Chapter Eight: The First Shift

The city outside Alex's penthouse felt like a distant memory, as if the world he once knew had already slipped beyond his reach. He couldn't remember the last time he had felt truly at peace. The journal in his hands, the weight of his parents' legacy, the betrayal of his uncle—all of it had shifted something deep inside him. Every day, he felt the pull of the wolf inside him, its power becoming more real, more urgent. And now, there was no turning back.

The conversation with Mary had given him some much-needed clarity. She had listened to him, without judgment, without fear. She had chosen to stand by him, and for the first time in a long while, Alex didn't feel so alone. But despite her support, there was still a part of him that wondered if he could ever be the leader his parents had hoped he would be. The weight of the wolf inside him was something he couldn't ignore, but it was also something he couldn't control. Not yet.

The first shift had been terrifying, a wild surge of power and instinct that had nearly torn him apart. But now, as he sat in his penthouse, he could feel the pull again. This time, it wasn't as overwhelming—it was a steady, constant presence, like a low hum vibrating through his veins. It was as if the wolf had learned to coexist with the man, but only just. And Alex didn't know if that was something to be grateful for or afraid of.

He stood up and walked to the large windows that overlooked the city. The night was quiet, the streets below bathed in the golden glow of streetlights. He could see the movement of people, the pulse of life, but it felt distant. As if it had nothing to do with him anymore. His world was changing too fast, and he was being pulled into something darker, something more dangerous.

A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. He turned sharply, his body tensing, but it was just Mary—her face familiar, yet carrying an air of uncertainty.

"You alright?" she asked, her voice soft but concerned.

Alex nodded, though his body betrayed the lie. "I'm fine. Just thinking."

Mary stepped into the apartment, closing the door behind her. She looked at him carefully, her gaze lingering on his tense shoulders, the way he held himself. "You don't look fine, Alex. I've known you long enough to tell when something's off."

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I'm trying to figure it out, Mary. This—everything—has changed so much, and I don't know if I can keep up. I don't know if I can control it."

She stepped closer, her eyes unwavering. "Control what?"

He hesitated, his throat dry. "The wolf inside me. It's not just a part of me anymore; it's taking over. And I don't know how to stop it. Or if I even should."

Mary studied him for a moment, her expression thoughtful. "Is it really that bad? I mean, you said you've already shifted before. You survived that, right?"

Alex's eyes narrowed as he remembered the chaos of his first shift—the uncontrollable hunger, the primal instincts, the feeling of losing himself entirely. He hadn't been prepared for it, hadn't known what to expect. And when it had happened, it had been terrifying.

"I survived, yeah. But I don't know if I can do it again," he confessed. "The wolf—it's too much. The power is overwhelming. It wants to break free, and I'm afraid if I let it, I won't be able to control it."

Mary placed a hand on his arm, grounding him with her touch. "You don't have to do this alone. You have me, Alex. You've always had me."

Her words were a balm to his bruised soul, but they didn't erase the fear that gnawed at him. "I don't know if you can handle this, Mary. I don't know if I can handle this."

Her gaze softened, and she stepped even closer. "You don't have to be afraid. We'll face it together. Whatever happens, I'm here for you. You're not alone in this."

Alex closed his eyes, drawing in a shaky breath. Her support meant everything to him. But there was still so much he didn't understand about this new world he was a part of. The pull of the wolf, the power that coursed through his veins—it wasn't something that could be tamed easily. He had to confront it, whether he was ready or not.

"I wish it were that simple," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "I wish I could just wake up and find that everything is normal again, that I can go back to the way things were before. But I can't. And the longer I fight it, the worse it gets."

Mary was silent for a moment, and when she spoke again, her voice was steady, unwavering. "You're stronger than you think, Alex. You've always been strong. The wolf may be part of you, but it doesn't define you. You decide how much control you let it have."

Alex met her gaze, his heart pounding in his chest. "How do you know that?"

"Because I know you," she said simply. "And I know that you'll figure this out. You're not the type of person who lets fear control him. You've got this, Alex. You just need to believe it."

The sincerity in her voice was enough to make Alex feel something stir inside him. For the first time in days, the weight of his fear lightened just a little. Mary believed in him. She had always believed in him, even when he doubted himself.

"I don't know how to thank you for all this," he said, his voice quiet, almost overwhelmed.

"You don't have to thank me," she replied with a small smile. "I'm just here for you. Always."

Alex took a deep breath, feeling the tension in his body slowly start to ease. He didn't know what the future held, or if he would ever fully control the wolf inside him. But for the first time since learning the truth about his legacy, he felt a small flicker of hope.

"Maybe I'm not alone after all," he said softly, his voice filled with a quiet resolve. "Maybe I can do this."

Mary smiled at him, and in that moment, Alex realized that no matter how dark the road ahead might be, he wasn't walking it alone. And that, for now, was enough to keep him moving forward.

The first shift was coming again, but this time, Alex didn't feel as afraid. This time, he felt ready. He didn't know how to control the power, but he would learn. He had to.

The world of the wolves was waiting, and whether he was prepared or not, it was time to face it.