Chapter 3 The Truth He Won't Say

Melissa stumbled backward, her pulse hammering in her ears.

The painting loomed before her, the werewolf's silver eyes locked onto hers. It wasn't just similar to her. It was her.

"This-this is crazy," she whispered, shaking her head.

Devon didn't move. He watched her with that same intense, unreadable expression.

"You're not imagining things," he said. "There's a reason you feel drawn to it."

Melissa let out a hollow laugh. "Oh? And what reason would that be?"

Devon hesitated.

And that hesitation made her stomach twist.

"Say it," she demanded.

He exhaled. "It's complicated."

Melissa threw up her hands. "Oh, of course! Because nothing in this place is ever simple. First, you hire me on the spot. Then I find a painting that looks exactly like me-even though I've never seen it before. And now you're standing there acting like you know something I don't!"

Devon was silent for a long moment. Then, finally, he said:

"I do."

Melissa's breath hitched.

Her pulse pounded against her skull.

"I think you should sit down," Devon said, stepping forward.

Melissa took a step back. "No. No way. You don't get to be all mysterious and vague and then expect me to just-" She cut herself off, pressing a hand to her forehead.

She felt lightheaded.

Like the room was tilting.

Like something inside her was waking up.

Devon sighed. "Melissa-"

"Tell me the truth," she said. "Now."

A beat of silence.

Then, finally, Devon said:

"You're not who you think you are."

Melissa's stomach plummeted.

"What?"

Devon's jaw tightened. He seemed to be choosing his words carefully.

"I mean it exactly as it sounds," he said. "You've lived one life thinking you're just... normal. But you're not."

Melissa let out a shaky breath. "You're insane."

But she didn't believe her own words.

Because deep down, something inside her was whispering: He's right.

Melissa rubbed her temples, trying to make sense of it all.

Devon wasn't backing down. He was looking at her like he knew her-not just as an employee, but as something... more.

"Okay," she finally said, forcing her voice to stay steady. "Let's say, for one insane second, that you're telling the truth. What exactly are you saying? That I'm some... reincarnated werewolf princess or something?"

Devon's lips twitched like he was holding back a smile.

"Not exactly," he said.

Melissa groaned. "You're so frustrating."

Devon leaned against his desk, arms crossed. "Melissa, have you ever had dreams you couldn't explain?"

She frowned. "What?"

"Dreams," he repeated. "Ones that feel... real."

Melissa's breath caught.

Her dreams.

She'd had them for years.

Of running through the woods, the wind rushing against her skin. Of the moonlight on her face, of a presence beside her-strong, steady, familiar.

A man's voice, always whispering her name.

She had always assumed they were just dreams.

But now...

She looked at Devon, her throat dry.

"How do you know that?" she whispered.

Devon's gaze softened. "Because I've had them too."

Melissa's head spun. "No. No, this is crazy. I don't even know you!"

Devon pushed off the desk and took a step closer.

"But you did," he said quietly. "A long time ago."

Melissa's chest tightened.

This wasn't possible.

It couldn't be.

But the way he looked at her-the certainty in his voice-made her question everything.

Then, Devon reached into his pocket.

Melissa tensed, watching as he pulled out a small, glowing stone.

It was deep blue, almost like it was holding the night sky inside it.

And the second she saw it, her entire body reacted.

Her skin prickled. Her breath caught.

She knew that stone.

Even though she had never seen it before.

Had she?

"What... is that?" she whispered.

Devon held it out to her. "Take it."

Melissa hesitated. "Why?"

"Because this," Devon said, voice low, "will give you the answers you're looking for."

Melissa's heart thudded against her ribs.

She shouldn't.

She should turn and run.

But instead, her hand reached out-

And the second her fingers brushed the stone, the world exploded into light.

Images flooded her mind.

She saw herself-but not in the gallery.

She was in a forest, her bare feet pressing into the damp earth.

The moon was full, casting a silver glow over everything.

And then-him.

A man stood before her, his eyes burning with something familiar.

Melissa gasped. It was Devon.

But not the Devon she knew. This Devon looked wilder, his hair longer, his body coiled with tension.

And she-

She wasn't human.

Melissa looked down at herself and choked on a breath.

Fur.

Paws.

She was a werewolf.

Panic surged through her, but the vision pulled her deeper.

Devon stepped closer.

"I told you I'd find you," he murmured.

Melissa's chest ached.

There was something between them. A connection. A history.

Something she had forgotten.

Something she had lost.

The vision rushed forward, memories hitting her like waves-a battle, a betrayal, a promise made under the moonlight.

Then-

A sharp pain in her chest.

And just like that, the vision shattered.

Melissa jerked backward, gasping for air.

She was back in the gallery. The stone lay in her lap, still glowing faintly.

Her whole body trembled.

Devon watched her, his expression unreadable.

"You saw it, didn't you?" he asked softly.

Melissa pressed a shaking hand to her forehead. "I-I don't know what I saw."

Devon crouched beside her, his voice gentle but firm.

"You remember," he said. "You just don't understand it yet."

Melissa looked at him, her mind spinning.

This was real.

Somehow, it was real.

She didn't know how to feel about that.

Devon gave her the stone and told her that she should take it home.

But one thing was clear:

Her life would never be the same again.