The next day, Alden found Nyx waiting for him in an empty classroom. There was a tension in the air, a palpable unease that Nyx couldn’t shake. He had too many questions, and the only person who could give him answers was standing right in front of him.

  "So... what happens to me now? Do I just turn into a wolf? How does it even work?" Nyx’s voice cracked, his frustration bubbling over. Everything felt so overwhelming, like the world was suddenly too big for him to understand.

  Alden remained quiet for a moment, studying Nyx. He wasn’t sure if he was waiting for another vision or if he was just giving himself a moment to gather his thoughts. But nothing came. He let out a steady breath and then spoke calmly, trying to give Nyx the clarity he needed.

  "There was a time when wolves would bite humans in the hope that the bite would turn them into a wolf... a member of their pack. But not all humans fully change. You see, claiming your human side is different from claiming your wolf side," Alden explained, his voice low and measured. "You might notice that not all of us shift completely into wolves. It’s more of a mix, a blend of both."

  Nyx's eyes narrowed, and his hand clenched at his side. "I can feel it... the wolf side, always there, always pushing. Why does it have to be like this? Why can’t it just happen like it does for others?"

  Alden stepped a little closer, his gaze softening with understanding. "It’s not that simple," he said gently. "When you’re bitten, the change isn’t instant. Some wolves shift quickly because their bond to the wolf is stronger. But for others, like you... it takes time."

  "I don’t get it," Nyx muttered, pacing back and forth. "Why doesn’t it just... take over? Why do I have to fight it?"

  Alden’s eyes softened even further, sensing the storm brewing inside Nyx. "When you’re first bitten, it’s a shock to your system. The change isn’t just physical, Nyx. It’s mental. It’s emotional. Some wolves resist because deep down, they’re not ready to accept the change. Or maybe they don’t want to let go of who they were before." He paused, his voice turning even more sincere. "That’s why it’s not a clean break for you. Your wolf side doesn’t just take over because you’re still holding on to your humanity. You have questions, fears... doubts. And they make it hard to embrace the change."

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  Nyx nodded slowly, biting his lip as he absorbed the words. "So... it’s because I’m not accepting it? I can’t just be one or the other?"

  "Exactly," Alden replied. "You don’t lose your humanity just because you’re becoming something new. But you won’t become fully wolf unless you’re ready to accept that part of yourself. The transformation isn’t just physical. It’s a process. And it’s different for everyone." He looked Nyx in the eyes, his voice steady. "It’s about balance—your human heart and the wolf inside you. You’re learning how to live with both sides."

  Nyx’s fists clenched, his voice trembling. "But what if I can’t control it? What if it takes over when I least expect it?"

  Alden's expression softened further, reassuring. "You will. It won’t happen overnight, but you’ll get there. The more you resist, the harder it becomes. But when you stop running from it, when you stop fighting it, that’s when it will click. The hardest part will be the first few full moons. Especially your first one. Thankfully, that’s still a little over 13 days away. You have time to figure this out, time to learn how to control the change."

  Nyx looked up at Alden, a glimmer of resolve building in his chest. "So, I just need to stop fighting it... and let it become part of me?"

  "Exactly," Alden confirmed with a nod. "The transformation doesn’t need to be complete all at once. It’s a journey. Over time, as you accept this new part of you, the wolf won’t be something you fear. It’ll be something you control, something you live with."

  Nyx let out a slow, thoughtful sigh. "I guess I just have to take it one step at a time... But there’s one thing I’m still not sure about." He hesitated, his mind racing.

  Alden raised an eyebrow, sensing there was more. "What is it?"

  Nyx bit his lip, struggling with the words. "The new girl in town, Amaya... Do you think she could be the Alpha that bit me? I mean, I get bitten, and then a few days later, she shows up? Something about her doesn’t feel right. She’s... off."

  Alden studied Nyx closely. "Did you pick up on the Alpha’s scent?"

  "No, but maybe she knows how to hide it," Nyx said, frustration creeping into his voice. "I don’t know. Something about her just doesn’t sit right."

  Alden’s expression turned serious. "The only way to find out for sure is the purple wolfsbane test."

  Nyx groaned, his face scrunching in distaste. "Please don’t say his name."

  Alden gave him a small, sympathetic smile. "I have to. The only person in this town with purple wolfsbane is..." He paused, letting the name linger in the air.

  "Don’t," Nyx muttered, closing his eyes.

  "Dante Harrow," Alden finished softly.

  Nyx groaned, his head dropping into his hands. "Of course."