Who Am I? Evelyn's POV The bell above the door rang just as I reached for the last box on the shelf. I turned and found a young woman clutching her purse against her chest. "Damn it," I muttered. "We're closed, ma'am." "I know, but please, just one pack of diapers. I realized too late that I didn't have any." She glanced nervously toward the door. "It's for my baby." I sighed. How could I turn her away when she was buying something for her child? "Fine, let's get your order. But please hurry. I'm sure neither of us wants to be on the news tomorrow morning." And neither would I. I glanced toward the windows. The streets were already dark and nearly empty. Everyone knew it was safer to be home before nightfall, especially with the strange things happening around town lately. Besides, I had my birthday to look forward to. Tomorrow, I would finally turn eighteen. A smile spread across my face. I'd officially be an adult. Maybe Dad would finally stop acting like every guy who spoke to me was a potential criminal. Not that I'd always waited for his permission. I grabbed the diapers and handed them to the woman. After paying, she hurried out. A few minutes later, I locked the mall's entrance and hid the key where my manager had instructed me to leave it. He'd have my head if he couldn't find it in the morning. I pulled my cap lower and started down the street, my headphones hanging around my neck. Lately, I'd had the unsettling feeling that someone was following me. I'd considered telling Dad, but knowing him, he'd probably forbid me from going to work altogether. The last time I'd mentioned it to Theo, he'd nearly lost his mind. Maybe I was being paranoid. Still, I preferred to hear what was happening around me, so I left my headphones off. I didn't relax until I spotted the gate to our house. "Mom!" I called as I entered, kicking off my shoes. "I brought spinach. Apparently, it's good for your bones or something." I stopped when I saw my parents sitting on the sofa. Neither of them smiled. Their expressions were so serious that I immediately wondered what I'd done wrong. "Mom? Dad? What's going on?" "Sit down, Evelyn," Mom said quietly. "Can I at least freshen up and have dinner first?" "Please," Dad said. "We need to talk to you. It won't take long." Something about his voice made me hesitate. I dropped into the dining chair. Our apartment wasn't big, with the sitting room and dining area sharing the same space, but it was comfortable. I'd always been happy here. "What is this about?" I asked. "You're scaring the shit out of me." Mom reached for Dad's hand. "You know we love you, right?" I frowned. "Of course I do. Why are you asking me that?" "Tomorrow is your eighteenth birthday," she began. "And there's something we've needed to tell you for a long time." I leaned forward, waiting. "Evelyn, you're not one of us." I burst out laughing. "Obviously! I'm eighteen, and you two are ancient." I grinned at her. "You scared me for nothing." Neither of them smiled. My laughter faded. "Wait. You're serious?" Mom nodded. "That's not what I meant, Evelyn," she said. "You're not human like us. You're a werewolf." For a moment, I simply stared at her. Then I laughed again, though this time the sound came out weak. "Okay, very funny. You can stop now." Dad didn't move. Mom's eyes were filled with a sadness I couldn't understand. My stomach twisted. "You're not joking, are you?" "No, sweetheart." I shook my head. "But you're human. Both of you are. How can I be a werewolf?" "There's a lot you don't know about our world," Mom replied. "Werewolves are real, and they're not the only supernatural beings out there. But we can't explain everything tonight." "Then explain this!" I stood abruptly, my hands beginning to tremble. "How can I be something I've never even seen? How could I have lived with you for eighteen years without knowing?" Silence filled the room. Then Dad spoke. "Because we're not your biological parents, Evelyn." The words seemed to knock the air out of me. I stared at him, waiting for him to take them back. "What?" Mom's grip tightened around Dad's hand. "Your biological mother was my sister. She died giving birth to you, and before she died, she entrusted you to me." I shook my head slowly. "No." "Evelyn-" "No!" My voice cracked. "You can't just tell me this and expect me to believe it! You've been my parents my entire life!" Tears blurred my vision. "Why didn't you tell me before? Why now?" "Because we wanted to protect you," Mom whispered. "Protect me from what? Being a werewolf?" She looked away. That small movement frightened me more than anything she'd said. "Mom?" Dad cleared his throat. "Please, let her explain." I turned to him, desperate for him to make sense of everything. "Tell me she's lying. Tell me I'm your daughter, Dad. Tell me none of this is true!" His expression softened, but he didn't deny it. "Evelyn, you are our daughter. Nothing will ever change that." "Then why does it feel like my whole life has been a lie?" My tears spilled over. I couldn't understand how the people who had raised me, loved me, and watched me grow up could have kept something this enormous from me. And now they were telling me I wasn't even human. "I can't do this," I whispered. "Evelyn, please," Mom pleaded. But I couldn't bear to look at either of them. I rushed toward the door. "Evelyn!" Dad called after me. I ignored him and ran outside. The night air struck my face, but I kept going. I didn't know where I was headed, and I didn't care. I just needed to get away from the house, from their words, and from the life I'd thought I understood. Tomorrow was my eighteenth birthday. But instead of looking forward to it, I was running from the only home I'd ever known, wondering if anything I'd believed about myself was true.

Chapter 2 Run, Evelyn. Evelyn's POV I sat on Theo's couch, staring blankly ahead. My head throbbed, and I hadn't slept a wink. Every time I closed my eyes, my parents' words echoed in my head. You're not one of us. You're a werewolf. I had stormed out of the house and somehow ended up at Theo's. I couldn't even remember when I'd stopped crying. Maybe it had all been a terrible dream. Maybe I'd wake up and find my parents laughing, telling me they'd only been joking. But deep down, I knew better. Footsteps approached from the hallway, and I lifted my head. Theo appeared, running a hand through his messy hair. He looked exhausted, but his expression changed when he saw me. “Eve? You haven't slept, have you?” I shook my head. “What happened last night? You showed up here crying and wouldn't tell me anything.” “I didn't know where else to go.” He sat beside me, studying my face. “Did your parents hurt you?” “No. They just…” I swallowed hard. “They told me they're not my real parents.” His eyebrows drew together. “What?” “My mom said her sister was my biological mother. She died giving birth to me.” Theo stared at me for a moment. “Eve, are you sure you heard her correctly?” “I was there, Theo.” “Okay, but—” “They also said I'm a werewolf.” He went silent. I looked away, blinking back tears. “Say something. You're staring at me like I'm crazy.” “I don't think you're crazy.” He rubbed his face. “I'm just trying to understand. Why would they wait until your eighteenth birthday to tell you something like this?” “I don't know!” My voice cracked, and the tears I'd been fighting spilled over. “Hey.” Theo took my hand. “We'll figure it out.” “How? I don't even know who I am anymore. Everything I believed about my life was a lie.” “Then we'll find out the truth. Whatever happens, you're not facing it alone.” I squeezed his hand, grateful that at least one person was still on my side. But I couldn't stay there. I needed answers, and my parents were the only ones who could give them to me. “I have to go home.” Theo frowned. “Now?” “Yes. They owe me an explanation.” “I'd go with you, but my boss will kill me if I miss another shift.” “It's fine. I'll be okay.” He hesitated before nodding. “Call me when you get there, alright?” “I will.” I grabbed my things and left. The morning air felt cold against my skin, but my thoughts were colder. Who were my biological parents? Why had the Cranes hidden the truth from me for eighteen years? And what did being a werewolf actually mean? I was so lost in my thoughts that I barely noticed I'd reached our street. I flung the gate open and stopped. The front door stood slightly ajar. Country music blared from inside. That was strange. Mom hated country music and had scolded me countless times for turning up the volume whenever I listened to it. “Mom?” I called. No answer. A knot formed in my stomach. I approached the door and pushed it open. The living room was a disaster. The table lay overturned, chairs were smashed, and the television Dad had bought for Mom's birthday was shattered in the corner. Then I saw the blood. A trail streaked across the floor and disappeared deeper into the house. My heart hammered as I followed it, silently begging for what I feared most not to be true. Then I saw him. “Dad?” He lay motionless on the floor. I rushed to his side and dropped to my knees. His eyes were closed, and his skin felt cold beneath my trembling fingers. “No. Dad, wake up!” I shook his shoulder, but he didn't move. “Please, Dad!” A faint voice reached my ears. “Evelyn…” I whipped around. Mom lay beside the overturned table, surrounded by blood. “Mom!” I scrambled toward her and grabbed her hand. Blood soaked her clothes, and deep, ragged gashes covered her body, as though she'd been attacked by something with enormous claws. “Mom, what happened?” She coughed, blood staining her lips. “Evelyn…” “I'm here. I'm right here.” I pressed my hand against her wound, desperately trying to stop the bleeding. “You're going to be okay, Mom. Just hold on.” Her fingers tightened weakly around mine. “You have to leave.” I shook my head. “No. I'm not leaving you.” “They'll come for you too.” My breath caught. “Who? Who did this to you? Who killed Dad?” Instead of answering, she reached into her pocket and pushed a card into my hand. “Go there. They'll protect you.” My gaze dropped to the card. BLACKTHORN PACK. I stared at the words, confused. “What is this? Mom, please, tell me what's happening!” “There isn't enough time.” She struggled to draw a breath. “You have to go before they find you.” “No!” I clutched her hand. “You're my mother. You can't leave me!” A faint smile touched her lips. “I'll always be your mother.” “Mom…” “Run, Evelyn.” Her eyes closed. I froze. “Mom?” She didn't respond. I shook her gently, then harder. “Mom, wake up! Please!” Nothing. A broken sob escaped my throat as I pulled her into my arms. I buried my face against her shoulder, refusing to accept that the woman who had raised me, loved me, and called me her daughter was gone. My father was dead. My mother was dead. And I had no idea who had taken them from me. All I had was a strange card and two words I couldn't escape. Run, Evelyn.

Chapter 3 The Council's Demand BLACKTHORN PACK Kieran stood before the full-length mirror, adjusting the cuffs of his black shirt. The council meeting had begun minutes ago, and he had no intention of arriving on time. He hated the council. A group of old men who believed their age gave them the right to question his decisions. As if he gave a damn what they thought. His black trousers were perfectly pressed, and his fitted shirt accentuated his muscular build. His dark hair was neatly styled, with a few strands falling across his forehead. He knew exactly how intimidating he looked. He had never needed anyone to remind him of the effect he had on people. A knock sounded at the door. “Come in.” Derek, his Beta, stepped inside. “The council is waiting for you.” Kieran glanced at his wristwatch before reaching for his jacket. “Then they can wait a little longer.” He left the room with Derek beside him. He already knew what the meeting was about. The elders had been pestering him about the same issue for months, and he was tired of hearing it. As they approached the council hall, their voices grew louder. The elders were already arguing. Kieran stopped outside the door and gestured for Derek to open it. “He always does this! He comes in and then—” The elder fell silent as Kieran stepped into the room. Silence followed. Kieran walked to his seat at the front of the hall and settled into the heavy wooden chair, crossing one leg over the other. His gaze swept across the elders. One by one, they lowered their eyes. He rested an arm on the chair and tapped his fingers against it. “Well?” he asked. “Mark, you were saying something before I came in. Care to share?” “No, Alpha.” The elder swallowed. “I was just conversing with my fellow elders.” “Alpha!” Matthew called from across the hall. “We have important matters to discuss.” “And what would that be, Matthew?” “You know what we've been discussing for a while now, Alpha,” another elder said. Kieran's expression hardened. He knew exactly where this conversation was heading, and he had no patience for it. “You need to find your mate, Alpha,” Matthew said, rising from his seat. “The pack has been without a Luna for too long. It should never be said that the Blackthorn Pack has no Luna.” “The position is too important to remain vacant,” another elder added. “And it isn't vacant,” Kieran replied. “We have Valeria.” “Valeria is no Luna!” Matthew shouted. Kieran's fingers stopped tapping. “Don't raise your voice at your Alpha.” “My apologies.” Matthew lowered his head briefly before continuing. “But Valeria is your mistress, not your Luna. She's there for your bed, nothing more.” “She's also taken too much power,” another elder added. “That needs to change.” “And you don't tell me what to do!” “Kieran Rodriguez!” The hall fell deathly silent. The elder who had spoken seemed to realize his mistake a moment too late. Addressing the Alpha by his name was a dangerous thing to do, especially in front of the entire council. “My apologies, Alpha. I didn't mean to offend you.” Kieran's eyes darkened. His jaw tightened as he stared at Matthew, who quickly returned to his seat. “This meeting is over.” He pushed back his chair and walked out without another word. Kieran stormed down the hallway, with Derek hurrying to catch up. “I'm never attending that damned council meeting again!” he growled, loosening the first two buttons of his shirt. “You know that's impossible, Alpha,” Derek replied. “Thanks for the reminder.” “Those elders are relentless. It's enough to piss anyone off.” “Then give them what they want.” Kieran stopped and shot him a look. “I can't, Derek. I want no mate, no Luna, and no visitors. Is that too much to ask?” Before Derek could respond, Kieran walked away. He reached his suite, slammed the door shut, and strode toward the table. He grabbed a bottle of wine, poured himself a glass, and drained it in one go. His jaw remained clenched as he poured another glass and sank into a chair. He was furious, though that was hardly unusual. The door opened without a knock. Kieran looked up as Valeria entered and closed the door behind her. She leaned against it, her gaze fixed on him. She wore a fitted black dress that fell just above her knees, revealing her long legs. Her dark hair cascaded over her shoulders, and deep red lipstick accentuated her fair skin. She approached him slowly, her heels clicking against the floor. “You look angry,” she said. Kieran took another sip of wine. “I'm sure I explicitly told Derek I wanted no visitors.” “I'm not a visitor, Kieran.” His gaze lifted to hers. “Kieran?” Valeria immediately lowered her head. “My apologies, Alpha.” “Why are you here?” He rose from his chair. “What did you discuss with the elders?” Kieran ignored her and walked toward the mirror, reaching for the buttons of his shirt. “I asked what you discussed with them.” “Know your place, Valeria!” he snapped. “It's none of your business.” “It's my business! Alpha—” “Get out!” Valeria stared at him, her expression hardening. Then she turned and stormed out, nearly colliding with Derek in the doorway. “She doesn't look pleased,” Derek remarked, watching her leave. Kieran turned toward him. “What do you want?” “Well, it's Mrs. Crane…” Kieran's expression darkened. “What's wrong with this damn woman? Is she here again?” “No. Not this time.” Something in Derek's voice made Kieran pause. “Then what is it?” Derek met his gaze. “She's dead.”