The Werewolf Realm
Micha's House
The moon hung faintly in the sky, a pale ghost watching over a house that had long forgotten laughter. Inside, the air was thick — not with grief anymore, but with something heavier. Acceptance.
It had been five years since Michelle's death, yet her presence still lived in the photographs that lined the hallway, the faint scent of lavender that refused to fade, the echo of her laughter that sometimes haunted the night.
Micha stood before her picture again — the one taken during the last pack festival. Her smile was bright, wild, alive. His heart clenched.
For a long moment, he said nothing. He simply stared, letting silence speak for him.
Then, with a deep breath, he turned and started up the stairs. His mate, Kira, followed behind, her soft footsteps a quiet reminder that he wasn't alone anymore.
"Babe," she said gently, "everything will be fine."
He forced a small smile. "Oh, it's fine. Really. I'm okay. It's just... sad that she's gone, that's all."
Kira sighed, brushing her hair behind her ear. "For the past five years, so much has changed. Even Levi. I didn't realize how much he loved her."
"It wasn't him," Micha said. His tone was low, almost thoughtful. "It was his wolf."
"His wolf?" she repeated, confused. "How's that possible? I've never heard of such a thing."
"It's his bloodline," Micha explained, moving toward the window. "He's descended from a powerful Alpha line — old and strong. There's a legend that says one of his ancestors once crossed into another realm."
Kira's brows furrowed. "Another realm? Other realms actually exist?"
Micha chuckled softly at her innocence. "Yes, Kira, they do. Our investigations led us there. We discovered that the ones who attacked the pack years ago weren't from our realm. They came from elsewhere. But we still don't know where — or what they were after. The history books don't mention them. It's like someone erased every trace of their existence."
Kira shivered slightly. "That's... scary. Why would anyone hide something like that?"
"Because knowledge is power," Micha said. "And someone doesn't want us to have it."
She nodded slowly, then smiled faintly. "Anyway, I should go downstairs. Kate and Zaki are here, and you know Kate — if I don't stay with her, she'll sulk in silence all day."
"Sure," Micha said with a soft laugh. "Go ahead."
She turned to leave, but he called after her, "Oh, Kira — I'm ready."
She froze mid-step. "You don't mean…?"
Micha nodded, his eyes gleaming with quiet resolve.
Her hands flew to her mouth. "Oh my gosh! You're serious? You're really ready to be a father?"
"Yes," Micha said, smiling fully this time. "We can finally start our family. I want a whole litter of pups with you."
Kira laughed, tears glimmering in her eyes as she rushed to hug him. "You have no idea how happy that makes me."
"I think I do," Micha murmured, kissing her forehead.
When she finally left the room, the silence that followed wasn't painful anymore — it was peaceful.
For years, Micha had avoided even the thought of children. He never believed he deserved happiness after failing to protect his sister. The fear ran deep — a fear that history would repeat itself. But after his talk with Magnus, something changed inside him.
---
A Few Days Ago…
Magnus leaned against the wooden railing of the training ground, arms crossed, golden eyes gleaming with sharp judgment.
"So you're telling me," he said, voice edged with disbelief, "that because you're scared of failing your unborn child, you've been avoiding having one altogether?"
Micha exhaled slowly. "Don't get me wrong, Magnus. I want to give her a child. We still... mate. I just hold back. I told Kira, and she respects my choice."
Magnus scoffed. "Respects it? Or endures it?"
Micha frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means you don't love her enough," Magnus snapped. His voice was sharp, cutting through the cold air. "You're depriving her of the joy of motherhood because of your fear. Do you really think she's fine with that? You're being selfish."
Micha's eyes darkened. "I know what I'm doing is wrong," he admitted quietly. "But I can still fix it."
Magnus's expression didn't soften. "You better. Because one day, you'll wake up and realize that fear has stolen everything from you — again."
Micha's patience cracked. "Don't talk to me about fear and loss," he said, voice trembling with suppressed emotion. "You, of all people, shouldn't."
Magnus tilted his head. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"You rejected my sister," Micha said bitterly. "You marked a fool instead. Don't stand there pretending you're any better than me."
Magnus's golden eyes flared. "That wasn't me, Micha. That was Levi."
"What do you mean?" Micha's brows drew together. "You're Levi, aren't you?"
Magnus smirked, but there was no humor in it. "No. I'm Magnus — Levi's wolf."
Micha blinked, startled. "Levi's... wolf?"
Magnus nodded. "Our bloodline is ancient. Stronger than most. I can take control when I want — swap places with him."
"That explains your eyes," Micha whispered. "Levi's are brown."
"Exactly." Magnus's tone softened for the first time. "He's still inside me — trapped in the same space I once was. Now he knows how it feels to be silenced."
Micha's throat tightened. "When will he come back?"
Magnus looked away, his jaw tensing. "I don't know. Maybe when I find my mate again… or a second chance mate. Until then, I'm the one in control."
The wind rustled through the trees, carrying the distant howls of wolves training in the field.
For a moment, Micha didn't say anything. He just stared at Magnus — the creature wearing his friend's face — and realized that both of them were prisoners of the past.
Different cages, same chains.
---
That night, as Micha lay in bed beside Kira, his hand resting gently over her stomach, he made a silent vow.
No more running. No more fear.
It was time to live again.
And somewhere, in the distance between realms, a pair of golden eyes opened — watching.