A Bond Beyond Death

The breeze was cool as I ran through the woods. My muscles bunched and surged powerfully with every stride, sure-footed on the forest trails. “Can't get away.” Gradually, I became aware of the soft padding of feet behind me. Golden amber eyes. A dark whisper of fur between the trees. The wolf was behind me now, its fangs flashing white beneath the moonlight. I turned, but it followed effortlessly, its movement matching mine perfectly. I shrieked. I ran faster, my heart pounding in my chest. Was this fear… Or the thrill of the chase? My pulse quickened as I felt the wolf's hot breath against my neck. Or was that really the case.? Shivers raced down my spine. Every instinct screamed at me. Run faster. I could see it drooling. Its triumph brewing. I stumbled as I reached the base of a waterfall, its cool spray doing nothing to tame the heat burning inside me. The wolf rose onto its hind legs and bore me down into the pool as I turned to face it. In those split seconds, the closest to death. Embraced by emptiness. Then suddenly, the wolf was gone. A man stood in its place. His body lengthened. Bare skin replaced fur beneath my hands until I was skin to skin with him. The same golden amber eyes. The same dangerous smile. His eyes glowed just as brightly as the wolf's, and I felt his hunger. But I knew it wasn't food he longed for. “At last,” he said softly, a smile tugging at his lips. “You're mine.” My chest thudded hard, each beat heavier than the last, my breath catching in my throat. And his smile… It was wrong, yet right. Unsettling, yet comforting. Like a memory I couldn't place but had somehow always carried with me. Some part of me knew I'd never met this man. So why did I feel so at home in his arms? His mouth moved towards mine, those golden amber eyes glowing with anticipation. I sat up, tearing my gaze away from those mesmerizing eyes. “Who are you? What are you?” His mouth opened as if to speak at last. Then a sound tore through the forest like a blade. I gasped. The alarm slipped through my sleep, sharp and insistent. I jolted awake, my heart pounding as every detail of the dream came rushing back. For a moment, I lay there staring at the ceiling, trying to steady my breathing. The feeling lingered, heavy yet familiar, like something unfinished. I reached for my phone, more out of habit than curiosity. The fifteenth. My birthday. A slow breath escaped me. Of course. It always happens on the fifteenth. I'd had the dream again. Only this time, it had been clearer. I told myself it meant nothing. It was just a dream. But the uneasiness... the tightness in my chest... They told me otherwise. My phone buzzed. A smile spread across my face as my caller ID lit up. My uncle. “Happy birthday, my little princess.” He sounded genuinely glad and happy to be talking to me. We spoke as though we'd never stopped. His silly jokes, the old memories, the nostalgia, everything lifted my mood. “Thank you for always calling early,” I said with a smile. “Habit,” he replied. “Besides...” There was a brief pause before he continued. “I was thinking... why don't you come visit for a bit? You've done it before. Nothing long. Just stay for a few days this time.” I looked around the silent house, and for the first time I didn't have any excuse left to give. I hesitated, my fingers tightening around my phone. “You know how my mom...” “Yes,” he interrupted. I know how your mother feels about it. But it's your twenty-first birthday." A brief silence settled between us. “It's just a visit. Same as always. The only difference is that you're staying for a few days. Besides, we can go out, tour around town. That's something we never really got to do during your usual visits.” I stared out the window, unease curling low in my chest. “She doesn't really know how often I come by. If she finds out, she'll kill me...” I let out a small sigh. “And you.” He chuckled. “She doesn't really need to know. Not unless you want her to.” Honestly, I wanted to go. I was always happiest when I was with him and Josh. Besides, it wasn't like I had anything planned for my birthday. “Fine,” I said. "I'll come.” “Awesome, let's have some fun, and I promise you won't regret it.” I could hear the excitement in his voice. It made me smile. It made me excited too. After the call ended, I didn't waste a second. I got up and started packing, getting everything ready before I left. Despite how happy I was about going, my thoughts kept drifting back to the dream. His face. His smile. The coldness in his eyes. The tension. Something about it didn't feel right. I shook the feeling away and decided to stay on the positive side. An hour later, I was ready. I set off on my journey. I texted Uncle Nate to let him know I'd left home. A few hours later, I arrived in town. Crescent Falls. My home... I guess. My uncle's bar was already loud when I pulled up, music spilling into the streets as I cut the engine. For a moment, I just sat there, my hands resting on the steering wheel, taking it all in. Nothing looked different. And yet… Everything felt heavier. I reached for the door. Then I saw him. Uncle Nate stood just outside the entrance, a crate of drinks balanced against his hip. His face lit up the second he spotted my car. Seeing him happy made my chest feel warm. I couldn't help but smile as I parked my car. Then I remembered what I'd been keeping from him all these years, and my smile gradually faded. A part of me knew that, sooner or later, I would have to tell him the truth, and what worries me is if the man standing there so happy to see me would still look at me the same way when he finds out the truth.