Fated By The Moon

Chapter Three: The Truth He Won’t Say

Melissa stumbled backward, her heart racing like a drum in her ears. The painting in front of her was unlike anything she had ever seen. It depicted a werewolf with striking silver eyes that seemed to pierce right through her. But it wasn’t just any werewolf; it looked just like her.

“This—this is crazy,” she whispered, shaking her head in disbelief.

Devon stood still, his gaze fixed on her with an intensity that made her skin prickle. “You’re not imagining things,” he said, his voice steady. “There’s a reason you feel drawn to it.”

Melissa let out a hollow laugh, disbelief bubbling up inside her. “Oh? And what reason would that be?” she challenged, crossing her arms defiantly.

Devon hesitated, and that pause twisted her stomach into knots. “Say it,” she demanded, her voice rising.

He exhaled slowly as if weighing his words carefully. “It’s complicated.”

Melissa threw her hands up in frustration. “Of course! Because nothing in this place is ever simple. First, you hire me on the spot. Then I find a painting that looks exactly like me—even though I’ve never seen it before. And now you’re standing there acting like you know something I don’t!”

Devon remained silent for a moment, his expression unreadable. Finally, he said, “I do.”

Her breath hitched in her throat, and her pulse quickened. “I think you should sit down,” he suggested, stepping closer.

“No. No way,” Melissa shot back, taking a step back. “You don’t get to be all mysterious and vague and then expect me to just—” She cut herself off, pressing a hand to her forehead as dizziness washed over her.

The room felt like it was tilting, and something deep inside her stirred, awakening feelings she didn’t understand. “Melissa—” Devon began, but she interrupted him.

“Tell me the truth,” she insisted, her voice firm. “Now.”

A heavy silence hung between them before Devon finally spoke. “You’re not who you think you are.”

Melissa’s stomach dropped. “What?”

His jaw tightened, and he seemed to choose his words with care. “I mean it exactly as it sounds. You’ve lived one life thinking you’re just… normal. But you’re not.”

She let out a shaky breath. “You’re insane.” But even as she said it, a part of her didn’t believe her own words. Deep down, something whispered: He’s right.

Rubbing her temples, Melissa tried to make sense of it all. Devon was looking at her as if he knew her—not just as an employee, but as something more. “Okay,” she finally said, forcing her voice to stay steady. “Let’s say, for one insane second, that you’re telling the truth. What exactly are you saying? That I’m some… reincarnated werewolf princess or something?”

Devon’s lips twitched as if he was holding back a smile. “Not exactly,” he replied.

Melissa groaned in frustration. “You’re so frustrating.”

“Have you ever had dreams you couldn’t explain?” he asked, leaning against his desk, arms crossed.

“What?” she frowned, confused.

“Dreams,” he repeated. “Ones that feel… real.”

Her breath caught in her throat. Her dreams. She had experienced them for years—running through the woods, the wind rushing against her skin, the moonlight bathing her in silver. A man’s voice always whispered her name, familiar and comforting.

“How do you know that?” she whispered, her heart racing.

Devon’s gaze softened. “Because I’ve had them too.”

“No. No, this is crazy. I don’t even know you!” she exclaimed, shaking her head in disbelief.

“But you did,” he said quietly, taking a step closer. “A long time ago.”

Melissa’s chest tightened. This can’t be possible. But the way he looked at her, the certainty in his voice, made her question everything she thought she knew.

Then, Devon reached into his pocket. Melissa tensed, watching as he pulled out a small, glowing stone. It was deep blue, shimmering like it held the night sky within it. The moment she saw it, her entire body reacted. Her skin prickled, and her breath caught in her throat.

“What… is that?” she whispered, her curiosity piqued.

“Take it,” Devon urged, holding it out to her.

“Why?” she hesitated, unsure.

“Because this,” he said, his voice low and serious, “will give you the answers you’re looking for.”

Her heart thudded against her ribs. She shouldn’t take it. She should turn and run. But instead, her hand reached out, and the moment her fingers brushed the stone, the world exploded into light.

Images flooded her mind. She saw herself—not in the gallery, but in a forest, her bare feet pressing into the damp earth. The moon was full, casting a silver glow over everything. And then—him. A man stood before her, his eyes burning with something familiar.

Melissa gasped. It was Devon. But not the Devon she knew. This one looked wilder, his hair longer, his body coiled with tension. And she—she wasn’t human.

Panic surged through her as she looked down at herself. Fur. Paws. She was a werewolf.

Devon stepped closer to the vision. “I told you I’d find you,” he murmured, and Melissa’s chest ached. There was a connection between them, a history she had forgotten, something she had lost.

Memories rushed forward like waves—a battle, a betrayal, a promise made under the moonlight. Then, a sharp pain in her chest, and just like that, the vision shattered.

Melissa jerked backward, gasping for air. She was back in the gallery, the stone lying in her lap, still glowing faintly. Her whole body trembled.

Devon watched her, his expression unreadable. “You saw it, didn’t you?” he asked softly.

“I—I don’t know what I saw,” she stammered, pressing a shaking hand to her forehead.

He crouched beside her, his voice gentle but firm. “You remember. You just don’t understand it yet.”

Melissa looked at him, her mind spinning. This was real. Somehow, it was real. She didn’t know how to feel about that.

Devon handed her the stone, urging her to take it home. One thing was clear: her life would never be the same again.

The weight of the stone in her pocket felt like a promise—a promise of answers, of truths waiting to be uncovered. And deep down, she knew she was ready to face whatever came next.