"I love you too," I replied, meaning it with every fibre of my being. But still, that gnawing feeling persisted.
As I scanned the room, searching for something to distract myself from the unease, I spotted Becca slipping out onto the terrace. Her eyes were distant, her expression a mix of sadness and pride. With an apologetic glance at Liam, I followed her outside.
"Becca?" I called softly, stepping onto the moonlit terrace. She looked up, startled, but quickly enveloped me in a tight hug.
"Erica, I'm so proud of you," she murmured into my hair, her voice thick with emotion. "You've become such a beautiful young woman."
"Thank you," I whispered, my throat aching with unshed tears.
"Your mother would be so proud of you," Becca continued, pulling away to look into my eyes. "I know she's watching over you."
"Sometimes I wish she was here," I admitted, my voice barely audible over the rustle of leaves in the breeze. "I could really use her guidance right now."
"Darling, she's always here," Becca said softly, her eyes glistening with tears. "In your heart, in your memories, and in the love that surrounds you." For a moment, we stood there, wrapped up in each other's arms, as the sounds of celebration echoed from inside the house. As much as I wanted to bask in the happiness and love of this night, I couldn't shake the sense that there was something more, something lurking beneath the surface.
I hesitated, the words catching in my throat, before I finally managed to speak.
"Becca, I went to see Grant." Her face fell, and a sudden sadness filled her eyes.
"I know I need to see him too," she admitted softly, staring out at the shadows that played on the terrace. "But there's something stopping me. I'm scared, Erica. Scared that he isn't the boy I gave birth to anymore, that I won't recognize him."
"Grant has had it rough," I confessed, my voice barely more than a whisper. "I don't know all the details, but deep down, I think Christian is still in there, somewhere." For a moment, Becca remained silent, her gaze fixed on the darkness outside. Then she sighed heavily, turning back to look at me.
"What else did he tell you?" she asked quietly.
"Grant told me you know about the cage holding my wolf and witch away from me," I said, watching as a flicker of surprise crossed her face. She hesitated, her eyes clouding with uncertainty.
"Erica, we can talk about that, just not now. Tonight is for celebrating your love with Liam," she replied, her voice strained.
"Please, Becca," I pleaded, my desperation mounting. "Do you know why the prophecy is stopping me from shifting?" She sighed again, a world-weary sound that seemed to come from the depths of her soul.
"Erica, the prophecy isn't what's stopping you from shifting into your wolf."
"Then what is?" I demanded, my heart pounding in my chest. Becca looked at me, her eyes filled with so much sadness that it was almost unbearable. And she said the words that would change everything.
"Oh Erica,” she said with tears in her eyes, “We fucked up."
Chapter 36
Erica
"Becca,whatdoyoumean by 'fucked up'?" I asked, my heart pounding in my chest. She glanced around the living room, her eyes filled with concern and hesitation. Instinctively, I grasped her hand, guiding her through the room and into Liam's and my bedroom where we could have some privacy. The door closed behind us with a soft click, and I turned to face her, my green eyes searching hers for answers.
"Please, Becca," I implored, my voice cracking with emotion. "Tell me why I can't shift into my wolf." She looked at me nervously, as if unsure whether she should divulge this secret that had been kept for so long. Observing her hesitance, I knew it was something important, something that would change everything.
"Erica, I don't want you to be upset…" she started, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Upset? Becca, I've been living with this for years, constantly feeling like there's something wrong with me. I need to know the truth," I argued, desperation lacing my words. I felt the familiar weight of my inability to shift pressing down on me, suffocating me. My trust in Becca hung in the balance, and I needed her to be honest with me. Taking a deep breath, Becca finally began to speak, her voice shaking. "Alright, Erica. I'll tell you everything," she said, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
Becca sighed, the weight of her words already heavy in the air.
"It started before you were born," she began hesitantly, her eyes darting around the room as if searching for strength to continue. "Your mum...she attracted the attention of a powerful sorcerer. He kidnapped one of her friends and, desperate to save her, your mum called me for help." Her voice trembled slightly, and I could feel my own heart rate quicken in response. The notion that my mother had somehow been involved with sorcerers was unsettling, to say the least.
"Becca, what does this have to do with me not being able to shift?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady despite the fear gnawing at the pit of my stomach.
"Patience, Erica," Becca said softly, reaching out to give my hand a reassuring squeeze. "I promise I'll get there." She took a deep breath, steeling herself before continuing.
"I went with Trenton to help your mum. We were living in his pack after we found each other as fated mates." A bittersweet smile touched her lips at the memory, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared.
