Chapter 45
1081 Words
_Dorian's POV_
I sat in the dark, staring at the wall. The nightmare still clung to me, refusing to fade. No matter how much I told myself it was just a dream, I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was something more.
Lyla’s voice echoed in my head.
"Please, help me!"
I exhaled sharply and rubbed my face. My body was tense, my mind restless. But what bothered me the most was Shadow. My wolf had been pacing inside me ever since I woke up. His frustration was growing by the second.
She is in danger, he growled. We need to find her.
I clenched my jaw. "No. She must be safe where she is."
You don’t know that, Shadow snapped. We saw her fear. We saw the beast. That was not just a dream. That was a warning.
I shook my head. "She is living with Alpha Aaron of the Blood Moon Pack. That pack is strong. She is protected."
You think protection means safety? Shadow let out a low growl. You think a pack will keep her safe from a monster like that?
I sighed. I didn’t want to have this conversation. Not now. Not ever.
"I won’t risk going to war against them for her," I said, my voice cold. "She is not important enough for that."
Shadow snarled inside me, his rage shaking my bones.
Stop lying to yourself! he snapped. She IS important to us. We need her, Dorian. You need her.
My fingers curled into fists. "I don’t need anyone."
Then why are you still thinking about her? Why did you dream about her?
I had no answer for that.
I stood up, pacing the room. The air felt heavy, pressing against my skin. I wanted to forget. I wanted to push this feeling away.
But Shadow wouldn’t let me.
The beast we saw—it was real. His voice was calmer now, but there was something dangerous in his tone. And it’s after Lyla.
I clenched my teeth. "That was just a nightmare. It wasn’t real."
Are you willing to bet her life on that?
His words hit something deep inside me. I turned away, refusing to answer.
If you don’t believe me, Shadow said after a moment, then let’s go to the seer.
I scoffed. "The seer?"
Yes. She can tell us what the dream meant.
I let out a sharp breath. "Dreams have no meaning, Shadow."
You’re wrong, he said. Dreams come from our subconscious. They show us things we don’t want to see. And sometimes, they are messages.
His conviction made my stomach twist.
I hated that he was getting to me. I hated that part of me wanted to believe him.
But the truth was, the dream had felt real. Too real.
I ran a hand through my hair, frustration burning inside me.
"Fine," I finally said. "If it pleases you, we’ll go to the seer."
Shadow’s ears perked up. And if she confirms that Lyla is in danger?
I exhaled slowly. "Then we’ll decide what to do next."
Shadow huffed but didn’t argue. He knew that was the best answer he would get from me.
But deep down, I already knew.
If the seer told me Lyla was in danger, there would be no turning back.
The next morning, I set out for the seer’s cabin.
The ride was long, the road rough, but I barely noticed. My mind was tangled in too many thoughts.
Lyla. The dream. The beast.
No matter how much I tried to ignore it, the fear in her eyes kept flashing in my head.
By the time I reached the seer’s home, my hands were tight on the reins.
The cabin was small, hidden deep in the forest. Smoke curled from the chimney, carrying the scent of burning herbs. The moment I stepped out of the car, the door creaked open.
A woman stood in the doorway, her sharp eyes locking onto mine.
"I was expecting you," she said.
I frowned. "How—"
She turned without a word, disappearing into the dimly lit room.
I hesitated, then followed. The cabin smelled of incense and old books. Candles flickered, casting long shadows on the walls.
She sat at a wooden table and gestured for me to sit.
I did.
She studied me for a moment, her gaze piercing. "You had a dream."
It wasn’t a question.
I nodded. "Yes."
"Tell me."
I hesitated, then told her everything—the fog, the labyrinth, Lyla’s screams, and the beast with burning red eyes.
She listened without a word, her fingers tracing symbols onto the wooden table.
When I finished, she leaned back, her eyes narrowing.
"This was no ordinary dream."
Shadow growled inside me. I told you.
I ignored him, focusing on the seer. "Then what was it?"
She tapped the table. "A vision."
My stomach tightened. "A vision of what?"
She exhaled slowly. "Of what is to come."
A heavy silence filled the room.
I leaned forward. "Explain."
She studied me for a long moment. Then, she reached for a pouch, pulling out a handful of white powder. She tossed it into the candle flame.
The fire flared blue.
Images flickered in the smoke.
Lyla.
The labyrinth.
The beast.
Then, something new—Lyla on the ground, blood staining her hands.
A snarl ripped through the vision, shaking the room.
Then, darkness.
The flame returned to normal.
I stared at it, my breath tight in my chest.
The seer’s voice was low. "She will not survive unless she is saved."
Shadow growled. We have to go!
I clenched my fists.
The seer watched me closely. "You have a choice, Alpha Dorian. Ignore this, and she dies. Go to her, and you may change her fate."
I swallowed hard.
I had told myself I wouldn’t go after her. I had told myself she wasn’t important enough to risk everything.
But the vision had shaken me.
Lyla bleeding.
Lyla dying.
Shadow’s voice was firm. You know what you must do.
I stood abruptly, my chair scraping against the floor.
The seer didn’t flinch.
I reached into my coat, tossing a handful of coins onto the table. "Thank you."
Then I turned, walking out of the cabin.
The moment I stepped outside, Shadow spoke.
We’re going after her.
I didn’t argue this time.
I drove my car back home quickly. My heart was pounding in my chest.
Lyla was in danger.
And I was going to save her.
- Writer
