Chapter 1 Chapter 1

Kaelani POV

I wake up in the woods somewhere in the pack. No bed. No walls. No memory of how I got here. The area looks familiar but feels different. Too still. Too quiet. Like the forest is watching me. I walk further into the woods and I notice a giant white oak tree looking very much out of place. It doesn’t belong here—and somehow I know that instantly.

“Nyra is this real?” I ask her but I get nothing back. That alone makes my chest tighten. She always answers. Always. I walk closer to the tree and it feels like it’s calling to me. Not a sound—just a pull. Deep. Steady. Unavoidable. I place my hand on the tree and it begins to glow before a door opens right next to me. I jump back. My heart slams against my ribs, too loud in the silence.

“Okay that is different” I say walking in. Even as I step forward, something in me hesitates—like I’m crossing into something I won’t be able to walk back from.

When I step inside it’s like an entirely different world books line the walls on one side, different herbs and liquids on the other. The air is thick—earthy, sharp, unfamiliar—and it settles heavy in my lungs. There is a giant circle in the middle of the room.

“hello granddaughter” I hear a familiar voice say, one that I haven’t heard in years.

I slowly turn and the tears fall before I can even register them falling. My throat tightens, breath catching halfway in my chest.

“Nana” I say softly.

She steps closer to me “hello my sweet child” she says cupping my cheeks. Her touch is warm—real—and my body leans into it before I can stop myself.

“how?” I ask voice choked.

“it is time for you to awaken child” she says firmly.

“awaken what do you mean, my birthday isn’t for months I won’t be shifting for a while” I say. My words rush out too fast, panic already creeping in.

She smiles softly “no my child it is time for you to awaken your witch half” she says.

“w-witch half?” I say panic creeping in. My stomach drops hard, unease spreading through me.

“yes dear you are a witch as is your mother and as was myself” she says.

“mom isn’t a witch, I never even heard her speak about magic: I say trying to understand what she is saying.

“your mother turned her back on the coven long before you were born” she says.

“so are we all witches?” I ask.

She shakes her head “no child, only the first born daughter will inherit our magic, Aliza and Ezra are just wolves” she says.

“but I don’t want to be a witch, people already think I’m weird because I like to train and fight” I say. My voice cracks slightly and I hate it—hate how unsure I suddenly sound.

“you are meant to be so much more than a warrior Lani, step inside the circle dear” she says as the circle begins to glow white. The light pulses faintly, almost like it’s breathing—like it’s waiting on me.

“It’s calling you” she says.

I step into the circle and my body feels like it is being burned from the inside out and I scream out in pain

“ahhhhh” I shout dropping to my knees. My hands slam against the floor, fingers curling as if I can push the pain out of me—but it’s everywhere. Inside me.

“stop fighting who you are, embrace the magic” she says.

I don’t want this. I don’t want any of this. But I can’t escape it.

I relax my body and the moment I do my body lifts off the ground and a white light shoots out of my hands, my eyes and my mouth. It feels like something is ripping through me—like I’m being forced open from the inside out. Like something ancient is waking up.

After a minute I land on my feet on the ground. My legs wobble before I steady myself. My body feels stronger… but wrong too. Too aware. Too sharp.

“you have awakened your witch half Kaelani, you must find this tree in your pack before you can take your place as high priestess” she says.

“wait what?, high priestess?” I ask. The word feels too big—too heavy sitting in my chest.

I shake my head “No, no I can’t run a coven of witches I'm not even 18 yet” I say fear biting at my insides.

“find the tree or the magic will consume you, we are a powerful line of witches if you don’t find the tree to stabilize your magic and give back to the earth it will consume you until you no longer recognize who you are” she says.

Consume you.

The word doesn’t fade. It lingers. Sits in my chest like a warning I can’t ignore.

“where is the tree?” I ask as she begins to fade.

“Wait nana where is the tree?” I ask again.

“Find the tree before the magic consumes you child” Is the last thing she says before she is gone.

The light flickers once… then everything goes still.

Too still. Too empty.

And the worst part… whatever just woke up inside me—didn’t leave with her.

I jump up in a cold sweat. Heart racing faster than I like. My chest rises and falls too fast, and for a second I swear I can still feel that burning under my skin.

“Nyra was that real?” I ask my wolf.

“not sure but we feel different, more powerful” she says. Her voice is quieter than usual… uncertain. That alone makes something twist in my stomach.

I look at my alarm clock. Shit, I’m late for training. But even as I move, that word echoes again—consume.

I jump out of bed and head into the shower.

“I hope you are on your way, your dad is pissed” Kaia links me as I grab my towel.

“I’m getting dressed now” I link back.

I throw on black leggings and a black bra with running sneakers and I make a run for the training grounds. The air is cool against my skin, but it doesn’t calm me. Nothing does. Something feels… off. Like I’m not fully in control of my own body.

“Lani” my father links

“yes daddy?” I ask

“As the Alpha’s daughter it is important for you to show the pack a good example” he links

“I know daddy, I am sorry” I link back as I run onto the training grounds.

The moment I step out, I feel eyes on me. Not just normal attention—something heavier. Or maybe it’s just me.

“run a lap” he says.

Ugh of course he would make me run a lap.

After I run the lap I take my spot next to Kaia.

“what happened?, you’re never late for training” she asks.

“I had the weirdest dream I’ll tell you about it later” I say. Even saying it out loud makes my chest tighten again.

Ezra and daddy have us spar with each other before teaching us a few offensive moves we can use fighting a wolf in either form.

My body moves before I think. Faster than usual. Sharper. Like I already know what’s coming before it happens.

“Everybody run the big obstacle course through one time, no slackers” Ezra shouts before we all take off.

I’m up the ramp and speeding through the course in record time. Too fast. I know I am. My breathing doesn’t burn. My muscles don’t strain. That’s not normal.

Once through

“Lani a word” my father says before I can move anywhere.

That tone makes my stomach drop slightly.

“What happened today Lani?” he asks as we walk to the packhouse

“I had a dream about nana daddy” I say and he stiffens.

It’s quick—but I see it. His shoulders tighten. His steps slow just slightly.

“daddy?” I say

He pauses. Too long. Like he’s choosing his next words carefully. Then he looks away.

“you need to talk to your mother.” He says.

“That’s it?” I shout behind him.

“yup, talk to your mother and don’t forget our training tonight” he says walking into the packhouse.

He shut that down too fast. Which means it’s not nothing. Which means he knows something he’s not saying.

I run up to my room and shower. I stand in my closet deciding what kind of year I want my senior year to be. Different.

If everything is about to change… then I am too.

I pull out a pink two piece skirt set and pink slippers.

“we look cute” Nyra says

“I t’s time to stop hiding behind the baggy clothes” I say

“Finally” she says before retreating

When I get downstairs everyone stops when they see me.

The silence hits first. Then the stares.

“Lani is everything okay?” mom asks

“yes why?” I ask

“well you are dressed like a girl” she says

“they think you are sick” Nyra laughs

I smile “I just wanted to do something different for senior year” I say going to grab food

But even sitting down, I can’t shake the feeling under my skin—like something is there. Waiting.

“ready for senior year bean?” Ezra asks

“ yeah I’m excited for the tournament the most” I say just as Aliza walks in

“Hey Lizzie do you need a ride this morning?” I ask

“No Kieran is picking me up” she says

At the mention of his name, something in me shifts. Quick. Subtle. Gone before I can grab it.

“Okay slow down with him, you know he finds his mate this year I don’t want you to get hurt” I say

“I know Lani, I will be fine” she says

“okay” I say

“remember Lani 2 new packs are joining the school this year, be nice” dad says

“I’m always nice” I say

I walk over and kiss my parents, then Ezra

“Come on Kaia, I want to get a good parking spot” I say as we walk out

When I step out I see Kieran’s blue truck pull up to the pack house

The moment I see him, something in me goes still. Like my body recognizes something my mind doesn’t yet.

As I walk past his eyes trail my body giving me chills

Slow. Intentional. Not like before. Like he’s noticing something new. Or seeing me for the first time.

“what is that about?” Kaia asks

“don’t know and I don’t care to find out” I say

But I feel it. That look stays with me longer than it should.

I pull out of the lot and onto the main road of the pack towards school.

The trees blur past—but my mind doesn’t settle. The dream. The magic. My dad’s reaction. Kieran’s stare.

Whatever is going on with Kieran I don’t need especially not with my magic looming over me.

Because if what my nana said is true…

then the real danger isn’t around me.

It’s already inside me.

And I’m not sure i'll be able to stop it.