Chapter 133. The Weight of Choices

Alison’s POV

“Don’t move, sweetheart! Just… just breathe.”

My mom’s voice cut through the heavy fog in my mind, soft but laced with panic. My eyelids fluttered open, and a sharp ache shot through my skull as the room’s dim light hit me. Every inch of my body felt heavy, like I’d been run over, twice.

Then the flashbacks slammed into me with full force.

The shift. The raw power tearing through my body. Bones snapping and reforming. Silver light. Kendrick’s face twisted in a sneer. The blood. The pain.

A groan clawed its way out of my throat as I clutched my head. A wave of pain bloomed behind my eyes.

“Maureen!” my mom cried out, her hands catching mine, pulling them gently away from my head. “Don’t move, baby. You’re safe now.”

Her face swam into focus, she looked teary, worried, her features creased in panic. My mother. Standing right there.

“Mom?” I rasped. My voice felt like it had been dragged across broken glass.

“Oh,