Hay Creek

Chapter 7.

"Avery, please, talk to me." Kai shook my shoulders gently, his voice urgent but soft. "I know this is a lot to take in, but you're strong. You have to snap out of it."

I was trying to process everything, but it felt impossible. My dad was a werewolf... and now, so was I. "Kai, I'm a wolf," I whispered, my voice breaking as tears streamed down my face. I didn't even know why I was crying. I wasn't ashamed, but the weight of it all was overwhelming. I didn't want Kai to think I was ashamed of his kind—or mine.

Kai turned me to face him, sitting down on the floor in front of me. He took a deep breath before speaking, his eyes filled with concern and determination. "Yes, you're a wolf," he said, "but you're *my* wolf. And you're still human, Avery. Nothing has changed. No one is taking that from you. If it feels like someone took something away from you, blame me. The day I met you, I took a part of your life and made it mine."

I blinked at him, unsure of how to respond. Kai leaned forward, taking my hands in his. "Your father said you'd find someone to protect you, to love you. Maybe he didn't mean me, but I believe I'm that person. I will protect you, take care of you. I love you, Avery. And maybe this isn't the right time or place, but—"

I cut him off with a soft laugh. "No, it is. I love you too."

I leaned in and kissed him. For a second, he stiffened, but then he relaxed, deepening the kiss as his grip on my hands tightened. The moment felt perfect. I was the first to pull away, needing to catch my breath. Kai was breathing heavily too, the intensity of the moment still hanging between us.

I leaned back, giving myself a little space. That's when Kai's phone rang. He got up, taking a step back while fishing it out of his pocket. "Hello?" he answered.

---

We were racing to the Alpha house as fast as we could. Kai had just gotten a call from Axel—Arden's water had broken, and she was in labor. Kai was freaking out, saying the baby wasn't supposed to come yet. He kept mumbling about how Graham had told him last week that they still had a few more weeks before the baby's arrival, but I guess the little one had other plans. The Lupus Moon pack was getting a new addition, and I was excited to meet them.

When we arrived at the Alpha house, nearly everyone was in the living room, anxiously waiting. Kai's mother, Deborah, walked in, immediately spotting her son. "Kai!" she called out.

Kai turned to her, wide-eyed. "Mom? Why aren't you upstairs with Arden and Graham?"

Deborah crossed her arms, giving Kai a pointed look. "Why are *you* down here? You should be up there with the parents, meeting the newest member of your pack. Go upstairs!"

"But, Mom—" Kai stammered, looking like he was about to lose his mind. "I can't—I mean, I can't *see* that! I'm not ready for that kind of... experience."

His mother wasn't having any of it. She raised an eyebrow and kept her arms firmly crossed. Kai sighed, looking down at the floor. After a few moments, he took a deep breath, gathered his courage, and glanced up at her. "Okay, you're right," he admitted.

He turned to everyone else, and then his eyes found me. A smile broke out on his face. "Avery, come with me. It would mean a lot to have you there."

My mouth dropped open. Was he serious?

"Yeah, you go, girl!" Stella cheered from across the room, grinning like this was some kind of joke. Kai wasn't joking, though.

I followed him out of the living room and up the stairs, still a little shocked. "Really, Kai?" I asked.