Chapter 22
I couldn’t sleep that night.
Even with Ian’s words echoing in my mind, even with the sense of unity we shared, something gnawed at me. I wasn’t sure if it was fear or confusion, but it felt like there was a storm inside of me, and it wasn’t letting up.
The moonlight filtered through my window, casting long shadows across the room. I sat up in bed, the weight of Ian’s confession heavy on my shoulders.
This was too much.
I had been living in a world I barely understood. I had thought my life was just a quiet one, a simple one, where I could blend in and stay out of trouble. But the truth—this bond, this curse, whatever it was—was bigger than I ever imagined.
I couldn’t hide from it anymore.
Suddenly, there was a soft knock on my door. My heart skipped, and I quickly wiped away the tear I hadn’t realized had fallen.
“Ava?” Ian’s voice came through the door, low and tentative.
I stood up and opened it, finding him standing there, his expression conflicted. He looked like he’d been awake as long as I had.
“I couldn’t sleep,” he said softly, his eyes scanning me with a mix of concern and something deeper, something I couldn’t quite understand.
“Me neither,” I whispered, stepping aside to let him in.
He hesitated but then entered, his presence filling the room. We stood there in silence for a moment before I spoke.
“You didn’t tell me everything,” I said, my voice shaking despite myself. “What do you mean when you say we were ‘always meant to be’?”
Ian sighed deeply, running a hand through his dark hair. “It’s complicated.”
I crossed my arms, staring at him. “Try me.”
He sat down on the edge of my bed, looking up at me. “Our families… they were connected long before we were born. Your father, my father, even our mothers. It’s more than just bloodlines. There’s a prophecy, Ava. One that’s been passed down through generations, but it was kept secret. No one wanted to believe it.”
“Prophecy?” I repeated, my head spinning. “What prophecy?”
He looked at me, his eyes dark with hesitation. “The prophecy says that an omega, born into the shadow of the Mystic Pack, will bring balance to the Alphas. That this omega will either lead the pack to greatness or bring its downfall.”
I froze. “And you think… I’m that omega?”
Ian nodded slowly. “You are.”
My mind reeled. “But why me? I’m just… me. A nerdy, quiet girl. I don’t belong in any of this.”
He reached out, taking my hand gently. “That’s the thing. You do belong. You just don’t see it yet. But everything that’s happened—everything that’s going to happen—it’s because of you.”
“I don’t understand.” My voice was barely a whisper. “What do you want from me?”
Ian’s grip tightened, and he stood up, pulling me into his arms. “I’m not asking you for anything. I’m telling you that whatever happens, I’ll protect you. This isn’t just about the prophecy anymore. It’s about us. It’s about what we can be together, no matter the cost.”
I closed my eyes, letting myself fall into the comfort of his embrace. “But I’m scared. I don’t know what this means.”
“I’m scared too,” he whispered, his breath warm against my ear. “But we have to face it together. Whatever comes.”
I felt a warmth spread through me at his words, and for the first time since I’d learned the truth, I didn’t feel so alone. For all the confusion, for all the uncertainty, there was something in Ian’s touch that made me believe we could fight this—whatever it was.
I pulled back slightly, looking up into his eyes. “Promise me we’ll figure this out. Together.”
“I promise,” he said, his voice firm. “Together.”
I didn’t know what the future held, but for now, with Ian by my side, I felt like I could take on anything.