Fated to a human

Haylie POV  

As I drift through my memories, each fragment restores a piece of what was once lost, stitching together the person I had forgotten I was. 

For so long, I had lived in a haze, uncertain of who I was or where I came from. But now, as the memories surface, I begin to recognize myself again. 

I remember the high school I attended—a place that once felt distant and blurred. I recall my love for skateboarding, the exhilaration of the pavement beneath my wheels, and the way chocolate ice cream, my favorite indulgence, brought me so much joy. 

 Claudine, my best friend, comes into focus, and with her, the bittersweet memory of Titan, my ex-boyfriend, who eventually dated her. They seemed so happy together, even if it hurt a little. 

I lived with my Aunt Camelia, who had a quiet grace, and my Uncle Jacob, whose steady, protective presence was like a father's. Each step through my memories reveals more, drawing me closer to a whole version of myself. 

Then, another memory unfolds. I open a door and step into the woods. But this time, it feels different—brighter, alive with the sound of laughter and music. 

 It's a high school party. I can see faces illuminated by the flickering glow of a bonfire. The scent of damp earth and burning wood mingles with the faint sweetness of someone's cologne. The scene feels familiar yet distant, like a photograph brought to life. 

What would I even do at a high school party like this? The thought lingered as I wandered through the scene, observing the chaos and energy. 

Laughter echoed through the woods, mingling with the faint strumming of a guitar. Young people were dancing, their movements carefree, while others huddled together, passing around bottles of beer. I frowned at the sight. Underage drinking... not exactly appropriate. 

Some sat around a roaring bonfire, their faces lit by its flickering orange glow. The air smelled of burning wood, damp leaves, and the faint metallic tang of fall. Still, as I took it all in, the same question persisted: What was I doing in a place like this? 

Then I saw her. Or rather, me. 

I froze. My heart skipped a beat as I realized I wasn't just remembering; I was reliving. There I was, standing near the bonfire with Claudine. I looked closer at the younger version of myself—still the same age now as I was then. This wasn't all that long ago. 

I stepped closer, careful not to disrupt the scene. Claudine was warming her hands by the fire, her face glowing with enthusiasm. "See? It's not so bad," she said, her voice light and teasing. 

The other me shook her head; her skepticism clear. "I don't know, Claudine," she replied. "I think my old house, a blanket, and some cartoons would be way better than this." 

I couldn't help but smirk at the familiarity of it. Classic me, I thought, folding my arms as I studied myself. I was wearing a white button-up shirt with the sleeves casually rolled up, paired with skinny jeans and sneakers. Yeah, that's definitely my style. 

I found a nearby rock and sat down, watching the scene unfold like a movie I'd never seen before. I had no idea what was about to happen, but there was something mesmerizing about observing this slice of my own life. 

Then he appeared. Titan. He walked into the circle of firelight, his gaze immediately finding Claudine. Without hesitation, he wrapped his arms around her from behind, pulling her close and pressing a kiss to her cheek. She laughed, leaning into his embrace. 

The other me? She rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed. I didn't blame her. Watching them was like being caught between the pages of a love story I wasn't a part of. They were head over heels, and I was... well, just there. 

Then something shifted. The other me turned abruptly, her face shadowed in the dim light of the fire, and began walking toward the woods. 

I stood up from my rock, my heart pounding. Where are you going? Without thinking, I rushed after her, weaving through the scattered clusters of people until the light of the bonfire faded, replaced by the cool, quiet darkness of the forest. 

Clearly, the other me had no sense of self-preservation—or common sense, for that matter. After everything that happened, after what happened to Mom, why would I ever think walking into the woods alone was a good idea? 

I hurried after her, the shadows of the tall trees swallowing the faint light of the bonfire. The deeper we went, the colder the air became. 

 A sharp breeze swept through, and I shivered, pulling my arms around myself for warmth. The chill wasn't just physical; it carried an almost tangible sense of unease. The occasional hoot of an owl echoed through the darkness, heightening the tension with its haunting melody. 

I watched the other me, her figure outlined by the faint moonlight filtering through the canopy. Her steps were determined but aimless, crunching leaves and snapping twigs beneath her sneakers. What was I thinking back then? What could have driven me to venture into such a place alone? 

Then, a sound behind me froze me in my tracks. A sharp crack—the unmistakable noise of a stick breaking underfoot. My breath caught in my throat. I wasn't the only one who heard it; the other me stopped mid-step, her body tense and alert. 

My eyes darted around, scanning the shadows. Every rustle of leaves and creak of branches seemed amplified in the oppressive silence. 

 My heart pounded as I strained to see beyond the darkness. But there was nothing. Maybe it was just the owl above, shifting its perch in the trees. Or perhaps a squirrel scurrying through the underbrush. 

The other me hesitated for a moment longer, then shook her head, watching as my doppelgänger walked further away. Without hesitating, I bit my lower lip and took off after her. Was she crazy? Absolutely. But something about the way she moved, with that reckless abandon, pulled me in. 

Liam Pov  

As we raced through the forest toward the mountains, the rhythmic pounding of our paws echoed in the crisp night air. My wolf, Ace, was relentless, his determination burning through me like fire. We must find Haylie. We must bring her home. 

The wind rushed past, carrying the faint, fragrant hints of pine and earth, but Ace was too focused to notice. He pushed harder, his muscles coiling and releasing in a seamless rhythm, driving us forward with unyielding purpose. 

Then, without warning, Ace skidded to a halt, his claws digging into the dirt to steady himself. The sharpness of the stop nearly sent us tumbling, but he held firm, his senses alight with alarm. 

The stench hit us first—evil and death, thick and acrid, filling his nostrils and sending a growl rumbling through his chest. Beside us, Titan's wolf snarled, his breathing heavy as he caught the same scent. The fur along his spine bristled in sync with mine. 

Then, I saw her. The one person I hated more than anyone else in this cursed world. Melody. 

Ace's hackles rose immediately, his lips peeling back to bare sharp, gleaming teeth. His claws dug into the soil as he crouched low, muscles taut and ready to spring. He let out a low, guttural growl that echoed through the trees, vibrating with raw anger. 

"Well, well," Melody's voice rang out, sickly sweet and laced with venom. She stepped forward, her movements unnervingly calm, a cruel smile playing on her lips. "Don't tell me you're still trying to save a dead girl over your baby." 

Her words hit like a thunderclap, sharp and disorienting. Ace bristled, his growl deepening, while I fought to suppress the rising tide of anger and confusion. The wolf's instincts wanted to strike, but my mind raced with Melody's insinuation. 

Through the mind link, Titan's voice surged with urgency and disbelief. What does she mean, Liam? Baby? His tone was sharp, demanding answers I wasn't ready to give. "Answer me—what is this madwoman talking about?" 

Ace ignored the mental intrusion, his focus locked entirely on Melody as she took slow, deliberate steps toward us. His claws sank deeper into the earth, his body coiled like a spring, ready to strike. 

Melody's wicked smile only widened as she knelt down, seemingly unbothered by the danger just feet away. Her calmness set my nerves on edge, each second feeling like a taut string ready to snap. 

Ace's growl intensified, his sharp gaze never wavering from her. I fought against him, trying to take control, but he resisted. His primal instincts screamed that we had to stay ready, that any moment of weakness could be exploited. 

"Liam, what's going on?" Titan's voice pushed harder, his worry bleeding through the link. 

But I couldn't answer. Not now. Not while Melody's words, her smugness, and the sinister presence radiating off her twisted every thought into chaos. 

Her eyes darkened as she stared at me, their abyssal hue pulling me into a pit of revulsion. The smile that stretched across her face twisted my stomach into knots, but it was the faint, rhythmic sound—a heartbeat—emanating from her abdomen that nearly sent bile rising to my throat. 

"You know," Melody purred, her voice a blend of malice and mockery, "our baby is going to be a girl." 

Ace's growl grew into a snarl, his fury pouring through me in waves. I felt the tremor of his anger ripple through every muscle in our body, yet I remained trapped within him, unable to force a shift. His refusal to let me take control left me a prisoner to his rage. 

Melody slowly sank to her knees, one hand wrapping protectively—or mockingly—around her stomach. Her smirk deepened as she locked eyes with Ace, daring him to make a move. 

"I could shift back," I thought desperately, but Ace's growl cut through my resolve, silencing the thought before it could take root. 

Her attention flickered to Titan, his wolf—Skull—standing rigid beside me. She grinned wickedly at him, as though her words were aimed to cut as deeply as possible. 

"Oh, I guess your friend here hasn't told you yet," she taunted, her tone dripping with venom. "You're going to be an uncle. And thanks to the wonders of black magic, this little girl will be here in just two months." 

The revelation hit like a thunderclap. Skull's eyes widened, his shock evident even through his lupine form. A low whimper escaped him before it was replaced by a growl of disbelief and fury. 

I opened the mind link, my thoughts heavy and labored as I forced the words to Titan. 

"I was going to tell you about Melody," I said, the weight of guilt and anger clawing at me. "I didn't know… not at first. Back then, she was pretending to be Haylie. She fooled me—" 

Ace's snarl deepened, cutting off my thoughts. His hatred for Melody radiated through our bond, his instincts screaming for action. But Melody just laughed, her wicked chuckle slicing through the air like a knife. 

"Oh, Liam," she cooed mockingly, her voice like poison, "always so righteous, so noble. You think your anger scares me? You think your wolf is any match for what I've become?" 

Her words sent another wave of rage surging through Ace, his claws digging into the earth as his muscles coiled. He was ready to strike, ready to end her once and for all. 

But something about her calmness—her unwavering confidence—kept him from lunging. 

"Two months, Liam," she said, her tone softening into something almost sweet, though it only made her more terrifying. "Two months until she's here. And when she is, the world will bow to her power. She's destined for greatness, you know." 

Ace's growl turned guttural, a deep, vibrating sound that echoed through the woods. I could feel his tension, his desire to attack, but I also felt his hesitation. Melody's words, her actions—they were bait, and Ace knew it. And just like that in blink of an eye she despaired in to thing air. Leaving me and Titan there alone.