Chapter 185

** Paige’s POV ** The moment the words leave my mouth, ‘I think I know what I am,’ the world stops. The air in the clinic feels like it freezes around me. Sound disappears, and even the lamplight seems to dim, as if the room itself is holding its breath. Callen’s eyes widen, pupils blown so large that it’s difficult to tell they’re blue. He looks torn between awe and complete, unfiltered terror. Parker’s hand is still clamped on his shoulder, but he’s gone as still as a statue beside him. Jake and Poppy stand near the door, both stunned into silence, both looking at me like I’ve grown a second head. The wolves don’t move at all. All nine of them are bowed so low that their heads touch the floor, their bodies glowing with that faint silver-gold shimmer like they are flickering between two realities. They’re waiting. Every heartbeat of theirs syncs to mine. Every breath of theirs follows the rise and fall of my chest. They feel tethered to me. They feel… mine. And something inside me, so