Chapter 78 The Glass Family
Phoebe
I took a deep breath as the heavy doors of the venue slid shut behind me. The cool evening air brushed against my face, carrying with it a faint sense of relief after days that had been exhausting—and humiliating.
Two missed matches, a stalled team score—that was the punishment we had to take after the ridiculous rumor about me spread around by Hayden’s ex. The fact that I’d caused such a stir in the shifter e-sport world didn’t make me proud; if anything, it made me feel like some cheap headline-chaser.
All I ever wanted was to make things right. To redeem myself. To live a normal life and find my true mate. I’d tried so hard to keep my identity hidden, but lies never stay buried for long.
Even in a world half filled with wolves, gossip still travels faster than the truth.
Still, I could breathe. The committee hadn’t kicked me off the team. I was still part of Divergent Howls, though not as a player anymore—just as their brand ambassador. It sounded sweet on paper, but deep down, it stung knowing I wouldn’t be able to compete again.
At least… I was still here. Still with them. Still with Phoenix.
Unfortunately, that peace didn’t last long. The moment I stepped outside, a storm of camera flashes exploded around me.
“Phoebe! Are you really Phoenix?”
“Did your parents use their influence to get you a spot on the team?”
“Is it true you’re dating one of the young Alphas?”
Their voices stabbed at me from every direction. I lowered my head, shielding my face with my hands. My body tensed, and then suddenly, a strong hand gripped my wrist.
“Enough!”
That deep, familiar voice—Zion.
He pulled me out of the crowd, leading me through the back corridor guarded by staff. My pulse was pounding, my breathing shallow, and only when we reached a private room in the adjacent building did I finally manage to exhale.
“Thanks,” I murmured, still trying to steady myself.
Zion let out a heavy breath, his dark eyes locking onto mine—intense as always, impossible to read. “I don’t like seeing them treat you like that.”
I nodded quietly. For a moment, neither of us spoke. Only the ticking of a wall clock filled the silence. Then, his voice softened.
“Forget about what happened out there. Phoebe… I want to invite you to my pack.”
I blinked. “Your… pack?”
He nodded. “Yeah. My family’s hosting Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow night. Mom wants to meet you.”
A warm rush spread through my chest. “Me?” I asked, half-disbelieving.
“Yeah, you,” he said, a small smile tugging at his lips—the kind of smile that didn’t come often. “I told them you’re… someone special.”
My cheeks burned. I tried to hide it with a laugh. “You sure your mom won’t regret meeting me?”
Zion’s gaze softened. “Trust me. She’ll like you. I know she will.”
Thanksgiving came faster than I expected.
I stood before the grand gates of the Light Walker Pack, the chilly November air nipping at my skin as I took in the sight of the massive, old-style house before me.
When the door opened, a woman with soft black curls greeted me with a warm smile.
“Welcome, dear. I’m Luna Clarisse Glass,” she said kindly.
I bowed slightly. “Thank you for having me, Luna.”
It took me a moment to realize—her gaze never quite met mine. Her hand moved gently through the air before finding my arm. That’s when it clicked—Luna Clarisse was blind.
And yet, instead of pity, I felt a deep admiration. There was such grace in her movements, in the calm melody of her voice, as if she didn’t need eyes to see the world.
“Zion talks about you a lot,” she said as she led me inside. “Now I understand why.”
Before I could reply, a tall man with dark hair appeared from the dining room. His presence filled the space immediately. That had to be his father—Alpha Gregory Glass.
“Welcome to our home, Phoebe,” he greeted, his voice deep but warm.
Dinner was pleasant and cozy. We sat around a long table lined with candles and delicious dishes. Zion was beside me, Luna across from us, and Alpha Gregory at the head of the table.
They asked about my life in the Mystic Guardian Pack, about school, and—of course—the rumors that had been swirling around. I tried to answer calmly, explaining a bit about my family and my twin, who went to the same academy as me.
Everything was going smoothly… until a lively voice interrupted from the doorway.
“Oh, so this is the girl who managed to turn Zion into a tame little bunny?”
I turned. A woman with chestnut-brown hair and eyes just like Zion’s stood there, grinning. His sister—obviously.
“Adara,” Zion muttered, his face turning red.
She laughed. “Don’t blame me for knowing stuff. Hayden told me everything.”
I shot Zion a teasing look, but he only sighed, resigned, while Adara kept poking fun at him. Even Luna chuckled softly, and the atmosphere grew light and cheerful—until it didn’t.
The room fell silent when an elderly woman in a white hood entered, holding a wooden staff carved with light symbols.
Everyone stood in respect.
The seer—looked right at me. Or maybe through me. Her eyes were cloudy, ancient, and knowing.
“I see four lights surrounding you, daughter of Mystic Guardian,” she said slowly. “Four bonds. Four destinies.”
The room froze.
“Four… mates?” Luna whispered.
My breath caught. Zion stared at me, stunned, while trying to process what he’d just heard.
“That’s impossible,” Luna said quickly. “Seer Bethany, are you certain?”
The old woman’s lips curved into a faint smile. “Fate doesn’t care about what’s possible—it only seeks balance. And the Alpha of Light Walker will be part of that balance.”
Then she turned and left, leaving a heavy silence behind.
Alpha Gregory’s expression hardened. He looked from me to his son. “This… is complicated.”
“Father—”
“Wait.” Alpha Gregory’s voice cut him off. “Something like this has never happened in our territory. I’ll need to speak with the Elders before making any decisions.”
I lowered my gaze. The air suddenly felt thinner, harder to breathe.
I knew the look on Zion’s face—anger, worry, confusion, all tangled together.
Luna reached across the table, resting her hand gently over mine. “Don’t be afraid, Phoebe. Sometimes fate chooses only the strong to carry its burden.”
My eyes stung. “I don’t know if I’m that strong, Luna.”
She smiled softly. “You are, dear. And if my son chooses you, I have no reason to turn you away.”
Zion looked between his parents. “Father, you’re the Alpha. Can’t you just—”
Gregory shook his head firmly. “The Alpha’s power exists to protect the pack’s balance, not to indulge personal feelings. You know that.”
Tension rippled through the room until Luna stood up, her voice calm yet commanding.
“Alpha Gregory… honey, please. Give yourself time to hear what your heart says. And Zion, learn to trust that time will show you the way.”
That was how the evening ended—in silence.
The car ride back to the academy was quiet. Only the hum of the engine and the whisper of the wind filled the space between us. Zion kept his eyes on the road, jaw tight, while I stared out the window, watching the city lights blur through the tears clouding my vision.
I didn’t know what to feel anymore.
Happy. Afraid. Guilty. Empty.
Maybe all of them at once.