Chapter 83

Abigail

I was so ready to figure this mystery out.

We were in our usual hideout—a massive fort constructed in our room, the pillows and cushions build tall and hide—filled to the brim with toys and light up by a small portable lap. It was my favorite place to vent about absolutely everything, and today was no different. Except today, I had a third in our little trio.

“Okay, Theo, listen up!” I threw myself dramatically into one of the floral cushions, causing a cloud of plushies to fly. It was so dramatic, I felt like I could have been in an action movie, but no one even noticed because Owen just glared at me.

Theo didn’t mind the show—he was the kind of guy who didn’t mind a mess, especially with those barefeet he refused to cover. He was kind of a mystery wrapped in a riddle wrapped in a hoodie.

Theo just leaned against the wall with that signature, slightly smug look. “What’s up now? New game idea? Maybe this time you won’t end up in the river with some random white wolf telling us to go home”

I sat up straighter, ready to hit him but paused in thought. Last night was super weird.

Owen snorted. “You mean the game you made? Yeah, I remember.” He kicked his feet up on the crate next to him and gave me the look—the one that says, you're about to say something that’s gonna annoy the heck out of me. “Still, whatever was on our tail was huge. Maybe he had good reason. Maybe a bear?”

“A bear?” I retorted. “Like, I’m no expert, but it was like a giant moving through the trees. Not your average animal. I swear, it sounded like it could’ve eaten us for breakfast.”

Theo looked like he was trying to hold in a laugh, but I could see it creeping up his face anyway. “Well, I mean, it could’ve been a bear. Or some other random creature from your ‘mysterious woods’—I swear, you guys are like overgrown kids who still think there’s a monster under the bed.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” I argued, crossing my arms over my chest. “It was... bigger than that. I could feel it in my bones.”

I glance at Owen who gave me a look like I should really keep my mouth shut about what we were thinking. A wolf. One of our own was chasing us.

But why?

Theo raised an eyebrow, clearly entertained. “You’re right, it wasn’t a bear. I thought we’d established that, genius. It was clearly a wolf.”

I blinked. Huh, so he did know. “Yeah well, it was huge whatever it was. Like an Alpha…”

But there was no way it was dad…

“An Alpha, huh?” Theo's grin deepened, a little too knowingly.

I leaned forward, excited. “Yeah, only Alphas are that big. You know that, even Liam is a bit smaller.”

Theo froze mid-sip of his soda, his eyes narrowing. “Liam? That white wolf? You know him?”

Owen cocked his brow in thought, “Right…You mean the guy who’s like... an uncle to you?”

I nodded, suddenly feeling a little more unsure of myself. “Yeah. But recently... he’s been acting weird, you know? Like, off.” I shrugged, unsure how to explain it. “It’s like he’s not... himself. Ever since mommy and I moved in he’d been so distant.”

Owen smirked a laugh to my glare, “What?”

He sighed, “Well yeah he’s weird. He wanted to mate with mom, of course he hates Dad.”

I rolled my eyes, “Mom never wanted Liam like that. But he was… there.” A tight feeling squeezed my chest.

Theo pushed off the wall and walked over to where Owen and I were sitting, leaning on the back of the chair. “Liam’s your uncle, huh?” he said, his voice suddenly quieter, more thoughtful. “Yeah, that makes sense why he was so causal talking to you sheltered kids.”

“Sheltered?” Owen said, lowering his soda. “You talking about us?”

Theo cut him off with a snicker. “I don’t see any other Alpha’s pups here,” He looked between us like we were a couple of clueless puppies. “Alrigth, so what do we know? One, it was clearly a wolf, but not one of you. Not one of your pack. Considering it was chasing us.”

“Wait, what?” I blinked, not entirely understanding. “What do you mean, not one of us?”

Theo’s smirk grew. “Not one of your family’s pack, Abigail. There are some bloodlines stronger than others. Some are... legendary.”

Owen and I shot eachother a wary glance. The moutain visit. Our blood.

Owen’s face darkened, and I could feel his skepticism radiating through the room as he addressed Theo liek he was trying to keep cool. “Okay, and let me guess. You’re about to tell us that this ‘stronger bloodline’ is a bunch of nonsense you heard in one of your bedtime stories?”

Theo chuckled under his breath. “Nah, kid. I’m saying that there are bloodlines that can do things other wolves can’t. Like, transforming earlier than most people. Before the usual werewolf puberty, y’know—around fifteen to eighteen.” He raised an eyebrow, looking smug. “You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you? Half-lings.”

I turned to Owen, grinning. “Wait! Oh my god. He’s the one who’s been holding out on us! Maybe he can help like the Doctor in the mountains!”

Owen grimaced. “Shut up, Abs.”

I wasn’t about to let that go. “Come on, Owen. We’ve got special wolf blood! If he has secret to transforming early maybe we can help mom and dad more! Protect our selves so they aren’t so stressed!”

Owen cased me a low look, “Abs, ever heard of zipping it?”

Theo chuckled, swirling his soda in his glass. “I mean, I already knew you two were special. But this might be related. Maybe if we can unlock your potential, we can make you two Alpha’s of the Alphas! Man you’re lucky!”

My eyes lit up, “Wow! Really! That strong!?”

Owen rolled his eyes, “No. We have no evidence these are even related. Or what forcing a transformation would do.”

I ignored him, “Is it some kind of... werewolf magic potion, Theo?”

Theo laughed and waved his hand dismissively. “Oh, you two wouldn’t get it. You’re too immature, right Owen? It’s not some magic thing; it’s bloodline-based. Some of us are just born with it.” He looked at me with a knowing smirk. “Although, I did it. Sooo, I could show you how to transform early, if you’re not too baby about it.”

My eyes nearly popped out of my head. “Wait, wait, wait. Are you serious? You could show me? Right now?”

Theo leaned back, clearly amused by my enthusiasm. “I mean, I could. If you’re ready to stop being a... child.”

“Oh, I’m ready,” I said, jumping to my feet. “I’m not a baby! I’m... mature! I can handle it. Right, Owen?”

Owen, whose face was now somewhere between exasperated and resigned, sighed and rubbed his temples. “Abigail, no. Just... no. You don’t know what you’re asking for. How did we even get on this topic?”

But I wasn’t listening. Theo was grinning wide like this was about to be the adventure of the century. “I’m in,” I said. “What’s the first step? Do I need a werewolf training montage or something?”

Theo raised an eyebrow. “The first step? No, you just need to stop being so excited about something you’re clearly not ready for.”

I stuck my tongue out at him. “No, I am ready. Tell me what to do.”

Theo, clearly enjoying torturing me, crossed his arms. “Fine. First thing’s first—stop whining and focus. You want to learn early transformation, you’ve gotta learn to control your emotions, all of them. Anger, fear, joy, all of it. Especially the ones that make you feel out of control.”

“You mean like... when I’m overly excited and act like a maniac?” I asked with a sheepish grin.

“Ooooh, that’s a big part of it,” Theo said with a wink. “So, let’s see if you can even manage that.”

I shot a playful glare at Owen. “Watch and learn. You too, bro. We’ll see who’s the baby now.”

Owen just rolled his eyes. “This is gonna end badly. I’m calling it now.”

But as Theo and I locked eyes, the glint of challenge there in both of our gazes, I knew one thing for sure.

This was going to be epic.