Chapter 9: Not a Dream

I woke up the next morning feeling disoriented. Had everything that happened yesterday really happened or had it all been just another vivid dream? I got out of bed and made my way to the bathroom, where I splashed water on my face and looked at my reflection in the mirror. My blue eyes stared back at me.

The memories flooded back as I recalled the conversation with my parents and the revelation that I was a shifter. I couldn’t believe it, but it all felt too real to be just a dream. As I went downstairs to have breakfast with my parents, I felt a sense of unease. My parents noticed my mood.

“Honey, are you alright?” Mom asked, glancing at me worriedly.

I hesitated for a moment before blurting out, “Did we have a life-changing conversation yesterday… or was that just a silly dream I had?”

Mom and Dad exchanged a knowing look. “It wasn’t a dream, honey. Your ancestors are lycans, and so were your birth parents. It is the only explanation for everything we’ve witnessed through the years.”

I listened intently as they explained to me for the second time, that they had suspected I was a shifter ever since I was a child. “We noticed your unusual strength and agility, and how you seemed to have a heightened sense of smell and hearing.”

“We saw you shift for the first time when you turned 16,” Dad said. “But the next day you came down acting as if nothing happened. You told us about the strange dream you had.”

Mom placed her hand over mine. “We didn’t want to freak you out. We thought you were too young to come to terms with what you were at that age.”

“We’re sorry for keeping it from you this long,” Dad said, his voice saddened.

“I understand, you guys,” I said, my eyes watering. “You were only trying to protect me. Thank you.”

“Of course,” Mom said, holding back tears. “You’re our daughter, Kiara. We love you.”

“Always,” Dad said firmly.

I hugged them tightly.

“I have to get to the bookstore,” I said, pulling away.

“You can take the day off, honey.”

“No, I have to go,” I said, grabbing my purse and keys. “I’ll see you guys later. I love you.”

I walked out of the door and made my way to the store. I looked around me and noticed how far I could see, and how I could hear the bird singing from a tree that was on the other side of the park. How had I not noticed this before? Had I repressed everything so much that I walked through my daily life thinking my heightened senses were just luck.

As I processed all of this new information, I knew I had to talk to Luke. Everything had started to make sense. Him asking me those questions about lycans, and our immediate connection. I now knew what he was and what that meant for me. I couldn’t help but wonder how he would react to my newfound knowledge.

I had finally accepted the fact that I was a shifter and had even spoken with my wolf last night. Now, as I walked through the familiar streets, I couldn't help but talk to her again.

"Good morning," I said out loud, hoping that my wolf would hear me.

"Good morning, Kiara," came the response in my mind. "How are you feeling today?"

I smiled to myself. It was still strange to communicate with my wolf this way, but it felt comforting at the same time. "I'm feeling nervous but excited," I said. "I need to talk to Luke about what's been going on with me."

"Luke?" My wolf asked, a hint of curiosity in her voice.

"Yes, the guy I went on a date with," I explained.

"I see," my wolf said thoughtfully. "Do you trust him?"

I hesitated for a moment before answering. I still didn't know Luke that well, but there was something about him that made me trust him. "I think I do," I said finally. "He's been nothing but kind to me so far."

"Then you should talk to him," my wolf said. “Keeping secrets from those close to you is never the healthier option.”

I nodded to herself. My wolf was right. I couldn't keep this from Luke any longer. I had to tell him everything. I took a deep breath and focused on the road ahead, determined to have that conversation with Luke as soon as possible.

When I got to the store, I went through my usual routine before finally picking up my phone to call him. My heart was pounding in my chest as I waited for him to pick up. When he finally answered, I could hear the sound of the cars in the background, which meant that he was probably on his way to work.

“Hi, Luke,” I said nervously.

“Hey, Kiara. Is everything okay?” he asked, his voice laced with concern.

“Not really,” I said shakily. “If I’m being honest, the last few hours of my life have not been the best.”

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line. I hoped I didn’t freak him out.

“I remembered something from my childhood,” I said, taking a deep breath. “Something that my parents told me.”

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line before Luke spoke again. “I see. How are you feeling about all of this?”

“I’m still trying to process it all,” I admitted. “But I knew that I had to tell you. I don’t know what this means for us, but I felt like I needed to be honest with you.”

I heard voices in the background and immediately started feeling bad. He was probably swamped with work and I called out of the blue worrying him.

“I know,” he simply said.

I wasn’t exactly sure why, but I felt a sense of relief wash over me at his words. Which confused me.

“I’m pretty sure, you don’t know,” I said, trying to emphasize that the news I had wasn’t an everyday topic.

“I do.”