{ Cole }
Pain. Then… warmth.
For a long time, there was only darkness, a heavy, weight was pressing down on me. I was unable to move, unable to think. But now, something was pulling me back to reality.
A gentle hum, like a heartbeat, throbbed through my veins. The pain that had strangled me for what felt like forever was slowly melting away, replaced by something else. Something… comforting, something... sweet.
"Cole? " A sweet voice called out.
The voice wasn't mine. It was distant, soft, yet insistent. Calling me back.
My fingers twitched against the sand. My chest rose in a slow, steady breath.
And then, my eyes snapped open.
" Where am I ... " I groaned.
The first thing I saw was Mia, her face floating above me, her expression a mix of relief and something else, fear maybe? Her hands, resting lightly on my arm, were glowing with a soft golden light.
I blinked, my head spinning. "Mia…?" My voice was hoarse, barely a whisper.
Ace let out a shaky breath like he'd been holding it in for hours. "Holy—" He shook his head, blinking rapidly, running a hand through his hair. "You were out cold, man. We thought—" His voice caught, and he looked away.
I swallowed hard, my throat dry. I tried to sit up, but dizziness washed over me. Mia's hands quickly pressed against my shoulder, stopping me. The warmth of her touch lingered even as the glow faded.
"What… what happened? The last thing I remember is the fight at the warehouse and then... Nothing !" I rasped in frustration.
Mia hesitated, her fingers curling into fists. "I—" She swallowed. "I healed you."
My breath hitched. I wasn't sure I heard her right. "You what?"
She pulled her hands back, staring at them like they belonged to someone else. "I don't know how," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "But I did."
Silence stretched between us.
Then, Ace muttered, "Well, that's new."
I let my head fall back against the ground, my mind spinning. New? That wasn't just new, that was impossible.
And yet…
I wasn't dead.
Mia had healed me.
I wasn't sure which part terrified me more.
Then, Mia swiftly turned towards ' Ace ' before rubbing her head and asking. " Ummm... Ace ?"
Ace turned towards her, his gaze softening a bit. " What is it cupcake?"
" Ummm... Since you also have superpowers and you said that we had the same ones does that mean that — " Sh hesitated then took a deep breath." That... You have healing powers too ?"
Ace's jaw tightened and he shook his head. " No cupcake, seems like you're stronger..."
Mia squinted as if she thought that 'Ace' was hiding something. " Strong how ?" She asked urging further.
Ace clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms drawing some blood.
" What are you hiding?! Why are you so nervous?" Mia asked still squinting.
" Nothing !" Ace growled. Then, he continued. " How did you turn into a wolf ?"
" She what ?!?!" I exclaimed.
Mia turned into a what ? I was so confused. How much did I miss?
I struggled to sit up, my head still spinning. "Hold on. Someone explain—Mia turned into a wolf?"
Ace smirked, crossing his arms. "Yeah, man. Full golden glow, claws, fangs, the whole deal. It was pretty badass."
Mia shifted uncomfortably, avoiding my gaze.
I stared at her, waiting for her to say something. Anything. But she didn't deny it.
I let out a breath, rubbing a hand over my face. "I was out for what, days? And while I was gone, Mia apparently became some kind of golden werewolf and unlocked healing powers? What else did I miss? Can she wake up the dead too?"
" It's not funny Cole !" Mia pouted. Then, Ace turned towards Mia asking again.
" How did you turn into a wolf?"
" So I assume you can't do that either?" Mia questioned.
" No, I can. It's just—"
" Wait !!! So you have an annoying voice in your head too ?" Mia asked eagerly.
Ace just chuckled. " Conner isn't annoying!" He defended.
" Wait who's Conner ?" I asked nearly jumping off my seat.
" Not now Cole!" They reprimanded in union, and then, they continued.
" What's the name of your wolf Mia ?"
" Ash."
I ran a hand through my hair, still trying to process everything. "So let me get this straight," I said slowly. "You've always had a wolf, and you never thought to mention that?"
Ace shrugged. "Didn't exactly come up in any conversation."
I glared at him . "You've literally had a second voice in your head this whole time, and you didn't think you should share it with your best friend?"
Ace smirked. "You never asked."
Mia sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Can we focus? I still don't know how or why this happened to me." She hesitated before glancing at Ace. "Did it… happen to you the same way?"
Ace's smirk faded, and for the first time, he actually looked uncertain. He rubbed the back of his neck. "Not exactly. Conner's always been there. I didn't just wake up one day and, boom, wolf mode."
"Great," I muttered. "So Mia's special."
Mia narrowed her eyes at me. "What's that supposed to mean?" She clutched her chest offended.
I gestured vaguely. "It means you somehow went from human with little power to glowing-werewolf-healer overnight. That's not exactly normal, right?"
Ace nodded. "He's got a point. This isn't normal, even for us cupcake."
Mia crossed her arms. "Well, excuuuuse me for not fitting into your little 'normal superpowers' club."
Ace chuckled, but it didn't seem genuine."It's not that, cupcake. It's just… weird." His gaze turned serious. "Something triggered this, Mia. You need to figure out what."
Mia looked down at her hands, bending her fingers as if expecting them to glow again. "I don't know what's happening to me," she admitted. "But… Ash keeps telling me that I'm 'stronger now.' Stronger how? And why now?"
Silence.
I breathed out, shaking my head. "One thing's for sure, we need answers."
Ace smirked again. "And let me guess, you're gonna suggest we go looking for them?"
I shot him a grin. "Damn right."
Mia looked between us, her expression shifting from uncertainty to determination. "Then let's figure this out."