The force of her jump slammed her into my chest like a cannonball. She hit hard-so hard I let out a grunt from the impact. "You okay?" she asked, looking up at me, breathless, worried. I shook my head lightly-not as a no, but more of a 'don't worry about me'. I slowly eased off the gas. The engine calmed, and the speed dropped to something normal again. The car, bone dry on fuel, suddenly stalled-then flipped through the air like a ragdoll. It spiraled off the track and slammed into the mountain face, crumpling into a mess of scrap metal. I drove Raelyn back to base slowly, keeping things steady. Adrian came running the moment we rolled in. "What the heck happened? I heard something blow up from the southwest-was that a car?" I helped Raelyn out of the car and shrugged. "Not sure. It just ran out of gas out of nowhere." Then I told him to get someone to take care of what was left of the wreck. Raelyn stared out at the distant mountain curves. "I don't think this was an accident." I nodded. I was thinking the same thing. This course was handled by professionals. It got checked daily-no way a random fuel leak slipped through the cracks. So the real question was, who did it? I brought Raelyn to the security room to check the footage. But when we pulled it up, all the video from the previous day was gone. "Someone wiped this on purpose," Raelyn muttered, frowning at the screen. To keep things from escalating, I suggested we regroup at the Eclipse Pack villa and figure out the next steps from there. "Alright. I'm gonna hit the bathroom first," Raelyn said with a nod, then headed off down the hall. Raelyn's POV: Inside the restroom, I pulled out my phone and dialed Jackson. "Check the surveillance near Death Canyon-especially the entrance. I want a list of everyone who's been around there the past two days. Anyone sketchy, anyone sneaking around-I want their faces." Once I gave him the rundown, I met back up with Aiden and we left. When we got back to the Eclipse Pack villa, I noticed balloons going up. A quick ask around confirmed it- tomorrow was Adrian's eighteenth birthday. 2/4 16:55 Tue, Aug D X - But after combing through the racks, nothing felt right. So I asked the clerk straight up for the rarest, most high-end racing suit they had in stock. The clerk checked with the manager and returned a moment later, holding the most expensive racing suit in the store. But before I could even touch it, a hand reached in and snatched it right out of her grip. "I'll take this one. Bag it for me," a sharp voice cut in. Of course-it was Taylor. The clerk looked flustered. "Ms. Taylor, this customer was looking at it first..." Taylor didn't even bother looking my way. "I said I want it. What part of that don't you understand?" "But-" "But what?" Taylor snapped. "This whole mall belongs to the Midnight Pack. If you like having a job, I suggest you shut up and do what you're told." The clerk froze, clearly intimidated, glancing at me like he didn't know what to do. I looked at Taylor, more tired than angry. "I was here first. Ms. Taylor, don't tell me you're really that desperate to take something out of someone else's hands." She curled her lip into a cold smirk. "So what if you were here first, Raelyn? If I want it, I get it. End of story." I didn't have the energy to spar with her any longer. I let go of the suit and asked calmly, "Ms. Taylor, are you really that set on this one?" Taylor stared at me smugly. "What's the issue? My family owns this mall. I'll take whatever I want." "If it means that much to you, I'll graciously let Ms. Taylor have it," I said with a light smile. She can keep the racing suit-but I'm going to shatter that ego of hers real soon. I pulled out my phone and called Louis, my Beta. "Hey. Remember that one-of-a-kind, limited-edition race car I was eyeing? The only one on the entire werewolf continent? Buy it. I'm giving it as a gift." Title: ReelTalk EP 43 - Recreating Iconic ReelShort Looks with Sarah Moliski, Sarah Noelle, and Maria Barseghian Author: CrushReel Genre: Romance Status: ongoing In the latest episode of ReelTalk, fashion takes center stage as host Sarah Moliski joins forces with stars Sarah Noelle and Maria Barseghian to tackle a captivating style challenge. Inspired by beloved ReelShort scenarios, the trio recreates iconic looks in a unique and exciting way that captivates both style enthusiasts and romantics alike. Exploring themes of creativity, teamwork, and individual expression, this episode delves into the artistry behind fashion while showcasing the chemistry between the hosts and guests. Viewers are treated to a delightful blend of romance and sartorial flair, making this installment a must-watch for fans of both genres. What sets this episode apart is its seamless fusion of storytelling through fashion, offering viewers a fresh perspective on how style can enhance narrative elements. Dive into a world where clothing becomes a character in itself, enriching each scene with depth and visual intrigue. Available to read at CrushReel for those eager to witness this innovative take on romance and fashion intertwining harmoniously.