UNLIKE YOUR FATHER

UNLIKE YOUR FATHER
Celine's pov

I grabbed my small bag and dashed out of the pack house, slipping into the car where four guards waited to escort me.

Today, I was meeting Kaida again; to practice controlling my powers. I could feel the new energy coursing through my veins. My hybrid side had finally awakened.

That’s why I was going to see Kaida. She was the only one who could help me understand what I was becoming and how to control it before it consumed me.

Kael had wanted to come with me, but he was caught up in a meeting.

When we arrived at our usual parking spot, we stepped out. Two guards walked ahead of me while the remaining two followed behind. We crossed the river and soon arrived at Kaida’s hut.

“Who’s supposed to call her out?” I muttered.

Suddenly, Kaida appeared right in front of me, making me flinch.

“Celine. I see you’re prepared,” her voice echoed.

“Yes, I am,” I answered slowly.

“Come with me inside. Alone,” she said and walked into her hut.

I followed her inside. She gestured for me to sit in the spot I had previously sat.

“We’ll head for your training now,” she said, picking up her bag.

I nodded and waited. Once she was ready, we set out.

We continued walking deeper.

“Where exactly are we going?” I asked, already exhausted.

“To the same place we performed the awakening,” Kaida replied.

We finally arrived. The forest was quiet, but the air buzzed with strange energy.

“Stand there”. She ordered, and immediately I obeyed.

“Focus!”. Kaida said as she circled me like a shadow, her gaze fixed on me as though she could see straight into my soul.

“Again,” she said sharply.

I felt my heart beat faster . I nodded and closed my eyes.

“Focus on your heartbeat,” Kaida instructed. “It’s the bridge between your two sides; human and wolf. You must learn to command it.”

I inhaled deeply, reaching inward for the strange energy that lived inside me; my wolf.

My fingers trembled. My claws flickered halfway through my nails before vanishing. My wolf was pushing.

“Hold it!” Kaida’s voice snapped through the air. “Don’t let her take over!”

“I’m trying!” I shouted back, teeth clenched.

A growl escaped me, low and rough. My heartbeat raced, and before I knew it, I’d lost focus, again. I slammed both my hands to the ground hard.

Kaida didn’t even flinch. “You’re letting fear control the shift.”

“I’m not afraid,” I lied, panting. “It’s just…”

“Then prove it.” She cut me off, stepping closer. “Feel her without becoming her.”

Her hand hovered just above my forehead, her eyes glowing gold. I felt her power reach into me; It pulled at something inside me, forcing me to face it.

Then I saw my wolf; wild, angry, chained behind glowing bars of silver light. Her eyes burned the same color as mine.

I tried to reach her, but the moment I did, the vision twisted. The wolf lunged at me, snarling, and the connection snapped.

I gasped and fell to my knees. My head throbbed. My vision blurred.

“Again,” Kaida said, voice cold.

I looked up at her, my chest rising and falling rapidly. “Kaida, I can’t…”

“You can.” Her tone softened just slightly. “You’re not meant to tame your wolf. You’re meant to understand her.”

I forced myself up, every muscle aching. Sweat clung to my skin.

I closed my eyes once more, trying to breathe in rhythm with the forest. My heartbeat slowed. I could almost hear my wolf’s breathing in sync with mine. For one brief, beautiful moment, we were balanced.

Then something snapped. The sound of a distant howl broke my focus and the rage came flooding back. My eyes burned, my claws shot out, and a guttural growl tore through my throat.

“Stop!” Kaida commanded.

But I couldn’t. My body moved on its own. The hybrid in me had taken over. The air crackled as energy pulsed from me again, swirling.

“Celine!” Kaida’s voice echoed through the clearing as she drew a sigil in the air. The energy burst vanished instantly, leaving me trembling and drained.

I collapsed to the ground, my body shaking, my mind a blur of shame and exhaustion.

Kaida approached slowly, her voice low.

“You’re still letting your emotions lead the wolf. Until you master that, you’ll never control the power within you.”

“I’m trying,” I whispered, staring at my hands. “I really am.”

“I know,” she said softly. “That’s why you’ll keep training. Again tomorrow.”

I nodded. I really needed rest. Forcing myself to stand, I muttered, “We can go.”

She picked up her belongings, and we walked back together. When we reached her hut, my guards guided me to the car, and we drove back to the pack house.

Inside, I rushed straight to my chamber and collapsed on the bed. Kael wasn’t in, probably still in that meeting. It had been going on for hours.

I checked the time.

6 PM.

“Holy shit,” I muttered. “I’m exhausted.”

But I needed to tell Damien everything, he deserved to know what was happening, so we could plan our next move.

I picked up my phone and called him. It rang but there was no answer. I called again but still nothing. I called again and again.

“Come on, Damien,” I muttered under my breath. “Pick up.”

I needed to speak to him or had something happened?

On the fifth try, he finally answered.

“Hey, Damien! Are you okay?” I asked, my voice trembling with worry.

“Of course I’m fine. Do you want me dead?”. He answered, his voice cold.

“Damien, you know I’d never want that! I was just worried, you didn’t pick up my calls. Maybe you were busy…”

“I wasn’t busy,” he cut me off sharply.

My eyes widened. “You weren’t busy? You saw my calls and still didn’t pick up?”

“Yes,” he said flatly. “I just decided to answer this one because I have a heart, unlike your father.”

My jaw clenched. “Hey! I’ll take anything from you, Damien, but don’t ever talk about my father like that.” My voice came out low and furious.

He said nothing.

“I need to tell you something,” I said after a pause.

“What else? What do you want from me now, Celine? Should I die for you too?” His tone was sharp.

I froze, gripping the phone tighter. What was happening to him? Why did he sound so cold? This is unlike him.

“Damien…” I whispered, my voice shaking. “I said I’d like to tell you something.”

“Then talk,” he said, more like a demand.

I swallowed hard, unsure how to begin.

“I honestly don’t know how you’ll take this. But I have to tell you.”