POV Cassidy
Pain detonates through my skull like shrapnel. Every nerve ending screams as consciousness slams back into my body with the force of a freight train.
"Easy," Stella's voice cuts through the agony. "Don't try to move yet."
My eyes crack open to reveal the Muray living room spinning like a carnival ride. I'm sprawled across their couch, body aching like I've been hit by a truck. Theo paces by the window like a caged wolf. Elias stands at attention near the fireplace. Xander lurks in the corner shadows, silent as death.
"What happened?" I croak.
"You collapsed in your kitchen," Theo says, gripping my hand like a lifeline. "Both Xander and I carried you here."
"The shock overwhelmed your system," Stella explains, her hands glowing with unnatural warmth as she works some kind of healing on my temples. "Your body couldn't handle the revelations."
"What revelations?"
Elias steps forward, commanding the room's attention with military precision. "The truth about what you are."
"I'm human—"
"No." His voice cuts like a blade. "You're werewolf."
The words hit like a physical blow. I struggle to sit up, the room tilting dangerously.
"That's impossible."
"Your bloodline traces back generations in our pack," Elias continues remorselessly. "Your father was a wolf. He was one of our strongest."
"Then why don't I remember—"
"Because your mother erased it." Stella's voice breaks. "When you were born, your parents wanted to run away with you because they didn't like the harsh pack traditions that prevailed at the time, they wanted you to have a different life."
"Pack law forbids removing children before adulthood," Elias adds with grim authority. "The penalty is death."
My blood turns to ice. "So what happened?"
"Your mother sacrificed everything," Stella whispers. "Her sacrifice tame the wolves in you and your father. So he could take you away. You could never be found. The price for this was death."
"She died for us to be free and together."
"But the binding is breaking," Elias states flatly. "It has been since you returned to Moon Hollow. Your wolf is clawing its way to the surface."
Fire blazes along my collarbone. The marks beneath my skin pulse with supernatural heat.
"Why now?"
Theo steps forward, chest swelling with fierce pride. "Because you found your mate."
The room goes dead silent. Every glance sharpens.
"Cassidy is my mate." Theo's voice booms through space. "The moment I saw her, I knew."
My heart hammers against my ribs. "Is that real?"
"Mate bonds trigger dormant abilities," Stella confirms carefully. "Especially in bound wolves."
"So my connection to Theo is—"
"Deeper than human love. Permanent. Unbreakable." He finishes triumphantly.
In the shadows, I see Xander's hands clench into fists. His jaw ticks with controlled rage, but he says absolutely nothing. It seems he understands more than me.
"That's why you're changing," Theo continues, reaching for me. "Your wolf recognizes its mate. It's fighting to be free."
"And if I don't want this?" The question tears from my throat.
"Then that's okay too," Theo says quietly. "I care about you more than I care about what this all means."
Elias straightens, authority crackling around him like armor. "It also brings us to pack business."
"Dad—" Theo starts.
"She's going to be family. She should know everything." Elias's gaze encompasses both his sons. "Now that Xander has returned, succession laws apply."
"What laws?" I demand.
"Alpha inheritance," Elias explains through gritted teeth. "Both sons have sixty days to prove leadership. Protect territory. Gain loyalty. Show wisdom."
"And then?"
"Pack council chooses the next Alpha."
"What about the loser?"
"Serves as Beta," Elias says. "Or faces permanent exile."
"I'm going to be Alpha," Theo declares with absolute conviction. "And you will be my Luna, if you want of course"
Xander finally moves, stepping from the shadows like a predator emerging from darkness. "Confident words, little brother."
"You have something to say?" Theo snarls, spinning to face him.
"Sixty days is a long time," Xander replies with deadly calm. "Anything could happen."
"Like what?"
"Like the pack discovering who their true Alpha should be."
"You lost that right when you abandoned us!"
"Did I? Or did I just find better reasons to return?"
His eyes flick to me for one burning second before returning to Theo. The look sends electricity racing through my veins.
"Enough!" Elias roars. "Both of you stand down!"
The brothers separate but keep staring like they're planning murder.
My head spins with information overload. Werewolves. Mates. My mother's sacrifice.
"Theo," I whisper. "Take me home. Please."
"Of course." He's beside me instantly, helping me stand on shaking legs. "Whatever you need."
"I need space to think."
"I know." His arm slides around my waist, solid and protective. "Take all the time you need."
As we head for the door, I glance back. Xander watches from the shadows, those unreadable eyes promising secrets he'll never speak aloud.
The screen door closes behind us with a soft click, and Theo helps me into the passenger seat without a word.
The truck ride passes in charged silence. Theo grips the steering wheel like it might escape, stealing glances like I'm made of glass.
"Are you okay?" he asks softly when we reach my cottage.
"No. I don't think I'll ever be okay again."
"That's understandable," he says, squeezing my hand. "You've been through hell today. Anyone would be shaken."
"Will I get through it? Because everything feels like it's falling apart, including us."
"Us isn't falling apart," he says firmly but gently. "Whatever's happening with my family, with all this supernatural stuff—that's not what defines us."
"Isn't it? It feels like I don't even know who I am anymore."
"You're still you, Cassidy. You're still the woman who makes me laugh, who challenges me to be better. Nothing changes that."
The sincerity in his voice cuts deep. Part of me wants to surrender to his certainty, let him anchor me in this chaos. But questions burn in my mind—about the intensity I feel around Xander, about secrets hovering beneath the surface.
"Do you want me to stay tonight?" he asks carefully.
I stare at my cottage—where my father's lies were exposed, where my world shattered into fragments.
"I—"
Torn between desperate need for solitude and equally desperate need for his warmth, his protection, his promise we can survive anything.