Born To Be More

My Gift

Raine

I made my way back toward the gardens behind the pack house—a peaceful place to sit and collect my thoughts. Everything here is so… perfect. The day-care had been beautiful, so well-kept and full of joy. The people seem kind, the kids happy. It’s strange, but it reminds me of those little South Island towns back home in New Zealand. Clean, tight-knit, like everyone knows everyone.

I sigh and settle onto a bench tucked beneath a tree, taking in the view.

A group of teenagers sprint past, laughing and yelling at each other—then one suddenly shifts into a wolf mid-run, taking off into the woods, the others following behind without missing a beat.

“Typical teens,” I mutter, shaking my head with a smirk. Apart from the whole turning into a giant predator thing, they’re not much different from human kids. Wild energy. Invincible vibes.

I lean back, staring up at the sky through the branches. I wonder what it would feel like to shift. To become something else. I still don’t know what this so-called “gift” is that Doc says I have… but now I’m curious.

What if I’m something… weird?

A dragon? God, what if I’m some massive fire-breathing reptile with claws and scales? I don’t think I could pull that off—not with any grace.

Or worse… what if I’m a troll?

Max did say trolls were assholes.

I groan, rubbing my forehead. “Stop overthinking, Raine,” I mumble to myself. “Just wait and see what Doc says, then freak out—if necessary.”

I glance back toward the pack house just in time to see Michael and Arabell come barreling out the front doors like mini tornadoes, hotly pursued by an older woman waving what looks like a wooden spoon. The twins are squealing with laughter, zigzagging through the gardens like it’s a game.

I laugh out loud. Yeah. Trouble with a capital T.

My phone rang, cutting through the quiet. I fished it from my pocket.

“Hello?”

“Hi Raine, this is Doctor Stuart. I have your results and would like to see you later today, please,” he said.

“That was quick. What time would suit?”

“I pushed through an urgent request. I thought you might appreciate having some time to process things before heading back to the city. How does 5 p.m. sound? The clinic will be quieter by then—less staff, fewer eyes.”

“Sounds good, Doc. I’ll see you then.”

I hung up, my thoughts already spinning. What had the results said? Was it a yes—you’re a wolf? Or something stranger? He sounded calm, at least. That had to be good... right?

I was still staring off into space when I caught movement out of the corner of my eye. A man approached from the side—stocky build, not as tall as Max, broader in the shoulders, but something about the way he moved felt... off. Not dangerous. But not right either.

“Afternoon,” he said, flashing me a grin that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Afternoon,” I replied, offering a polite smile.

“What’s a beautiful girl like you doing out here all alone?”

Okay. That was... something. “Wow. That’s cheesy,” I replied, raising a brow.

“I meant it to be honest, not cheesy.”

“Then you clearly don’t get out much,” I said with a teasing edge, but my gut was already telling me to keep my guard up.

He chuckled. “Okay, so what would work?”

“Maybe just start with a simple hello.”

He gave me a crooked smile. “Alright. Hello.”

There was a pause. Then, “And what would I say to capture this beautiful woman’s attention?”

“Jesus, you really don’t get out, do you?”

He laughed, but it didn’t sound real. “Name’s Warrick. Can I accompany you on a walk through the gardens?”

Every nerve in my body went still.

Warrick.

Where had I heard that name?

My instincts screamed at me to stay sharp. There was something oily about the way he said it, like he was trying too hard to seem casual. And his eyes... they weren’t just looking—they were calculating.

“Thanks for the offer,” I said slowly, forcing a pleasant tone, “but I was just about to head off.”

I hear a growl coming from the entrance to the gardens and see Tyson and 2 other wolves hoofing over the garden beds and bushes. I notice Warrick taking a couple of steps back and, within seconds, the wolves leap in front of him. Tyson walks forward and licks my cheek, before changing into Max. Thank God, someone throws him some shorts, so I don't embarrass myself by staring at his d**k in front of others. However, I am going to check out his chest, because, f**k, I am female, and he is delicious. "You OK baby?" Max asks. "Of course," I say, confused. I notice now Warrick is standing still while 2 wolves still stare him down. "Baby?" Warrick questions. "Yes, she is mine". Max says "Maybe you shouldn't leave her unattended Max" Warrick says. A huge grey wolf changes into Rion and he punches Warrick in the face. "Alpha to you Warrick." I look away because s**t, he is naked, and this is way too much to face without blushing. "And she is your future Luna" Rion growls out, punching him again.

“Guys, I’m fine,” I said quickly, trying to calm the rising testosterone-fueled drama. “Aside from the fact that he was cheesy as hell, he was only talking to me. And Max—I have an appointment soon, remember?”

Max didn’t respond with words. He just nodded once toward Rion—probably doing that wolfy mind-link thing—and then took my hand, leading me away without another glance at Warrick. We passed through the pack grounds and into the house, Max ignoring everyone trying to stop him or get his attention.

His hand pressed gently against the small of my back as he guided me into the lift. The doors closed, and he immediately pulled me into his arms, holding me tight as if I might vanish.

His forehead rested against mine.

“Are you okay?” I asked softly, searching his eyes.

He didn’t answer. Instead, when the doors opened, he led me wordlessly into our bedroom. The moment the door shut, he turned, eyes blazing—and crashed his lips into mine. The kiss was urgent. Desperate. Devouring.

“You are mine,” he growled between kisses.

“Yes. Yours,” I breathed, trying to catch up with the sudden storm of emotion rolling off him.

“I love you, Angel,” he said, voice low and raw. “And nobody—nobody—is going to hurt you or take you away from me.”

God, he was intense. Possessive. And definitely not okay.

I placed my hands on his chest, forcing a sliver of space between us. “Max… what happened?”

His jaw clenched. That told me everything—something had definitely happened.

Max held me tightly in his arms, the warmth of his body grounding me as he finally told me why he’d been called away earlier.

“There was a rogue at the border,” he said. “Caught trying to cut through the fence.”

I blinked. “What? Why?”

He hesitated for a moment, his jaw tight. “He said… he was sent to scare you.”

A chill ran down my spine. “Why would someone want to scare me?”

Max’s arms tightened. “To get you away from me,” he said quietly.

I looked up at him, heart thudding. “What?”

“The rogue didn’t try to climb the fence—he was cutting through it, making noise. It was sloppy. It doesn’t add up unless it was meant to pull attention... or cause panic.”

“But I was just sitting in the garden,” I said, voice smaller than I wanted it to be.

“I think that was the point,” Max murmured, brows furrowing. “A distraction. We’re investigating now.”

My chest squeezed. “Max… do you think Mark found me?”

He didn’t answer right away. His silence said more than words could.

“I don’t know yet, Angel,” he said finally. “But I promise you this—we’ll find out. I’ve already ordered all surveillance footage pulled from the area. No one’s going to get near you. Not with me here.”

He pulled me closer, tucking me under his chin. I let him. For the first time since meeting Max, I felt something cold nibble at the edge of my confidence.

Fear.

But underneath that... fire.

Max held me in his lap until it was time to see the doctor. I nestled into him, heart pounding. I just wanted this over with.

“Angel,” he said softly, brushing my hair back, “no matter what happens, I love you. You are my mate, and I’ll stand by you. I’ll protect you with everything I have. Understand?”

“I’m scared, Max,” I whispered. “Will you come in with me for the results?”

“Of course, Angel.”

We walked hand in hand across to the hospital. My grip tightened as soon as I saw the door.

“Great, Raine, come on in,” Doc said, greeting us with a warm smile. He glanced at Max. “So you’re coming in this time? That’s probably wise—I don’t need my office door kicked in.”

I gave a nervous chuckle and nodded, clinging to Max like a lifeline.

We entered Doc’s office—sleek, professional, and exactly what you'd expect from a small-town hospital. Degrees lined the walls, a plastic skeleton stood in the corner, and a couple of family photos softened the clinical edge.

We sat, and I braced myself.

“Raine,” Doc began, folding his hands on his desk. “We’ve reviewed all your test results and compiled a complete medical file. I want to walk you through what we found.”

I held my breath.

“We discovered some extremely unusual blood cells in your tests. In all my years of practice, I’ve never seen anything like them. Not even in Alphas. Max has high levels—he’s the most dominant wolf we’ve ever studied—but yours…” He paused. “Yours are something else entirely.”

I turned to Max. His brows were furrowed, jaw tight.

Tears welled in my eyes, panic taking hold.

“Please, don’t tell me I’m a monster,” I choked out. “Or a troll. I can’t be a troll, Doc…”

Max doesn’t say a word—just scoops me into his lap and holds me tight. His arms feel like a shield, and I need that right now. His eyes stay locked on Doc, intense, waiting.

Doc clears his throat, gentler this time.

“Oh, Raine. Goodness, no—you’re not a troll or a monster. Your gift… it’s a wolf.”

I blink.

“A wolf?” My voice cracks. “What the f**k? How did I not know that?”

Doc leans forward, lacing his fingers together.

“Well, that’s where things get... interesting. And Max, you might want to dig into some archives when you get the chance, because Raine’s bloodwork—it’s off the charts. Even for a wolf.”

Max stiffens under me. His hand curls protectively around my waist.

“What does that mean?” I ask.

“It means you’re special,” Doc says carefully. “Very rare. These levels suggest you’ll have abilities most wolves don’t. Powers that could be... extraordinary once your wolf comes forward.”

I stare at him, heart pounding.

“You mentioned you turn twenty-four in a couple of weeks?” he continues. “That’s an important age in our world. I believe your wolf is tied to your inheritance—whatever it is you’re meant to receive will coincide with your awakening.”

“So my birthday will trigger all of this?” I whisper. “The powers, the shift, everything?”

“Yes. And that’s why you must be on pack grounds when it happens,” Doc says firmly. “You’ll need support. Guidance. Safety.”

I nod slowly, feeling the truth of it settle into my bones.

“There’s more,” Doc adds. “From what you’ve shared, Raine, it seems your original pack hid you—to protect you. Likely because of how rare your gift is. It wouldn’t be the first time a bloodline was shielded from discovery.”

I sit in silence for a moment, stunned.

So I’m a wolf.

A powerful one.

And my pack back in New Zealand—my family—hid me. Protected me. But from what?

And more importantly… from who?

I feel Max’s body go rigid beneath me.

“Max?” I whisper.

He hesitates. “Raine… Tyson and I have suspected you were a wolf for a while. Because you’re my fated mate. But I’ve been digging into your past—into the pack in New Zealand. And what I found…” He pauses, glancing at the Doc. “It’s going to upset you.”

My pulse spikes. More than this? More than finding out I’m a werewolf with hidden powers and a future that makes zero sense?

“I’m already stressed the f**k out, Max. Just tell me.”

He exhales slowly. “I contacted the Alpha of the New Zealand pack. Raine… you’re not just any wolf. You’re unique—one of a kind. When your parents and the pack realized how special you were, they made the decision to hide you. To protect you.”

His words hit me like ice water. My heart drops.

“What do you mean hide me?”

“They put you into protective custody,” he says carefully. “They charmed your wolf—suppressed it—so she wouldn’t surface until your twenty-fourth birthday.”

I stare at him, stunned. “Charmed? Like magic?” I whisper.

“Yes. Old magic. Powerful, ancient s**t that not many packs can access.”

I blink fast, trying to process. “Wait… my aunt? That woman was my protector?” My voice is sharp now, raw with emotion. “She hated me. Treated me like I was nothing.”

“I know,” Max says softly. “But she kept you hidden. That was her role. And she wasn’t alone. There were enchantments, illusions. A full cover-up. To keep you alive.”

My breath catches. Something shifts in my chest. Hope. Terror. A flicker of truth.

“Max,” I whisper, my voice breaking. “Are my parents… are they alive?”

He looks me dead in the eyes and nods.

My world tilts.

“They’re alive, Raine,” he says quietly. “And they’ve been waiting for the day you’d remember who you are.”

“How could they do this to me, Max?” I choke out, the tears falling freely now. “Did they not love me? I thought they were dead—all this time.”

“Baby, no,” Max says, his voice breaking. “They did it because they love you. They gave up everything to keep you safe. They’ve been waiting… and now they know you're with me. When I made the inquiries, it got back to them. If you want to see them again, Angel, I’ll make it happen.”

I’m shaking, overwhelmed. “I need to see them. I need to understand why—why I was hidden. Why they left me.”

“I’ll sort it,” Max promises, holding me tighter. “But you have to know, Raine... since you came to the States and took that modeling job, your face is everywhere. Someone’s noticed. Mark is sniffing around again. We’re digging into it. But right now? Protecting you is everything. I won’t lose you.”

His words are a growl in my ear—fierce, primal, terrified.

Doc clears his throat gently. “Raine, we’d like to run a few more tests over the next week and monitor you closely as your birthday gets closer. Tyson may try to reach your wolf again, so stay close to Max. Let him help guide you through the changes.”

I nod, feeling hollow and full at the same time.

“You can ask me anything about being a wolf,” Doc continues kindly. “I’ll answer whatever I can. And I know Max will, too. You’re not alone in this.”

Max brushes his lips to my forehead, lingering there like a vow.

“Come on, Angel. Let me take you back to our room. I need to check in with Rion,” he says gently.

“Can I come?” I ask quickly. “I don’t want to be alone right now.”

Max doesn’t hesitate. “Of course.” He lifts me from his lap, carrying me as if I’m weightless.

“Thank you, Doctor Stuart,” I say quietly, still clutching Max’s shirt.

“We’ll be in touch soon, Raine,” Doc replies, giving me a warm look. “And we’ll figure out the rest. I promise.”

But as Max carries me down the hall, one truth keeps echoing in my head:

This is far from over.