Page 37 of Alpha's Hidden Gem

He reaches out, gently brushing a strand of hair from my face. The moment his skin touches mine, an electric spark ignites between us, sending a shiver down my spine. I gasp, my eyes widening at the intensity of the sensation.What is happening to me?

"Axel," I whisper, my voice trembling. "What's going on? I don't understand."

He takes a deep breath, his eyes searching mine as he begins to explain.

"Lila, when I found you in the barn, you were badly hurt. I had to... I had to turn you to save your life."

Turn me?

The words echo in my mind, their meaning both terrifying and strangely fascinating. A part of me wants to reject this new reality, to insist that it's all a dream, but another part—the part that seems to be connected to this new presence within me—accepts it with a startling instinctiveness.

As Axel opens his mouth to speak, an older woman places her hand on his shoulder and then steps forward, her presence exuding calm and wisdom.

"I'm Mabel, Axel's grandmother," the older woman says, her voice warm and soothing. "I know this must be overwhelming for you, Lila, but we're here to help you through this transition."

"Transition? Turning? I don't understand."

"Darling, Axel turned you into a wolf shifter. Some would call us werewolves, but we have control over our shifts, unlike a werewolf," she explains.

"So I'm not human anymore?"

"You are still human, but with a special gift, I would say."

"I feel like I am going crazy, Everything is so strong," I manage to say in a whisper.

"Oh, she is already awake then. The voice in your head is your wolf, all humans have a wolf but they are locked deep down, dormant until they are awakened," Mabel replies. "Your wolf can communicate with you in your mind. She also has heightened senses like a wolf and that is what you're experiencing now."

"How do you manage all of this? It's exhausting."

"Breathing is a start."

I nod, my throat tight with emotion. Mabel's presence is comforting, like a balm on my frayed nerves. She guides me through some simple breathing exercises, helping me focus on each sense individually.

"Concentrate on one scent at a time," Mabel instructs. "Let it wash over you, then move on to the next."

I close my eyes, following her guidance. Slowly, the barrage of sensations becomes more manageable, and I feel a sense of control returning.

Another woman enters the room, her movements graceful and assured. "Hey, Lila, it's Elena. Do you remember me?" she introduces herself, offering me a sympathetic smile. "I was born a shifter. At the age of sixteen, my dormant wolf consciousness came alive, and let me tell you, even if you're prepared for the day when it will begin speaking to you, it's still a jarring and challenging experience. So, I understand how disorienting all this can be."

Elena shares stories of her childhood, of learning to navigate the world with her enhanced senses and abilities. Her words paint a picture of a life both extraordinary and challenging, and I find myself hanging on to every detail.

Mabel takes my hand, her touch grounding me. "Being a shifter is a gift, Lila. It's a part of who you are now, but it doesn't defineyou. You'll learn to balance your wolf nature with your human life."

Listen to elder. She knows,the wolf within me urges, its presence a steady anchor in the storm of my thoughts.

"You mean that I will still have my humanity?"

"Yes," Axel says from behind Mabel.

Both human and wolf now. Embrace both,my wolf echoes, its voice a gentle reminder.

As I process Mabel's words, I can't help but wonder how this will change everything—my relationships, my business, my entire life. The thought is both terrifying and exhilarating.

Born wolf. Much to learn from her,my wolf muses as Elena continues to share her experiences.

I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. I know there's no going back, only forward.

Suddenly, Mabel's expression turns serious, her eyes locking with mine. "Lila, there's something else you need to know..."

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