How To Lose Your Billionaire Alpha Husband In 365 Days (Or Less)!-Chapter 69 - 5 Stages?...

JASMINE’S POV

"Well, well. About time you woke up."

I froze.

"Don’t panic," the voice said. "You’re not hallucinating. I’m you. Sort of."

"What?"

"I’m your wolf. Your spirit. The part of you that’s been sealed up like some forgotten library for twenty-six years. Nice to finally breathe again."

"You’re inside my head."

"I mean... technically, we share it now... we’ve always shared it. But sure. Let’s go with that."

I leaned against the sink, trying to catch my breath. "Why do you sound like a sarcastic life coach?"

"Because we’re the same. And sarcasm is how we cope."

I closed my eyes, head spinning.

"No," I whispered, voice barely audible over the sound of the still-running shower. "No, this isn’t happening. I’m dreaming. I have to be."

The wolf’s voice chuckled, a low, knowing sound that curled around my thoughts like smoke. "Denial. Stage one. Textbook reaction."

I shook my head, opening my eyes again just to prove to myself that what I’d seen wasn’t real. But the mirror didn’t lie.

Those weren’t human eyes staring back.

They were mine, yes, but they seemed brighter and deeper than usual.

The irises sparkled with a silver sheen, reflecting the light like liquid metal. My skin had an unnatural glow, almost as if every cell was buzzing with energy.

My ears were longer, my canines sharper, and I still had claws. Everything about me felt different.

"This can’t be real," I muttered, taking a step back from the mirror. My breath came faster, shallower. "I... I must have hit my head or something during the ritual. I’m hallucinating."

The voice didn’t go away.

"Feel free to run through all five stages," it said, sounding entirely too amused. "But I promise this isn’t a psychotic break. You’re not losing your mind, Jasmine. You’re finding it."

I grabbed the edge of the sink, grounding myself with the cool porcelain. "You expect me to just... believe this? That there’s a wolf inside me, and she talks like some smartass therapist?"

"Hey, I’m the part of you that’s been buried under layers of seals, fear, and repression for over two decades," the voice replied, unbothered. "Forgive me if I’m a little chatty on my first day out."

I took a deep, unsteady breath, feeling the panic start to fade away and something else take over—an undeniable pull... like a resonance.

It was both strange and frightening, but I could feel the truth of it in my bones, like a note finally hitting the right frequency.

I wasn’t just hearing her; I was connected to her.

Not an intruder or an invader, but like a missing piece finally slotting back into place.

I pressed a hand to my chest. My heartbeat wasn’t alone anymore.

There was a second rhythm there, deeper.

Mine. And hers.

"You’re really... me?" I asked softly.

"Yes," she said, her tone gentling. "You. Just... the side of you that’s been locked away since birth."

I hesitated, biting my lip. Then, almost without thinking, I asked, "Do you have a name?"

There was a brief pause, like she hadn’t expected me to ask.

"You can call me whatever you like," she said. "But... I’ve always liked Lyra."

I tried it out in my head first. Lyra.

Then aloud. "Lyra."

"Hi, Jasmine."

"Hi," I said back, my voice uncertain.

Lyra gave a small hum. "There she is. Our first real conversation, and I didn’t even have to knock down a mental door to make it happen. Progress."

I rubbed a towel over my arms, trying to dry the chill from my skin as I stepped out of the shower. "This is... a lot."

"You’re allowed to be overwhelmed. You’re also allowed to adapt quickly. You’ve never been ordinary, Jasmine. You just didn’t know why until now."

I pulled on one of the black robes from the closet and sank onto the bathroom bench. "So what happens now? You take over, and I start howling at the moon?"

"Not unless you really want to," Lyra said, dryly. "I’m not here to control you. We share this body. I exist to protect you, to sharpen what’s already there. We’ll have to learn each other. Work together."

I stared at my glowing fingertips. "Right. So I’m just supposed to be okay with having another voice in my head?"

"You’ve had other voices in your head your whole life. Doubt. Fear. Guilt. I’m just the first one that actually wants to keep you alive."

I huffed a laugh. "Charming."

Lyra went quiet for a moment, then added, softer, "You’re still in control, Jasmine. This is your life. I just get to walk with you now. And yeah, sometimes growl at the people who deserve it."

I pulled my knees up onto the bench and wrapped my arms around them. My damp robe clung to my skin, the room still warm with steam. "Is this how it is for everyone?"

Lyra responded after a beat. "Sort of. Most werewolves have the voice of their wolves in them. Some are stronger than others. Some just feel instincts. Some have full-on conversations like us. Depends on the person, the bloodline, and the bond between the human and the wolf."

"So what can you do... aside from the pep talks and witty sarcasm?"

"You mean besides making sure you don’t die in stupid ways?" she said, with mock offence. "I can enhance your senses, help you shift when the time comes, guide you when you’re overwhelmed. And yeah..." Her voice lowered a bit. "I can take over if the situation calls for it."

I straightened slightly. "Take over how?"

"Like... take control of the body."

I blinked. "So you can... move me? Act through me?"

"Don’t panic," Lyra said quickly. "It’s not a mutiny. It doesn’t just happen randomly. It’s rare and usually only when you’re in danger or unconscious. Or if you give me permission. Which you haven’t. Yet."

"Yet," I muttered, not loving the sound of that.

"It’s not possession, Jasmine. It’s protection. If someone tries to hurt you and you’re not strong enough to respond, I can push through. It’s how it works. We’re two sides of the same coin. You’re always in charge, but I’m your backup plan."

My fingers curled tighter around my knees. "Do you think... do you think that’s what happened that night?"

Lyra didn’t ask what night I meant. She didn’t need to.

"The night our mate almost lost control?" she said softly.

I went still.