When I woke, the air was thick with iron and fear.My head throbbed, my throat was dry, and sweat clung to my skin. It took a moment for my vision to focus  metal bars, cold concrete, the faint scent of blood and pine.A cage.

I tried to sit up, but every muscle screamed in protest. Jeremy was there, his face pale, his usual calm cracking around the edges.

"What—where am I?" I croaked. "Why am I—?"

Before I could finish, pain tore through me like wildfire. My bones snapped, shifted, and re-formed under my skin. It felt like my body was turning itself inside out. I screamed until my voice broke.

"Don't fight it," Jeremy said quietly, voice steady even as his eyes filled with sorrow.

I didn't understand what he meant. How do you not fight something that's killing you from the inside out?And then  blackness.

Present Day

The next thing I remember is sitting in Logan's office beside Elena. The smell of coffee and disinfectant couldn't quite hide the wildness still burning beneath my skin.

"So," Logan said, leaning back in his chair. "What happened last night?"

"It almost happened in front of Philip," Elena said. "I barely got away in time."

"Yeah," I added. "Same here. Charlie nearly saw me."

Logan's brow furrowed. "But it didn't, right?"

"No," Elena said. "We lied. Got out before it got bad."

I rubbed my temples. "It was like my whole body was rioting against me."

"We had to change in an alley," Elena admitted softly.

Logan sighed. "How long since your last run?"

"Thirty-seven days," Elena confessed.

His gaze shifted to me. "And you?"

"Seventy-four."
Logan slammed his pen down. "Are you insane? You can't suppress the change that long!"

"I don't know," I muttered. "You're the shrink."

"Psychologist," he corrected automatically.

I shot him a smirk. "Same difference."

Despite himself, Logan almost smiled. "The offer still stands. You two could run with me it's safer in a pack."

Elena and I exchanged a look.

"Logan," I started, "we love you. We're grateful for you. But—"

"We don't want to run," Elena finished. "Not like that."

Logan sighed again but didn't argue. "Then at least do it once a week. Because if you keep pushing it, the change will take you whether you're ready or not."

//

That night was supposed to be normal champagne glasses, polite laughter, and Philip's family smiling for the cameras.For a moment, it was normal.
Then Logan called.

Then the words "family obligation" shattered everything.

A girl had been killed by a mutt outside Bear Valley. Jeremy was calling everyone home.
Elena tried to reason. I refused to listen.

"We're not their family anymore," I said coldly. "Not our problem."

But Logan's voice carried the weight of truth. "It is your problem, Isabella. You can't outrun what you are."

Later that night, Charlie kissed my cheek as I packed a small bag.

"Where's home?" he asked softly, watching me avoid his eyes.

I hesitated. "Jeremy Danvers. He's... family."

He frowned. "Not one of those foster families?"

"No. Blood. Complicated blood." I forced a laugh.

He studied me. "Then you should call them back. Family's family."

So I did.

The line rang once before a familiar voice answered.

"Good to hear your voice, little sis," Clay said.

I froze. My heart stuttered.Then I hung up.

The drive to Stonehaven felt endless.Every tree that lined the winding road seemed to whisper warnings you can never truly leave.When the car stopped before the wrought-iron gates, Elena stepped out first. Her face was pale, but her spine was straight. I followed, closing the door quietly behind me.
Clay was there, waiting.Same as ever  calm, strong, unreadable.

"Isabella," he greeted, his voice a mix of surprise and relief. "It's good to see you."

I met his eyes, every memory of betrayal flooding back. "Wish I could say the same."
Then I turned to Elena. "Come on. Let's get this over with."

And together, we walked into the house that made us  and broke us.