Chapter 22
917 Words
VICTORS POV:
Victor watched as Mia disappeared up the stairs with her parents.
The moment she vanished from sight—
The air settled.
But not completely.
Whatever had been reacting—
Was still there.
Lingering.
Waiting.
Victor’s gaze drifted upward.
Then—
Slowly—
Toward the deeper parts of the house.
Toward something unseen.
Unfamiliar.
Old.
His jaw tightened slightly.
This wasn’t just about Mia anymore.
MIA:
Upstairs, Mia stepped into her parents’ room.
The door closed behind them with a soft click.
Silence filled the space.
Heavy.
Expectant.
Her father turned to face her fully.
“Mia,” he said, his voice quieter now, more controlled. “Tell us exactly what happened at that museum.”
Mia’s chest tightened.
Because she didn’t know where to start.
Or what mattered.
Or what would change everything if she said it out loud.
She exhaled slowly.
Mia paused, the rock, or was it a gem?
It had been in her hand when she collapsed, where was it?
The question hung in the air.
“What happened at the museum?”
Mia opened her mouth—
Then paused.
Because there was too much.
Too many pieces.
Too many things that didn’t make sense.
“I… I don’t really know,” she admitted finally. “There was this stone. And it just—reacted. And then—” she hesitated, her voice lowering, “—I felt something. Like it was… pulling me.”
Silence followed.
Heavy.
Her parents exchanged a look.
A quiet one.
But meaningful.
And then—
Just as quickly as the tension had risen—
It shifted.
Her mother’s expression softened instantly, her tone changing like a switch had been flipped.
“Well,” she said lightly, “we can figure all of that out later.”
Mia blinked.
Her father stepped back slightly, the intensity in his posture easing.
“For now,” her mother continued, smoothing a hand over Mia’s arm, “we should focus on something a little less… stressful.”
Mia frowned slightly. “…Like what?”
“Your birthday,” her mother said simply.
That caught her off guard.
“My birthday?”
“Yes,” her mother smiled. “It’s in three weeks. We haven’t finalized anything yet.”
Mia glanced between them.
The shift felt… intentional.
Too intentional.
“Most of the packs will already be here,” her father added calmly. “And the visiting clans. It will be… a large gathering.”
Lilly’s voice echoed faintly in Mia’s memory.
Do you even know how many packs are coming?
Her stomach tightened slightly.
“Everyone will be celebrating,” her mother continued. “Eligible werewolves, vampires… all of them.”
Looking.
Waiting.
For their mate.
Mia swallowed.
“Do you have any preferences?” her mother asked gently. “Theme? Colors? Cake?”
Mia blinked again. “Cake?”
“Yes, cake,” her mother said, smiling. “Flavor matters.”
“…Chocolate?” Mia said, uncertain.
“Good choice,” her mother nodded approvingly. “Classic.”
“And your dress,” she added. “Would you like me to go shopping with you? We could make a day of it.”
Mia hesitated.
"Sure mom, Id really like that. would you mind in Lilly and her mom tagged along?"
"Of Course not! We'll make a day of it and have lunch!".
Her father stepped forward then.
Closing the distance between them in a single, quiet motion.
He pulled her into a hug.
Strong.
Grounding.
Mia stilled for just a second—
Then relaxed into it.
He didn’t say anything at first.
Just held her.
Then he leaned back slightly, his hands still resting on her shoulders as he looked at her.
Really looked at her.
Searching.
Checking.
“…Get some rest,” he said finally.
His voice was steady.
But softer than before.
“I’ll be back later. The Crescent Wolf pack just arrived. I need to welcome them.”
Mia nodded. “Okay.”
He gave her one last look—
Then turned and left the room.
Her mother stepped in immediately after, wrapping her arms around Mia in a softer, warmer embrace.
“I had dinner sent up to your room,” she said quietly, pulling back with a small smile—and a wink. “Figured you might not want to deal with everyone tonight.”
Mia huffed a quiet breath. “You’re not wrong.”
“And,” her mother added, brushing a piece of hair back from Mia’s face, “no school for the rest of the week.”
Mia blinked. “What?”
“Doctor’s orders,” her mother said smoothly.
Mia opened her mouth—
Then closed it again.
Too tired to argue.
“Okay,” she said instead.
Her mother smiled.
“Good.”
They stepped out into the hallway together.
The sounds of the packhouse drifted upward—voices, movement, life continuing below.
Her mother leaned in, pressing a quick kiss to Mia’s cheek.
“Get some sleep,” she said softly.
Then, just as quickly—
She was gone.
Moving down the stairs, already shifting back into her role—graceful, composed, ready to greet the arriving pack alongside her mate.
Mia stood there for a moment.
Alone.
The hallway suddenly too quiet.
She exhaled slowly, turning toward her room.
But as she walked—
That feeling returned.
Faint.
But there.
A low hum beneath her skin.
Steady.
Patient.
Waiting.
And this time—
It didn’t fade.
- Writer
