"Katie!"
She turned at the sound of her best friend's voice echoing down the hallway.
"What?"
Jasmine jogged up beside her, slightly out of breath and way too excited.
"Have you heard the news?"
"What news?" Katie adjusted the strap of her bag, blinking as sunlight poured through the tall windows.
Jasmine grinned, pulling out her phone like it was the Holy Grail. "You're not going to believe this—"
"Come on, just spill it already," Katie said, eyeing her suspiciously.
Jasmine laughed. "Jeez, no care for dramatic effect?"
They both burst into giggles.
"Okay, okay," Jasmine said, finally turning her phone around. On the screen: a headline featuring the newest, youngest billionaire.
"James?" Katie blinked. "That was the news?"
"Umm, yeah. What else would it be?" Jasmine smirked. "But actually… there's something else. But since you don't respect the art of suspense — guess."
"Ugh, fine." Katie rolled her eyes. "You're finally going to that new spa you've been dying to try?"
Jasmine burst out laughing. "No! He's coming here. For the graduation in two days"
Katie froze. "You've gotta be kidding me."
"What's wrong?" Jasmine asked, raising a brow.
Katie sighed. "I'm going to tell you something — but you can't tell anyone."
"Okay. I swear I won't."
"He's my brother. He's coming for the graduation. I told him not to."
Jasmine's mouth dropped open. "Wait — James is your brother?!"
"Yeah. And if people find out, they'll only come around me because of him. I didn't want that."
"But… it's your graduation. Do you really want your brother to miss it just because of that?"
Katie hesitated. "Well, no, but—"
"No buts. Yes or no?"
"…No."
"Then let him come," Jasmine said, folding her arms, firm and serious.
Katie laughed. "Wait — this isn't even about what you showed me earlier, is it?"
"Nope." Jasmine grinned. "The moment you said 'brother,' every other thought flew right out of my head."
Katie couldn't help it — she burst out laughing again.
Jasmine's phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen, then picked up.
"Hello?"
"Jas, sweetie, come home so we can start getting ready for graduation tomorrow," said her mom, Maya, on the other end.
"Okay," Jasmine replied. She ended the call and turned to Katie.
"I've got to go."
"Go ahead," Katie said.
Jasmine pulled her into a quick hug. "Love you."
"Love you too," Katie murmured, watching her friend disappear down the hall.
The silence that followed felt heavier than it should've. Katie adjusted her bag and headed toward the parking lot, her mind spiraling.
What should I do about James? Should I let him come or not?
It's not like I'm seeing anyone besides Jasmine anyway…
Ugh, she was right. I do want him there.
Okay… I'll tell him. I want him to come.
Out of the corner of her eye, something moved. A blur—gray, fast. It darted across the edge of her vision.
Was that... a wolf?
She blinked, but it was gone.
Shaking it off, she drove home.
When she got to the door, two familiar faces were waiting for her.
"Hey, Kat," said James and Brian at the same time.
Katie rolled her eyes internally. Twins.
"Hey. We need to talk," she said flatly, brushing past them into the house.
The brothers exchanged a look but followed her in.
"Sit."
They raised their eyebrows but obeyed. Katie could tell they'd been thinking something — or maybe talking without talking, the way twins do. She couldn't quite place it, but something felt off.
"I heard you were coming to the graduation," she said, looking directly at James.
"Wait — I can explain," he began.
"Why am I even here? I didn't break the 'don't show up' rule," Brian muttered.
James shot him a glare. Katie rolled her eyes.
"This is about both of you. I need to say something."
They quieted.
Katie took a deep breath. Her voice wavered.
"I realized... I want you guys there. I would've been really sad if you weren't."
Her eyes started to tear up. The twins exchanged another look before standing and walking over to hug her.
But Katie noticed it — that look. Again. Like they were sharing something silently. Like they knew something she didn't.
Her irritation spiked. Something deep in her chest stirred — a snarl, raw and involuntary, rising from her throat.
She growled.
The moment it escaped, she clamped a hand over her mouth, eyes wide in shock.
Did I just... growl?
James and Brian froze.
"No way," Brian whispered.
"I thought she didn't have a wolf," he added.
James smacked his arm. "Shut up — she's not supposed to know about that!"
But it was too late. He turned to Katie — and she was already staring at them, wide-eyed, jaw dropped, somewhere between horrified and furious.
"What?!" she yelled.
"So you are hiding something from me!" Katie snapped, backing away from her brothers. Her hands balled into fists. "Ugh, I knew it. You have five seconds to tell me the truth or I swear—"
Her voice cracked. She looked furious — mad, hurt, and seconds away from exploding.
James held up his hands. "Katie, breathe—"
"Maybe she'll shift if we let it go on," Brian whispered.
"No," James muttered. "If we let this go on, she'll go feral."
Suddenly, Katie dropped to the floor, gasping. Her hands flew to her head as she let out a sob, pain flooding her senses.
"Katie!"
Just then, the front door burst open. Her mom, Layla, and dad, Mason, rushed inside.
"What happened?!" Mason yelled, running to her side and gently lifting her into his arms. "Katie , talk to me!"
"She growled," James said, wide-eyed.
"Then she put her hand on her head — it happened so fast," Brian added.
Layla rushed to get her some water, her face pale with panic.
"That's not possible," Layla said, shaking her head. "She doesn't have a wolf. She passed the age."
Mason glanced down at his daughter, then looked at James and Brian. His voice was low, tense.
"She's past the age for a wolf," he said. "But she's at the age where a lycan might emerge."
James and Brian looked at each other, stunned.
"You know what this means," Mason said. "We'll need to contact the Lycan King."
Brian blinked. "Wait. You two are wolves. We're all wolves. How could she be a lycan?"
Mason sighed deeply. "There's an old prophecy. A lycan born of two wolves — destined to be the perfect mate for the Lycan King."
"That can't be true," James said. "I've never heard that before."
"Of course you haven't," Mason said. "The King made sure it never got out. If his enemies knew, they'd hunt her."
"Oh," James said quietly.
Katie whimpered, clutching her head. "My head hurts," she said in a strained voice.
"Katic, baby, are you okay?" Mason asked gently.
"I'll get her some medicine," Layla said, rushing back in with a glass of water and pain pills.
Mason stood, carrying Katie in his arms. "Let's get her to bed."
James and Brian watched silently, guilt written all over their faces.
Mason glanced over his shoulder and gave a small laugh. "She's going to be okay."
"What's happening to me?" Katie mumbled as she was laid in her bed.
Mason brushed her hair back gently. "We'll explain everything… after your graduation. I promise."
"Okay," she whispered.
Layla handed her the medicine, and within minutes, Katie drifted into sleep.
Mason quietly stepped into the hallway, pulling out his phone. He dialed his beta, Chase.
"Hello?" Chase answered.
"I need you to get me in contact with the Lycan King," Mason said.
"With all due respect… why?"
Mason's voice was low and serious. "I think Katie has a lycan."
"Understood. I'm on it."