SONIA’S POV

I couldn’t sleep. I kept thinking I’d just wait up for Ivy since she wasn’t home yet.

However, it didn’t matter how long I waited. I couldn’t sleep, and she didn’t return.

I changed positions on the couch about ten times, the cushions shifting under me as I tossed and turned, trying to find a comfortable spot.

When it became scarily uncomfortable, I dropped to the floor, and laid down, the cool wood pressing against my back.

I did all of these to keep my mind off Ramon and Lorena, but nothing I did worked.

I couldn’t leave the house either. I was afraid that if I left, they’d come to pick up Moon.

It would be horrible for me to return, and find the house empty.

I got up to drink some water, then returned back to the ground, the cool liquid doing little to soothe the knot in my stomach.

With my head on one of the throw pillows, I looked at the ceiling, and began to count.

I counted until a hundred. That was when I felt the first dose of drowsiness.

It was working, so I continued to count. The counting helped suppress all other thoughts, she by the one thousandth, I was fast asleep.

Not longer than a few seconds into my sleep, I dreamt.

I had wondered when next I’d dream again, since it was becoming more frequent.

This time, I was in an empty field, the tall grass swaying gently in a breeze that carried the faint scent of wildflowers and damp earth. The sky above was a vast, endless gray, heavy with unspoken storms. Some creature kept walking towards me from the horizon, its form shadowy and indistinct at first, growing clearer with each step—tall, hunched, with long limbs that dragged slightly through the grass, leaving faint trails behind.

They kept trying to get to me, but the more they walked, the further I drew away from them, even without switching positions. My feet felt rooted to the spot, the ground beneath me soft yet unyielding, as if the earth itself refused to let me move.

My dreams confused me to no end, because they were never straight forward.

I waited in the empty field for what seemed like an eternity, the wind whispering through the grass like distant voices I couldn’t quite make out.

No matter how much effort I put into standing up, and switching positions, I couldn’t move.

It was like I was stuck there, just waiting for the creature to get to me.

But it didn’t get to me, and I couldn’t move either. The distance between us remained constant, a cruel tease that made my heart pound with a mix of fear and frustration.

"So restless," I suddenly heard, and turned my head behind.

My heart palpitated when I saw my wolf, sitting idly on a small rise of earth, her fur gleaming silver under an invisible light.

My beautiful wolf. Almost like she had even gotten prettier, her eyes sharp and knowing, her posture regal.

"How are You here right now?" I asked, and I could swear I saw a smile tug at the corners of her muzzle.

She didn’t respond, but only remained behind me, her presence a comforting warmth at my back.

It didn’t take long for me to figure out she was trying to protect me.

Even when she was far away from me, she was always trying to protect me.

"I miss you so much. I wish you’d come back," I said, my voice cracking with longing.

She didn’t respond, but I turned around with the satisfaction of my awareness of her presence.

But as I turned, I came face to face with a pretty woman.

It was almost like looking into a mirror — the same eyes, the same curve of her lips, the same determined set to her jaw.

My heart skipped a beat on seeing her. She smiled so beautifully too, her expression gentle yet knowing.

She was between me, and the creature that wasn’t giving up, standing tall and unyielding like a shield.

"Who are you?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"It’s all in the book," she said, and her voice sounded so familiar, warm and melodic like a lullaby from childhood.

Although I was certain I hadn’t seen her before, she felt familiar, like a piece of myself I had forgotten.

"The answers you’ll need are all in the book," she said, her hand gesturing toward an invisible path.

"Run!" I suddenly heard my wolf say, her voice urgent and clear in my mind.

I looked through the woman, and saw the creature had made major advancements, its form now clearer, twisted limbs, glowing eyes, a low growl rumbling from its throat.

"You heard her, run!" The woman said, her voice firm as she stepped forward.

I tried to get up again, but I just couldn’t. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t move my body, the ground holding me fast like invisible chains.

"Run!" My wolf, and the woman screened at the same time, their voices blending into one desperate cry.

I shut my eyes tightly, and raised my head to the sky.

Quickly muttering a prayer to the moon goddess, I opened my mouth, and I howled.

I jerked from my sleep, and my eyes flew open to see someone staring down at me.

Swiftly, I straightened, and moved back in horror.

"Is she awake?" I heard a voice ask.

With my pounding heart, I wiped off my eyes with the back of my hands, and blinked to accommodate the light that filtered into my eyes.

When I could see again, the first thing I noticed was the brightness of the day.

I looked down to the spot I was just sleeping on.

It couldn’t have been too long since I slept off. How could the day be so bright already?

"Hey, Sonia, you’re being weird again."

I heard her voice clearer this time. It was obviously Ivy.

"You’re back?" I asked, looking her way.

It was her. Beside her, Moon stood too. It was probably him that asked if I was awake, and scared me to death.

I took a few seconds to search my thoughts. Maybe if I listened hard, I’d feel something I missed before, concerning Moon.

But I didn’t feel anything strange. It was just the fear from the strange dream I had.

Moon was good, and I had promised to protect him.

"Well I’ve been back for a while, and you’ve been dreaming for ten minutes," she said.

"Really?"

"Yes really. If you still want to sleep, you can go into my room and get some rest, since you so graciously lent yours to Moon."

"I’m so sorry. I’ll sleep in the living room henceforth."

"No!" Ivy, and I said together.

We looked at ourselves, and burst into a feat of laughter.

"What’s so funny?" Moon asked in a confused voice.

"It’s better if you take one of the other empty rooms. Just in case one of the alpha’s guards sneaks into the living room at night, and catches you," Ivy said exactly what was on my mind.

"Now as for you," she turned to me, and stretched out her hand. "Come with me," she said.

"Where?" I asked, but took her hand, anyway.

"To get some sunlight. You’ve been cooped up in here for a while. It can’t be good for you," she smiled, helping me get up.

"Does the alpha know about your plans?"

I asked, and she quickly shushed me with her fingers on her lips.

"He doesn’t have to know. We’re going swimming, Sonia. Call it our little secret." She threw me a wink, and I smiled.

"Let’s do it!" I said, more enthusiastic than ever before.