did not argue. She grabbed dumbbells and moved to her station, though her eyes kept flicking toward me, sharp and territorial.

I gave her nothing.

I had far more important things to worry about than a wolf princess with a bruised ego.

Like the other three who were still alive.

Chapter 4: One Down, Three to Go

Tuesday morning the team filtered out of the locker room into the cool morning air. I had been on the track since six. By the time the first wolves appeared at the gate I was already loose, breath even, and ready.

The wolves clustered together as they spread across the field. Their attention settled on me like a weight.

Coach Miller strode out and clapped once. “Warm-up laps. Let’s move.”

The wolves set a hard pace from the start, daring me to keep up. I matched them easily. It did not take long for the games to begin. A shoulder drifted into my space. A girl cut across my path. Another slowed just enough to box me in. Small, deliberate shit.

My cat stirred, irritated. I ignored it and kept running. When the pace sharpened, I passed them one by one, slipping through the gaps they tried to close.

By the cooldown lap someone finally gave up on the silent treatment and fell into step beside me. She was human, cheeks flushed, ponytail bouncing.

“Wow,” she panted. “They’re extra petty today.”

I glanced over. “Today?”

“Oh yeah. Usually I’m the one they haze. Now they’ve got a new target, so… lucky me.” She gave a tired laugh. “I’m Cassidy. Second year. You’re the transfer, right?”

I nodded.

“Everyone on this team is freakishly fast. Except me.” She grinned at herself. “You’re fast too. Like, built-different fast.”

She had no idea.

“So where’d you transfer from? Somewhere cool? I’ve only ever been to Ashford and that doesn’t count.”

“Out of state.”

“Vague. Mysterious. I like it.” Her grin widened, completely unbothered by my short answers. “If you ever want to run with someone who won’t elbow you in the ribs, I’m your girl.”

I did not promise anything. She took my silence as an agreement anyway.

Behind us Naomi watched with narrowed eyes, her pack tight around her. Cassidy did not notice.

Coach’s sharp clap cut through the air. “Bring it in.”

We circled up. He scanned the group. “Some of you need to fix your stride. Naomi, you’re overstriding. Lena, chest up.” His gaze flicked over me briefly before returning to the team. “Timed four miles. No excuses. Show me where you stand.”

A few groans rose.