Dakota : " Mr Isaac you sent for me , " I said , walking into his office . ses youcting " Yes , I did , " he said , taking off his glasses and setting the book he was reading down . " Have a seat , Dakota . " I sat down . " You were not in school , yesterday ," he said , leaning forward . " What was the reason ? " " I got attacked by strange men I suspect are Hybrids , " I explained . Mr Isaac had a worried look on his face . " Details , please . " " The Hybrids attacked my friend's mom . Then , they sent me a message through her- " " What was the message ? " he interrupted . I tried to remember . " Something about me surrendering to the Hybrids or they'd hurt everyone close to me , " I swallowed hard . " Have you been reading your grandmother's journal ? " he asked , his piercing gaze on me . " Yes , I have . It's been of help to me ," I said tentatively . Mr Isaac nodded . " As long as you keep reading that book , training your mind and following my instructions , you'll be safe from the Hybrids . " " Safe from the Hybrids ? " I asked in awe . " Ever since you gave me my grandmother's diary , the Hybrids have been attacking me . I'm getting confused and worried . " Mr Isaac cleared his throat and leaned forward . " You are a Silver Wolf , of course you'll attract Hybrids . They can scent you from afar ." " So , what should I do other than read my mama's diary ? What can I do to keep them away from me ? " I asked worriedly . " A spell ," he said , standing up . " A spell ? " I raised my face to look at him . " Yes , a spell . It is called a cloaking spell , " he said , walking to his shelf . " But we will need someone who can practice magic ." I stared at him , pondering what he said . " A witch ? " " Yes , Dakota . A witch can do a cloaking spell ." 16:09 Fri , Sep 19 ... Chapter 22 I nodded . " Then , let's do it- ༢60 ) 165 vouchers " Don't be in a hurry , Dakota . It's not an easy feat as you may think , " he said , taking out a book from his shelf . " We'll need some items .. " " What items ? " He flipped through a book . " A cloak or shawl , along with specific herbs , crystals , a mirror and candles , " Mr. Isaac said , his tone firm as his finger traced a line in the ancient book . " Your blood , most importantly . " The room suddenly felt heavier , like the very air was holding its breath . " My blood ? " I echoed , my voice laced with disbelief . " Why my blood ? " Mr. Isaac shut the book with a soft thud and looked at me with a serious expression . " Because your blood is the essence of your power , Dakota . You're not just a wolf . You carry Silver Wolf blood , the rarest and most hunted of all bloodlines . That blood is what attracts the Hybrids to you . It's also the only thing strong enough to fuel the cloaking spell ." A shiver ran down my spine . " And this ... witch , who is supposed to do this spell , where will we find her ? " " That's not something for you to worry about right now ." His voice was calm , but there was a warning beneath his words . " I will arrange for her to come to us when the time is right . But you must prepare . A cloaking spell binds your aura and scent , but it also takes a toll on your body . You'll feel drained , weak even , for days afterward . Are you ready for that ? " I stared at him , my thoughts a tangled mess . I didn't like the sound of being weak and defenseless again , but I hated the idea of being hunted by Hybrids even more . " If it means keeping them away from me , then yes . I'll do it . " Mr. Isaac nodded approvingly , but his sharp gaze pinned me in place . " Good . But listen to me carefully , Dakota . This must remain a secret . Do you understand ? Not a word to anyone . Not even to your stepbrothers . " I hesitated . " Why not my stepbrothers ? They're my family . " His jaw tightened . " Because the fewer people who know , the better . If word gets out , the Hybrids could use them against you . Secrets are protection . Promise me you'll keep this between us ." I swallowed hard , his words settling in my gut like lead . " I promise ." " Good ." He slipped his glasses back on , picking up the book he'd been reading earlier . " Go home , Dakota . Rest . And keep reading your grandmother's journal . There's more in those pages than you realize . " I rose slowly from my seat , my mind spinning with questions I didn't dare ask . " Alright . I'll ... I'll see you later , Mr. Isaac . " As I turned to leave , he called out softly , " And Dakota ... " I paused , looking back at him . 16:09 Fri , Sep 19 d Chapter 22 " Trust no one . Not even the ones you think can . " you ( 60 al vouchery The cool evening air brushed against my skin as I walked home , my thoughts chasing one another like restless wolves . Mr. Isaac's warning echoed in my head , making me uneasy . Logan , Jasper and Conan . In as much as they have been protecting me , lately , I couldn't trust them . Mr. Isaac had already made it clear to me that they might have ulterior motives for being nice to me all of a sudden . When I stepped into the house , the familiar scent of roasted chicken filled the air . Jasper was sprawled on the couch , flipping through channels on the TV , while Conan was in the dining , setting plates . " Hey , " Logan greeted , glancing up . " Where've you been all day ? We didn't see you around . " " School stuff , " I lied smoothly , dropping my bag on the couch . " Just catching up on some notes ." Jasper looked up from the TV , narrowing his eyes . " School stuff ? We all didn't go to school yesterday and we literally missed nothing . Was it your savior of a teacher or that mysterious blood sucker that made you miss coming back home with us ? " Then , I remembered that I hadn't seen River , today . Did he come to school ? Was he avoiding me ? " I didn't see that weird dude in school , today , " Conan yelled from the dining . " I bet he's regretting his existence . This is a werewolf territory and we don't need freaks like him . " " Oh , that's right . I didn't see him , either . He's gone into hiding because he's scared of the fact that we know what he is ," Jasper laughed . " Have you heard from River , dear stubborn little sister of ours ? " I forced a shrug , praying they would stop pressing . " No. I was just tired . Needed a break . That's why I asked you guys to go without me . After all , it's not a new thing ." Jasper raised a brow , clearly unconvinced , but Logan shot him a look that told him to let it go . " Dinner's ready ," Conan said , his voice lighter . " Come eat before it gets cold ." I nodded , forcing a smile , though my appetite was nowhere to be found . As I sat down with them , I kept thinking about the Hybrids and the cloaking spell . The weight of the secret pressed on me , making me feel isolated even in the presence of them . After dinner , I retreated to my room . I sat on my bed , pulling my grandmother's diary from my bag . Its worn leather cover felt oddly warm in my hands , as if it pulsed with its own heartbeat . Flipping through the pages , I tried to focus , but my mind kept wandering back to the Hybrids ' message . " Surrender to the Hybrids ... " I shivered , imagining what they'd do to me if I don't surrender or do the cloaking spell . No , I couldn't let them get to me . Not now . I reached for my phone and dialed Alicia's number . She picked up after a few rings . " Dakota ? " Her voice was soft but strained . 16:09 Fri , Sep 19 d . Chapter 22 " Hey ." I said gently . " I just wanted to check on you . How's your mom ? " 65 vouchers " She's ... better , " Alicia replied , though her tone wavered . " The wounds are healing , but the doctors said she needs rest . They keep saying it's an animal that attacked her- " " Oh , okay , " I cut in quietly . There was a pause on the other end . " Dakota ... why are they after you ? Who are they ? What do they want from you ? " I hesitated , gripping the phone tighter . " I don't know . But I promise you , I'll figure it out . And I won't let them hurt anyone else - especially you or your mom ." Alicia sighed . " Just be careful , okay ? " " Yeah , " I murmured , glancing at my grandmother's journal . " I will . " " Alright , Dakota . See you in school , tomorrow . " " Bye , " I said and hung up . I stared at the ceiling , lost in thought . I wanted to tell Alicia everything , the Hybrids , the Silver Wolf bloodline , the cloaking spell . But Mr. Isaac's words echoed : Trust no one . Perhaps , after the cloaking spell , I would explain everything to her . " Hey , " a husky voice said from the doorway . " Can I come in ? " I turned around and saw Logan . What did he want ? I pushed my grandma's diary under my pillow and nodded . " Sure ." He walked in and closed the door . I have never seen him this peaceful . " Why are you here ? " I asked , my gaze shifting from him to the window . " I'm worried about you . We are all worried about you , Dak ." " I'm fine , " I quickly said . " No , you are not . The Hybrids won't stop coming for you ," he said , folding his hands . " Come with us , tonight . We are going to the training ground . You can train with us and I can teach you the basic ways to control your wolf . " " If you think I'm going to help you guys with your studies in exchange for- " " You don't have to help us . I've been reading , lately . Besides , I broke up with Matilda ," he said , leaning against the wall . I looked at him with disbelief . " You did what ? " " You heard me the first time , Dak , " he groaned . 16:09 Fri , Sep 19 d Chapter 22 449 65 vouchere " Why ? " I inquired 1 couldn't help but notice he was sad . " She's not good for me . She distracts me from my studies and she brings out the villain in me he snapped . I gasped . " Well , it's for the best . What about your brothers ? " " What about them ? " He asked , arching an eyebrow . " I mean , did they- " " No. " Logan chimed in . " Jasper is so much in love with Kylie . And she doesn't actually distract him from studying . As for Conan , him and Keisha have been in an open relationship for a while , now . In other words , their relationship isn't as strong as Jasper's or mine was . " I cleared my throat . " You didn't break up with Matilda because of your studies , Logan . " Why do you say so ? " He squeezed his lips , as he began approaching me . " I mean , you're the most intelligent one amongst your brothers- " " Jasper , " he said , almost close to me . " That's not what I heard . " " So , that means you have been hearing good things about me ? " He smirked . I folded . " No. I just choose to believe the good things ." He nodded . " Oh , I see . " He leaned forward . " Actually , Jasper is the most intelligent of us . And as you know , he's the best shifter in this Pack . I'm the smartest and strongest one . And Conan works the hardest and he's the most talented one . He's the most reliable , too . He's likely to succeed as Alpha ... " " You see him as a competitor , don't you ? " " Coming from someone who said she chooses to believe only the good things she hears about me , " he bit his lip . " I ... I don't mean it in a bad way- " " Oh , sure you do , love , " he smiled . " But , it's fine . Now , you know the exact truth about about us . Whoever keeps claiming I'm the most intelligent one is fully unaware about my brothers and I. " I nodded . " Now , this is the bad part about us . I am the heartless one . Jasper is the meanest one . Conan is the evilest one ." My hand slowly clutched the bedsheet .. " And to answer your question , I'll never see my brothers as competitors . I am the one who wants to be Alpha , 16:09 Fri , Sep 19 J Chapter 22 A 60 55 vouchers not them . Still doesn't change the fact that Conan is likely to become Alpha . He deserves it the most . " " Why are you here ? " " To know what you and that favorite teacher of yours are up to , " he said , staring deep into my eyes . It felt like he could see my soul . My heart pounded . " We are up to nothing , Logan . He called for me because he was worried that I didn't come to school , yesterday ." " And I believe he asked you why you missed school and you told him . Then , he came up with a suggestion or something , right ? " I swallowed , again . I couldn't tell him what Mr Isaac and I were up to . " No. " " Conan is heading to the Pack Office to inform father that there's a weirdo in our Pack . Jasper is heading to the school to inform the Principal- " " What ! How could you ? " I questioned . This was unbelievable . They were about to expose River's identity , despite giving me their words . " You gave me your word ." " All you have to do is tell me the plan you have with Mr Isaac and I promise , I'll call them and stop them , " he paused . " And you better not lie to me . " AD