The Startup Queen

Something Inside her

Maya stood before the mirror, staring at her reflection for what seemed like forever. Her eyes had returned to normal—brown, unmistakably human. She blinked again and again, half hoping the odd silver glow would come back and confirm that she hadn’t imagined it. Nothing changed. When she placed her hand against the glass, it shook slightly. "What’s happening to me?"

A few feet behind her, Adrian watched in silence. He had found a black shirt somewhere in the apartment and pulled it on. His face was composed, but the tightness in his shoulders gave him away.

"You have to get out of here."

Maya turned toward him. "You keep saying that."

"Because you’re not safe."

"You broke into my apartment as a wolf."

"I came because I sensed something was wrong."

"And you expect me to trust you?"

"No."

His answer caught her off guard. Adrian met her eyes.

"I expect you to stay alive."

Maya crossed her arms. "Then tell me everything."

Adrian paused. "Not here."

"Why not?"

"Whoever attacked you could come back."

Maya looked toward the broken window.

She hated to admit it, but he had a point. Her apartment was wrecked. The living room furniture had been knocked over, glass glittered across the floor, and one of her bookshelves had fallen against the wall. She let out a tired breath.

"This is going to cost a fortune."

Adrian nearly smiled. "You’re worried about the furniture?"

"I own a business." Everything costs something." "You just found out you're a werewolf." "My landlord still wants the rent, though." Adrian looked at her. For the first time that night, a real smile appeared on his face.

Maya caught it and quickly turned away. "Don't smile." "Why?" "It makes you look less intimidating." "I didn't realize I was trying to intimidate you." "You don't have to try." He gave a quiet laugh. Maya blinked, startled by the sound. She had never heard him laugh before. Just like that, the tension eased. Then something changed inside her. Her heartbeat shifted. Suddenly, she could hear Adrian's heartbeat as well—slow, strong, steady. Each beat sounded close enough to feel, as if his chest were pressed against her ear. Maya went still. Adrian noticed. "What?"

"I can hear your heart." His expression turned serious. "That's normal." "Normal?" "For a werewolf." Maya shook her head. "Nothing about this is normal." "You'll get used to it." "I don't want to get used to it." Adrian headed for the kitchen, and Maya followed. "Where are you going?" "Water." He opened a cabinet. "You're acting like you live here." "I've been here before." Maya stopped. "What?" Adrian turned to her. "Your apartment." "When?"

"Years ago." She stared at him. "Why?" "I was looking for you." Maya's stomach clenched. "You knew about me?" "Not exactly." "Then what did you know?" Adrian leaned back against the counter. "Your family vanished twenty five years ago."

"My family?"

"Your parents mattered."

"To who?"

"The werewolf kingdom."

Maya gave a bitter laugh. "You're saying my parents belonged to some hidden kingdom?"

"Yes."

She shook her head. "This is absurd."

"Your father was an Alpha."

Maya's laughter faded. "My father?"

Adrian nodded. "And your mother was his mate."

"What happened to them?"

"We don't know."

"You don't know?"

"They disappeared."

Maya held his gaze. "Then how did I survive?"

Something shifted in Adrian's expression. "Someone took you."

"Who?"

"We don't know."

Her chest tightened. "Elena knows."

"Yes."

"She's known all these years?"

"Yes."

Fear gave way to anger. Maya grabbed her phone. "I need to call her."

Adrian nodded. She dialed. No answer. She tried again. Still nothing.

Maya's frustration rose. "She's not picking up."

"She might be trying to protect you."

"From what?"

"Everyone."

Maya studied him. "Why?"

Adrian's eyes grew darker. "Because your bloodline is dangerous."

Maya stared at him. "How?"

He moved closer. "You're not only an Alpha."

"Then what am I?"

Adrian paused. "There's a legend."

"I hate legends."

"This one is about your family."

He dropped his voice. "Long ago, there was a woman called the Moon Queen. She could speak with every wolf. She could make an Alpha's power stronger—or take it away." Some even believed she could control the bond between wolves and humans." Maya swallowed.

"And?"

"She vanished."

"How long ago?"

"A few centuries."

Maya gave a nervous laugh. "You think I'm her?"

"I think her blood runs through you."

Silence settled over the apartment. Maya lowered her gaze to her hands. Then the strange power she'd felt earlier surged back. A pale silver glow gathered around her fingers.

She gasped, and Adrian stepped closer at once. "Don't resist it."

"I don't know how to control it."

"Just relax."

The glow intensified. Maya's breaths came quicker. "I can't."

"Look at me."

She did. His eyes had turned gold.

"Listen to my voice."

Maya tried.

"Slow your breathing."

She drew in a breath.

"Again."

This time, she inhaled slowly. The light began to fade.

"Good."

Maya studied her hands. "What was that?"

"Your power."

"Why is it happening now?"

"Because your wolf is waking up."

"I don't have a wolf."

"You do."

"No."

"You've seen her already."

Maya remembered the voice: We have been waiting for you. A shiver ran through her.

"What does she want?"

"To survive."

Maya met his gaze. "Does she have a name?"

"Your wolf?"

She nodded.

"Every wolf has its own spirit."

"What is mine called?"

Adrian's eyes narrowed. "I don't know."

"Why?"

"Because your wolf isn't like the others."

Maya was about to ask another question when her phone rang. Elena.

She answered immediately. "Where are you?"

Silence followed. Then Elena spoke. "You found him."

Maya stared at Adrian. "Who?"

"The Alpha."

The look on Adrian's face turned hard. A chill slid through Maya.

"How do you know about Adrian?"

"I know everything."

"Then tell me the truth."

"I was going to."

"When?"

"Tonight."

"Why didn't you?"

"Because I was scared."

Maya shut her eyes. "You should be scared."

Elena's voice shook. "Listen to me carefully. Don't trust anyone in the Blackwood family."

Maya glanced at Adrian. "Why?"

"They destroyed your family."

Adrian's jaw clenched. Maya felt her heart sink.

"What?"

"The Blackwoods were behind what happened to your parents."

The call ended. Maya lowered the phone.

Adrian was watching her. "You heard that."

"Yes."

She moved back from him. "Is it true?"

Adrian took a moment before answering. "Some of it."

Anger burned in Maya's eyes. "You knew."

"I knew my family was connected to your parents' disappearance."

"And you still came to me?"

"I came because you're my mate."

Maya shook her head. "Don't call me that."

Adrian's expression softened. "I won't."

She headed for the door. "I'm leaving."

"You shouldn't go by yourself."

"I don't care."

"Maya."

She turned around. "If you want me to trust you, quit hiding things from me."

Adrian said nothing. Maya opened the door, but before she could step outside, a sharp wave of pain tore through her body. She clutched the doorframe as her knees began to give way. A rough growl escaped her throat. Adrian caught her just before she hit the floor. "Maya!" Her sight smeared, and the hallway vanished. Suddenly, she stood in a forest, silver moonlight spilling between the trees. A woman waited in front of her, her long hair shining pale against the darkness. Golden eyes watched Maya. Blood stained the woman's white dress. Still, she offered a sad smile. "You finally came."

Maya tried to speak, but no words came. "Who are you?" The woman lifted one hand. "You already know."

Something stirred deep in Maya's chest, like it had been sleeping there all along. The woman's voice dropped to a whisper. "I am what you were born to become."

Maya's eyes flew open. She was back in Adrian's arms, with him looking down at her. "What did you see?"

She pushed away from him. "A woman."

"Who?"

"I don't know."

But somewhere deep inside, the wolf whispered one word.

Mother.

Maya went still. Her gaze shifted to the window, where moonlight lay across the glass. For the first time, she understood that the mystery of her past hadn't been buried at all. It had been waiting. And whatever lived inside her was determined to bring the truth into the open.