Chapter 0151

Thirteen Years Ago

Today's the day! My tenth birthday, and the moment I've been dreaming about since I could remember. The day my wolf spirit awakens.

I'm practically vibrating with excitement at the breakfast table. Mom made my favorite - cinnamon french toast with maple syrup. The sweet scent mixes with my anticipation.

"Seraphina, sweetheart, breathe," Mom says with an amused smile. Her dark brown eyes crinkle at the corners. "Valeria will come when she's ready. Every wolf wakes at their own time."

"But what if she doesn't like me?" I blurt out, syrup dripping from my fork.

Dad's booming laugh fills the kitchen as he enters. At 6'5", he towers over everyone. His calloused hand ruffles my hair. "Who wouldn't adore my little firecracker?"

I stick my tongue out at him. At barely five feet, I hate when he calls me short. Mom's 5'10", so I'm holding out hope for a growth spurt.

Dad steals a piece of toast from my plate. "So what's the birthday agenda?"

Mom swats his hand away. "We're getting camping gear this morning. Next weekend, we'll test Seraphina's new wolf senses in the woods." She winks at me. "Then pizza dinner, presents at six, and shifting at seven."

The mention of shifting makes my stomach flutter. What if I'm one of those rare cases who never gets a wolf?

After Dad leaves for training, Mom and I hit the outdoor store. Colorado winters are brutal, even for werewolves. We load up on thermal sleeping bags and insulated tents.

By afternoon, we're baking cookies when panic sets in. Still no wolf. What if the Moon Goddess rejects me? What if-

'What if you stop overthinking?'

I freeze. That voice...it wasn't Mom's.

Mom's eyes gleam amber as her wolf Aurora surfaces. "Well? What's her name?"

The presence in my mind feels like sunlight warming my skin. 'Relax, little one. Let me forward.'

When I do, my voice changes. "I am Valeria."

Mom's face pales. She stumbles back like she's seen a ghost. "N-nice to meet you, Valeria." Her smile doesn't reach her eyes. "Excuse me, I need...air."

She flees to the living room, leaving me with a dozen questions and my new best friend.

'Why did Mom react like that?' I ask Valeria.

Her presence pulses with warmth. 'I don't know, Seraphina. But we'll figure it out together.'

The cookie timer beeps, but all I can think about is Mom's strange reaction and the secrets it might reveal.