23_ Claudia

The moon hung high in the sky by the time I reached home, its pale light illuminating the path ahead. My mind was racing, a chaotic swirl of emotions I couldn’t untangle. Betrayal, fury, confusion—it all churned within me like a storm. My limbs felt heavy from the run, my wolf’s energy drained but still simmering beneath the surface, ready to erupt again at the slightest provocation.

I unlocked the door with trembling hands, the quiet click of the lock sounding deafening in the stillness of the night. Stepping inside, I let the door close behind me and leaned against it, taking deep breaths to steady myself. My heart was still pounding, and the image of Claudia’s hand on Dylan’s chest replayed in my mind, fueling the anger I had tried to leave behind in the woods.

Forcing my feet to move, I trudged toward the bathroom, desperate to wash away the remnants of the night—the sweat, the dirt, and the stench of betrayal that clung to me like a second skin. But when I flipped on the light and caught sight of my reflection in the mirror, my breath caught in my throat.

My hair…

It wasn’t the same.

What had once been a few streaks of white was now entirely white, like freshly fallen snow. My heart sank as a chill ran down my spine.

The prophecy.

It was exactly like the vision. I was standing in front of the mirror with full white hair.

Sabina’s words echoed in my mind, and I stumbled backward, gripping the sink for support. My legs felt like they might give out beneath me as I stared at my reflection. Was this my fate catching up to me?

“No,” I whispered, shaking my head. “No, this can’t be happening.”

But it was.

I squeezed my eyes shut, willing the image to disappear. When I opened them again, the stark white strands were still there, glowing like a beacon under the bathroom light.

\---

I didn’t know how much time had passed as I sat on the edge of my bed, staring blankly at the floor. The sound of the front door opening jolted me from my thoughts. My wolf bristled immediately, sensing who it was.

Dylan’s voice echoed through the house, low and steady as always, but there was another voice too—Claudia.

My blood boiled.

I stormed into the living room, my bare feet silent against the hardwood floors. Dylan stood by the door, his jacket slung over his arm, while Claudia lingered behind him, clearly uncomfortable. When their eyes met mine, Dylan looked confused, but Claudia froze, her face draining of color.

“Katrina?” Dylan asked, concern in his voice. “What’s going on? Are you okay? I looked everywhere for you.”

I ignored him and focused on Claudia. She had the audacity to look surprised, even guilty, but it wasn’t enough to temper the rage building inside me.

“You,” I growled, my voice low and dangerous. “How dare you show your face here?”

"What?" She uttered surprised and confused. Was she seriously still trying to deny it?

"I thought you were still at the party."

"Really? Why? Because you planned to keep me busy while you flirt with Dylan?" I said sharply.

"I don't know what you're talking about Katrina," she said, making my rage a hundred times bigger.

"What's going on Katrina?" Dylan asked.

"How about you ask her. She can tell you everything about what she planned tonight," I said, glaring at her.

Claudia took a step back, her hands trembling as she held them up in a weak attempt to placate me. “Katrina, I can explain—”

“Explain?” I cut her off, my voice rising. “Explain what? How you sent someone to hurt me tonight? How you betrayed me, after everything we’ve been through?”

Dylan’s head snapped toward Claudia, his eyes narrowing in confusion. “What is she talking about, Claudia?”

Claudia stammered, her words tumbling out in a panic. “I didn’t— It’s not what you think—”

I lunged at her before she could finish, my wolf taking over completely. My claws extended, slicing through the thin veil of my humanity. Claudia screamed and stumbled backward, but I was faster, pinning her against the wall.

“You don’t get to play the victim!” I snarled, my face inches from hers. “You did something to me and then you sent that guy to take advantage of me! You wanted this!”

“Katrina, stop!” Dylan’s voice was loud, pleading, but it barely registered.

Claudia whimpered, her eyes wide with fear. “I didn’t mean for it to go that far!”

Her words only fueled my anger. I raised my hand, ready to strike, but before I could, Dylan grabbed my arm and yanked me back with surprising strength.

“Katrina!” he shouted, pulling me away from Claudia and stepping between us.

I struggled against him, my rage blinding me. “She deserves this!” I yelled.

“Please Katrina, rememberthe prophecy.” Dylan’s voice was soft, but in that moment, I didn't care. I couldn't think of anything else. I just wanted to hurt Claudia, the same way she hurt me. I lunged forward again, Claudia trying to run but I caught her. I felt hands behind me and before I could think, I swung my hang backwards, pushing Dylan in the process.

The moment I felt the sound of his body hitting the floor, I froze, and my wolf retreated instantly, horrified by what I had done.

Dylan winced, his hand going to the shallow cut on his forearm. It wasn’t deep, but the sight of it was enough to break me.

“Oh my God,” I whispered, stepping back. “Dylan, I didn’t mean—”

He looked at me, his expression a mix of pain and something else—disappointment.

“Katrina,” he said softly, his voice laced with concern.

"I didn't mean to," i repeated. The guilt was suffocating, clawing at my chest like a beast desperate to be set free. I looked at Claudia, who was still pressed against the wall, her face pale, and her eyes filled with fear.

I had become a monster tonight, the very thing I had sworn never to be.

“I’m sorry,” I choked out, my voice barely audible.

Before Dylan or Claudia could respond, I opened the door and ran.

The night air was cold against my skin as I bolted out of the house, my feet carrying me far away from the place I had once called home. Tears blurred my vision, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t.

My wolf howled inside me, mourning the damage we had done. I didn’t know where I was going, but it didn’t matter. I needed to get away—from Dylan, from Claudia, from the chaos I had created.

When I finally stopped, I found myself in the woods once again. The trees stood tall and silent around me, their branches swaying gently in the breeze. I fell to my knees, my body trembling with exhaustion and guilt.

The moonlight illuminated my reflection in a nearby stream, and I saw the white hair again, glowing like a haunting reminder of everything I had lost tonight.

I tilted my head back and let out a howl, long and mournful, the sound echoing through the forest.

There was no going back now.