Chapter 2 Run, Evelyn.

Chapter 2

Run, Evelyn.

Evelyn's POV

I sat on Theo's couch, staring blankly ahead. My head throbbed, and I hadn't slept a wink. Every time I closed my eyes, my parents' words echoed in my head.

You're not one of us.

You're a werewolf.

I had stormed out of the house and somehow ended up at Theo's. I couldn't even remember when I'd stopped crying.

Maybe it had all been a terrible dream. Maybe I'd wake up and find my parents laughing, telling me they'd only been joking.

But deep down, I knew better.

Footsteps approached from the hallway, and I lifted my head.

Theo appeared, running a hand through his messy hair. He looked exhausted, but his expression changed when he saw me.

“Eve? You haven't slept, have you?”

I shook my head.

“What happened last night? You showed up here crying and wouldn't tell me anything.”

“I didn't know where else to go.”

He sat beside me, studying my face.

“Did your parents hurt you?”

“No. They just…” I swallowed hard. “They told me they're not my real parents.”

His eyebrows drew together.

“What?”

“My mom said her sister was my biological mother. She died giving birth to me.”

Theo stared at me for a moment.

“Eve, are you sure you heard her correctly?”

“I was there, Theo.”

“Okay, but—”

“They also said I'm a werewolf.”

He went silent.

I looked away, blinking back tears. “Say something. You're staring at me like I'm crazy.”

“I don't think you're crazy.” He rubbed his face. “I'm just trying to understand. Why would they wait until your eighteenth birthday to tell you something like this?”

“I don't know!”

My voice cracked, and the tears I'd been fighting spilled over.

“Hey.” Theo took my hand. “We'll figure it out.”

“How? I don't even know who I am anymore. Everything I believed about my life was a lie.”

“Then we'll find out the truth. Whatever happens, you're not facing it alone.”

I squeezed his hand, grateful that at least one person was still on my side.

But I couldn't stay there. I needed answers, and my parents were the only ones who could give them to me.

“I have to go home.”

Theo frowned. “Now?”

“Yes. They owe me an explanation.”

“I'd go with you, but my boss will kill me if I miss another shift.”

“It's fine. I'll be okay.”

He hesitated before nodding.

“Call me when you get there, alright?”

“I will.”

I grabbed my things and left.

The morning air felt cold against my skin, but my thoughts were colder. Who were my biological parents? Why had the Cranes hidden the truth from me for eighteen years? And what did being a werewolf actually mean?

I was so lost in my thoughts that I barely noticed I'd reached our street.

I flung the gate open and stopped.

The front door stood slightly ajar.

Country music blared from inside.

That was strange. Mom hated country music and had scolded me countless times for turning up the volume whenever I listened to it.

“Mom?” I called.

No answer.

A knot formed in my stomach.

I approached the door and pushed it open.

The living room was a disaster. The table lay overturned, chairs were smashed, and the television Dad had bought for Mom's birthday was shattered in the corner.

Then I saw the blood.

A trail streaked across the floor and disappeared deeper into the house.

My heart hammered as I followed it, silently begging for what I feared most not to be true.

Then I saw him.

“Dad?”

He lay motionless on the floor.

I rushed to his side and dropped to my knees. His eyes were closed, and his skin felt cold beneath my trembling fingers.

“No. Dad, wake up!”

I shook his shoulder, but he didn't move.

“Please, Dad!”

A faint voice reached my ears.

“Evelyn…”

I whipped around.

Mom lay beside the overturned table, surrounded by blood.

“Mom!”

I scrambled toward her and grabbed her hand. Blood soaked her clothes, and deep, ragged gashes covered her body, as though she'd been attacked by something with enormous claws.

“Mom, what happened?”

She coughed, blood staining her lips.

“Evelyn…”

“I'm here. I'm right here.” I pressed my hand against her wound, desperately trying to stop the bleeding. “You're going to be okay, Mom. Just hold on.”

Her fingers tightened weakly around mine.

“You have to leave.”

I shook my head. “No. I'm not leaving you.”

“They'll come for you too.”

My breath caught.

“Who? Who did this to you? Who killed Dad?”

Instead of answering, she reached into her pocket and pushed a card into my hand.

“Go there. They'll protect you.”

My gaze dropped to the card.

BLACKTHORN PACK.

I stared at the words, confused.

“What is this? Mom, please, tell me what's happening!”

“There isn't enough time.” She struggled to draw a breath. “You have to go before they find you.”

“No!” I clutched her hand. “You're my mother. You can't leave me!”

A faint smile touched her lips.

“I'll always be your mother.”

“Mom…”

“Run, Evelyn.”

Her eyes closed.

I froze.

“Mom?”

She didn't respond.

I shook her gently, then harder.

“Mom, wake up! Please!”

Nothing.

A broken sob escaped my throat as I pulled her into my arms. I buried my face against her shoulder, refusing to accept that the woman who had raised me, loved me, and called me her daughter was gone.

My father was dead.

My mother was dead.

And I had no idea who had taken them from me.

All I had was a strange card and two words I couldn't escape.

Run, Evelyn.