Charmed by My Nightmare

Research

I stared at my dad, waiting for him to laugh or tell me Remy was mistaken. Instead, he stayed quiet. He had just dropped a bomb on me, and it was more shocking than if he’d told me I was adopted.

Me: Dad?

He let out a slow breath before sitting beside me. Taking my hand in his, he looked at me with an expression I’d never seen before.

Dad: Dia... it’s complicated.

Me: Then explain it.

Dad: You are marked... but you aren’t claimed.

Me: What’s the difference?

Dad: For wolves, a bite is more than just a bite. It’s a magical bond. Most wolves use it to claim their mate.

Me: I know that.

Dad: But that’s only one purpose. A wolf can also bite someone with the intent to dominate them...to make them obey.

Me: That’s what Remy was trying to do.

He nodded.

Dad: Yes.

Me: But it didn’t work.

Dad: No. It didn’t.

Me: Why?

He hesitated before answering. His grip on my hand tightened.

Dad: Because of your gift.

I rolled my eyes.

Me: Curse.

He ignored the correction and rolled his eyes.

Dad: Your body carries an ancient seal. It recognizes a mark, but it refuses a claim unless you choose it.

I blinked.

Me: Choose it?

He rubbed the back of his neck, clearly searching for the right words.

Dad: Think of it like giving someone the key to your heart. No one—not the strongest wolf, not the oldest bloodline, not even an Alpha—can force that bond onto you. You have to willingly accept it.

I stared at him.

Me: So...no one can claim me against my will?

Dad: Exactly.

A thought immediately crossed my mind.

Me: What if they aren’t a wolf?

Dad: It doesn’t matter.

He shook his head.

Dad: Every hybrid species forms a lifelong bond differently, but your seal works the same way. Whether they’re a wolf, a bird, a tiger, or something else entirely... they still have to bite you to break the seal. And they can’t do that unless you willingly let them.

Me: Ok, that explains that. Why did she faint though?

Dad: Anyone who tries to claim you against your will is afflicted with a temporary illness.

I blinked.

Me: What kind of illness?

Dad: That depends on their bloodline.

Me: Like?

Dad: Purebreds usually suffer the worst. Some fall into a deep sleep for days. Others lose the ability to shift for a while.

My eyes widened.

Dad: Crossbreeds aren’t affected as severely. Their shifts become unstable. They might transform into the wrong form, only partially shift, or be unable to hold a transformation.

I stared at him.

Me: And...what happens if another multi-shifter tries?

He shakes his head.

Dad: I don’t know.

Me: You don’t know?

He slowly shook his head again.

Dad: Your kind disappeared from history over a thousand years ago. Every book I’ve ever found ends the same way. They mention the seal but not what happens if another multi-shifter challenges it.

Silence settled between us.

Me: Why am I only finding this out now?

My dad’s expression softened.

Dad: Because your mother and I prayed you’d never need to know.

He looked down at our joined hands before continuing.

Dad: We wanted you to have a normal life for as long as possible. We hoped no one would ever try to force a bond on you.

Me: Is there anything else I should know?

Dad: I think it's better you learn yourself. Follow me.

He stood up and walked out of the room. I quickly followed behind him. I follow him to his study. He searches his bookshelf and starts pulling out a bunch of books. I watched in confusion as he searched through one shelf after another. Once he finishes his search he hands them to me. The stack was heavier than I expected.

Dad: This is every book I have on multi-shifter.

I examine the books. They are old with little sticky notes. I look at my dad.

Me: How long have you had this?

Dad: Since shortly after you were born. We noticed you were different when you were just a baby.

Me: How?

Dad: We couldn't wait for your first shift we weren't sure who you would take after. We became worried when your first shift was a fish.

Me: Fish?

Dad: Your mother and I panicked. We rushed you into a fish tank, thinking you’d be able to breathe underwater. A few seconds later, you shifted back into a baby... and suddenly you were drowning. We pulled you out as fast as we could.

Me: Dad?

Dad: Yeah?

Me: Am I adopted or was I switched at birth?

He lets out a chuckle.

Dad: We thought the same thing. We had every test imaginable done. Trust me...you’re definitely our daughter. Your first birthday almost gave us a heart attack.

I had a bad feeling about this, but I had to know. I took a seat.

Me: Tell me!

He leans on his desk and tells me.

Dad: We were having a small party at the house. Just me, your mom, and you. We had just finished getting you all dressed up in in your pink princess dress. You were the cutest thing ever.

I smiled picturing it.

Dad: I was holding you and you shifted into a snake. Your mother started screaming your name and chased a baby snake across the backyard, until you slithered up a tree then turned into a bear cub.

Me: Oh my god!

Dad: You lost your balance. I saw you getting ready to fall so I ran up to catch you but then you ended up gripping the tree as a sloth. The slow look you gave was hilarious then you changed back and I caught you and took you inside and put you in your playpen.

I couldn’t help it. I burst out laughing and he joins in. There's a knock at his door. Mom walked in to let us know dinner was ready.

Mom: I made your favorite.

Me: Maybe I'll eat like a sloth.

Mom: You told her?!

Dad: She wanted to know honey.

She looks at me.

Mom: You were a handful until you were seven.

Me: Sorry if I gave you any gray hairs.

She walks over and kisses my forehead.

Mom: Don't be. Every gray hair was worth it.

I laugh.

Mom: Now come on before dinner gets cold.

I grab up the books and take them to my room then head down for dinner. We spent dinner talking about my younger shifts and each one was funnier than the last. For the first time all day, I forgot about Remy.