Boris.

I decided to surprise my wife with a quick morning breakfast. Later that day, she’s going to be celebrated by the pack and also the ritual of acceptance would be carried out to welcome her formally into the pack.

I had some pancakes and cheese burgers in the tray and beside them was a glass of milk.

‘I bet she’s going to like this,’ I whispered as I snapped my right fingers.

As I walked down the lobby, I felt my wolf—Silverback was unsettled. It whispered. ‘I don’t align with her wolf,’

It seemed weird to me anyway but I paused and glanced at the tray for a second. I had a quick flash from yesterday's encounter, from the hospital. It’s true she was brought back to life by the moon goddess, but she acted really awful. It was so embarrassing to me, chasing after my own wife like one chasing after a mad woman. It’s been a while since Roan called me Boris, but yesterday she did. So many signs I didn’t notice, and also when she stretched to take the glass of milk from me, she did that with her right hand. My Roan was left handed, maybe that was just her choosing to take it with her right.

‘Come on, Silverback, let’s go give her breakfast and stop all these speculations.’ I mumbled and smiled, taming my cruel wolf.

I walked straight to her room and opened the door. She was still asleep. I dropped the food beside her on the bed and tapped her pajamas.

“Roan? rise and shine,” I whispered in a soothing tone but the reaction from her changed everything.

“Woah!!!” She exclaimed and jumped from the bed. She grabbed me and this made the entire tray fall to the ground.

‘Damn,’ I muttered.

“Oh, I’m so sorry, I apologize,” she voiced slowly as she held me. We both watched the glass of milk on the ground, the pieces of cheese scattered.

“Was that a bad dream?” I asked, striking a gaze at her piercing eyes. It looked so awkward. I realized her eyes turned yellowish and she was shifting into her wolf.

“Roan? What… are you doing?” I stuttered and left her. I stood two steps apart, trying to observe her moves.

“Stay away from me! Please!” She cried in pain as she held her head. Her werewolf canine tooth replaced the human ones. This wasn’t a very good sign at all.

“Be still, Timber!” I roared and shifted quickly into my wolf. I jumped on her and held her to the ground. The door to her room opened and Monica rushed in with my cousin—Eunice.

“Boris, what’s happening?!” Monica questioned, as she rushed and helped me pin her steady to the ground. I watched her calm her nerves after Eunice and poured some water on her.

She breathed heavily and gradually kept still. Her eyes changed back to human form and the wolf furs on her body disappeared. By this time I’d shifted back to my human form and we all stood so confused, staring at her on the ground like someone who convulsed and got back to life.

“Brother, what the fuck happened? And why are those on the ground?” Monica pointed to the tray on the floor and the pieces of cheese scattered.

“I don’t just understand this at all. I came in with breakfast for her and she just flipped on me, like she had a bad dream and before I realized, she was already shifting.”

“Brother, we’ll have to take her to the hospital or maybe ask Brymo to come check her out,” Monica suggested.

“Monica, I don’t support that. For now she’ll have to rest, have something else to eat and I'll have to spend some time with her alone,”

“Boris, are you sure her wolf isn’t infected? We’ll have to take certain things into consideration. We’re not even sure if she’s…”

“Enough! Sister. Summon the maiden to clean these up and prepare something else for my wife!” I yelled. My eyes darted at her and my face twisted in annoyance. I gave her a stern glance, my eyes flashing with irritation.

She kept mute and breathed slowly as she returned her fierce stare. It was a usual occurrence between us anyway. She walked out of the room while Eunice stood confused, her hands hanging halfway in the air with the bucket of water.

That was unlike Roan. What I witnessed was beyond my explanation. The Roan we all knew was rugged and agile. But her wolf wasn’t as strong as this. I even needed to get help from my sister and my cousin to tame her.

**1 hour later.**

Claire entered with a tray which contained a glass of wine and lumps of soft meat. The room at the moment was already cleared, and by Claire herself.

“Good morning my Alpha,” she greeted and dropped the tray. I observed the looks she gave Roan. I suspected immediately something was off. It felt like she needed Roan to look back at her or maybe had something to say—in a coded language.

“Is everything alright?” I asked, glaring at her. My hands were on Roan’s breast while she laid still.

“Not at all, Alpha. I just felt so concerned about the Luna’s health,”

“Hmm, that’s alright. I see. Well, you’ll have to be back to check on her and please, I’d love you to keep a proper eye on her. You know she’s just recovering and needs all the attention she can get,” I smiled wryly.

“Yes, Alpha,” she bowed, smiled and left.

I turned back to Roan while she laid. She slowly opened her eyes, her face unfocused and dreamy. Her expression—soft and vulnerable. I held her hands and observed her countenance.

“Why did you react like that?” I inquired.

She was quiet at first. I sighed and decided to repeat myself for the second time before I felt her breath. She exhaled.

“Honestly, I think I overreacted. It was just a dream. I was standing at the edge of a valley and someone was chasing me, the person held the silver dagger…” she spoke. Her voice fragile and calm as she rubbed back.

“What?! How is that possible? The silver dagger hasn’t been seen in decades, how come you saw that in your dream?” I inquired, looking so interested in the talk.

“Arch, I don’t know. Maybe it’s just some coincidence. It was a horrible chase and threatening to kill me.” She spoke rapidly, her words tumbling out in a frantic jumble.

“Did you see the person's face? Has he transformed into his wolf already?”

“It’s not a ‘he’, it’s a ‘she’. I don’t just understand all these either, I just hope it’s just one of those weird dreams one usually has.”

I nodded. Crossed my hands and thought for a while. “Indeed.” I exhaled. Well, you’d have to eat up, Claire brought in a new dish, it seems mine isn’t going to be on the menu for the day—but, I’d have to cook for you before the week runs out.”

She smiled, her lips curled into a tight insincere smile, her eyes betrayed her skepticism as I observed. I stood up to take my leave but decided to bring the tray containing the food closer to her. My eyes caught a white piece under the plate of meat.

“And what must that be?” I said, soothingly as I walked towards the tray and discovered a white paper just beside one of the lumps. I picked it up. “Hmm,” I smirked.

I turned to Roan. Her eyes pierced mine and her brows furrowed. Her lips twitched nervously and her eyes wide with anxiety.