Page 85 of Fate Awakened

“Okay,” I respond, nodding my agreement as my heart squeezes.

“Then let’s begin,” he says, leaning back casually and crossing his leg.

“You’re a werewolf.” I start with the ones I know to be true.

“That’s not a question, but we prefer the term shifter,” he responds.

“How did you become a... Shifter?” I ask.

“Shifters are born from others with the DNA. Anyone born from a parent with the gene can be Awakened,” I make a face which causes him to continue, “Most of us are Awakened on our tenth birthday by the Alpha of our pack. Alphas have a venom that causes the reaction to the gene. Some don’t grow up with the pack. Unplanned pregnancies, orphaned shifters taken into the system, a one-night stand in Vegas.” He looks at me, reading to see if I’m understanding, so I nod, urging him to continue.

“Those shifters are known as Unawakened because they carry the gene but are never bitten to receive their wolf. Only an Alpha can scent an Unawakened.”

Okay, so not completely weird. Standard biology.

“How long have shifters existed?”

“Our history can be traced back as far as humans. We’ve always existed among them,” he says.

“How have you stayed in secret all this time? How come people don’t have video evidence? Cameras are everywhere,” I begin to ramble, wondering how an entire species could exist right under our noses.

“We have stringent rules. Humans can’t know. If a human finds out about us, they must die.” I inhale sharply.

“We aren’t animals, Brielle. We don’t take killing lightly, but our secret keeps us safe from governments who’d want to test us and turn us into lab rats, or worse, the fear humans would create, leading to a war between the species.”

I’m going to die.

I’m human, and I know about them.

“Why would you heal me if I’m just going to be killed?” I ask, a tremble sneaking into my voice.

“We aren’t going to kill you, Brielle,” he says matter-of-factly, making me even more confused.

“But you just said…” he cuts me off.

“I told you if a human finds out about us,theymust be killed.”

My mind races, remembering Deacon saying something about that. I close my eyes, focusing on the memory.

“She’s rather beautiful. I can see why you’d want her back. It’s a shame you will have to kill her... Now, this is a surprise. You’re not at all what you seem. Are you, lupo nascosto? Tell me, have they told you what you are?

“Deacon’s an Alpha,” I say, knowing it sounds stupid, but Dante nods, seeing my train of thought.

Holy Fuck. I’m Unawakened.

My heart rate starts increasing. My breath becomes shallow. I can feel the panic creep in even as I try to fight it off. I close my eyes, attempting to center myself by counting when Dante speaks.

“Brielle,calm down.” His words slide over me like electricity on my skin, and I find my panic retreating. My breathing slows, and my heart rate evens.

“What did you just do to me?” I ask, fearing the panic will come back.

“I used what’s called command. Alpha’s can give orders to other shifters using command,” he explains. “It helps keep packs full of testosterone-filled shifters in line.”

My mind races with the implications that he can literally order me to do anything and the power that comes with that.

“How long have you known?” I ask, not clarifying because he knows what I’m asking.

“We’ve known since your roommate’s party.”

---