LOST LUNA.

MY SOULMATE.

Charlotte replied calmly, "Sebastian is just a friend." However, Charles, with a mischievous smile, remarked, "Then why are your cheeks all red just thinking of him?" His teasing tone made Charlotte blush even more, feeling a mix of embarrassment and amusement at the playful banter.

Feeling a wave of emotions from the day's revelations, Charlotte brushed off the topic, saying, "Never mind." The weight of her newfound identity as a wolf and the truth about her past filled her mind with conflicting thoughts and emotions. The pieces of her life's puzzle were finally coming together, shedding light on the7 mysteries that had surrounded her upbringing.

As the sun began to rise, casting a soft glow over the horizon, Charlotte felt a sense of urgency to return home. The fear of her parents' reaction to her absence and the looming chores awaiting her made her anxious to leave. She hesitantly asked Charles if he had a car to drop her off, to which he offered, "Yes, come on. It's parked on the other side. We can walk there or I can teach you how to shift, and we can run there in just 10 minutes."

Charlotte hesitated, feeling unease about fully embracing her wolf identity and the implications of such a drastic change in her life. Opting to walk instead, they made their way to the car in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. The quietness of the moment allowed them both to reflect on the revelations of the day and the uncertain path that lay ahead as Charlotte navigated her new reality as a wolf.

Charles, being accustomed to shortcuts, navigated the town swiftly, reaching his destination in about 45 minutes. Charlotte, feeling a mix of disbelief and frustration, exclaimed, "I can't believe I wandered around for hours while you arrived in 45 minutes! How unfair," expressing her astonishment at the efficiency of Charles's route.

Upon reaching Charlotte's house, Charles bid her farewell, promising to return periodically to help her adjust to her newfound identity as a wolf. Despite not exchanging numbers, both felt a sense of assurance that their paths would cross again soon, their unspoken connection hinting at future encounters.

As Charlotte entered her home, she was met with hostility from her stepmother, who unleashed a tirade of accusations and anger towards her. The harsh words and physical violence inflicted by her stepmother left Charlotte feeling shattered and helpless. Despite her attempts to apologize, she faced the brunt of her stepmother's wrath, enduring a painful and unjust punishment.

Tears streaming down her face, Charlotte retreated to her bedroom, overwhelmed by a sense of despair and longing for a different reality. In the solitude of her room, she whispered softly, "I wish I was not a part of this family," yearning for a sense of belonging and understanding that seemed out of reach in her current circumstances.

Charlotte, being already late for school, decided to skip it for the day. Instead, she opted to freshen up and tidy the house. With her stepmother at work by then, Charlotte took the opportunity to relax and unwind by watching a movie, indulging in ice cream and popcorn, and cherishing some self-care time to escape the chaos of her life.

As evening approached, Charlotte prepared dinner for her step siblings, showing her caring nature despite her own struggles. After fulfilling her responsibilities, she retreated to her room, seeking solace in solitude. With her phone missing, she lay in bed, gazing at the ceiling, and counting imaginary sheep to calm her mind.

In the tranquility of her room, a gentle knock on the door interrupted her thoughts, introducing a new element of uncertainty and intrigue to her evening.

As Charlotte opened the door, Sophia and Emilia rushed in for a hug, expressing their concern for her well-being. "Are you okay, girl? We were so worried about you!" they exclaimed, spinning her around to ensure she was alright before sighing in relief. Charlotte, with a smile on her face, reassured them, "Of course, I'm okay."

Being close friends who shared everything, Charlotte decided to confide in them about her secret. "I am a werewolf!" she declared. However, their initial reaction was one of disbelief and amusement. Sophia and Emilia exchanged looks before bursting into laughter. "Oh, come on, Charlotte, you can come up with something better than that. There are no supernatural things here," they teased, teasingly dismissing her claim.

Although Charlotte understood their skepticism, she didn't want to push the issue. Instead, she shifted the conversation towards a different topic and shared the story of how she met Charles, emphasizing his striking appearance. As she recounted her encounter, her friends bombarded her with questions, particularly about the mysterious circumstances of her accident and her seemingly unscathed state. Charlotte simply shrugged in response, unable to provide a concrete explanation.

To Sophia and Emilia, Charlotte's tales seemed like she was living in an imaginary world, a place where werewolves and extraordinary events existed only in stories. Despite their disbelief, the bond of friendship and shared moments remained strong, even in the face of fantastical revelations.

Girl, as they decided to have a good time, Sophia pulled out a phone and a bottle of whisky from her bag. "I stole this from my dad's cabinet. I'm sure he won't even notice it's gone. Let's make up for yesterday," she declared mischievously. Playing Maroon 5's "Animals" on her phone, she took a bold swig straight from the bottle before passing it around.

Charlotte, feeling the need to unwind, embraced the moment of relaxation. The room filled with laughter and excitement as they engaged in games like truth or dare, spin the bottle, and dance battles. The three carefree teenagers, fueled by the effects of the alcohol, danced without a care in the world, reveling in the joy of the night. Charlotte sensed a presence watching them from afar, she swiftly closed the window shades, dismissing the eerie feeling. With the clock ticking past 9 PM, the idea of a sleepover with her friends seemed more appealing than ever; nobody was in a rush to head home. Knowing her parents wouldn't return until midnight on a typical Monday, the house felt like their own sanctuary.

As she heard her stepsister retire to her room and shut the door, Charlotte paid little attention to her stepbrother's whereabouts, considering him an adult capable of looking after himself. After a refreshing shower and slipping into her cozy pajamas, her silky-smooth hair cascading around her, she prepared for bed. However, a sudden whiff of Sebastian's distinctive aftershave caught her off guard.

With Emilia and Sophia already lost in slumber, Charlotte's curiosity piqued. Questions raced through her mind as she followed the scent, prowling through the house like a wild animal on the hunt. The fragrance led her to her sister's bedroom, where an unexpected sight unraveled before her eyes.

The sight of her sister kissing Sebastian ignited a fierce possessiveness within Charlotte. The sheer thought of someone laying a hand on Sebastian, who she considered hers, triggered a primal response. In a surge of emotion, she transformed into her wolf form, a magnificent pure white creature with striking deep black-red eyes brimming with fury.

Growling with intensity, she lunged towards the door, her wolf instincts taking over. The sudden chaos startled Sophia and Emilia awake, their eyes wide with shock and fear as they witnessed the unfolding drama in disbelief.

Emilia started screaming, and Sophia dashed to the door in a frantic panic. Charlotte's sister stood there, wide-eyed, watching the chaotic scene unfold. Sebastian, seemingly unaffected by the turmoil, sported a smirk and rolled his eyes, indicating he might have been drinking. Charlotte, consumed by possessiveness, was on the verge of attacking her sister when a large black wolf leaped at her, pinning her to the ground.

In a fierce struggle, Charlotte growled and clawed at the wolf, circling around it. The majestic creature seemed to be protecting Sebastian. As her sister managed to escape with Sebastian, Charlotte's determination to reclaim what she considered hers intensified. The black wolf darted towards the door, disappearing into the backyard and vanishing into the woods, with Charlotte hot on its trail, fueled by anger and a desire for retribution.

The chase led her to the brink of violence, ready to confront the wolf. However, a sudden halt in its tracks caught her off guard. The wolf transformed into a naked human figure, revealing itself to be Charles. Stunned and taken aback, Charlotte stood frozen, processing the unexpected turn of events.

Charlotte stood there, stunned, as Charles rose and extended his hands towards her. She sensed his attempt to soothe her racing emotions. Charlotte struggled to calm herself, unable to comprehend how to shift back to her human form, causing a wave of panic to surge within her.

Approaching her gently, Charles moved closer, running his fingers through her hair and soothingly stroking her back. Gradually, Charlotte began to relax under his touch, and she shifted back to her human form, though she found herself naked, feeling a sudden wave of embarrassment wash over her. With no clothes in sight, they both held each other, trembling, as Charles whispered reassuringly in her ear, "Shh, it's okay."

In a moment of vulnerability, Charlotte confided in Charles about the overpowering urge she felt when near Sebastian, how she was consumed by lust and possessiveness. Charles, with a serene smile, acknowledged her feelings, understanding the depth of her connection with Sebastian. He gently reassured her that Sebastian was her soulmate, destined to be together, even though it was uncommon for a wolf to have a human mate.

Charlotte nodded, indicating she grasped Charles's words, even though deep down, she was overwhelmed and just yearned to return home and rest. The daunting task of explaining the bizarre events to her friends and family loomed ahead, but her priority was clear: she needed to apologize to her sister.

Swiftly shifting into her wolf form, Charlotte dashed back home, where a group of people had congregated in the sitting room. Without hesitation, she leaped through the window, transformed back into her human self, hastily dressed, and descended the stairs, her stomach rumbling with hunger intensified by the frequent transformations.

As she entered the room, ready to explain, her mother immediately interjected, bombarding her with questions about her whereabouts. The mention of a wolf attack on her sister and the discovery of torn pajamas outside the house left Charlotte speechless. Her mother, seemingly relieved, assured her that animal control would handle the situation, sparing Charlotte from having to divulge the surreal truth.

Seeking solace in her friends' presence, they accompanied her to her bedroom. Desperately famished, she devoured stolen leftovers from the kitchen, devouring steak and mashed potatoes while her friends pressed for an explanation of her absence. Crafting a tale of a valiant but unsuccessful struggle with the wolf, Charlotte's friends seemed skeptical but eventually dropped the inquiry, allowing her to retreat to sleep, yearning for the nightmare to end with the dawn.