4.

My breath catches in my chest as the man confirms what I knew in my heart but refused to believe. The room is deathly silent, the gravity of his revelation hanging like a bomb in the air. My heart is racing with confusion but strangely, I feel safe here, with him, with Len. 

As if sensing that I won’t bolt the minute he turns his back, Len commands the guards to leave the room, his voice low yet powerful. I shiver as the timber of his voice rolls over my skin like honey. Len waits until the guards leave and shut the door behind them to speak to me. He makes a tentative move towards me but I unconsciously jerk away from his touch, causing him to wince and clench his jaw.

“I’m not going to hurt you, alright?” Len says low, a pained expression in his eyes. 

Even though my wolf whines in my head to go to him, I can’t rationalize this man who was my what? Second mate? I may feel safe with him but that was probably the mate bond playing tricks on my mind. I couldn’t trust this man…at least, not yet.

Sensing my hesitation, Len slowly settles down on the corner of the bed, his mouth settling into a grim line when I don’t immediately dart away from him.

“Do you know who I am?” He asks, his voice deep and comforting.

I take a moment to observe his features again, willing my mind to remember anything about this man that could explain where I was or what had happened to me. Unable to remember, I slowly shake my head and whisper,

“No.”

Len lets out a sharp sigh, his head dropping slightly.

“I thought that might be the case. I’m Len, Selena.” He says, his eyes pleading. I feel sorry for him because no matter how many times or how intently he says it, the name Len doesn’t ring a bell…and neither does Selene. 

Len lets out another sigh at the lack of recognition on my face then continues, “I’m one of your betas, I’m also your mate.”

I swallow and ignore the part of him being my mate because that makes absolutely no sense to me. I already had one mate and the bastard’s name was Zach.

“Beta?” I ask, my voice low, confused. “If you’re my beta, then what does that make me?” I ask, carefully, not sure I’m prepared to hear the answer. 

Len’s eyes widen in surprise and concern before he conceals it, his expression darkening.

“You’re Selene. Alpha Selene of the Moonclaw pack.” Len says cautiously as if he’s trying not to overload me with information but it’s pointless because the word alpha slams into me like a truck.

What the hell is he talking about? Alpha? Impossible! And my name isn’t Selene. It’s Ana. I’d never gone by any other name and my parents had chosen to give me just one name at birth so he obviously had the wrong woman. I am not whoever this Selene is and I am not anyone’s Alpha.

My mind races with endless possibilities but I can feel Len staring intently at me so I clear my throat and say,

“Um, could you give me a minute please? I just need to uhm- I just need to use the washroom for a bit.” I say, evening out my voice so I don’t raise any further suspicion.

Len frowns, his piercing blue eyes searching mine and I can tell he’s hesitant at the idea of leaving me alone but he finally gives in.

“Sure. Over there, on your right.”

I murmur a quick thanks before he’s barely gotten the words out and bolt to the washroom as fast as I can, locking the door behind me.

Grabbing hold of the counter, I dip my head and take a few steadying deep breaths, nearly jumping out of my skin when a gentle knock sounds at the door. 

“Hey. I’ll be right outside if you need me, okay?” Len calls through the door.

“Okay.” I call back so he can leave me alone. 

Finally alone inside the large bathroom, I continue to take deep breaths until I feel more stable. Slowly, I lift my gaze to meet my reflection in the mirror and gasp at the sight.

I’m not me. A chill runs down my spine as I back away from the mirror on shaky feet.

I-, I’m-, Oh goddess! Who am I?!

The reflection staring at me in the mirror isn’t me. It belonged to someone else. My face belonged to someone else; my hair, my eyes…my body.

I’ve been swapped out of my body! Oh goddess! What is happening?

Frantically, panic racing though me, I run shaky hands over the hair that was no longer mine. Instead of straight, brown hair, there is long, blonde hair falling in silky waves down my back. My steel gray eyes, the eyes I shared with my mother are gone; replaced by a piercing blue shade that seem to see clearer and sharper than I had seen before. 

My face was no longer my own; my once small round face is now replaced by a stronger, more regal looking one. High cheekbones, a sharp jaw, full pink lips. My body; once small and insignificant, now carried strength and power, long toned arms and legs, full supple hips and an ample chest.

“What is happening to me?” I whisper in disbelief, tears pooling in my eyes. Who is this person and where is my body?

I scratch at the skin on this face, hoping, praying that it somehow comes off and my old face returns…dreading that it won’t. 

“This can’t be happening. It’s impossible.” I sob quietly, unable to tear my eyes away from the reflection.

This has to be another dream.

“Or am I going crazy?!” I sob a little louder. That’s when I hear it.

No, Ana. You’re not crazy. You’re me now.

My eyes pop open and I let out a blood curdling scream, falling back against the door.

“Selene! Selene, are you okay? Open the door.” Len shouts, knocking furiously against the locked door.

“I’m fine. I’m fine. I just bumped my hand against something.” I say, shaking in fear but not wanting him to come in here.

“Are you sure? You don’t sound fine. Open the door and let me see you, please.” Len pleads, rapping harder against the door.

“I said I'm fine! I’ll be right out if you just give me a damn second!” I shout, letting my head drop back as tears stream down my face. 

Len goes quiet for a moment then says, “Okay. Just- just call me if you need me okay.” He says and he sounds so pained that my wolf whines for her mate but I ignore her.

Getting up slowly, I stare at the reflection again, my eyes wide in fear and apprehension.

“Who said that?” I ask, my voice barely a whisper.

The voice responds again, coming from deep inside me,

My name is Selene, Ana. I’m the owner of this body.

“Ow- Owner? What the hell are you talking about?” I whisper yell at the unfamiliar face staring back at me.

Len told you, Ana. I’m Alpha Selene of the Moonclaw Pack. I fell into a coma a really long time ago and for some reason, I can’t come back. The moon goddess has decided that my time in my mortal body is over. So now, I dwell inside you as your wolf; unable to take control of my body ever again, except during transformation.

“Shut up! You’re lying. You’re lying to me! Whatever this is, I want no part of it! I don’t care if you’re an alpha, beta or the fucking sun! Get me out of this body and back into mine!” I scream at the reflection, ignoring Len’s pleas to open the door.

Calm down, Ana. I can’t do that. I can’t put you back in your body. I can’t do anything now. All I can do is guide you as your wolf.

“This isn’t real. This has to be a dream, Wake up, Ana. Wake up!” I scream, slapping at my cheeks in an attempt to get myself out of this nightmare. 

Nothing works. Len is still banging away at the door and I’m sure it’ll come flying off its hinges at any moment now. 

“Selene! Can you hear me? I need you to open the door for me, baby. Please. I don’t want to have to break this door down but I will. Please, baby. I need to know you’re alright.” Len calls out. I can hear the desperation in his voice and I know immediately that he’s a man of his word. 

Searching for an escape, my eyes focus on an unlocked window over the toilet and without thinking twice, I boost myself up over the toilet and through the window, landing on the hard ground with a grunt. Then I do the one thing I can.

I bolt.