Chapter 7
1112 Words
I don’t remember when I fell asleep only that at some point the storm outside faded and another one took its place.
Fire, screams, the sharp scent of blood and ash burned my lungs as I stood frozen, watching two figures collapse in front of me. My legs wouldn’t move, my voice wouldn’t come.
“Mom!”
“Dad!”
The world shattered and I jolted violently, a scream tearing from my throat before I could stop it.
No!”
Strong hands caught me instantly.
I thrashed, heart racing, nails digging into anything I could grab, breath coming in broken gasps as the nightmare clung to me.
“Liana.”
His voice cut through the chaos, warm and real. I gasped my eyes flying open, disoriented. The cabin swimming back into view, the storm reduced to a distant howl.
Rhage was sitting up beside me one arm wrapped around my back, the other bracing my shoulders holding me steady without crushing me.
“You’re here.” he said quietly.
“You’re safe.”
I shook my head tears spilling before I could stop them.
“They were.. I saw..”
“I know,” he interrupted gently and it broke me.
The sob tore out of my chest as my body folded forward instinctively burying my face against his chest before I could think better of it.
He stiffened for half a second, just one then his arm tightened around me, pulling me closer protectively. I clutched his shirt like I was drowning, his masculine scent comforting me.
“It’s over.” he murmured his hand moving slowly up and down my back.
“You’re not alone.”
My wolf stirred softly, no fear this time just comfort.
I breathed him in, shaking, my cheek pressed against his chest, painfully aware of how safe he felt. When my breathing finally slowed I realized what I was doing, where I was, who I was pressed against then I froze.
“I.. I’m sorry” I whispered trying to pull back but his hand stopped me, gently and steady.
“Don’t,”
“You didn’t do anything wrong.”
I looked up but our faces were too close again.
His eyes were softer now, still intense but stripped of that dangerous edge from earlier. Something else lived there instead and I felt it so hard.
“You’ve had these nightmares since you were a child.” he said.
My throat tightened.
“You knew that too?”
“Yes.”
“How?” I whispered.
“Because every time you screamed” he said quietly.
“your wolf did too.”
My heart skipped a beat as I stared speechlessly.
His thumb brushed a tear from my cheek before he seemed to realize what he was doing. His hand stilled then slowly withdrew, curling into a fist at his side like restraint cost him something.
“I’m sorry you had to go through all these alone.” He continued which caused another rain of tears on my cheeks again and this time I was full on sobbing cos It was the truth.
I never deserved to go through all I went through, I was just an orphaned child and was crucified cos i was different.
The tears couldn’t stop but those words soothed my heart in ways I couldn’t imagine.
He pulls me even closer as we both layed on bed his hand playing with my hair and the other one rubbing my back in soothing circles.
As sleep pulled me under again one thought lingered, terrifying and comforting all at once.
Whatever was happening between us was no longer something either of us could ignore.
I woke stiff, trying to move but his hands were wrapped protectively around me, caging me in like I would escape. I moved the hair from my face as I stared at his sleeping form.
Even while sleeping he still looked as beautiful.
I stayed still, afraid to move.
Afraid of how my body reacted to him even in sleep.
When I shifted slightly, the mattress dipped. His breathing changed immediately.
“Morning.” he said.
His voice was low and rough with sleep and it slid straight down my spine.
“Morning.” I replied barely above a whisper.
A very akward silence followed.
I stared at my hands suddenly unsure where to put my then or my legs even my thoughts. I could feel his gaze burning into me then I ran.
I pushed myself upright quickly, dragging the blanket with me like armor.
The cold hit my skin instantly, and I shivered.
He sat up slowly as the blanket slid down his torso, revealing the hard lines of his chest, the tattoos partially hidden in the shadow.
I looked away immediately.
“Cold?” he asked.
“I’m fine” I said too quickly.
I swung my legs off the bed and stood pulling the oversized hoodie tighter around me. My heart was racing for reasons that had nothing to do with the temperature. Behind me, the bed shifted again as he stood too.
I didn’t turn.
I focused on my hands instead how they trembled just slightly. Last night felt so intimate and now I dont even know how to act around him.
“ slept well?” His deep voice came right behind me and my heart raced.
“Yes” I replied voice shaky. He could feel the change in my demeanor heck I felt the change in my demeanor but I couldn’t help it. Being here is messing with my head and if this keep going I might loose control.
“Liana.”
I froze, not because he raised his voice but because he didn’t.
“Yes?” I asked still not turning.
For a moment he said nothing. When he finally spoke it was quieter than before.
“About last night, I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
That surprised me enough to make me turn.
He stood right behind me hands clasped behind his back, posture rigid, expression neutral.
“You didn’t” I said though my voice wavered slightly.
His gaze flicked to my face searching briefly, intensely then he took a few steps back.
“Good.”
“That was all?” I wondered. I thought he’ll kiss me or something.
I nodded unsure what else to say then slipped past him toward the stairs. As I passed, I felt it again that pull, not physical, something deeper, like gravity bending.
I hated how much it affected me. Behind me, he didn’t follow immediately but I knew without looking that he watched until I disappeared down the stairs.
- Writer
