Paul grabbed your arm abruptly, spinning you back to face him. His grip was tight enough to bruise.

"I said LISTEN," he shouted

his voice echoing through the quiet neighborhood. Your parents gasped in shock. Paul never raised his voice, especially not like this. He looked genuinely angry and desperate. I shrunk back in fear, he's never yelled at me like this, I was truly scared. Paul immediately noticed the change in your expression. His grip loosened, and his eyes widened in horror as he realized what he'd done.

"Shit," he muttered, releasing you completely

He stepped back, running a hand through his hair.

"Fuck," he added

"Just go if you can't give me a good enough reason for dumping me then just leave me alone" I said

tears falling down my face again, I genuinely didn't understand it. Paul's heart shattered seeing your tears. He hated himself in that moment more than anything. Without another word, he turned and stormed off your porch, leaving you standing there crying. Your parents rushed to comfort you as you broke down completely. Paul walked away without looking back, his fists clenched tightly at his sides.

"I wasn't good enough mom was I, I wasn't good enough for him" I cried

Your mom hugged you tightly.

"Sweetheart, that's not true," she murmurs softly.

"You were perfect. He's the problem, not you." Your dad added softly,

"Baby girl, you were head over heels for him. You cooked for him, laughed with him, hell you even let him watch football without complaining." He said

"Then what did I do wrong?" Your parents exchanged frustrated glances

Your mom sighed.

"Nothing," she said firmly

"You were loving, supportive, gorgeous, and funny. You were the best thing that ever happened to him, honestly." Your dad nodded in agreement

"Remember when he brought you to that family dinner?" He added

"Of course I remember, Everyone was there and we were all so happy then, it was mainly tribal memebers and Billy and old quil told the tribe legends, but why does that matter?" I said

Your mom remembered that night clearly.

"You blended in perfectly with his huge, sometimes scary, tribal family," she said gently

"You learned some phrases in his language, ate all the weird foods without complaint, and even asked questions about their traditions" she said

"Why are you making me relive that memory?" I scoffed

Your dad continued, his voice gentle but firm.

"You were the center of attention that night. Everyone loved you. Paul's aunts kept commenting on how beautiful and smart you were. His uncles praised his choice in partners. And Paul, he was the proudest man in the room. Until..." he suddenly stopped

"Until what?" I asked

Your dad paused, choosing his words carefully.

"Until Old Quil pulled Paul aside after the dinner was over. They had a heated argument in their native language. Paul looked furious and shocked. After that night, everything changed." Your mom added softly

"That was the beginning of the end." She finished

"Why did they argue in their native language, what was it about? Is there something your not telling me?, do you know why he ended things?" I ask curiously and angrily

Your parents exchanged a heavy glance, silently debating whether to reveal what they knew. Your mom sighed heavily.

"We overheard some of their argument by accident," she admitted.

"Old Quil was yelling about 'forbidden bloodlines' and 'breaking tribe laws.' Paul was shouting back about love and choice." She said

"Ok and?" I asked

Your dad continued cautiously,

"We think it has something to do with tribal marriage customs. Some tribes have strict rules about who you can and can't marry based on bloodlines or clans." Your mom nodded gravely.

"Old Quil might have realized that you two being together breaks some ancient tribal rule." He said

"But mom we are part of the tribe?" I said confused

Your mom nodded slowly.

"Yes, but there are different clans within the tribe with specific rules. Paul belongs to a clan that has certain restrictions on marriage outside their bloodline or clan." She paused before adding softly,

"And you belong to another clan that might be considered incompatible by tribal law." Your dad added,"

"But" I felt a new rage inside

and it wasn't just directed at Paul but old quil too, I felt my body begin to shake with rage as I stood angrily.

"what the hell does that even mean? Why can't he be with me over some stupidity rules how is that even allowed" I let out a low growl)

Your parents watched you with a mix of concern and pride at your fierce loyalty and anger. Your mom reached out to calm you down but you pulled away. Your dad spoke up seriously,

"Those rules are ancient and deeply rooted in our culture. They were made to preserve purity of bloodlines and avoid inbreeding." He said

"Inbreeding of what? We aren't dogs?" I scoffed as I felt my body grow hot

"god it's hot In here, why is it so hot? God why does my body hurt?" I groaned in pain

Your parents exchanged worried glances as your skin began to flush and you started to breathe heavily. Your dad noticed the heat emanating from your body and the way your muscles seemed to ripple beneath your skin.

"Something's not right," he muttered, stepping closer to examine you.

Your mom gasped,

"Her eyes..."

"Mom what's going on?" I panted as anger filled me,

My body felt like it was on fire and a noise came form me that sounded almost animalistic

"it hurts" I panted

Your mom's face turned pale with shock and fear.

"Honey, try to calm down," she whispered, her voice trembling.

Your dad's eyes widened as he saw the muscles in your arms and legs twitching uncontrollably.

"It looks like she's... changing," dad said

"Make it stop please" I cried out as my body continued to shake with rage

Your parents had never seen anything like this before. Your body was burning up from the inside out and your muscles were spasming violently under your skin. Suddenly, you let out a loud, feral growl that made both your parents jump back in shock. I didn't know what was happening as I dropped to my knees panting and withering in pain as I felt my body shift painfully.

"MAKE IT STOP" I shouted angrily unaware of what the hell was going on

Without hesitation, your dad grabbed the nearest heavy book from the shelf and threw it across the room. It hit the wall with a loud bang that echoed through the house. The sudden noise caused you to freeze mid-shift, your body trembling violently but no longer changing. Your mom stood there stunned and speechless.

Your dad turned to her urgently, "Call Paul."

I couldn't focus on their conversation all I heard was his name and I felt my body wanting to shift again causing me to growl and my eyes changed colors.

"mom....dad what's happening?" I asked

Your parents exchanged a horrified look, realizing that something far beyond their understanding was happening to you. Your dad knelt down beside you, his voice steady but urgent.

"We don't know yet, sweetheart. But we need to call Paul right now." Dad said

I waited on the floor groaning in pain as I removed my hoodie leaving me in a bra and shorts it was far too warm now, my body felt like it was going to burn me alive and I couldn't stop panting and the feeling of rage.

Your mom was already dialing Paul's number with shaking hands. She put it on speaker as it rang desperately. Your dad tried to keep you calm but nothing seemed to help except that loud noise.

"Paul!" your mom shouted into the phone when he finally answered.

Paul's sleepy voice came through the speaker but turned immediately concerned when he heard the panic in your mom's voice.

"What's wrong?" he asked sharply.

Your mom tried to explain but she was so rattled she couldn't form a coherent sentence. Your dad interrupted,

"Make it stop please" I growled in anger as I punched the wall a hole how in its place

There was a moment of shocked silence from Paul followed by urgent movement on his end.

"Is she hurt? Is she conscious? What triggered this?" he demanded answers.

Your parents could barely explain through their fear and shock. Suddenly, you punched the wall, leaving a fist-sized hole.

I was angrier than before, the sound of his voice angiered me but at the same time almost calmed me.

Your parents stared at the hole in shock, realizing the extent of your current state. Your breathing became heavier and the growling louder, almost like an animal. Paul's voice cut through the air, commanding and firm.

"Put the phone next to her. Let me talk to her." Paul said