"Because you're not just human."
The words echoed in my head, over and over again.
Not human.
My chest tightened as I took a slow step back, my eyes shifting between my mom and Leona.
"That's not funny," I said, forcing out a weak laugh. "This isn't the time for jokes."
Neither of them smiled.
Neither of them spoke.
That was when I knew.
This wasn't a joke.
"Then explain it," I said, my voice rising slightly. "Explain what's going on! What are those things?
Why are they here? And why are you both acting like you already knew this would happen?!"
My breathing grew heavier with each word.
I could feel it again…
That strange feeling inside me.
Like something was waking up.
My mom stepped closer, her expression softer now, but her eyes filled with something I had never seen before.
Fear.
And guilt.
"I wanted to tell you," she said quietly.
"But I needed more time."
"Time for what?" I snapped.
Before she could answer, a low, distant howl echoed from the forest.
My body reacted instantly.
A sharp pain shot through my chest, forcing me to grab onto the edge of the table.
"Ah !"
My vision blurred for a moment.
The sound of the howl…
It didn't just scare me.
It called to me.
"It's starting," Leona said under her breath.
"What's starting?" I asked, my voice shaking.
She stepped closer to me, her gaze intense now.
"Your awakening."
My heart skipped.
"No… no, I don't understand"
"You're one of them," she said firmly.
"No, I'm not!" I shouted immediately.
The words came out fast, desperate.
But deep down…
Something inside me hesitated.
My mom closed her eyes briefly before speaking again.
"Your father…"
I froze.
She had never talked about him.
Not once.
"What about him?" I asked slowly.
She hesitated.
Then finally
"He wasn't human."
Silence filled the room.
My mind went completely blank.
"No…" I whispered.
But she nodded.
"He was one of them," she continued. "A werewolf."
My heart stopped.
Everything around me felt distant.
Unreal.
"That's impossible," I said, shaking my head. "Werewolves aren't real."
Leona stepped in this time.
"You saw one tonight."
I had no answer for that.
My hands clenched into fists as my thoughts spiraled.
"Then why are they here?" I asked again, more quietly this time.
"Because of your blood," Leona replied.
"You're not just any werewolf."
My chest tightened.
"What does that mean?"
She exchanged a glance with my mom before answering.
"Your father wasn't just part of a pack," she said slowly.
"He led one."
My breath caught.
"An Alpha."
The word felt heavy.
Important.
Dangerous.
"And that makes you…" I started, my voice barely steady.
"A successor," my mom finished.
Outside, another howl echoed.
Louder this time.
Closer.
My heart started racing again.
"They're not here to kill you," Leona said.
I looked at her immediately.
"Then what do they want?"
She didn't hesitate this time.
"They've come to take you."
The words sent a chill through my entire body.
"Take me…?"
My mom stepped in front of me again, her grip tightening around the locket.
"I won't let that happen," she said firmly.
Leona's expression darkened slightly.
"You might not have a choice," she said quietly.
The tension in the room grew heavier.
Suddenly
Another sharp pain shot through my body.
I dropped to one knee, gasping.
"It hurts…"
My fingers dug into the floor as my breathing became uneven.
My senses felt… sharper.
Louder.
Stronger.
I could hear the wind outside.
The rustling of leaves.
The slow, steady breathing of the creatures in the forest.
And their hearts.
My eyes widened.
"What's happening to me?" I whispered.
Leona knelt beside me, her voice softer now.
"You're changing."
I shook my head weakly.
"No… I don't want this…"
Her hand hovered near mine for a moment before she spoke again.
"It's not about what you want anymore."
Outside, the pack began to move.
Slowly.
Closing in.
My heart pounded as I looked toward the window again.
The glowing eyes were closer now.
Watching.
Waiting.
For me.
And deep inside…
Something answered them.