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Luke, his voice trembling in disbelief, asked, "What's wrong?! Why are you holding my hand like that?"

Albert's response was a single word, barely above a whisper, but it pierced through me like a dagger:

"Mine… my mate."

I blinked several times, my heart racing in my chest. A strange flutter danced in my stomach. But then, I froze. It took a moment for his words to sink in.

Did he just say... I was his mate?

I turned to him, shock flooding my senses. No... this couldn't be real! How could it be? How could I be his mate when I don't have a mutant? How could I be by his side, when I was too weak to deserve him?

Something inside me shattered — my pride, my heart, my hope? I wasn't sure, but the pain was overwhelming.

He won't accept me. Not when he finds out... when he realizes I have no mutant, he'll leave me.

The thought was unbearable, and before I could stop myself, I ran.

I ran without direction, my tears clouding my vision. All I wanted was to escape — to flee from the truth I couldn't face.

But then, I collided with someone. My legs almost gave way, but his hands caught me before I could fall.

Jacob, his voice laced with worry, cupped my face. "Lara, why are you crying? Does something hurt? Did someone upset you? Tell me, and I'll make them pay! Please, don't cry… calm down!"

I couldn't answer. His words didn't reach me. I was drowning in the anguish that gripped my chest.

Before I could process anything, another strong hand pulled me away, and I found myself in Luke's arms.

Luke, his voice both firm and warm, whispered, "Calm down. Don't let despair take you. Remember my father's words: always hold on to hope."

Jacob, moving closer once again, spoke in a low, possessive tone, "Calm down, baby…"

Two thunderous growls shattered the air, making me jump.

The first was from Luke… but the second…

I quickly wiped away my tears and pulled back slightly from Luke, only to find Albert standing there, his eyes burning with fury. His face was like stone, and his energy surged through the air like an unforgiving storm.

Albert's voice, chilling and commanding, echoed with his wolf's power, "Stay away from my mate… and don't you dare come near her again!"

Luke, taking a step toward Jacob, his eyes crackling with intensity, warned, "Don't you ever approach Lara again… and don't call her 'baby' ever again."

Jacob's body tensed, and I could feel the storm of confrontation that was about to erupt.

But I stood in the eye of it all… and in that moment, I realized…

My life would never be the same again.

Jacob laughed, as if the threats had been nothing but a joke, as if this entire situation was just entertainment to him. He stepped closer, placing his hand on my shoulder with utter confidence.

Albert's roar cut through the air, and in a heartbeat, he transformed into his magnificent wolf.

A brilliant blue glow enveloped his form, and he morphed into a majestic blend of white and blue fur, standing like a force of nature, his anger so palpable it seemed to burn the very air around us.

Jacob hesitated for only a moment before beginning his own transformation.

Before long, a black wolf stood in front of me, his eyes burning with defiance. He let out a roar as powerful as Albert's.

But I no longer heard the sound… everything around me faded.

That wolf... that color… that aura!

"Black?"

Memories rushed back to me in a whirlwind, a smile tugged at my lips before I could stop it. This had to be Black. I couldn't be wrong!

Jacob's wolf growled, ready to strike at Albert's wolf, but before I could even think, my feet moved on their own… I stood between them, my heart pounding in my chest.

"Stop! Both of you, I won't let you fight over me!"

I felt Albert's energy settle just a little, but his eyes still glowed with intensity. When I looked at Jacob's wolf… my breath caught.

"Black…? Is… is that really you?!"

I moved toward him slowly, my voice trembling with a mix of shock and hope. A moment of silence passed, then I heard the deep rumble of his purr. His tail wagged excitedly, and in a flash, he licked my face just as he always had!

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1. Could the person we think is an enemy actually be the ally we need to save us?

2. Can a person or being stand against their destiny, or is the only truth that we are all bound by what is fated for us?