CHAPTER ONE-HUNDRED TWO: OVERCOMING ANXIETY: A WEREWOLF'S HIDDEN HUMANITY

Stephanie's Perception:

As I stumbled outside, my knees buckled, and I fought for breath. No wolf suffers from asthma or heart failure. Yet, here I was, drenched in sweat, my heart racing, the world spinning, my stomach churning with the urge to vomit.

Brock must be beside himself, mistaking this for rejection — and the pack, what must they think? My anxiety spiked, bringing the nausea closer to the surface. This was not me.

My family formed a protective circle around me. We sat in heavy silence until Linda pierced our circle, settling in front of me with a look of concern. My eyes met hers, and I knew I must've been as pale as the panic I felt inside.

My father excused himself, saying he needed to assist Brock at the podium, while Stephanie flicked her finger against my forehead. Annoyance and anger began to surge within me, unexpectedly overshadowing my prior emotions.

Linda's chuckle reverberated softly in the tense silence. "Did that help?" she said, her eyes alight with a mischi