The Twin Alphas Warrior Luna (RYN)

I stood frozen, the scream still caught in my throat, my heart pounding so hard I could barely hear the rustling over the roar of my pulse. Something-or someone-was coming closer, and had nowhere to go. Nowhere to run. And then, from the shadows, a massive wolf emerged.

My stomach twisted into knots, my mind screaming for me to run, but my legs wouldn't move. The wolf was enormous, larger than the rogues but just about the same size as Oliver and Jullian, its eyes locked on mine. Its fur was dark under the moonlight-but looked brown-and thick, and for a moment, I thought this was it-that I was done for.

But then... something shifted.

The wolf's eyes weren't wild or menacing. They were focused. Familiar. Relieved, even.

"Who are you?" I whispered, not fully believing it was safe to drop my guard, but a part of me recognized those eyes.

The wolf stilled, tilting its head slightly before padding closer.

The wolf's body shimmered, bones cracking and realigning, and before I could process what I was seeing, Liam stood before me in human form, his face cautious but gentle. He was holding a small bag in his mouth, and as soon as he shifted, he grabbed a pants from it and handed it to me.

The fear that had gripped me moments ago loosened, but anger quickly took its place. Of course it was Liam. Of course it was him-another wolf, another one of them who had been keeping this truth from me.

"Freyah..." he began, but I cut him off with a glare.

I should have been relieved to see him, but instead, all I felt was a surge of anger, a raw frustration that had been boiling inside me since I left. I snatched the bag from him, my hands trembling.

"What the hell, Liam!" I shouted, not caring if any wolf was nearby who could easily attack us. "You all kept this from me! Every single one of you!" My voice cracked, the weight of my frustration crashing down on me all at once.

Liam flinched, but his eyes softened, full of regret. "I know, Freyah. I know. And I'm sorry. I was forced... Well, we had an agreement."

I scoffed. "Wow."

Liam sighed.

He reached into the bag and pulled out a blanket and a sweater, holding them out to me. "Here, take this. You must be cold."

I grabbed the sweater, my hands still shaking as I yanked it on, my emotions swirling-fear, anger, betrayal, and now this deep ache inside me that I couldn't explain. Liam stepped closer draping the blanket around my shoulders, but the touch of his hand sent something sharp and painful shooting through me.

I stepped back, my voice breaking. "You should have told me! All of you! Why didn't you tell me who I was-what I was?"

He didn't say anything at first, but when I started to cry, my fists pounding against his chest, he gently caught my wrists, pulling me close.

"I'm sorry," he murmured, wrapping his arms around me as I broke down in his embrace. "We were trying to protect you, Freyah. I swear."

His warmth enveloped me, and despite my anger, I let him hold me, my tears soaking into his chest. My body shook with

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sobs, and I hated myself for letting my guard down like this. But I couldn't hold it in anymore. I was scared-not just of the wolves, not just of what had happened out here, but of myself.

"I'm so scared, Liam," I admitted, my voice muffled against his chest. "Not just because of this... but because I don't know who I am anymore. I don't know anything. And I feel like I'm losing myself."

He tightened his arms around me, his voice gentle. "You're not losing yourself, Freyah. You're just... finding out the truth all over again. I know it's hard. But you don't have to face it alone."

I pulled back slightly, wiping my eyes with the back of my hand. "You knew... didn't you? This whole time?"

He sighed, his expression pained. "We've known each other our whole lives. We've been best friends since we were babies. I never wanted to keep anything from you. But Oliver... he was trying to protect you. We all were."

The mention of Oliver sent a fresh wave of frustration through me, and I clenched my fists. "I don't get it. I don't get how lying to me was meant to protect me. And I have a feeling this wasn't the first time."

Liam shook his head. "It wasn't supposed to be like this. We were all just trying to give you space to..."

"To what?"

"Awaken your wolf," he said softly, silently.

So it was true then. I had a wolf. So why couldn't I feel it?

"Well, I don't feel anything." I muttered bitterly, folding my arms. "And now I'm out here, lost and alone. No means of defending myself."

Liam reached out, his hand resting on my shoulder. "You're not alone, Freyah. I followed you. I was heading back to Primal Pack when I saw you run off in the car. I couldn't let you go out here by yourself, so I packed a bag and followed you in wolf form. I'm here now." He paused, his gaze meeting mine, steady and sincere. "I will always be here, Freyah. I swear. I'll keep you safe-whatever it takes."

I felt a lump form in my throat, and for the first time since I ran I felt the weight of my fear start to ease. Liam's words were like a lifeline, something solid to hold onto when everything else was crumbling around me. He pulled me close again, his voice soft against my hair. "I won't let anything happen to you," he promised. "Not like before. I'll do what Oliver couldn't. I'll protect you."

I let out a shaky breath, leaning into him, feeling the warmth of his promise wrap around me. I should have been comforted, and in a way, I was. But something else gnawed at the edges of my mind-something darker.

An anger that wasn't mine.

It simmered just below the surface, a burning heat that pulsed in my chest, making my heart race. I clenched my fists, pushing the feeling away, trying to ignore the strange sensation.

It was like it belonged to someone else. But why? How?

It didn't matter. Liam was here. He promised to protect me, and that's all that mattered right now. I could trust him. I had to trust him.

"You need to tell me everything," I said to him. "Now."

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