“Wake up, girl.” The voice cuts through the fog of sleep, firm but gentle. “Come on now, wake up.”

I jolt upright in the trunk, gasping and immediately doubling over with violent coughing. My lungs burn as I struggle to catch my breath, each cough tearing through my chest like fire.

“Easy there, breathe slowly,” the voice continues, clearer now. “Focus on my voice, Aurora. In and out, nice and steady.”

The shock of hearing someone speak directly into my mind triggers another wave of coughing, but gradually I manage to slow my breathing. Small, desperate gulps of air that slowly become more controlled.

“That’s better. You’re doing fine, sweet girl. No need to be frightened.”

My body relaxes back into the makeshift bed, confusion washing over me. I’m still exhausted, but there’s a strange calm settling in my chest that wasn’t there before.

“Who are you?” I whisper aloud, even though every word she’s spoken has been inside my head.

“You already know the answer to that, Aurora. I’ve been here with you all along, just couldn’t speak until now. Happy eighteenth birthday, by the way.”

Birthday. The word hits me like a physical blow. That would mean… my heart starts racing again.

“You’re my wolf!” I practically scream in my mind, suddenly aware I don’t want anyone else to hear this conversation.

“Finally caught on, did you? Name’s Eos, and I’m sorry it took so long for us to meet properly. You’ve been incredibly brave handling everything alone.”

The reality slowly sinks In. All those years of being told I was defective, that I’d never have a wolf because I wasn’t worth one. All the beatings, the constant reminders that I was less than nothing.

“Wait,” I sit up straighter, heart pounding. “Are you the blonde wolf from my dream? The one at the lake?”

“That’s right. Took you long enough to put it together.”

A awkward laugh escapes me. “Hello, then. I guess.”

Her laughter echoes in my mind, warm and comforting. “Hello, Aurora. I can’t tell you how good it feels to finally talk with you.”

Despite everything, I find myself smiling. “You’re beautiful, Eos. I can’t believe you’re really mine.”

Questions flood my mind in a chaotic rush. Will I randomly shift into wolf form? How do I control when you come out? What happens if you take over? Can other people sense you now? Will I be stronger? The thoughts tumble over each other, desperate and overwhelming.

“Slow down there,” Eos chuckles. “We have time to figure all that out together. Though I should mention, your hair isn’t going to turn blonde just because I am.”

Heat floods my cheeks. That was a ridiculous thought.

“Right now, you just need to know that everything happening is exactly as it should be. Things are going to change for you, Aurora. Better things are coming.”

“Don’t.” The word comes out sharper than I intended. “Don’t give me false hope, Eos. I’ve heard promises before.”

“This isn’t a promise, it’s certainty. The Moon Goddess has shown me glimpses of what’s ahead. There’s a reason for all the pain you’ve endured, a purpose to it all. You just need to hold on a little longer.”

Against every instinct I’ve developed over the years, something inside me wants to believe her. Maybe it’s having someone, anyone, who cares about what happens to me. Maybe it’s the conviction in her voice. But a tiny seed of hope plants itself in my chest.

“What kind of better things?”

“Your mate is coming, Aurora. Soon.”

The words hit me like lightning. “My mate? Really?”

“Really. I can’t tell you more than that, the Moon Goddess forbids it. You’ll have to discover the rest yourself.”

My mind immediately starts racing with possibilities. Will it be a guy or a girl? I’ve never really thought about it seriously before, always assumed I’d never have a mate anyway. But I’ve definitely noticed both in the past, felt drawn to different people regardless of gender. What will they be like? Kind? Strong? Will they actually want me, or will they reject me like everyone else has?

“I can feel you spiraling,” Eos says gently. “Stop torturing yourself with questions you can’t answer yet. When the time comes, you’ll know.”

“But what if they don’t want me? What if they take one look at me and decide I’m not worth it?”

“Aurora.” Her voice turns firm, almost a growl. “Stop that right now. You are not worthless. You are not less than anyone else. I won’t listen to you tear yourself down.”

The fierce protectiveness in her voice catches me off guard. After years of being told I was nothing, having someone defend me, even if it’s the voice in my own head, feels strange.

“I have my wolf,” I whisper, the reality finally sinking in completely. “I actually have my wolf.”

“Yes, you do. And I’m not going anywhere.”

A giggle escapes me, surprising us both. For the first time in years, I don’t feel completely alone.

“You need to rest now,” Eos continues. “Mrs. Avalon was right about your body needing time to heal. I’m not fully emerged yet either, so we both need sleep. Your wounds will heal faster now, and your strength will grow, but it takes time.”

“Will you stay with me while I sleep?”

“I’ll always be here, Aurora. You’re never going to be alone again.”

I settle back into the trunk, pulling the thin blanket around me. The space feels less cramped somehow, less suffocating. Maybe it’s knowing I have Eos with me, or maybe it’s the possibility that my mate is out there somewhere, but the darkness doesn’t seem as overwhelming as it did before.

“Eos?”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you. For being here, for being mine.”

“Thank you for surviving long enough for us to meet. Now sleep, sweet girl. Tomorrow is a new day.”