CHAPTER ONE
Aggie
Present Day…
I take a deep breath, inhaling the warm Las Vegas air as I stride across campus.
The neon lights of the city glimmer in the distance as the sun starts to set, a reminder of the vibrant world I've chosen to immerse myself in.
It's a far cry from the vast open landscapes of Montana, but there's an undeniable energy here that sets my blood racing.
"Hey, Aggie!" a voice calls out, and I turn to see Sienna, one of my Delta Zeta sisters, jogging to catch up with me.
Her long dark hair bounces with each step, and she's grinning from ear to ear. "You ready for the mixer tonight?"
I can't help but smile back. "Aye, I suppose I am. Still feels a bit strange, though."
Sienna links her arm through mine as we walk. "Strange how?"
I shrug, trying to find the right words. "Just... different, I guess. Back home, parties are a bit different. Like, Harleys and fights."
She laughs, a tinkling sound that makes me feel instantly at ease. "Well, honey, I promise there won't be any Harleys at this shindig. Unless you want to sneak one in?"
I snort, picturing the chaos that would ensue if I showed up straddling a chopper. "Tempting, but I think I'll pass. Wouldn't want to give the frat boys any ideas."
As we make our way toward Greek Row, I can't help but marvel at how quickly I've adapted to this new life.
It's only been a week, but already the campus feels like a second home.
The agreement I made with Mum and Pa echoes in my mind—choosing a city with friends of the club nearby if shit went awry.
Las Vegas had seemed like the perfect compromise: close enough to a clubhouse for safety, far enough for independence.
"Earth to Aggie." Sienna waves her hand in front of my face. "You zoned out there for a second. Nervous about tonight?"
I shake my head, both to clear my thoughts and answer her question. "Nah, just thinking about how different everything is here. It's... nice, actually."
Sienna squeezes my arm. "Well, we're glad to have you, Scottish firecracker and all. Now come on, let's go get ready. I have the perfect outfit for you to borrow!"
As we enter the sorority house, a wave of excited chatter washes over us.
Girls are rushing about, swapping makeup tips and outfit advice.
It's so much different than the testosterone-fueled energy of the clubhouse, but there's a similar sense of family here that makes me feel right at home.
I follow Sienna up to our shared room, my mind drifting to the conversation I had with Mum before I left.
She'd been worried, of course—it's in her nature.
But she'd also been proud, seeing me take this step.
"You know," I say as Sienna starts rummaging through her closet, "I never thought I'd end up in a sorority. Always figured I'd be more of a lone wolf type."
She emerges with a slinky, light pink dress. "And now?"
I grin, taking the dress from her. "Now I'm thinking pack life might not be so bad after all. As long as the pack wears less leather and more glitter."
As I slip into the dress, I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror.
The girl staring back at me is both familiar and strange—still Aggie, but softer somehow.
Less guarded.
I touch the ends of my bleached blonde hair, remembering the day I decided to change it from its natural red.
A small act of rebellion, a way to distance myself from painful memories.
Then again, it’s not so much different. My roots still have the deep red shining through.
But here, in this room, with these girls, I don't feel the need to rebel or distance myself from anything.
For the first time in a long while, I feel like I can just... be.
"You look amazing," Sienna says, coming up behind me. "Those emerald eyes of yours are going to break some hearts tonight."
I laugh, but there's a lump in my throat I can't quite swallow. "Thanks, lass. For everything."
She meets my eyes in the mirror, her expression softening. "That's what sisters are for, right?"
And in this moment, I realize that's exactly what we are.
Not by blood, not by club affiliation, but by choice.
Sisters.
I guess it’s not much different than the club life, just different circumstances.
As we head out for the mixer, arm in arm with one of my sorority sisters, I feel like I really do belong.
It's different from what I've known before, but no less powerful.
This, I think, is what college is all about.
New experiences, new friendships, finding the new versions of ourselves.
I’m excited for this night to unfold, sure it’s going to be filled with laughter, dancing, and the kind of carefree joy I've rarely allowed myself to feel.
I know I've made the right choice. Las Vegas, Delta Zeta, this new life—it's exactly where I'm meant to be.
My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I fish it out, my heart skipping a beat when I see "Mum" flashing on the screen.
For a moment, I consider letting it go to voicemail since I’m heading out with Sienna, but I know better than to do that.
If I ignore it, I’ll worry her to death.
I'm still getting used to this newfound independence, and sometimes talking to Mum feels like a step backward.
But guilt wins out, and I swipe to answer. "Hey, Mum," I say, trying to keep my voice light.
"Aggie, my love!" Her voice, warm and familiar, washes over me. "How are ye, darling?"
I pause at a crosswalk, waiting for the light to change. "I'm good, Mum. Just headin’ out with a sorority sister to a mixer."
"Aye, I'm sure you’ll be makin’ lots of friends," she says, and I can hear the pride in her voice. "And how are ye settling in?"
I start across the street with Sienna, weaving between other students.
Everyone around here goes to the University it seems. "Yeah, it's... it's good. The girls in the sorority are really nice."
There's a brief silence, and I can almost see her worrying her bottom lip, the way she does when she's trying to find the right words. "That's wonderful, love. I'm so glad ye're enjoying yourself."
I swallow hard, suddenly missing her fiercely.
"How's everyone back home?" I ask, desperate to change the subject before I get emotional.
As she launches into updates about Pa and my siblings, I let her voice wash over me, calming the homesickness I hadn't realized was creeping up on me.
She tells me about Davina's latest antics and how Sorcha's been helping Pa in the garage.
"Oh!" My mum's voice brightens. "Somethin’ rather big has happened! Ye'll never guess—Bull and Alexa are adopting a little girl!"
My steps falter, and I nearly trip over my own feet. "What? That's amazing!" The words burst out of me, louder than I intended, drawing curious glances from passersby.
Lowering my voice, I continue, "What's her name?"
"They're calling her Jenika," my mum replies, her voice warm with affection. "But 'Nika' for short."
My heart swells with excitement. "Oh my God, that's adorable. What does she look like? Tell me everything!"
I can practically hear the smile in my mum's voice as she says, "She's not here yet, but I'll guarantee she'll be a wee angel, Aggie."
I find myself grinning as I picture the little girl. "She sounds perfect. Mum, you have to send me a picture when you see her again. I need to see this cuteness for myself."
"Of course, love. I promise I'll send one as soon as I can. They think the birth mother will have her in the next two weeks or so," she assures me.
As I continue my walk with Sienna, my mum's tone shifts slightly. "Speaking of family, Aggie... have ye been keeping in touch with yer sisters? And maybe ye could give yer brother a call once a week or so?"
I feel a twinge of guilt. "I... I've been meaning to. It's just been so busy with classes and?—"
"I know, darling," she interrupts gently. "But Conrad... he's having a hard time with ye being gone. I think hearing from ye would mean the world to him."
My throat tightens unexpectedly.
I swallow hard, trying to push down the sadness from missing my family. "Yeah, of course. I'll call him tomorrow, I promise."
As I say the words, I realize how much I miss them all—Mum, Pa, my sisters, and even my annoying little brother, Conrad.
The familiar chaos of our home, the constant buzz of the club.
Even the smell of leather and motor oil that seemed to seep its way into everything I owned.
I'd never admit it out loud, but God, I miss it all so much it aches.
My mum's voice pulls me from my thoughts. "Good. And Aggie... be careful, yeah? The club... we're still dealing with a lot of heavy shit. Sally Bernard and those other MCs, they're still trying to hurt us. Remember, love, if ye run into any trouble?—"
"I know, Mum," I interject, my voice softening. "The Vegas charter is right here if I need them. I promise I'll reach out if anything happens."
She lets out a small sigh of relief. "Good. I just want ye to be safe, darling."
I feel a rush of warmth for her concern. "I know, and I'm grateful. Really. It's... it's nice to know I have that protection if I need it."
There's a pause on the other end of the line, and I can almost see her worried frown. "Ye're bein' careful, right? Not gettin' into any trouble?"
I roll my eyes, even though she can't see me. "Mum, I'm fine. I'm not some wee bairn anymore."
"I know, I know," she sighs. "It's just... with everything that's happened in our lives..."
Her voice trails off, and I feel a familiar tightness in my chest.
Memories of screams, of shattering glass, of my mother's bruised face flash through my mind.
All because of the sick son of a bitch I used to call my father.
I shake my head, pushing them away.
"I can take care of myself," I say, my voice harder than I intended.
"Aye, that ye can," she agrees, a note of pride creeping into her tone. "Ye're a tough lass, just like yer old mum."
I soften at that, a small chuckle escaping me. "Learned from the best, didn't I?"
"If there's even a hint of trouble," I continue, "I'll go straight to the Vegas charter. I swear it."
I can almost hear the relief in my mum's sigh. "That's my girl. I know ye can handle yerself, but it does my heart good to hear ye say that."
A lump forms in my throat.
Despite the distance, despite my fierce desire for independence, her concern wraps around me like a warm blanket. "I love you, Mum," I say, my Scottish lilt more pronounced as emotion threatens to overtake me.
"I love ye too, mo chridhe ," she replies, using the endearment that always makes me feel like a wee lass again. "Stay safe, and don't forget to call yer brother."
"I won't," I promise. "Bye, Mum."
As I end the call, I stand still for a moment, letting my new campus life wash over me.
I'm caught between two worlds—the fierce, protective embrace of my family and the MC, and the bright, promising future of college life.
The weight of my past, the scars from witnessing my mother's abuse, the strength I've built—it all feels both distant and achingly close.
I take a deep breath, squaring my shoulders.
Sienna smiles at me as we continue to walk to the mixer. "That your mom?"
I nod, trying to keep the emotion out of my voice. "Me mum, yep. I hadn’t talked to her in a minute, so she called to check in on me."
Sienna’s eyes get a bit darker, almost like she’s saddened. "You’re lucky to have a mom who cares so much about you, Aggie. Really lucky. But let’s get to this party and have a good time, shall we?"