Chapter 44
The Werewolf Realm
Levi's POV
The moment I saw Micha's text pop up on my phone, I froze.
> "Hey Levi, I've got great news about Michelle."
Great news? About Michelle?
My heart kicked against my ribs—too fast, too loud. Something about the message felt important… urgent… different.
I didn't bother typing a response.
I shot straight into his mind through the mind link.
"Explain. Now."
Micha actually laughed as he felt me push into his head like it belonged to me.
> "Calm down, alpha. I'm only telling you this because everyone at home already knows. I don't think Erin would mind."
I froze mid-step.
"Erin?"
We were talking about Michelle. Why was he saying Erin?
Micha backtracked quickly.
> "Let me start from the beginning. After she left Kate's house that day, Clara attacked her. She got beaten, badly—we all saw the injuries. And she was heartbroken.
Her aunt approached her… took her to another realm… and that's where she realized she's not just Michelle. She's a creator—a goddess. Queen Erin."
I stopped breathing for a moment.
A goddess.
A creator.
Erin is Michelle.
Magnus whimpered inside my chest, distressed.
And suddenly… everything made sense.
Her aura. Her presence. Her calmness.
The instant pull I felt toward her in the meeting hall.
The mate bond.
"No wonder," I breathed. "She's my mate. I felt it the moment she walked into the hall. I just… didn't understand it then."
Micha hummed in agreement.
> "She knows. She was way too calm that day."
I swallowed hard.
"Can I come over? I need to see her."
> "Yes, yes you can. Erin won't mind."
His confidence was a lie.
But at that moment, I believed him.
A stupid mistake.
---
Preparing to See Her
I practically ripped open my wardrobe.
I threw shirts everywhere like a lunatic until I found the perfect one—a black tank top, paired with black jeans. A few buttons undone for effect. Enough to look effortlessly attractive.
I checked myself in the mirror.
Not bad.
Handsome, maybe.
Enough for her to look at me… even once.
I whistled the whole way down the hall, greeting every staff member with ridiculous enthusiasm. I felt alive. Electrified. Nervous.
This was going to be good.
This was finally going to be good.
Right?
---
She Wasn't Happy To See Me
I reached Micha's house in record time and rang the bell twice.
Zaki opened the door on the second ring, grinning like he lived for drama.
> "Coming!"
I stepped inside, heart racing with hope.
And then I saw her.
Golden hair glowing… crimson eyes avoiding mine… shoulders stiff.
Her expression hit me like a punch.
What are you doing here?
And Micha—the traitor—had his head bowed, avoiding my gaze.
Zaki still smiling like he was watching the greatest episode of his life.
Before I could speak, Erin said coldly:
> "You should leave, Levi. Not now. I'm not having this conversation with you. Maybe after the war."
My chest tightened.
"After the war?" My voice cracked. "Something we might not even survive? You want to wait until then?"
I moved closer—close enough to see the shimmer of gold in her hair.
Her scent washed over me, intoxicating. She avoided my eyes, but I couldn't look away from her.
I reached for her hand, needing to feel her warmth.
She pulled away instantly.
> "You're not allowed to hold my hand. Not after everything."
My heart dropped.
"Erin…" I whispered her name like a prayer. "I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt you."
She didn't hesitate.
> "But you did. You rejected me. Why? Because I was weak? Now that I'm powerful, suddenly I'm worth your time?"
"That's not it. I didn't reject you—I just… walked away."
Her laugh was bitter.
> "Exactly. I was too insignificant to hear a single word from your glorious mouth."
I swallowed the guilt burning my throat.
"I wasn't avoiding you because you were weak. I was afraid. I wasn't there for you when you needed me. I failed you."
> "I didn't need you to be there for me," she shot back. "Not like you wanted to anyway."
Magnus howled inside me, unable to take it anymore.
---
Magnus Takes Control
Before I could stop him, my wolf shoved me aside—
HARD.
"Magnus! Don't you dare—!"
> "Shut up, you useless human. I'm fixing this."
My vision blurred gold, and I felt myself shoved to the back of my own mind.
Erin's eyes widened slightly as Magnus took over.
He grabbed her shoulders gently, reverently.
> "Mate," he breathed.
And the most shocking thing happened.
She didn't push him away.
What?
Why wasn't she rejecting my wolf?
I'm the owner of this body!
Magnus's voice cracked with emotion.
> "I'm sorry, mate. I couldn't stop Levi. I didn't know things would get so bad. Please don't reject me. You can ignore Levi if you want—but don't reject me."
"WHAT?!" I roared inside my mind.
"What nonsense is this?!"
He ignored me.
Ignored me.
And Erin… Erin looked at him softly.
> "Do not fear, wolf spirit. I won't reject you. Only Levi."
She held his hands.
Magnus nearly exploded with joy.
I shoved him out of control and gasped out loud.
"What do you mean?! How will you reject me and accept him? Erin!"
She turned to walk away, ignoring me completely.
I grabbed onto the one question haunting me.
"Are you in a relationship with Mars?"
She stopped.
Turned.
Smirked.
> "Yes. Do you have an issue with that?"
Zaki's smile vanished.
Micha lifted his head so fast he almost broke his neck.
Kate and Kira stared like this was better than any movie.
Zaki's eyes widened dramatically.
> "Who's Mars?"
Erin shrugged.
> "The green-eyed guy."
Zaki gasped loudly.
"The insanely handsome one? The one more handsome than Levi?!"
"ZAKI!" I barked.
"What? I'm just being honest."
He looked at Micha. "The guy is BEAUTIFUL."
Before I could scream, Erin vanished.
Gone.
Just disappeared.
And the moment she left, everyone turned to me like they wanted details on Mars.
I walked out.
I couldn't breathe.
---
Back at the Pack House
Micha mind-linked me as I reached my car.
> "I'll text you, alpha! And you'll tell me more about Mars!"
"ENOUGH ABOUT MARS!" I snapped.
I drove back furious, humiliated, heartbroken.
I didn't whistle.
I didn't greet the staff.
I didn't smile.
I walked straight to my room and slammed the door so hard the frame shook.
"Damn that Mars," I muttered as I threw myself onto the bed.
"He's not even that good-looking. Just green eyes. Nothing special. Probably weak. Nothing impressive…"
I listed every imaginary flaw he had until anger and exhaustion dragged me into sleep.