SWNOVELS Chapter 39
Chapter 39: The Awakening
*Riley*
A jolt woke me up, a raw howl erupting from somewhere deep inside. Blinking, I struggled with the darkness until the room finally came into focus. But panic clawed at the back of my throat.
This wasn’t my room. Instead, I was surrounded by the thick, inky blackness of a forest.
Another piercing howl broke the silence, closer this time, making the hair on my arms stand. Squinting toward the source of the sound, I saw a shape huddled between the dark trunks of two massive trees.
A wolf. Big and majestic, even in the dim light, but there was a hint of weakness about her. Old, I thought.
Then, our eyes met. Hers was a shocking blue, the exact same shade as mine. It was like staring into a mirror.
A crazy thought, almost too unbelievable to think, popped into my head. Could it be? Was this actually… my wolf?
My eyes darted back and forth between the wolf and the strangeness of the forest. How could I talk to this creature? What would I even say? Do I just open my mind and… speak?
Suddenly, a voice, soft but clear, flowed into my head. “We are one, Riley. We share a mind.” Mindlink! It was finally happening! Did this mean what I thought? Did I truly have a wolf?
“I’m Rain,” the voice continued, “your ancient g o d wolf.”
“Y-y-you already know my name,” I stammered, feeling a bewildered. rush of emotions. “I just… I don’t know what to say.
“You can say you’re happy to see me,” a gentle amusement flickered in the mind-voice. “Just as I am to see you.”
“But where have you been?” I blurted, the question burning on my tongue.
“Asleep, Riley. I haven’t regained my full strength yet. And for us to face what lies ahead, I’ll need all the rest I can get.”
The words were stuck in my throat. “I… I don’t know what to say.”
Rain’s voice was gentle, yet authoritative. “There’s no need for words, Riley. I brought you here to speak with you, heart to heart. Remember, giving up is never an option. We are strong, Riley. The strength lies. within you, waiting to be grasped. No matter what comes your way, keep going. Trust your instincts, they’ll guide you. We’ll meet again soon.”
17.04%
Chapter 39 The Awakening
“Wait!” My voice cracked in the sudden urgency. I didn’t want her to leave yet. “I… I have questions. So many things I don’t understand.”
Rain’s voice softened further, a touch of sadness replacing the earlier strength. “There’s no need for goodbyes, Riley. We’ll meet again soon.”
A wave of panic washed over me as I watched her eyelids flutter shut and her breathing slows into a deep sleep. The forest around me shimmered, morphing and twisting until I was back in the familiar confines of our bedroom. I sat bolt upright, gasping for breath like a fish out of water.
“Riles? Are you okay?” Worry lines etched on N c l a s ‘s face as he looked at me.
“I… I just felt my wolf,” I stammered, the words tumbling out in a rush. “I didn’t just feel her, Nic, I saw her.”
His brow furrowed. “How?”
“I don’t know,” I admitted. “She came to me, I think. Isn’t that amazing?”
Nicolas shifted closer, his hand finding mine. “It is,” he agreed swiftly. “Can you still feel her connection?”
I searched for her, but she wasn’t there anymore.
I shook my head. “I… I don’t. It was just a fleeting moment, then she vanished. I can’t feel her presence anymore, or talk to her. Does that mean she doesn’t want me? How can I reach her again?”
My voice rose with each question. I was so excited, but now I felt deflated and rejected. Could anything ever work out for me?
Nicolas gently pulled me close, gently rubbing his hands across my back. It worked, my mind instantly shut the hell up.
“Easy there, Riles, you’re spiraling.” he murmured, pulling me even closer. “Your wolf is special, she’ll be back. You’ll see her again.”
For some reason, his words alone managed to do the trick. I was completely calm. All I could think about now was him. I leaned into his embrace, the warmth of his touch a welcome comfort.
Memories of last night flooded back the way he held me, the way he made me feel…everything. Every second of it had been perfect. In fact, I was grateful it had been him, not Noah. Last night proved a truth I already knew deep down – Nicolas was my true mate.
–
I squeezed my eyes shut, focusing on the emotions he aroused within me. His hand drifted down, settling possessively on my chest. He pulled me closer, his touch firm yet gentle. It surprised me such a large man, and yet his touch was as soft as a feather.
–
Turning in his embrace, I met his gaze. “Am I your Luna now?” the question slipped past my lips.
Chapter 39. The Awakening
He cupped my face, his thumb tracing a loving path along my jawline. His eyes darkened, flickering down to the spot on my neck where he had marked me.
A satisfied smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. It was clear he took pleasure in seeing his mark etched on my skin, a clear declaration to the world that I belonged to him.
I waited, breathless, for his answer, but his lips remained stubbornly sealed.
“You’re not just my Luna, Riles,” his words washed over me, not spoken with his mouth, but somehow blooming directly in my head.. And then I knew. My mind, my soul had opened up to him. I could finally mind link with him.
“You are Luna to all of Lycan,” his voice continued, louder now in the quiet space of our minds.
My heart was filled with so much joy. This
this was what I’d craved
since the moment I’d stepped foot in this palace. Not just to belong to Nicolas, but to the pack itself, to be his true mate in every way.
Before I could say anything, Nicolas’ eyes turned an icy white. Someone was speaking to him through the mind link. And whenever that happened, it was never good news.
“Did something happen?”
The playful mood had vanished. Nicolas’ face was gravely serious now, and I could immediately tell that there was trouble.
“There’s something I need to tell you,” he began, his voice low and heavy.
I braced myself, a feeling of dread forming in my stomach. I knew from the look in his eyes that whatever he was about to say was going to break my heart.