Chapter 31

Rosemary

Eventually, we fell asleep, still tangled on the paint-covered floor, holding each other. I woke to the sound of a faint knocking on the door. As I stirred from sleep, I noticed a smear of red paint on Ethan’s cheek. I smiled, wiping it off gently, and leaned in to kiss him softly.

“Good morning, love,” he murmured, his voice still husky from sleep.

The way he called me ‘love’ sent chills through my entire body, a warmth spreading deep within me.

“Good morning,” I replied, my heart fluttering as I smiled back at him.

The knocking at the door suddenly stopped, and I heard Grace’s teasing voice cut through the stillness. “If you two lovebirds finish fucking already, you’ve already missed morning training and breakfast!”

We both chuckled, sharing a knowing glance. Standing up, we began dressing, the laughter still lingering between us. But before Ethan left, he pulled me close and kissed me deeply, with a passion that made my legs weak. When he finally pulled away, he winked, leaving me breathless as he slipped out the door. I stood there for a moment, dazed, my fingers tracing my lips - still warm, still swollen from last night’s kisses.

I couldn’t believe it, I was practically smitten. My whole life had been about fleeting moments, about release. I never stayed in one place, with one person, for long. Sex had always been an escape, a way to numb the ache inside. But with Ethan, it was different. He was different. Just thinking about him set my whole body alight, tingling with something deeper, something… real. I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts as I began cleaning up the brushes, now covered in dried paint.

Later, after a long shower, where my mind, predictably, wandered back to him, I found myself knocking on his office door. When I stepped inside, Ethan was behind his large desk, focused on his computer screen. Without hesitation, I walked over and slid into his lap. He looked up at me, and there it was - that playful twinkle in his deep blue eyes that made my heart race. He leaned in, brushing his lips against mine, slow and tender. I sighed into the kiss, melting into him.

Eventually, I pulled away, catching my breath. “Actually, I came to talk to you… about shifting. I think it’s time.”

“I agree,” he said with a smile that made my heart leap. “I’ve already told Amber to expect us soon.”

On our way to Amber’s, the sky opened up, and it started to rain. I stood there, letting the rain fall on my face, feeling the cold droplets slide down my skin. I’d always loved the rain - how it washed everything away, how it brought a sense of renewal. As a kid, I used to run through the rain, even though it earned me punishments from the nuns when I’d track mud and water across their clean floors. But even then, I believed the rain carried hope.

Ethan watched me with that same curious smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Come on, little mermaid, let’s get out of the rain before you catch a cold.”

We arrived at Amber’s doorstep, both of us soaking wet, and Ethan gave a playful shake, spraying water everywhere like a drenched puppy.

“You really have this werewolf thing down to the bone, huh?” I teased.

“Yeah, pretty much,” he chuckled.

Without knocking, Ethan led us inside, where Amber was seated on her couch, sipping tea like she had been expecting us. She looked up and smiled warmly.

“Hello, darlings,” she greeted gently, setting her cup down. “Would you like some tea? I can put the kettle on.”

“No, thank you, Amber,” Ethan replied, his voice polite but focused. “We’re here for your advice.”

She looked between us, a knowing smile crossing her face. “So, someone’s finally ready to shift?”

I nodded, my voice soft. “Yes. I think it’s time I embrace my full identity.”

“Very well,” Amber said, her expression becoming serious. “It will take me three months to prepare the potion. It’s a complicated process, but it will be ready in time for the full moon. That’s when you’ll be at the peak of your powers. But I must warn you, this will be the most painful shift you’ll ever experience. Your body has been suppressing the shift for six years. The pain of all those years will come crashing down at once. You need to remember to breathe through it, no matter what.”

Her eyes met mine, the gravity of her words settling in. “And if you fail to complete the shift, the consequences will be dire.”

I swallowed hard, a lump forming in my throat. “What do you mean… dire?”

Amber’s gaze softened, but her tone remained steady. “There are two possible outcomes. You could become stuck mid-shift, trapped between wolf and human for the rest of your life. Or…”

“Or?” I whispered, the word barely audible.

“Or it will end in death.”

The room felt suddenly cold, despite the warmth of the fire burning in Amber’s hearth. My mind raced, fear clawing at the edges of my thoughts. Before I could spiral, Amber stood and sat beside me, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder.

“Rosemary, I wouldn’t have suggested this if I didn’t believe in you. I know you can make it. You’re the heir to one of the greatest Alpha pairs we’ve ever known. Your parents knew you had a bright future, even if life hasn’t always shown it. This is your path, and all you need to do is have faith in yourself.”

I turned to Ethan, meeting his gaze. His eyes were filled with nothing but unwavering support and belief. He gave me a small nod.

“I know you can do it, Rose,” he said softly.

I held onto that, the warmth of his belief in me wrapping around my heart.

“I know it, too,” I said, my voice growing steadier. I wasn’t just saying it for them - I was saying it for me.

This was my journey. It had always been mine. And now, I was ready to take the next step, no matter what lay ahead.