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A month before Tasha and Mina would turn eighteen, the atmosphere around them had grown charged with secrets and shifting destinies. For Tasha, adulthood meant college in the Netherlands—a dream coming true—while for Mina, an entirely different fate was silently unfolding.

Two days before Mina's birthday, Tasha's mom and Mina's dad met with the mysterious witch in a secluded room in their old family home. The dim light of a single lamp and the faint aroma of burning herbs set the stage for a conversation heavy with implications.

"I encountered the girls at the mall," the witch said softly, her voice carrying the weight of ages.

"I sensed something stirring in Mina—an energy beyond what you've known. Her first shift is at hand, and it will be overwhelming. To ease that transition, I have arranged for other werewolves to be present at her birthday party. Their support will help her see that she isn't alone if the change overwhelms her."

Mina's dad leaned forward, worry etched on his face. "And the potion? The one for Tasha?"

The witch's eyes narrowed knowingly. "Yes. I have provided an amber vial for Tasha's mom. A few drops mixed into Tasha's drink will dull the impact of the supernatural revelations, so she remains shielded until the proper moment. It is imperative that Tasha's understanding is delayed until her destiny unfolds naturally."

Tasha mom's hands trembled as she held the vial. "I understand," she whispered. "I only hope we're making the right choice."

The witch's smile was both kind and stern. "Time will tell. Protect them, but do not let them stray from their path."

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The day of Mina's birthday arrived with an uneasy mix of celebration and impending transformation. In the early morning light, Tasha awoke with a sense of excitement about her upcoming college journey. She dressed carefully, unaware of the storm of supernatural events swirling around her. At breakfast, her mom served her pancakes and coffee—but something was different in her mother's eyes, a hesitance that Tasha could not decipher.

"Happy Birthday, sweetheart," her mom said as she handed Tasha a steaming cup of coffee. Tasha noticed the subtle aftertaste—a faint sweetness unlike anything she'd had before. Her mother offered a reassuring smile, but behind it lurked the weight of secrets too burdensome to speak aloud.

Across town, at Mina's house, preparations for the birthday party were in full swing. Mina's dad had chosen a secluded venue on the outskirts of town—an old manor nestled among whispering pines—ensuring privacy for the werewolves who had been summoned.

The guests, careful to blend in with the human crowd, arrived with quiet determination.

Their presence was meant to be a shield for Mina, a living reminder that if her world changed in an instant, she would have a family to catch her.

Mina herself awoke with an odd intensity that morning.

Every sound felt sharper; the rustle of leaves outside her window, the distant hum of traffic—it was as though her senses had been tuned to a secret frequency.

She felt a tingling in her skin, as if something were stirring beneath her very flesh.

Although frightened, she forced herself to smile at her father when he came to wish her a happy birthday.

"Good morning, sweetheart," he said, his tone warm yet laced with concern. "Today is your day."

Mina managed a small smile, though the uncertainty in her eyes betrayed her inner turmoil. She barely mentioned the strange sensations she'd been experiencing, hoping it was just the nerves of turning eighteen. Deep down, however, she sensed that this birthday was unlike any other.

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Later that day, Tasha and Mina met at the mall for some final college shopping.

The corridors of the bustling center were filled with chatter and bright displays, yet both girls felt a disquieting undercurrent.

They moved from store to store with light banter—about new outfits, dorm décor, and their dreams for the future—but every now and then, a shared glance would reveal the unspoken worry behind their smiles.

Near a quaint jewelry boutique, an all-too-familiar figure appeared—the old woman they had met last time they were at the mall.

She approached slowly, her presence both ethereal and commanding.

"You both walk a path laden with destiny," she said, her voice soft as a whisper yet carrying through the busy mall.

Remember, protection is not just in trinkets, but in the courage to face what you must.

"

From her pocket, she withdrew two small charms—a delicate silver crescent moon for Tasha and a tiny wolf's paw for Mina—and pressed them into their hands. "Happy birthday, I overheard you last time," she murmured. "May these guide you through the coming changes." Before they could ask further, she vanished into the crowd, leaving the girls both intrigued and unsettled.

Mina clutched her charm, her thoughts churning. "Tasha, did you feel that? Like... something deep inside me is awakening?" she whispered.

Tasha, still holding her pendant, smiled gently. "Maybe it's just excitement for college. But... I can't shake this feeling that something's off."

Their conversation dwindled as they continued shopping, the weight of the witch's words lingering between them.

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As twilight approached, the stage was set for the birthday party.

The secluded venue glowed softly under string lights and the gentle hum of music.

Friends and family mingled, and the air vibrated with anticipation.

Mina's dad moved among the guests, his eyes constantly searching for signs that his daughter was nearing her shift.

Inside the venue, Mina was the center of attention.

Surrounded by friends and the subtle support of the werewolf guests, she tried to enjoy the evening.

But as the night wore on, the heightened sensory overload began to take its toll.

Every sound—laughter, the clink of glasses, soft music—seemed amplified.

Every scent was overwhelming: the sweet aroma of flowers, the rich tang of food, the underlying musk of something primal.

Then, as the clock neared midnight and the full moon ascended in the sky, the change began.

Mina felt an intense heat surge from deep within her.

It started as a tingling in her limbs and spread rapidly through her body.

Panic surged in her chest as she realized she was losing control.

In a matter of moments, she staggered away from the crowded room, her vision blurring and the world around her distorting into shapes and shadows.

Tasha, who had been chatting with a friend near the refreshment table, felt a sudden jolt of unease.

She remembered the taste of the mysterious drink her mom had prepared that morning—a drink mixed with the potion intended to shield her from the full force of the revelations unfolding.

For a moment, it all came back in fragments: the witch's warning, her mother's furtive glances, the secret meeting with Mina's dad.

Instinctively, Tasha rushed toward the door. Outside, she found Mina stumbling into the moonlit garden, her features contorted in pain and confusion. But there was something else—Mina's eyes shone a fierce, wild blue, and her hands trembled as if fighting an unseen force.

"Mina!" Tasha cried out, rushing to her friend's side.

Mina's voice came out in a low, guttural growl. "I—I can't control it," she managed to say, her body beginning to convulse as the transformation took hold. Her skin stretched, and her fingers elongated into sharp, claw-like nails. The change was rapid and agonizing; within moments, the girl Mina had always been was replaced by something primal—a werewolf in the throes of her first shift, unable to revert back.

Tasha knelt beside her, her heart pounding with terror and determination.

"Mina, listen to me," she whispered urgently.

Somehow, the potion in her system—the one meant to dull the shock of supernatural revelations—had given her clarity.

Despite her own confusion, Tasha's mind was sharper now, as if the potion had protected her from the full impact of what was happening.

"Hold on," Tasha said, gently placing her hand on Mina's arm. "I'm here. You're going to be okay."

Mina's eyes, wild and full of raw fear, met Tasha's. For a long, heart-stopping moment, time seemed to stand still. Around them, the sounds of the party faded into a distant murmur, and all that mattered was the struggle within Mina's body.

Mina shuddered violently, her voice a broken whisper, "I—I can't... I can't change back."

Tasha squeezed her hand. "Just focus on my voice. Breathe with me. You're stronger than you think."

Inside the venue, chaos erupted. Mina's dad, Tasha's mom, and several of the werewolf guests rushed outside, alarm etched on every face. The witch, who had been mingling discreetly among the guests, stepped forward, her eyes wide with concern and disbelief.

"What—why isn't the potion working on her?" one of the elder werewolves demanded, glancing from Mina to Tasha.

Tasha's mom clutched the vial, her face pale. "I followed every instruction," she insisted, her voice trembling. "It was meant to help Tasha remain unaware—but it should have worked for Mina too, shouldn't it?"

The witch shook her head slowly. "It appears that fate has chosen differently for Mina. The potion was designed for Tasha's protection. If Mina is destined for this transformation, it may be that her path must be walked without such interference." Her tone was both regretful and resolute.

Mina's dad knelt beside his daughter, who was now partially transformed—her body caught in a liminal state between human and wolf. "Mina, please," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "You must fight it. We're here with you."

Mina's wild blue eyes flickered, and for a long moment, she looked lost in a haze of pain and confusion. Tasha continued to hold her, murmuring words of comfort and urging her to focus on her breathing. Despite the chaos and fear, Tasha's calm presence seemed to anchor Mina, giving her a small measure of control.

Minutes passed like hours.

The surrounding werewolves formed a protective circle around them, their eyes glinting in the moonlight as they silently encouraged Mina.

Gradually, the wild energy that had overtaken her began to ebb, and with Tasha's unwavering support, Mina's form slowly shifted back toward her human self.

The process was painful and messy, with sweat and tears mixing as her limbs contorted and then relaxed back into the shape of a young girl.

Finally, as the first light of dawn began to tinge the horizon, Mina collapsed into Tasha's arms. She was exhausted, her breathing ragged, but her eyes were no longer wild—they were human again, though haunted by the memory of the transformation.

Tasha, trembling, stroked her friend's hair. "It's over. You're back," she whispered, relief washing over her as she looked into Mina's eyes.

Around them, the assembled werewolves, the witch, Tasha's mom, and Mina's dad exchanged glances filled with confusion and a touch of awe.

None of them could understand why the potion hadn't worked on Tasha, and why Mina's transformation had been so raw and unfiltered.

It was as if fate had decided that Mina must experience her true nature unprotected, while Tasha remained aware until her destiny called her forth.

The witch stepped forward slowly. "This is a sign," she said, her voice low. "Mina's transformation was not meant to be tempered by magic. It is her truth—a necessary step on her path. And Tasha... she remains untouched for now, protected until her time comes."

Mina's dad, his eyes glistening with tears he refused to shed, nodded solemnly. "I will do everything in my power to help you understand this, Mina," he promised softly, as if not wanting to break the fragile peace that had finally returned to his daughter's features.

Tasha's mom wrapped her arms around Tasha, her expression conflicted. "I'm so sorry you had to witness that, darling," she murmured, guilt and worry mixing in her tone. "I only ever wanted to keep you safe from such pain."

Tasha shook her head, her hand still firmly on Mina's. "It's okay," she replied, her voice steadier than she felt. "I understand that this is part of our destiny—even if it's scary. We have to face it together."

As the sun climbed higher, bathing the party in a gentle light that contrasted sharply with the night's terrors, the guests began to disperse. The werewolves returned to the shadows from which they had come, and the witch disappeared as mysteriously as she had arrived. Mina, still trembling, looked up at Tasha with a mixture of gratitude and sorrow.

"Thank you," she whispered. "I—I don't know what I would have done without you."

Tasha squeezed her hand. "We're in this together. Always."

In that quiet moment, amid the aftermath of a night that had changed everything, the threads of fate continued to unravel.

Tasha and Mina knew that their lives would never be the same.

Their destinies were now irrevocably linked to the supernatural world—a world filled with mystery, danger, and wonder.

And somewhere far away, under the watchful gaze of a full moon, the Lycan Alpha silently vowed that he would continue to protect Tasha and guide her toward the truth, even as the delicate balance between human and supernatural teetered on the brink of chaos.

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