Chapter 40
The Werewolf Realm
Erin's POV.
Kate's house was quiet when I arrived. I knocked once… twice… a third time.
Nothing.
A strange heaviness settled in my chest. I waited a little longer, but the silence inside didn't lift. So I turned around and walked toward the one place that still held all my memories—the house where I grew up with Micha and our parents. The place where the naïve, fragile version of me once lived.
As I approached, the familiar scent of home hit me. Warm. Comforting. Painful.
I knocked. This time, the door opened.
Kate stood there—older somehow, more mature, but still the same woman who used to fuss over me. She stared at me like I was a stranger who'd shown up at the wrong door.
And then I remembered.
I was not in Michelle's form. I didn't look like the girl she used to know.
Before I could speak, a voice called from inside.
"Kate, who's there?"
Zaki.
"I… don't know," Kate answered, still staring at me as though I were a ghost.
"How can you not—" Zaki stepped into view, irritation in his voice until his eyes landed on me.
Then he froze.
"Q–Queen Erin?"
He looked shocked… then panicked… then overly respectful all at once.
"P–please come in. What are you doing here? We're honored to have you."
Kate blinked rapidly. "Wait… Queen Erin? The creator of the Goldren's? The one you always talked about?"
"Yes, Kate. She's the one," Zaki confirmed.
"Oh my! I'm sorry—I didn't know—please come in."
I smiled gently and stepped inside. The house still smelled the same… lived in… warm… loved. But something felt different too—subtle changes in the decor, the air… I couldn't place it.
Then I saw her.
Kira stepped out from the hallway, a small round bump visible beneath her shirt.
Everything inside me froze.
"Who's at the door?" she asked, her eyes settling on the unfamiliar face—on me.
And I burst.
I practically ran up to her.
"Why didn't you tell me Kira was pregnant?! Oh my Goddess—I'm going to be an aunt!"
Silence.
"…Queen Erin," Zaki said slowly, "what do you mean aunt? I don't think we're closely related."
Kira frowned. "How do you even know my name?"
Right.
They didn't know me. Not like this.
I sighed. "This is… a long story. Can I sit?"
"Sure," Zaki said—awkward, confused.
I sat, my heart pounding. "When last… have you heard from Michelle?"
The question changed the air instantly.
Kira's expression darkened.
Kate's eyes filled with tears.
Zaki's fists tightened.
"How do you know Michelle?" he asked, voice low and guarded.
"Why can't you let her rest?" Kira whispered, anger and grief mixed in her tone. "Why bring her up?"
"…Rest?" I repeated. "Isn't she missing?"
"Missing?" Zaki's voice cracked. "She's dead. Not missing."
His jaw tensed.
"She died because we failed to protect her. And now you show up reminding us of our failure."
My throat tightened.
"What? I'm not dead. I—I didn't die," I muttered.
Kate wiped her tears and looked at me with trembling hands. "What do you mean you didn't die?"
I inhaled deeply.
"I'm Michelle."
The room went silent.
Zaki stared like I'd suddenly sprouted wings.
"Explain. Now."
Kira crossed her arms. "Please don't come here reopening wounds. If this is a joke—it's cruel. I think you should leave—"
"Wait!" I hurried, raising my voice. "Let me talk. Please."
They hesitated.
"When Levi rejected me… you all stood by me."
Shock flickered on their faces.
I continued, voice steadier.
"He marked Clara instead. Ignored me. Humiliated me."
Kate's eyes widened.
"And Kate—do you remember the last conversation we had? Levi dropped me off, and you were so angry you told Zaki that if he didn't talk sense into Levi, you'd tell everyone he rejected his true mate."
Kate's jaw dropped open.
"W–what?" Zaki stammered.
I looked at Kira next.
"And right before I came to Kate's house that day… I told you all I was going to the human world. Where no one would discriminate against me."
Kira gasped softly.
Silence settled—heavy, emotional.
Kate spoke first, voice trembling.
"So you… you're Michelle and Erin?"
I nodded.
"Thank the Goddess," she whispered, crying again. "You didn't die… I blamed myself. Every day. You left my house and never came home."
I held her hands. "It wasn't your fault. Clara attacked me. Beat me until I lost consciousness. In my mind, Aunt Mona came to me and brought me back to my real body—Erin's body. Michelle was never my real form."
Their eyes widened further.
I explained everything—Aunt Mona, the vampire realm, my powers, the truth about my identity. By the end, their faces were a mix of shock, awe, and relief.
"We missed you so much," Kate sniffled.
Zaki rubbed his face, overwhelmed. "This is insane… but it explains everything."
Kira burst into tears and hugged me. "I thought we lost you."
We all hugged—laughing, crying, talking. Hours slipped by like minutes.
Then I remembered something important.
"Oh—don't let Levi know," I said firmly.
They all nodded immediately.
"I haven't seen Micha yet," I added softly. "Kira… can you tell him? I don't want Levi finding out I'm back."
"Of course," she said with a smile.
I placed a hand on her stomach.
"I can't wait to meet my little niece or nephew."
Kate lifted her hand. "It's a nephew. I want a cute nephew."
Zaki raised a brow. "No. Girl. We're having a girl. A lovely little princess—not another version of troublesome Micha."
Kira laughed. "And cute. Don't forget cute."
"See? Even Kira wants a boy," Kate said smugly.
Zaki slumped in defeat.
I laughed softly.
I missed this warmth—this chaos—this family.
For a moment, I forgot the war.
Forgot Roosevelt.
Forgot the threat looming over us.
For a few precious hours… I was home.
But reality always returns.
I hugged them all again, savoring every second.
Then I bid them goodbye and walked toward the pack house—my steps heavier, my heart full, and my mind preparing for what awaited us next.