I woke up to the gentle caress of sunlight streaming through the trees, casting dappled shadows on our peaceful haven. The warmth of Nikolai's body against mine provided solace, but my heart was heavy with worry. I had tried, unsuccessfully, to dream walk back to pack lands last night, to check on Emma and the rest of the pack. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't breach the veil of dreams that separated us. It was as if Alara's death had cut me off from everything.
Fear clutched at my insides as I thought of Emma, alone and vulnerable amidst the encroaching darkness. Dream walking had always been my connection, my way of protecting and guiding those I loved, of learning what I needed to learn. But now, when they needed me the most, I was powerless. It felt like a betrayal, a shatte
