ONCE BETRAYED: TWICE RECLAIMED

A cry broke the evening's calm, sudden and piercing. It was the type of noise that made the hairs on your neck stand up, basic and instinctual, commanding notice.

"Is that you, Noah?" I called, my heart already pounding as I exited the kitchen, drying my hands with a dishcloth. The noise had originated from Chloe's room.

I rushed down the corridor, my naked feet gliding over the chill wooden floor. As I approached, I could hear increasingly—gentle coos, a quiet chuckle, and Noah whispering to himself. I opened the door to see him sitting uncomfortably on the edge of the changing table, holding his hand as if it had been burned.

"She bit me," he declared, his voice even yet colored with incredulity.

I glanced at Chloe, nestled in the bend of his arm, her bright blue eyes shining with happiness. Her little hands grasped a teething toy as if it were her most valued possession, and she laughed while waving it about in triumph.

"She lacks teeth entirely," I remarked, moving closer to examine his hand.

"That's what I believed as well," Noah responded, raising his finger. Two pale red marks blemished the skin—a bite, obvious as daylight. "However, it seems her gums are robust enough to accomplish *this*."

Chloe released a joyful squeal, seemingly pleased with herself, and then quickly stuffed the toy into her mouth. The scene would have been charming if it wasn't so unsettling. At just three months old, her strength and coordination were extraordinary, exceeding what any baby her age could typically achieve.

I crouched next to Noah, extending my hand toward hers. She seized my finger right away, her hold strong and unwavering. A shiver traveled down my back.

"She is powerful," I whispered, nearly

I whispered, mostly to myself.

"Noah remarked, 'It's too powerful.'" His voice was soft yet earnest, his golden-brown gaze locking onto mine.

We shared a glance that communicated everything neither of us wished to articulate. Chloe was not typical. We had been aware of it since her arrival—the vibrant blue eyes, the subtly luminous irises that occasionally sparkled in the darkness, the occasional glimpse of fangs—but it was becoming more difficult to maintain the facade.

"She's merely a baby," I murmured, my voice shaking. "She is not guilty."

Noah acknowledged her with a nod, his face relaxing as he tenderly caressed her cheek. "She exists." "However, the world won't perceive it in that manner if they discover it."

The silent reality lingered in the space between us. For weeks, we had done all we could to keep Chloe concealed. Cindy and her fellow coworkers at the bar believed we were merely overbearing parents, hesitant to take her out or allow anyone else to babysit. The reality was significantly more intricate. Chloe was transforming, maturing too fast, acquiring characteristics that didn't suit a child of her age—or kind.

Her playful laughter shattered the quiet once more, and I directed my attention to the windowsill, where a tiny ferret appeared, its smooth form outlined by the dimming light. Chloe's small hands came together joyfully, and a noise of sheer happiness left her mouth.

"Noah," I remarked, my tone cutting. "Gaze at her."

He shifted his focus to Chloe, and his eyes grew large. Her irises, already strikingly vivid, were shining once more, more intensely this time. The known glimmer deepened, illuminating her cheeks with a soft blue glow.

Noah whispered, "Her eyes.'"

Before we had a chance to respond, Chloe leaned in, holding onto the edge of her crib. Her little body trembled, and I became still as the air surrounding her appeared to quiver.

"Noah," I murmured once more, anxiety surging within my chest.

He was already standing up. "She's changing," he remarked, his tone saturated with a mix of wonder and dread.

She was not supposed to be able to. Shifting wasn't something that occurred for pups this young. It was a ceremonial transition for werewolves, something acquired with maturity and mastery, not childhood.

Chloe's laughter transformed into gentle growls as her form started to shift. Her arms stretched out, fur growing over her small limbs. Her formerly soft hair transformed into a tawny fur coat, and her fingers curled into small paws.

He looked at me for a moment, his face inscrutable, before his focus returned to Chloe. She had finished her transformation, now a tiny wolf pup with vibrant blue eyes and large paws.

She teetered momentarily on shaky legs before springing from the crib with unexpected grace, her growls playful as she chased after the ferret.

"Chloe!" Noah yelled, charging at her, but she moved too quickly.

I remained motionless, my thoughts speeding, my body unwilling to budge as I observed her pursue the ferret around the room.

"Amelia!" Noah yelled, jolting me out of my trance.

I tripped ahead, stretching out my hand for her just as she trapped the ferret by the bookshelf. Cradling her in my arms, I embraced her firmly even though she wriggled. She squirmed and bit at my hands, her little teeth piercing the skin.

"Watch out!" Noah exclaimed, hurrying to assist. "She is unaware of her own strength at this point."

I flinched as her pointed teeth pierced my thumb. "Chloe, please halt," I whispered gently, holding her tight.

Just as we were about to calm her down, a knock was heard at the door.

"Amelia?" "Are you inside?"

It was Cindy who was responsible.

"Damn," I whispered, my heart racing.

Noah took Chloe from my embrace, his actions swift and purposeful. "I'll conceal her," he stated, vanishing into the adjacent room and securing the door after him.

I brushed my hair back and inhaled deeply before unlocking the door.

Cindy! "Hello!" I welcomed with a strained smile.

"Hello to you too," she replied, her eyes narrowing a bit. "I stopped by to see how you and Chloe are doing." "Is everything alright?"

"Oh, everything is okay," I replied hastily. "Simply, um, exhausted." "You understand, things that come with being a new mom."

"Am I able to see her?"

"She's asleep," I said, moving into the doorway to obstruct her sight. "You're aware of how irritable she becomes when she is awakened."

Cindy folded her arms. "Amelia, you're behaving strangely." "Is anything happening?"

"Absolutely not!" I remarked, chuckling uneasily. "Simply getting accustomed to, um, all of it." "However, I appreciate you visiting!"

Following an extended silence, Cindy gave a slow nod. "Okay." "Just inform me if you require anything."

I observed her depart, lingering until her footsteps disappeared before shutting the door and resting against it with a trembling exhale of relief.

"Noah?" I phoned while making my way to the locked room.

Upon opening the door, I found it to be vacant. The crib had been knocked over, the window stood wide open, and the curtains fluttered in the wind. Noah and Chloe had departed.

"Crap," I murmured, my heart dropping as anxiety took hold.