Sam POV

The training session drags on, but my mind's not on the sparring anymore. Every time I glance at Sierra, she's laser-focused on the fighters, analyzing their moves like she's memorizing a playbook.

 Skylar's next to her, quieter but just as intense. Those two are a puzzle-Sierra's all fire and confidence, while Skylar's like a hidden blade, sharp but out of sight until she strikes. I need to figure out how to get Sierra to that bonfire tonight, and I'm running out of time. Dad's voice booms across the field, calling an end to the session. "Good work today. Hit the showers, and don't forget-bonfire tonight at the clearing. Pack tradition. Be there." He gives me a pointed look, like he knows I'm up to something. Damn, does he have a sixth sense for my schemes?

 The crowd starts to disperse, and I see my chance. Sierra and Skylar are grabbing their water bottles, talking low. I nudge Dakota. "Cover for me with the leeches. If those girls swarm me, I'm screwed." He snorts. "You owe me, man." He saunters off, already charming a group of giggling girls who usually trail us after training. "Mateo, you in?" I ask, keeping my voice low. "Just talk up the bonfire to Skylar. Sierra's her new buddy, right? If Skylar goes, Sierra might too." Mateo crosses his arms, his beta instincts making him wary. "I'm not pimping out my sister for your dumb bet, Sam. She'll go if she wants to. Don't push it." "Fine, fine," I say, holding up my hands. "Just thought you'd want her to have some fun. She's been killing it today-maybe she'd like to chill with the pack." He softens a bit, but his eyes narrow. "I'll mention it. But if you mess with her, I'll break your face, future alpha or not." "Noted," I say, flashing a grin. Mateo's protective, but he's not wrong to be. Skylar's got that quiet strength, and I'm starting to think she's not as fragile as she seems. I jog toward the edge of the training grounds, keeping Sierra in my peripheral. 

I can't approach her directly-stupid bet rules-but I can make myself *noticeable*. I strip off my shirt, tossing it over my shoulder, and start stretching near the water station. Yeah, it's a little cocky, but I've got to work with what I've got. Oliver snickers from a few feet away. "Real subtle, Sam." "Bite me," I mutter, but I catch Sierra's glance my way. Just a flicker, but it's something. She says something to Skylar, who smirks, and they both head toward the locker rooms. Okay, step one: she knows I exist. Now I need her at that bonfire.

 -At the Bonfire Clearing, Later That Evening The clearing's alive with music, laughter, and the crackle of the fire. The pack's out in full force-kids roasting marshmallows, warriors swapping stories, and the usual cliques forming. I'm leaning against a log, nursing a soda, keeping an eye on the path from the pack house. Dakota, Oliver, and Cameron are sprawled nearby, tossing a football and pretending they're not watching me sweat this bet. "She's not coming," Cameron says, smirking. "You're gonna lose, and I'm gonna enjoy every second of it." "She'll show," I say, but my confidence is slipping. It's been an hour, and no sign of Sierra or Skylar. I worked my ass off all afternoon, casually dropping bonfire hints to anyone who might know Sierra's uncle and aunt. I even got my mom to mention it to them, playing it off like a "welcome to the pack" thing. If this doesn't work, I'm out of moves. "Five bucks says she's not even into guys," Oliver chimes in, tossing the football to Dakota. "You're chasing a lost cause." I'm about to fire back when I spot movement on the path. My heart does a stupid flip.

 It's Skylar, hood up, hands in her pockets, looking like she'd rather be anywhere else. And right behind her-Sierra. She's in jeans and a fitted jacket, her hair loose, catching the firelight. Damn, she looks good. "Game on," I mutter, straightening up. The guys follow my gaze, and Dakota lets out a low whistle. "Good luck, lover boy," he says. "Don't choke." I ignore him, my brain racing. The bet's rules are clear: I can't talk to her first, and I've got to keep the leeches away. A couple of girls from the cheer squad are already eyeing me, inching closer. I shoot Dakota a look, and he nods, intercepting them with some BS about helping with the firewood. Sierra and Skylar grab drinks from the cooler, sticking to the edge of the crowd.

 Skylar's scanning the clearing, probably looking for Mateo. Sierra's more relaxed, but her eyes are sharp, taking in everything. I need her to notice me without me making the first move. I grab a stick and start poking at the fire, positioning myself so I'm in her line of sight. Casual, but not too obvious. "Sam, you look like you're trying to solve world hunger," Mateo says, appearing next to me. He's got a plate of food, probably for Skylar. "Relax. You're gonna scare her off." "I'm chill," I lie, but my pulse is hammering. Skylar's heading toward Mateo now, and Sierra's following. This is it. I toss the stick into the fire and lean back, forcing myself to look calm. "Hey, Mateo," Skylar says softly, taking the plate. Her eyes flick to me, then away. "Thanks." "No problem," Mateo says, then nods at Sierra. "You guys having fun?" Sierra shrugs, her lips curving into a small smile. "It's alright. Bigger crowd than I expected." Her voice is smooth, confident, and it hits me like a punch. She's standing five feet away, and I'm dying to say something, but the bet's tying my hands. "You get used to it," I say, then freeze. Shit. Did I just break the rules? The guys are staring, and Oliver's grinning like he's already won. Sierra's eyes lock onto mine, and for a second, I swear the whole clearing fades away. "Yeah?" she says, raising an eyebrow. "You a regular at these things?" Relief floods me-she talked first. I'm still in the game. "Pretty much," I say, keeping my tone easy. "Pack's big on traditions. You sticking around for the stories later? They get wild." She smirks, like she's sizing me up. "Maybe. Depends if they're worth hearing." "Oh, they are," I say, leaning forward just enough to hold her gaze. "Stick around, and I'll make sure you hear the best ones." Skylar's watching us, her expression unreadable, and Mateo's giving me a look that says *don't screw this up*. The guys are pretending to mess with the fire, but I know they're eavesdropping.

 Sierra takes a sip of her drink, still studying me. "We'll see," she says, then turns to Skylar. "Wanna check out the food?" Skylar nods, and they head toward the tables, leaving me with my heart pounding and a grin I can't hide. Step two: she talked to me first. Now I just need to keep her interested without the guys sabotaging me-or the leeches ruining everything.