"Welcome home, Evans."
"Wow." That was the only word that escaped his mouth.
She walked to him and grabbed his arm. "I miss you so much. Freshen up and tell me about things you've been doing all these days."
Evans nodded. The affection she was showing did not seem real to him anymore, but he played along. "I miss you too. How was your workday?"
"Go and freshen up first, I'll tell you about everything when we are eating," she answered back, then added, "Is that your friend who came to drop you off?"
"Yes," he retorted dryly as she released her clasp from his arm. "I will be back."
She nodded.
Evans headed to his room, emotions overwhelming him. He knew he could not keep them in longer, but he would try tonight. As he stepped into his room, his gaze landed on the broken window. He closed the door behind him and walked to his bed, then dropped his backpack on it.
If he did not object, Ophelia would have taken him to see the pack, but he was not ready. What do you know what they'll say when they see him?
"A weakling?" he muttered, then exhaled sharply.
One moment, he was living a normal life as a human, and the next? He was declared an Alpha. His mother knew about everything and she chose to hide him and the truth.
The shadow tried to let him, but he ignored it.
He sat up immediately as the shadow's thought came to his mind. Ever since the shadow left on the night it told him his father was murdered, he had not sensed it.
Did he overreact that night?
Guilt filled him, and he pondered if he had said the wrong thing that had sent the Shadow away.
A sudden breeze blew in through the window, making Evans raise his arm to his face.
"The denial stage is over," the distorted voice proclaimed.
Evans widened his eyes as he lowered his arm from his face. The dark shadow stretched across the wall and Evans became astonished.
"You…
"Different occurrences have transpired lately."
"Where have you been?" The shadow dragged from the wall, and Evans could feel the heavy weight settle beside him. "I don't want to argue with you… I really need someone to share my thoughts with, and I feel you're the right one."
The shadow let out a low mocking sound. "You shunned me when I tried to guide you, and now, you seek me?"
Evans heaved a sigh as he raised his gaze to the ceiling. "Everything was insane then… it is still insane now. I can't figure everything out, even now after Ophelia has explained everything to me."
"Now you do, don't you?"
Evans nodded. "I do. I know I'm not normal, and my own life has been nothing but a lie." Silence filled the air, and he added, "Can you help me? Whatever that's happening to me is totally… bizarre."
He felt the weight lift from the bed, and the air in the room grew colder.
"What are you doing?" Evans inquired, his gaze still at the ceiling.
"For you to understand whatever that's happening to you… you have to accept me." The shadow's voice dropped.
Evans' heart quickened as he lowered his gaze. Nothing was before him, but he could feel the shadow's presence. "I don't understand?"
"You don't have to."
Before Evans could react, the shadow lunged at him, and Evans' eyes widened. Darkness crashed into him, and his breath was held. Something cold yet burning spread through Evans, making him raise his head. His brown eyes changed colour to pure white as his body shook violently.
"Stop… stop…"
He said loudly as the shadow merged within him, but it didn't stop. It sank deeper into him. He could feel it in his veins, his muscles, bones, fingertips, and his mind.
Then his body flung onto the bed.
Complete silence.
His body had stopped moving, and all he could feel was stillness.
His breathing became steady, and his eyes lifted. Something had changed in his sight, and it was undeniable—not only his sight but his entire body.
He could hear everything.
The chirping of the crickets.
The passing cars in the distance.
The chattering of people in a bar nearby.
The hum of electricity.
He could even hear his own controlled and stronger heartbeat. He sat up calmly, blinking his eyes continuously. His glasses had fallen when his body was trembling, and he could see without them.
"What… what just happened?"
"We are one," the voice answered from within.
Evans reached his hand to his heart. "You are inside me?"
"I always was."
Evans stood up slowly. His movements felt lighter as he walked to the mirror. He felt different as he stared at his reflection in the mirror. The same face, but his eyes were different. They held something strange and dangerous.
A smirk appeared at Evans' lips as he brushed a strand of hair that had fallen to his forehead. "I feel… better."
"You do, but don't lose yourself, not even once," the voice murmured inside him.
"Then you become your true self. What everyone fears and what your mother has been hiding," the voice replied.
Evans tilted his head, a flicker of control returning into his eyes as he stepped back from the mirror.
"Don't lose your cool, Evans. You have things to do," Evans said to himself in a low tone. "I have to meet the pack tomorrow."
A sudden knock at the door broke the moment, and Evans shifted his gaze to the door sharply. His senses spiked. He could hear his mother's heartbeat and her breathing. He felt her presence, and it was intense.
"I will be out in a minute," Evans replied, his voice deeper.
He glanced back at the mirror and listened carefully to his mother's footsteps retreating.
"Act normal," he murmured, then picked up his glasses from the floor.
Even though he could see clearly now, he had to keep the act up.