Page 10

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A month.

That was all the time left before Tasha and Mina would turn eighteen. Before they stepped into adulthood, before the unknown parts of their lives started unraveling.

Tasha wasn't thinking about anything grand. For her, turning eighteen meant new experiences, independence, and college. That morning, she lay sprawled across her bed, staring at the ceiling, a mix of excitement and anxiety twisting in her stomach.

Tasha stretched lazily on her bed, staring at the ceiling as the soft morning light filtered through her curtains.

A yawn escaped her lips, and she blinked away the remnants of sleep.

Today was supposed to be like any other—mundane yet comforting—but something about it felt different.

There was a quiet sense of anticipation in the air, as though the universe itself was holding its breath.

A sharp knock on the door snapped her out of her thoughts.

"Tasha! You're going to be late for breakfast," her mother called from the other side.

Tasha groaned, rolling out of bed. The day was already set to be a long one.

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**An Unexpected Letter**

The scent of fresh coffee and toast filled the kitchen as Tasha joined her mother at the table. Her plate was already set—scrambled eggs, avocado slices, and toast.

"Morning, Mom," she mumbled as she grabbed her fork.

Her mother was unusually quiet, sipping her coffee while eyeing her carefully.

Tasha frowned. "Okay, you're staring. What is it?"

A slow smile spread across her mother's face before she reached for a white envelope and slid it across the table.

"You got mail."

Tasha's breath hitched as she recognized the seal on the envelope. The university seal.

Her dream university.

With shaking hands, she tore it open and scanned the letter.

"Dear Ms. Carter, we are pleased to inform you..."

That was all she needed to see.

"I got in," she whispered in disbelief, then louder. "I GOT IN!". She shrieked in delight, jumping from her chair. "I got in! Mom, I got in!"

Her mother stood with a bright smile and hugged her tightly. "I'm so proud of you, baby girl."

Excitement coursed through Tasha's veins, but something about the way her mother held onto her a moment longer than usual made her pause. She pulled back slightly, her gaze searching her mother's face. There was pride, yes, but also a flicker of something else—worry, maybe even sadness.

"You okay, Mom?" she asked.

Her mother shook her head, her smile returning. "Of course, baby girl. I'm just so proud of you."

Tasha decided not to push. Today was a day to celebrate but almost immediately a single thought crossed her mind—Mina. If she got hers, then Mina must have gotten hers too.

Without hesitation, she grabbed her phone and dialed her best friend's number.

The moment Mina picked up, her voice rang with the same excitement. "Tasha, I got in!"

Tasha laughed. "Me too! We're going to the Netherlands, Mina!"

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**The Changes Begin**

Mina twirled her phone in her hand, sitting cross-legged on her bed. She had received her own admission letter that morning, and while she was thrilled, there was something else gnawing at her.

For the past few weeks, she had felt... off. Mina had woken up that morning with an odd sensation.

Everything felt... heightened. The sound of her father's footsteps downstairs was suddenly too loud. She could hear the coffee machine dripping from her room. And when she went to the kitchen, she could smell things far too clearly—every single spice in the cabinet, every ingredient in the food.

At first, she thought she was imagining it. She chalked it up to stress, maybe even excitement about college. But deep down, an uneasy feeling settled in her stomach, whispering that this was something else entirely.

A knock on her door pulled her from her thoughts.

"Mina," her dad called. "You decent?"

She snorted. "Define decent."

Her dad sighed as he stepped into the room, his gaze softening when he saw her sprawled on her bed. He held up an envelope. "You got in too. Proud of you, kiddo."

Mina grinned, though the unease inside her didn't fade. "Thanks, Dad."

She expected him to leave, but instead, he lingered in the doorway, as though he wanted to say something more.

"You okay?" she asked, tilting her head.

He hesitated. "Yeah... just been thinking a lot lately."

"About?"

He shook his head. "Nothing you need to worry about. Just... growing up is a big step."

Mina narrowed her eyes. Something about the way he said that made her feel like he wasn't talking about college.

But as they made their way to the dining room, she couldn't help but notice every little detail in the house. she sat at the table with her father, sipping her tea, she found herself focusing on his heartbeat. She shouldn't be able to hear it.

Mina frowned and rubbed her temples. Maybe she was just stressed.

Her father, watching her carefully, finally asked, "Are you feeling okay?"

She hesitated before nodding. "Yeah... just a little weird, I guess."

Dr. Hayes studied her for a moment longer before setting his cup down. He had been waiting for this. Watching for the signs. Mina's mother had been human, but he was not. If she was going to shift, it would be soon.

But how could he prepare her for something like this?

He was about to say something, but her phone buzzed.

Tasha: Meet me at the mall in an hour. College shopping!

Mina smirked. "Guess I'm going shopping. Try not to get too sentimental while I'm gone."

Her dad chuckled, though the shadows in his eyes didn't leave.

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**The Encounter at the Mall**

The mall was lively, filled with excited shoppers and the usual rush of people. Tasha and Mina strolled through the aisles, searching for clothes and necessities for their trip.

"Do you think we'll get roommates?" Tasha asked.

"Hopefully, they don't snore," Mina joked, tossing a dress into their cart.

So," Tasha started, nudging Mina playfully, "how does it feel knowing we'll be conquering the Netherlands together?"

Mina grinned. "Terrifying, but in a good way."

Tasha laughed, but before she could respond, a strange chill ran down her spine.

She turned her head, her eyes landing on an old woman standing by a nearby jewelry stand dressed in flowing robes, her long silver hair falling over her shoulders. The woman's eyes locked onto hers—ancient, knowing, and filled with something that made Tasha's stomach twist.

Then the woman smiled and walked toward them.

Mina followed Tasha's gaze and frowned. "Who's that?"

"I... don't know."

The woman stopped just a few feet away, her gaze flickering between them before settling on Tasha.

"You have an interesting path ahead of you, child," the woman murmured, her voice rich with something more than mere words. "I see a long journey ahead, one filled with trials, but also strength, both of you do."

Mina rolled her eyes. "Great. Another fortune teller."

The girls exchanged a glance.

Tasha raised an eyebrow. "Okaay... that's vague but cool, I guess."

The woman chuckled. "Not quite. But you'll see soon enough." She reached into her pouch, pulling out two small trinkets—delicate silver charms shaped like crescent moons and a tiny vial of deep red liquid. "For protection."

Tasha hesitated before accepting the charm. "Protection from what?"

The woman simply smiled. "From what is to come."

She smiled at them warmly. "Such bright young souls."

Mina took a step back, uneasy. "Uh, thanks, but—"

Tasha, however, reached out and took the pendants, grinning. "These are cool. Thanks, ma'am."

The woman nodded. "Keep them close. And remember, not all that is hidden should remain so."

Before they could ask more, she turned and just as suddenly as she had appeared, she was gone.

Mina huffed. "That was weird."

Tasha nodded, staring down at the charm in her hand, a strange feeling settling in her chest.

Something was coming. She could feel it.

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**A Father's Worry**

Later that night, Dr. Hayes sat in his study, sipping his whiskey as he stared out the window. Mina's shift was coming—he could feel it. But what worried him most was the prophecy.

He didn't know whether it was Mina or Tasha who was destined to be the Luna of the Lycan Alpha.

If it was Mina, then she needed to be prepared.

If it was Tasha, then everything they had done to keep her hidden might have been for nothing.

And worst of all, how would he explain to Mina that she was not fully human?

He sighed, rubbing his temples.

The full moon was approaching.

Time was running out.

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**The Alpha's Vision**

Deep within the supernatural realm, the Lycan Alpha sat in the center of a circle of glowing runes, his golden eyes burning with intensity.

A vision had struck him earlier—one of a girl standing at the edge of a dark forest, her hair catching the moonlight, her expression unreadable.

She was important.

He knew it with certainty.

But he could not yet reach her. The veil between their worlds was still too thick.

The time was approaching. The prophecy was in motion.

And soon, all would be revealed.

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