The warmth of the Evergreen Lodge embraced Jessica and Salina as they stepped inside from the crisp mountain air. The lodge buzzed with the typical afternoon lunch crowd–skiers and snowboarders seeking refuge from the cold, their colorful winter gear creating a kaleidoscope of movement around the rustic wooden tables. The scent of pine, coffee, and grilled sandwiches filled the air.

  Frankie, Dee Dee, and Ted had claimed a corner table near the massive stone fireplace, strategically positioned away from other diners. Frankie, ever the careful vampire, had chosen a spot where the sunlight filtering through the floor-to-ceiling windows couldn't reach her. She wore dark sunglasses indoors–a fashion choice that might have seemed pretentious on anyone else but somehow suited her supernatural nature.

  "Over here!" Dee Dee called out, waving enthusiastically. Her orange hair stood out against the lodge's earth-toned decor. "We already ordered for you guys. Hope that's okay!"

  Jessica and Salina made their way through the crowded dining room, carefully navigating around ski boots and equipment bags. As they approached, Ted pulled out chairs for them–ever the gentleman despite his perpetually disheveled appearance.

  "We got you turkey clubs and hot tea," Dee Dee explained as they settled in. "Frankie insisted on tea. According to her, coffee is beneath her refined vampire palate."

  "Says the vampire who can only drink blood," Ted smirked, running a hand through his sandy blonde hair. A silver chain glinted at his neck–Jessica noticed tiny surfboards linked on it.

  Frankie removed her sunglasses, revealing eyes that shifted between emerald and jade depending on how the light hit them. They only turned red when she turned aggressive and thirsty. "I can still drink other stuff as long as I add blood in it. Tea ceremonies have culture, and coffee is just... caffeine delivery."

  "Some of us need that caffeine delivery," Salina commented, gratefully accepting her cup. Steam curled up from the dark liquid, carrying the subtle scent of bergamot. "Especially after morning ski lessons."

  Jessica unwrapped her sandwich, her enhanced werewolf senses picking up every ingredient: roasted turkey, crisp bacon, fresh lettuce, and just a hint of garlic in the mayo. With two fingers, she pulled out the lettuce until her eyes caught Frankie staring at her. “Oh, sorry. Werewolf diet. Vegan stuff makes me sick.”

  Frankie shrugged with a small grin. "No problem, dude. Garlic makes me sick too. But silver, holy water, and a stake in a heart would kill me.”

  “Do crosses hurt you too?” Salina asked.

  “A misunderstood myth. They totally do nothing to me. My mom dragged me into a church once, and nothing totally burned me. Nobody had to totally invite me into their house too.”

  Salina rubbed her chin, intrigued. “So vampires back then just hated churches, they were too polite, and crosses scared the crap out of them. Interesting.”

  “Yup, and sunlight is a killer. That's why I always wore sunscreen while surfing.”

  "Speaking of surfing," Jessica said between bites, "how did you three end up together? I mean, before the whole vampire thing?"

  Dee Dee's face lit up. "Oh man, we go way back! Met in elementary school–third-grade class. Frankie was this tiny thing with perfect posture who insisted on wearing black even then."

  "I had aesthetic standards," Frankie defended herself.

  "We bonded over surfing," Ted continued. "Or well, Frankie and I did. Dee Dee mostly sat on the beach and critiqued our form."

  "Someone had to keep your egos in check," Dee Dee shot back. "Besides, I was the one who spotted Frankie's first supernatural problem."

  Jessica leaned forward, interested. "The vampire who turned you?"

  A shadow passed over Frankie's face. "Yeah, he was a vampire bat who bit me quickly before he had revealed his true form later. I thought I was okay when I returned home. Then little things happened. Sensitivity to sunlight, strange cravings, and horrible nightmares. I was both scared and hungry.”

  "Then we found her locked in her room when she never answered your call," Ted's usual calm smile faded at the memory. "All the curtains drawn, huddled in the corner. We thought she was sick, so naturally..."

  "These idiots threw open all the curtains," Frankie finished. "Nearly gave me third-degree burns. And then I... well, I wasn't exactly myself."

  "She tried to eat me," Ted said matter-of-factly. "Which, you know, rude."

  Dee Dee reached over and squeezed Frankie's hand. "Ted grabbed some blood bags from his mom's hospital. Once Frankie fed, she could think clearly enough to tell us what happened."

  "I'm sure I already told you about the vampire," Frankie explained, her voice taking on a harder edge. "A pirate who wanted to take over our town. Blah-blah-blah. Thought turning a teenage surfer would be amusing." Her smile turned predatory. "He learned otherwise."

  "We helped her track him down," Ted added. "Turns out supernatural creatures aren't prepared for teenagers with smartphones and Google Maps."

  "That's actually pretty similar to how I became a werewolf," Jessica admitted. "Minus the vampire pirate part. Just a random attack in the woods at night.”

  Salina snorted. "You never told me why you strolled through the woods alone like Little Red Riding Hood.”

  "It was a shortcut home," Jessica waved her hand dismissively. "The point is, I threw him into molten steel at the steel mill. Problem solved."

  "Damn," Ted whistled. "That's metal. Literally."

  "What about you?" Dee Dee turned to Salina. "How does one become a witch these days? Is there like, a school, or...?"

  Salina took a thoughtful sip of her tea. "Nothing that organized. I found this old book in my grandmother's attic at her jewelry shop. At first, I thought it was just some weird historical thing, but then I tried one of the simpler spells out of curiosity." She smiled at the memory. "Next thing I know, my pencils are dancing across my desk."

  "She kept it secret for ages," Jessica added. "Even from me and Kevin. Until..."

  "Until Jessica's furry little problem required some magical intervention," Salina finished. "After that, well, the cat was out of the bag. Or the wolf, in this case."

  "The cheer squad found out eventually," Jessica continued. "Hard to keep secrets when you have to save damsels from a monster.”

  "How'd they take it?" Frankie asked genuine curiosity in her voice.

  Jessica shrugged. "Better than expected. Turns out when you help win nationals, people will overlook the occasional growling incident."

  "That's the thing about secrets," Frankie mused. "Sometimes sharing them makes you stronger. Having allies who know the real you... it matters."

  "Maybe," Jessica said uncertainly. "But there's knowing and there's knowing, you know? The squad accepts it because they don't have to deal with the scary parts. My dad..." She trailed off.

  "Parents are complicated," Frankie nodded sympathetically. "Mom thinks I am addicted to sunscreen.”

  “And your dad?” Salina asked.

  Frankie sighed. “He's dead… Died on his sinking navy ship.”

  Jessica's heart wrenched. She understood what was like losing to a parent. But maybe she and Salina shouldn't reveal their tragedy too. “Oh… Sorry.”

  Silence fell over the table, broken only by the crackling of the fireplace and the distant chatter of other diners. Jessica studied Frankie, noting how the vampire seemed both perfectly still and constantly alert–like a predator at rest.

  Suddenly, Frankie's eyes lit up with an idea. "Hey, speaking of supernatural abilities... how are you at snowboarding?"

  "I've never tried it," Jessica admitted. "Why?"

  A challenging smirk spread across Frankie's face. "What do you say to a little race? Tonight, midnight. Summit to base, west face. Pure speed, no powers except what we naturally have. Let's see who's faster – werewolf or vampire."

  "Oh no," Dee Dee groaned. "Here we go again."

  "What? It's a legitimate question!" Frankie protested. "Vampires have enhanced reflexes and night vision. Werewolves have raw power and instincts. It's practically a scientific experiment."

  "Scientific experiment my ass," Ted laughed. "You just want to show off."

  Jessica felt her competitive spirit-stirring. The wolf inside her, usually carefully controlled, perked up at the challenge. "What are the rules?"

  "Simple," Frankie leaned forward. "Midnight at the summit. Regular boards, no special equipment. We stay on marked trails–I'm not trying to explain to the ski patrol why we're in the backcountry at night. No directly interfering with each other. First one to the lodge wins."

  "And the stakes?" Jessica asked.

  "Besides bragging rights? Loser gets to walk barefoot for an hour in the snow!”

  Jessica giggled. “I can handle that. My werewolf feet are made for rough cold terrain.”

  "Hold up," Salina interrupted. "What about the manager? I don't think he'll allow anyone outside late.”

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  "That's what makes it exciting!" Ted exclaimed. "

  "I'm in," Jessica decided. "There will be a holiday party tonight, which will be a great distraction. But we need to be back before anyone notices we're gone.”

  "Done," Frankie extended her hand across the table. "Tonight during the party. Don't be late."

  Jessica took her hand, noting the coolness of her skin. "I won't be. But don't blame your inevitable loss on the cold."

  "Oh, this is happening," Dee Dee pulled out her phone. "Taking bets now. Who wants in?"

  "Twenty on Jessica," Salina said immediately. "Werewolf stamina for the win."

  "Thirty says Frankie smokes her," Ted countered. "No offense, but vampire grace is unbeatable on a board."

  Jessica checked her phone and grimaced. "We need to go. Afternoon ski practice starts in twenty minutes, and Tiffany will lose her shit if we're late.”

  As they stood to leave, Frankie caught Jessica's eye. "Hey, wolf girl? Try not to psych yourself out thinking about tonight."

  "Worry about yourself, fang face," Jessica shot back, but there was no malice in it. Something about Frankie's confident challenge felt right–like they were supposed to be rivals and allies all at once.

  Outside the lodge, Salina pulled Jessica aside. "Are you sure about this? Tiffany will be super pissed if we get kicked out of the resort.”

  "I'm sure," Jessica assured her. "Besides, when was the last time we had fun with our abilities instead of just fighting monsters?"

  "Fair point," Salina conceded. "Just... be careful? And maybe we should tell Kevin?"

  "Already texting him," Jessica held up her phone. "He says we're idiots but he'll cover for us if needed."

  As they walked back to join their squad, Jessica's mind raced with preparations. She'd need to borrow a snowboard, figure out how to sneak out of the hotel, and most importantly, find the perfect balance between her human skill and werewolf power.

  Behind them, she could hear Ted already planning the after-party, Dee Dee setting up a complex betting system, and Frankie's confident laugh floating on the mountain air. Whatever happened tonight, Jessica had a feeling this was the beginning of something interesting.

  First, though, she had to survive afternoon practice without giving away how distracted she was. One supernatural challenge at a time–that was the key to surviving high school as a werewolf cheerleader.

  Looking back at the lodge one last time, she caught Frankie watching them leave. The vampire raised her hand in a casual salute, and Jessica felt that competitive spark again. Tonight couldn't come soon enough.

  In the distance, thunder rolled across the mountains, though the sky remained clear. Something was strange on Ice Rock Mountain, but for now, Jessica had more immediate concerns–like proving that werewolves were the superior supernatural snowboarders.

  Just another normal day in her increasingly abnormal life.

  *****

  The moon hung like a frozen medallion over Ice Rock Mountain, casting blue-white light across the snow-packed terrain. Jessica's breath formed delicate clouds as she adjusted her snowboard, the edge of her boot catching the moonlit slope. Her fingers, protected by thermal gloves, moved with practiced precision over the bindings, double-checking each strap. The mountain's advanced run stretched before her like a silver ribbon, dotted with the dark shapes of pine trees and rocky outcrops that created natural gates along its length. The wind whispered through the branches, carrying the sharp scent of pine and the metallic tang of approaching snow.

  Her enhanced werewolf senses picked up every detail of the nighttime landscape. The way the snow crystals sparkled like scattered diamonds in the moonlight. The subtle shifts of powder beneath her board. The distant echo of nocturnal animals moving through the trees. Even the slight temperature variations in the air that might show patches of ice.

  "You're really going through with this?" Salina's voice cut through the crisp night air, equal parts skepticism and concern. She stomped her feet against the cold, the sound muffled by the thick blanket of snow. Her breath came out in rapid puffs of white vapor. "I don't want to walk barefoot in the snow if you lose. My toes will turn into icicles." She shifted her weight from foot to foot, trying to keep warm despite her layers of winter gear.

  Jessica glanced back. Her friend stood a few yards away, bundled in a black coat that seemed to absorb the moonlight, her long black hair peeking out from beneath a beanie. The wind caught loose strands, making them dance like violet flames against the starlit sky. Salina's dark eyes reflected worry, but also a hint of excitement–after all their adventures together, she'd developed a taste for the extraordinary.

  "Chill. I just want to totally do something fun with Frankie and her friends. We might never see them again after this vacation." Jessica adjusted her stance on the board, feeling the familiar weight beneath her feet. The borrowed equipment felt different from her skis, but not entirely foreign.

  "But you still have Frankie's phone number," Salina said, arching an eyebrow. She pulled her coat tighter, breath crystallizing in the frigid air. A gust of wind made her shiver visibly. "And how in the hell do you plan to beat her when you don't know how to snowboard?"

  "Trial and error," Jessica admitted, adjusting her gloves. The full moon's energy thrummed through her veins, heightening her already-enhanced abilities. "If I lose, you can warm your feet at the fireplace with a nice cup of chocolate." She flashed a confident smile, though internally she wondered if she'd bitten off more than she could chew.

  Salina shrugged. "Works for me." She stamped her feet again, sending little puffs of snow flying. "But if you break anything, I'm not explaining it to Coach Rodriguez tomorrow."

  Frankie and her crew materialized from the darkness like wraiths emerging from shadow, their approach nearly silent on the packed snow. Dee Dee gave a sharp whistle that echoed across the mountainside, startling a nearby owl into flight. "You're here! Thought you were gonna bail, wolf princess." Her orange hair glowed like a beacon under the moonlight, visible even beneath her neon beanie.

  "As totally if," Jessica muttered, studying her competition. Frankie stood tall and confident, her red snowboard gleaming under the moonlight like fresh blood on snow. The vampire's pale skin seemed to glow with an inner light, and her green eyes held a predatory gleam that matched Jessica's competitive spirit.

  Ted, lanky and grinning, leaned on his snowboard. His blonde hair stuck out wildly from beneath his beanie, giving him the look of an electrocuted surfer. The smell of marijuana clung to him like a second skin, mixing oddly with the clean mountain air. "Race rules are simple. First one to the bottom of the advanced slope near the lodge wins. No shortcuts, no sabotage." He swayed slightly as he spoke, either from the cold or his earlier activities.

  "And what counts as sabotage?" Frankie asked innocently, though her smirk suggested anything but. She ran a pale finger along the edge of her board, testing its sharpness. "Just asking for clarity's sake, you understand."

  Ted scratched his head, looking confused. "I don't know, dude." He glanced between Jessica and Frankie, suddenly seeming to realize he might be in over his head as a referee.

  Salina sighed, her breath so cold she could see it swirling in elaborate patterns. "Nobody does anything stupid. Capeesh?" Her tone carried the weight of someone who'd seen enough supernatural showdowns to last a lifetime.

  "Where's the fun in that?" Frankie rolled her eyes, her voice dripping with mock disappointment. "What's life without a little risk?" She stretched languidly, her movements carrying that fluid grace unique to vampires. "Besides, we're both supernatural beings. A little rough play is expected."

  Jessica felt a familiar electric tension crawl across her skin—part excitement, part something else. Her werewolf reflexes hummed just beneath the surface, an internal warning system that never quite shut off. She'd learned to channel that energy, to make it work for her instead of against her. Tonight, she'd need every advantage. The moon's pull was strong, making her blood sing with primal energy.

  "This first section's got some tight trees," Ted explained, pointing down the slope. His arm traced the path through the darkness. "Then you hit the mogul field—"

  "We know the run," Frankie interrupted, tossing her dark hair impatiently. "We're not amateurs." Her board caught the moonlight as she shifted, sending a flash of red across the snow.

  "But it's freaking dark out here," said Salina, her voice tinged with genuine concern. "The shadows will play tricks on you. What looks solid might be air, what looks smooth might be ice." She wrapped her arms around herself, whether from cold or worry wasn't clear.

  Jessica studied the course, her enhanced vision picking out details the others might miss. The recent snowfall had changed the familiar terrain, creating new challenges. A fallen tree about a quarter of the way down created a natural jump, its trunk smooth and white with packed snow. Beyond that, the mogul field stretched like a frozen wave pool, leading into a series of sharp switchbacks through a rock garden. The shadows between the rocks looked treacherous, hiding who knew what dangers.

  "Ready?" Frankie challenged, her green eyes glinting with competitive fire as she took her position. She dropped into a crouch, muscles coiled like a predator about to pounce.

  "Born ready," Jessica shot back, settling into her stance. The familiar weight of the board beneath her feet was reassuring, and grounding. She could feel her wolf instincts merging with her human consciousness, sharpening her focus to a razor's edge.

  They lined up, boards angled down the steep incline. Jessica could feel Salina's worried gaze boring into her back. One wrong move, one slip of control, and her carefully constructed normal life could unravel. But the thrill of competition sang in her blood, drowning out the voice of caution. The moon seemed to pulse overhead, its light intensifying with each beat of her heart.

  "On your mark," Ted called out, his voice carrying across the silent slope. He raised his arms dramatically, swaying slightly in the bitter wind. "Get set—"

  Frankie didn't wait for "go." She launched herself down the slope with a whoop that echoed across the mountain, sending a spray of powder in her wake. Her dark hair streamed behind her like a banner as she carved her first turn, already picking up speed.

  Jessica was right behind her, muscles coiled and ready. Her enhanced reflexes kicked in immediately as they entered the first section of trees. The world blurred into streaks of white and midnight blue, broken by the dark vertical lines of pines. She weaved through them with practiced precision, while Frankie took a more aggressive line, nearly brushing the bark with her jacket. Their boards cut parallel tracks through the virgin snow, leaving twin signatures of their passage.

  The fallen tree loomed ahead, its snow-covered trunk forming a natural ramp. Frankie hit it first, launching into a backflip that had Dee Dee cheering from above. Her form was perfect, a testament to her supernatural grace. Not to be outdone, Jessica followed, using her supernatural strength to push higher. She tucked into a cork 720, spinning twice through the crisp mountain air before landing smoothly in the powder. The impact sent a shock through her legs, but her enhanced strength absorbed it easily.

  They were neck and neck as they hit the mogul field. The frozen bumps appeared like white teeth in the moonlight, threatening to bite the unwary. Jessica's board chattered across them, each impact sending shockwaves through her legs. She stayed loose, absorbing the terrain, while Frankie took a riskier line, trying to jump from peak to peak. Their breathing came in sharp bursts, visible in the cold air like steam from twin locomotives.

  "That all you got?" Frankie taunted as she edged ahead, her voice nearly lost in the wind. She threw a challenging grin over her shoulder, her green eyes glowing with supernatural intensity.

  Jessica responded by dropping into a lower stance, and picking up speed. They were approaching the rock garden now, where granite outcrops created a natural slalom course. The shadows here were deeper, more treacherous, hiding patches of ice between the stones. Moonlight played tricks, making solid rock look like shadow and shadow look like snow.

  They traded the lead with each sharp turn, their boards carving razor-sharp lines through pristine snow. Jessica could hear Frankie's excited laughter mixing with the rush of wind. For a moment, everything else fell away. No cheerleading politics. No werewolf secrets. Just speed and the mountain and the primal thrill of competition.

  A narrow gap between two boulders approached rapidly. Both riders aimed for it, neither willing to yield. Jessica's enhanced hearing picked up the sound of Frankie's board scraping stone as they squeezed through together, shoulders nearly touching. The passage was tight enough that their jackets brushed, sending small clouds of snow crystals into the air.

  "Getting tired?" Jessica called out, noticing Frankie's slightly labored breathing. Even vampires had their limits, it seemed.

  "In your dreams!" Frankie shot back, but her next turn was wider, less controlled. The vampire's supernatural grace was showing signs of strain.

  They were three-quarters down the mountain now, where the slope opened up into a wider bowl. Relief flooded through Jessica. The worst was behind them. The finish line was almost visible, marked by the distant lights of the lodge. That's when she saw it.

  A dark patch ahead. A sudden dip. Jessica's reflexes screamed a split-second warning, but momentum was a cruel mistress. What looked like smooth snow was actually a shadow-hidden depression, possibly carved out by the afternoon sun. Her enhanced vision caught the danger a fraction too late.

  Her board caught the hidden edge of something—rock, ice, who knew?—and suddenly the world was tumbling. Snow. Sky. Snow. Sky. The impact knocked the breath from her lungs, stars exploding behind her eyes that had nothing to do with the night sky above. She felt the board wrench away and heard the sharp crack of something breaking.

  And then, darkness.

  The last thing she heard was Frankie's startled cry and the scrape of a board coming to an abrupt stop somewhere above her. The moon watched impassively as silence settled over the mountain once more.