Takes one to know one

Astrid’s POV

Jason ran a hand through his hair, frustration written all over his face. “I’ll explain,” he muttered.

Killian, standing beside him with a smirk, crossed his arms. “Oh, you better explain,” he teased.

I turned to Killian with an arched brow. “Sorry, can you shut up?”

Jason stiffened, and Killian's smirk widened like he had just discovered his new favorite toy. “Damn, Jason,” he let out a low whistle. “You’ve got a rude one.”

I rolled my eyes. “And you’ve got an annoying mouth.”

Killian only chuckled. He looked completely unbothered, like he was enjoying this little back-and-forth. Jason, on the other hand, was pinching the bridge of his nose, looking like he regretted his life choices.

“Let’s just go home and talk,” Killian suggested, pushing off the car like he had all the time in the world.

“I don’t want to go anywhere with you,” I shot back.

“Suit yourself.” Killian shrugged and turned to Jason. “I’ll just explain everything to her right here in the middle of the street. Hope you don’t mind.”

Jason tensed beside me, shooting him a warning glare. I could tell whatever they were about to say wasn’t something random people should hear. I groaned. “Fine. But I’m not staying long.”

With that, I walked to Jason’s car and got in. I stayed quiet the entire drive, my arms crossed over my chest as I stared out the window. Jason kept glancing at me like he wanted to say something, but I ignored him. I was still pissed.

Instead, I pulled out my phone and sent a quick text to my mom:

Hey, I’ll be home later. Don’t wait up.

I didn’t even check her reply before putting my phone away.

When we arrived at their mansion, my brows furrowed. Their house was huge. I had been to Jason’s place before, but never this part of the property. The driveway alone was ridiculous. Who needed this much space?

Killian strolled ahead, his hands in his pockets, looking like he owned the place—which, considering Jason’s obvious resentment toward him, he probably did.

Jason led me upstairs to his room, where I finally spun around, arms crossed. “Alright, start talking.”

Jason sighed and sat on the edge of his bed. “Astrid… look, I’m sorry about today. Bianca was out of line, and I should’ve said something sooner.”

I scoffed. “Damn right, you should’ve. You just stood there like a damn mannequin while your girlfriend ran her mouth.”

He flinched, rubbing his face. “I know, okay? I fucked up.”

Killian, who had been leaning against the wall, snorted. “Understatement of the year.”

Jason shot him a look but ignored him.

I narrowed my eyes. “And while we’re at it, let’s talk about the other thing you failed to mention.” I pointed a finger at Killian. “Who the hell is this?”

Jason exhaled heavily, clearly reluctant. “My brother.”

I blinked. “Brother??”

“Yep.” Killian popped the ‘p’ and grinned at me like he had just won the lottery.

I stared at Jason, waiting for him to continue. He looked like he’d rather be anywhere else but here. “And you never told me because…?”

Jason muttered something under his breath and ran a hand through his hair.

Killian smirked, clearly enjoying this. “Oh, this should be good.”

Jason shot him a glare before sighing. “Killian has always been our dad’s favorite.” His tone was bitter, almost resentful. “He was the one always in the spotlight, always traveling, always the ‘golden son.’ Meanwhile, I was just—” he gestured vaguely to himself.

Killian placed a hand over his chest mockingly. “Aw, don’t be so hard on yourself, little bro.”

Jason clenched his jaw and turned back to me. “I didn’t tell you about him because I thought he was never coming back.”

“Why wouldn’t he come back?” I asked, my brows furrowing.

Killian chuckled. “Because I have a pack waiting for me.”

That made me pause. I stared at him, not sure I heard right. “A what?”

Jason groaned, rubbing his face like this was the last thing he wanted to deal with. “Killian…”

Killian pushed off the wall and grinned. “You never told her?”

“Told me what?” I demanded, looking between them.

Jason let out a harsh breath, glaring at Killian. “It’s not that simple.”

Killian rolled his eyes. “It’s really not that hard.”

Jason clenched his fists. “Then fucking tell her!”

Killian turned to me with a slow, amused grin. “Alright,” he said.

And that was when my whole world was about to turn upside down.

Killian leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, a proud, almost smug look on his face. “I’m an Alpha.”

I blinked at him, unimpressed. “Alpha of what?”

Jason groaned like he already knew where this was going, but Killian’s grin widened. “A werewolf pack.”

Silence.

I just stared at him, waiting for him to say he was joking.

When he didn’t, I let out a sharp laugh. “Oh, you’re serious?”

Killian smirked. “Dead serious. And so is your boyfriend over there.” He jerked his chin toward Jason.

I scoffed. “He’s not my boyfriend.”

Killian gave an exaggerated nod. “Right, right, just your babe.”

I rolled my eyes, resisting the urge to kick him. “So, let me get this straight. You’re both werewolves? Actual, howling-at-the-moon, turning-into-a-giant-furball werewolves?”

Killian chuckled. “It’s a bit more complicated than that, but yeah.”

I turned to Jason. “And you’ve just been keeping this little detail from me?”

Jason rubbed the back of his neck. “I was going to tell you.”

Killian snorted. “Yeah, real convincing, little bro.”

Jason shot him a glare but said nothing.

I crossed my arms. “And you—what? Rule over a pack?”

Killian grinned. “Exactly. I’m the Alpha. Jason will take over another pack when the time comes.”

I stared at both of them, then let out a sharp laugh. “Oh, this is gold. You two really expect me to believe this?”

Neither of them said anything.

“Oh my God, you do.” I let out another laugh, shaking my head. “This night just keeps getting better and better.”

Killian tilted his head. “What do you mean?”

I let out a breath, my frustration bubbling over. “First, I had a shitty day at school because Jason’s godforsaken girlfriend and her minions decided to run their mouths. Then, this happened.” I gestured at them. “And on top of that, I’ve been having nightmares—weird nightmares.”

Jason’s eyes narrowed. “What kind of nightmares?”

I hesitated, then sighed. “It’s always the same. There’s a wolf. A massive one. It’s watching me, chasing me. And last night…” I swallowed. “Last night, it caught me.”

Jason and Killian exchanged a look.

I ignored them and continued. “When I woke up, I had a mark on my hand. I know I did. But then I looked again, and it was just… gone. Like it healed overnight.”

Killian let out a low whistle. “Huh.”

I threw my hands in the air. “Yeah. Huh. So, clearly, either I’m losing my mind, or everyone around me is ridiculously crazy. At this point, I’m leaning toward option two.”

Then, with all the sarcasm in the world, I turned to Killian and gave him a dramatic smile. “Welcome to the club!”

I spun around, facing Jason. “And goodnight.”

I was already heading for the door when Jason grabbed my wrist, his grip firm but careful. “Astrid, wait. What if your nightmares aren’t just nightmares?”

I stopped but didn’t turn around.

Killian let out a thoughtful hum. “Yeah, what if they’re more like… visions?”

I exhaled sharply and pulled my arm free. “You know what? I don’t care.” I shook my head. “I’m going home.”

Jason looked like he wanted to stop me, but Killian clapped him on the back. “Let her go. She’ll come around.”

I didn’t wait to hear anything else. I stormed out of the house, slamming the door behind me.

Crazy. Everyone around me was crazy.

Jason’s POV

The second the door slammed behind Astrid, I let out a frustrated sigh and raked a hand through my hair.

Killian, of course, was grinning like all this was entertainment for him. He leaned against my desk, arms crossed. “She’s one of us.”

I scoffed. “Not possible.”

Killian let out a dramatic sigh. “Oh, for fuck’s sake, Jason. Do you want to be dumb tonight, or are you actually going to think?”

I shot him a glare, but he just smirked.

“She literally told us she’s been having visions,” he continued, ticking off on his fingers. “A wolf chasing her? Markings that appear and then disappear overnight? Healing at an unnatural rate? Ring any bells?”

I clenched my jaw. “It’s not enough to believe.”

Killian scoffed. “Yeah? Then what would it take? Her sprouting fangs and howling at the moon?”

I didn’t answer. Because deep down, I knew. I felt it. Something about Astrid had always been different. And now, with everything she just told us…

Killian clapped me on the shoulder, his smirk softening just slightly. “You’ll see soon enough, little brother.”

I exhaled, shaking my head. “Welcome back, Killian.”

He grinned. “Missed me?”

“Not even a little.”

He chuckled and pushed off the desk. “See you at school tomorrow, then.”

I didn’t bother replying as he strolled out of my room, whistling like he didn’t just throw my entire night into chaos.

I flopped onto my bed, staring at the ceiling.

Astrid, a werewolf? No.

Impossible.