Apparently, the only cure for these nightmares is a grueling three-hour workout. By the time I finally come back upstairs, it’s six in the morning, and my stomach is growling loudly enough to demand attention.
“The dreams are getting worse,” I confess quietly as I stand at the kitchen island, spooning yogurt and fruit into my mouth. Jeremiah approaches from behind, wrapping his arms around my shoulders in a comforting embrace.
“What’s strange is that the dreams are more fragmented now**choppier, harder to remember**but the emotions they stir up are stronger than ever,” I say, my voice low. I have no clue what’s going on, only that everything changed when we turned eighteen**some things becoming less clear, others intensifying.
I keep these thoughts to myself around Jeremiah. He’d probably chalk it up to some wolf-related phenomenon. He’s done that before when odd things happened to us as kids. We have this uncanny ability to read each other’s thoughts and call each other out without hesitation. Over time, I learned that as long as I don’t lie outright, I can keep some things private. Maybe he’s learned I need space sometimes and chooses not to pry.
After all, I’m human. There’s no magical link between my quirks and their werewolf abilities, and for some reason, I constantly find myself having to explain that to my supernatural friend. We do have a secret way to communicate without using the pack’s telepathic link**sign language. Aunt Beth started teaching me when I was little, after discovering the telepathy stuff. I was jealous that she and Uncle James could talk to pack members mentally, and that Jeremiah and the others would eventually have the same gift. Learning sign language was my way of belonging.
Jeremiah and I still use signs, especially at school, where kids can be cruel to anyone they see as different. And I’m definitely at the bottom of their list. But with our silent language, I have a shield**a way to connect without words, without judgment.
“We’re leaving in an hour,” Jer said, his voice calm but firm. “Make sure you’ve packed enough for a whole week, and don’t forget to bring some nice outfits. I’m expecting a few parties and dinners while we’re there.” He leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to the top of my head.
I simply nodded, feeling a mix of anticipation and nerves as I made my way upstairs. When I entered my room, Rayna was already there, rifling through my closet like we’d been best friends forever. It amazed me how quickly her attitude toward me had shifted**almost overnight. The moment she overheard me say I wasn’t attracted to Jer, it was like a switch flipped inside her. She must have some kind of sixth sense for detecting lies. I knew Uncle James had it too**some wild alpha blood trait or something.
“Looking for anything specific?” I teased, making her jump a little. She must have been so focused on sorting through my clothes that she didn’t hear me approach. Wolves really do have ears everywhere.
She grinned and winked. “Just you.”
I blinked, caught off guard. “Have you told him yet?”
“Tell who what?” The way she asked made me uneasy**her questions were always so cryptic.
Rayna smiled knowingly. “Have you told Jeremiah that you’re dealing with separation anxiety?”
I frowned. “I’m not having separation anxiety.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Your nightmares got worse after you turned eighteen, right?”
“Yeah, I guess. But I’m human. Why would I be feeling separation anxiety over my best friend?”
“No clue,” she said, shrugging. “But it’s interesting how much you keep reminding everyone**yourself included**that you’re human. Yet you train and fight like a wolf, eat like one, and your temper? Definitely wolf-like.” She gave me a challenging look, daring me to disagree. “You react to scents like a wolf, and changes in your pack affect you deeply. You’re more connected than you realize.”
I hadn’t really thought about it that way before. I’ve been around the pack my entire life, after all. I shrugged and stepped closer. “Well, while you’re busy sharing your theories, I should probably get in the shower and start packing. Any ideas on what I absolutely need to bring? Jer mentioned parties and dinners, so I want to be prepared.”
Rayna had a blast helping me sort through my wardrobe, and we discovered we were the same size, which made packing a breeze. She promised I could borrow anything I forgot once we arrived. After everything was stowed away, we piled into one of the Alpha’s seven-passenger SUVs. Two more warriors followed behind us in Rayna’s white SUV.
Jason sat beside me in the back seat. He was like a giant teddy bear**always warm and comforting, but unlike Tommy, he knew how to keep his hands to himself. I pulled one of Jeremiah’s oversized hoodies over my head, wrapping myself in its familiar scent, and settled back, hoping to catch a few moments of rest before the journey ahead.
We pulled up to the gates marking the entrance to Alpha Edward’s pack territory, and I could sense trouble brewing before we even stopped the car. They had clearly waited for Edward to be at our usual meeting spot so they could set this trap. Honestly, I was exhausted**this wasn’t how I wanted to spend my time. I should have been heading to the new alpha gathering to relieve my sister and father, not dealing with these self-important wannabe leaders. They were only supposed to represent me for the first night.
Slowly, I stepped out of the car, deliberately adjusting my shirt and buttoning my jacket with exaggerated care. I wanted to irritate the guard they’d stationed here; they were inconveniencing me, so I wasn’t about to let it slide.
“You’re not needed here. Go back to your greedy pack of assholes. Alpha Edward is too weak to protect us, and we’ve chosen a new Alpha. He’s not entertaining visitors right now.” The guard’s tone was at least civil on the surface, but I could smell the fear beneath it. The guy had guts, I’ll give him that**probably volunteered for this post just to look important to whoever foolishly believed he was in charge.
I brushed off my suit jacket without meeting his gaze. “You’re looking at your Alpha. I don’t believe we’ve been properly introduced. Alpha Ryker, Dark Moon pack. You’re standing on my land with an unauthorized blockade. Step aside.” Politeness? Check. Boredom? Definitely.
“Alpha Dean didn’t submit to you. He’s our Alpha now.” His voice wavered slightly, confusion flickering across his face as if he wasn’t quite sure who was supposed to be in charge. Clearly, he could tell I was more powerful than this Dean idiot.
“Alpha Dean, you say?” I glanced at my watch. “He hasn’t challenged me, and I’ve controlled this pack for thirty-two hours now.” Edward stepped out of the car beside me, standing tall and silent, his eyes boring into the guard like daggers. The man was a problem at best, and I wasn’t likely to miss him once I dealt with him. “So, we’re at a standstill. I’ll need to speak with your resident troublemaker immediately. Tell him we’re coming.” I motioned for Edward to get back in the car.
It was a long shot that this idiot would let us pass to meet his wannabe Alpha, but it was worth trying.
“You’re not going anywhere. Leave our pack, or we’ll be forced to declare war on you.” His voice was loud, but I caught a tremble underneath. Perfect.
I let out a humorless laugh and turned back to face him slowly. “Who is this ‘we’ you keep talking about? Do you have invisible friends I should worry about? You clearly don’t have the authority to make threats like that.” I shouldn’t enjoy confusing people this much, but it was too easy. “You’re on my land, and if you don’t move, I’ll break your legs myself.”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.