Two

Astrid’s POV

I felt cold air slam into my lungs and tore a violent gasp from my throat as I bolted upright. My entire body was shaking like I was awakened from a nightmare but I knew that wasn’t a nightmare. It felt too real to be a nightmare. The pain from the claws were too real.

For a split second, I couldn’t understand what was happening.

My eyes darted as I checked my pulse—wrist, neck, anywhere I could. My hands are trembling and my breath are bursting out in short panic mode.

I touched the night dress I was wearing, the knife I always keep underneath my bed. This is not some afterlife dream. I am back in my room and it is looking like I have never truly died.

There was no snow, no scream, no blood or rogues around me. There is no pain from the carved wound either.

Instead there are soft sheets tangled around my legs. A familiar headboard pressed solid and real against my back. The faint scent of winter soap filled the air like a smell I knew so well it hurt. I was in my bedroom in the Riftclaw Packhouse!

Morning sun rays entered through the curtains as if the world outside had never shattered at all. As if I hadn’t bled out alone in the snow. It was not a dream, that is for sure.

My hands flew to my side, fingers searching frantically for the torn flesh that had gone straight to my organs. The wound that should have been there but there was nothing but smooth pale skin.

“No.” The word barely left my lips as I frowned.

Am I alive? Almost without thinking, my hand shot to my neck to find that the mark was there. It was warm beneath my fingers, perfectly shaped and beautiful as I always thought.

Is it truly fake though?

The word didn’t come with shock this time. It came with memory and the doctor’s voice and Mira’s words in the office. Along with Anthony’s calm, controlled confession through that half closed door talking about Calix and the infertility he brought upon me for his selfish gains.

My fingers stayed there longer than they should have, pressing against the skin like I could tear the thing off if I pushed hard enough. I couldn’t because it was still here.l which meant I was still alive.

But HOW??

My wolf’s voice pierced my head. “You were reborn Astrid. We did! I know for a fact that we did.”

“How?”

Then a child’s voice rang out in the hallway excitedly as Calix bounded inside with a wide grin that always made my day. My heart softened at the sight of him and I almost reached out when I remembered he wasn’t mine. And he likes Mira more than he likes me which should be the first evidence I need.

“Mom! Mom! Look what Mira brought me!”

Mira huh? His real mother.

Slowly I turned my head toward the desk. The calendar lay open where I always left it because I have always been a planner.

For a moment my eyes refused to focus. When they finally did, the date hit me harder than any blade ever had. It was 3 weeks before the hospital visit and the border patrol that let in rogues. That means 3 weeks before I died in that snow which means time went back? ?

Calix finished playing on the rug telling me about his morning with the warriors then left when he realized I couldn’t even smile at him. I feel dead. My lips were stiff as is my heart and everything else.

After what he said to me while I was dying? I don’t know what to feel because it still feels like a cruel nightmare but it isn’t. He wants me to die in a painful way despite my sacrifices. A

I’m trying to wrap my head around what just happened when more footsteps came down the hall. I smelled him before I saw him then my eyes narrowed as a thought came to my head. A thought that was NOT my own but it left before I can hold it.

I stayed still, my chest tight as Anthony walked inside looking handsome as always. He is lean and tall with his neatly combed blonde hair and bright green eyes I always get lost into.

“Morning, babe. I’ve had a rough night so I didn’t sleep here. My wolf kept shutting down. Mira will need to stay with us for a few days.” He leaned down and kissed my forehead.

I forced myself not to flinch and give him a smile I always give him every morning. He knows I am always bright in the morning especially after seeing him. He used to make me giddy with all the attentions but right now I want to retch.

“Of course. She should rest you properly. You’ve been under so much pressure.” I kissed his cheek back as a ritual.

Anthony’s smile widened with a hint of pride in it. “You always think of others first.”

Mira has healing abilities (which I think is also another lie now) so she always comes here to check on him when she is not nannying or being a maid. Anything to keep her close and around her son. Why didn’t I see this from the beginning?

Inside I was boiling because now I knew the truth and I felt so stupid for not clocking it immediately. He even has her pictures in his phone that he claims is just friendship.

“It’s not bad to have my Healer’s pictures in my phone. Isn’t she so pretty with all the hair?” He had said smiling at her picture.

This time, I didn’t laugh.

“I’m a little tired,” I said quietly, my tone flat for the first time. “I didn’t sleep well last night.”

Anthony paused, clearly not expecting that response. A faint crease formed between his brows as he studied me.

“Are you alright?” he asked, stepping closer.

“I’m fine. Just… need some rest.” I forced a small smile, already turning away.

He hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Alright. Get some rest. I’ll check on you later.”

And just like that, he left.

The door clicked shut behind him.

The moment his presence disappeared, the air in the room felt lighter.

I didn’t waste a second and went to my own small office inside my room.

I glanced at my desk where a sealed letter was waiting. My fingers itched to tear it open because when it first came, I thought it was another prank from the neighboring pack that has always wanted to attack us.

I hadn’t dared trust it before. I had my doubts but now? Now it was leverage I needed so damn much and my wolf has been restless about it all morning.

I picked it up, feeling the embossed crest under my fingertips. It feels familiar though I’d never seen anything like that before. I broke the seal and the paper unfolded. This time I’m reading it with a bit more hope and confidence.

Dear Astrid,

If you are reading this, know that the time has come to reclaim what was always yours. You are the last living child of the Silvermist Alpha. Your father’s blood runs through you. No one else carries it. I have been trying to contact you but to no avail.

I inhaled sharply. My heart thrummed strangely with part excitement and part controlled fury. This better not be a prank!

The pack has changed, as has the world. You must awaken your power and step into your inheritance. Trust only yourself, your instincts and those loyal to your bloodline. They will guide you, as I cannot. But remember that you were never powerless.

I paused reading. The words felt alive almost vibrating beneath my fingertips this time around. A pulse of raw Alpha strength surged in me, shocking my entire system. My hands curled around the edges of the paper.

I let the letter fall beside me trying to think beyond this. I have never received this kind of letter even as a prank. No one would dare do this and that crest? It looks original and very real. But I have trust issues now after everything I have found out.

I yelped when the voice in my head that used to be familiar suddenly sounded so different suddnely. My wolf. She has a new voice now or it’s a new wolf altogether. I’m not sure but the voice was deeper and had so much power it vibrated inside me.

“Finally awake. I don’t know why you allowed me to be dormant for years.” She grumbled while my eyes widened. Huh?

“Who are you?”

“Your wolf that has grown into a full adult now.” I could hear her grin and she sounded exactly like the former one, just with a different voice and power level.

“You are an Alpha. Do you feel it?” She asked when I couldn’t answer her.

“Yes. I do.”

And Gods did I feel it. It was crawling up my spine and flowing through my fingertips ready to be unleashed. Everything is sharper than it used to be almost like I’m living inside them. What is going on? What’s happening???