Instinct Over Orders

It was a sunny, beautiful day beneath a clear, endless sky. I ran through the fields as fast as my tiny legs could carry me, laughter bubbling from my chest.

Oh... the dragonfly is near...

I chased it through the tall grass, the cool breeze brushing past my skin. Joyful laughter echoed beside me, and I turned to face her. I looked up, but her face was blurred, the sun glaring into my eyes. Still, I knew her.

She reached for my hand, and together we ran—chasing dragonflies, giggling without a care in the world. She lifted me up and swung me through the air, laughing along with me.

“You look so happy here, baby girl,” she cooed, her voice angelic.

“I am... Mommy.” I wriggled out of her arms and turned to run again.

And then, it happened. A warm splash hit my back.

Confused, I looked behind me—and saw RED. So much RED.

My mother dropped to her knees, clutching her stomach, her scream ripping through the air.“RUN... baby... RUN...”

I jolted awake, sitting upright, my body drenched in sweat. Tears streamed down my face as my heart thundered in my chest.

It’s just a dream.I told myself that every time.

It was the only memory I had from before I turned sixteen. Sometimes I wished I could forget it—erase the pain that came with it. Other times, I clung to it desperately. It was the only thing tying me to my past. To who I really was.

I swung my legs off the bed and changed into my gym clothes. The room was painted a pale, lifeless grey, the small window offering nothing but darkness. It was still early—too early for most—but that didn’t bother me.

Extra hours meant extra training.

Training helped me focus on the assignment. It also kept my wolf calm.

Yes, I was a werewolf.

Not just any werewolf—a superior one.

A Lycan.

Keeping her passive took constant effort. I couldn’t afford to draw attention to myself—not until the assignment was complete. The power she radiated would be impossible to hide, and humans noticed things they weren’t meant to.

And attention... was dangerous.

The gym was empty at this hour, just the way I liked it. No curious eyes. No questions.

I moved to the weights, wrapping my fingers around the cold steel bar loaded with plates most men needed a spotter for. Two men, sometimes. I lifted it effortlessly, the bar rising and falling with controlled precision. No strain. No tremor.

I kept my breathing steady, careful not to let the wolf surface. Strength was easy. Control was the real challenge.

Slow,I reminded myself.

She prowled beneath my skin, pleased but restless. Power hummed through my muscles, begging to be unleashed—but I ignored it. I always did. No witnesses meant no suspicion. Humans weren’t meant to see what I could do.

I finished my final set and wiped my hands, my pulse barely elevated. Not even close to my limit.

As I reached for my bag, my phone vibrated.

The screen lit up.

Need update. Meet at 1.

My jaw tightened.

The wolf went still.

Whatever the future holds, no turning back now.