The moment Draven shifted into his massive black wolf, something shifted inside me too. Instantly, control over my new wolf body slipped away, flowing straight into Hyde's paws.
Before I could even comprehend what was happening, Hyde stepped forward, completely in control. I was reduced to a stunned, half-embarrassed observer inside my own mind, watching helplessly as my wolf took over.
"Hyde, wait— What are you doing?" I panicked as I watched my wolf begin to circle Draven's wolf form, his tail wagging happily like an overeager pup.
But Hyde ignored me completely. Instead, he boldly brushed up against Sirius's thick black fur, nuzzling him affectionately, practically melting against his side with a contentment that made my human consciousness want to curl up and die of embarrassment.
I was mortified. Every ounce of self-awareness I possessed was screaming at me to pull away, to stop making a fool of myself. But my wolf clearly had other plans, and he wasn't listening to a single one of my desperate protests.
To my horror, Sirius didn't seem to mind at all. In fact, he let out a low, playful growl, eyes glowing warmly as he leaned toward Hyde and gently nipped his ear.
The contact sent an unexpected thrill down my spine, a jolt of electricity that made my whole body shiver. Before I could protest further, Sirius sprang away into the trees, his powerful form disappearing into the shadows, inviting Hyde—inviting us—to chase after him.
Hyde wasted no time. Immediately he took off, paws digging sharply into the earth, propelling us forward with a strength and speed I'd never known before.
And as he ran, exhilaration overwhelmed every rational thought in my mind. The wind rushed through our fur, cool and invigorating against our heated skin.
The scent of earth and pine filled our senses, blending with the intoxicating scent of Sirius ahead of us—musk and woodsmoke and something wild that made Hyde's heart race even faster. Something inside me finally broke free.
I felt alive—wildly, fiercely alive—for the first time in my life. My heart beat in rhythm with my wolf's, joy and freedom pulsing through every nerve in my body. It was as if chains I hadn't even known existed had suddenly fallen away, leaving me lighter, stronger, free.
This was what I'd been missing all those years. This connection, this completeness, this sense of finally being whole.
But then, through Hyde's emotions, something else began to flood into me. It wasn't just joy or freedom. It was something deeper, something warm and achingly sweet—longing.
Desire. Attraction. And all of it was directed toward Sirius, toward Draven's wolf, with an intensity that left me reeling.
Alarmed, I reached out through our shared mind. "Hyde, what is this? Why are you feeling that way about him?"
Hyde's reply was warm, full of a giddy, pure happiness that left me stunned into silence. "Because we've finally found him," he said simply, his voice certain and joyful in a way I'd never heard before. "Our mate."
My entire world tilted violently on its axis. No. No, that couldn't be. It wasn't possible. Shock rippled through me so strongly I almost stumbled mid-stride, my paws catching on a root before Hyde corrected our balance. "Hyde… no, you're wrong. You have to be wrong."
But my wolf's confidence was unwavering, solid as bedrock. "It's him, Atlas. I feel it in my bones, in my blood, in every part of me. We're home."
I couldn't breathe, even in this powerful new form. Disbelief slammed headlong into the absolute certainty radiating from my wolf's heart, the two emotions warring inside me until I felt like I might split apart.
My entire life, I'd believed Evan was my fated mate. He'd been my only friend, my protector, the one person in the whole world who made me feel safe, special, cared for when no one else would.
My heart had belonged to Evan for as long as I could remember, had been his from the very first moment he showed me kindness. Even after everything that had happened—even after he'd stayed with Dominic, even after my twin had made it clear I was nothing—I still hadn't truly let go of him.
A part of me had always held out hope, deep down, that somehow it had all been a mistake. That fate would correct itself. That Evan would realize his error and come back to me.
But now, Hyde's voice echoed clearly through my mind, shattering the delicate illusion I'd built around myself like glass breaking against stone.
Draven was my mate. Sirius, his wolf, the powerful Alpha who inspired fear and awe from everyone around him, was meant for me.
How could this be real? Draven was strength, power, dominance incarnate. He was every bit the Alpha the pack deserved—ruthless when he needed to be, confident, respected, feared.
He deserved a partner just as powerful, just as fierce as he was—someone bold, fearless, commanding. Someone like Bren, or even Russell. Someone who wasn't afraid of their own shadow, let alone their own past. Someone not like me.
Not the broken, frightened man who had barely managed to shift for the first time just moments ago, who had needed an Alpha's intervention just to survive. Not the one who'd been hiding from his truth, hiding from his wolf, hiding from everything and everyone for years.
How could I ever be enough for him? How could I ever stand beside someone like Draven and not crumble under the weight of my own inadequacy?
Even if fate had decreed it, even if the Moon Goddess herself had bound us together—I couldn't believe he would ever truly want me. Not out of duty or pity or obligation. But simply because he desired me. It seemed impossible. Laughable, even.
Yet… the more we ran together, the more I felt that undeniable pull between us. My soul stirred, drawn toward his with a force that terrified and thrilled me all at once. Something deep inside me began to bloom, stretching out toward him, reaching desperately for a bond that I'd spent my entire life believing belonged to another.
Ahead of us, Sirius paused near the edge of a moonlit clearing, turning slowly to face me with glowing amber eyes. The intensity of his gaze stole my breath away, pinning me in place with its raw power and unexpected tenderness.
Hyde slowed, coming to a stop just inches away from him. I could feel his excitement, his anticipation vibrating in our shared chest like a second heartbeat, a humming energy that made it hard to think clearly about anything except the wolf standing before us.
Sirius stepped closer, his massive head lowering gently to press against ours. It was such an intimate gesture—full of affection, reassurance, protection. A promise without words.
I could feel Draven's warmth beneath Sirius's strength, feel the gentleness hidden beneath layers of power and authority. It was like discovering a secret, something precious that few ever got to see.
And just for a second, I allowed myself to believe it could be real. Maybe—just maybe—I was meant to stand by his side. Maybe I could be enough.