Page 39 of Reign

We arrived at a set of stairs with a locked door at the bottom. Connor used the keypad at the side. “3002,” he told me.

I raised my brows. “This is your part of the building?”

He smirked. “Well, I am a king. I deserve my space. And so does my queen.”

He let those words sit and pulled open the door, walking up the stairs. Swallowing hard, I followed. Nerves churned in my belly, but I wouldn’t shy away from this, from what this man made me feel. He was right, I didn’t remember him, but my soul did. He said he belonged to me as much as I did to him. Possessiveness stirred in my chest as I watched him climb the stairs ahead of me, his body moving with restrained power. Deep down, I knew I wouldn’t have to work hard at building a connection to him. It was already forming in my heart.

Chapter 14

Ember

Connor’s roomwas next to mine. He’d left me quickly after telling me he’d fetch me early the next morning. My room was sparse but functional. I dropped onto the bed without even bothering to undress or take off my shoes. That night a beautiful white wolf with amber eyes visited my dreams. At first, she sat and stared. I stared back, feeling as if I were in a cage looking out. I reached out, but invisible walls stopped my hand. Exploring, I found those walls all around me.

The wolf cocked her head and snarled, encouraging me to push at the walls that kept me away from her. I did. I flattened my hands and pushed. And pushed some more, so sure I could get out. And I did! Suddenly, I was free.

She yipped and bounced in a circle, then playfully looked back at me. Laughing, I ran after her, a feeling of freedom flooding me. I giggled and sprinted faster. We ran through what looked like a forest, but when I tried to peer more closely at the trees, they changed to brick walls—and bars. It was a prison. Men fought in rings, surrounded by a baying crowd. Horror dragged my feet to a halt, and the image disappeared. The wolf,mywolf, Mea, yipped again and took off. I followed. More images showed themselves, yet each time I stopped to try and look more closely, they disappeared.Memories. My memories.

When Connor’s image hovered above me, his face dark with lust, his gaze intense, I slowed, wanting more of this memory. He reached out to touch me. My heart lurched, and I reached for him, too. As soon as I did, he disappeared, and another memory replaced that one. This time he was chasing me. I could feel him behind me... My heart beat faster, but I wasn’t scared. I wanted these images and all the feelings that came with them. I’d been empty for so long. And this? This was the start of me reclaiming my life. I wanted to grab these parts of my life and keep them close, but they just kept floating away. So I kept running, watching the people who were my pack fight hard for their Prime and then for survival. I watched them laugh and shout, I watched them bleed, and I watched as I thrust my fist through Reed’s chest and ended his life. My wolf howled, drawing me from that awful memory. I let her pull me away, not willing yet to hold onto that one.

I ran to where Mea sat between two large tree trunks. In the shadows, a magnificent black wolf stood and stared at her. His gaze drifted to me. Instinctively, I knew who this was.

Connor?

The wolf cocked his head, and his mouth stretched almost as if he was grinning.

Is she really my wolf?

He dipped his big head.

I stared at Mea. She was stunning, her white fur shone, and her amber eyes gleamed. She was the light to his darkness.

She is your wolf-spirit.

I jumped. Connor appeared beside his wolf, shrouded in darkness that floated around him like a mist.

Hey, Firecracker.His smile was devastating, and my heart flipped.They are mates. Just like us.

Prime narrowed his eyes on Mea. She stared right back as he prowled closer, brushing her head with his. He was nearly twice her size. As soon as they touched, the energy between Connor and me ignited. His piercing eyes met mine, his chest rising and falling rapidly.

They want to seal their bond again, Em.He took a deep breath.

I gulped and shook my head.Oh, er, nope. No way am I watching them go at it.

His eyes glinted as if he found that funny.Then you should probably go back to your sleep.If we stay here, their reclaiming is going to make it hard for me to resist doing the same with you.His eyes briefly closed.

But we’re in a dream. It won’t be real,I whispered back

Our souls are connected. The pleasure will be just as real as it is in the physical world.

I cocked my head and smirked. So their lust transfers to us?

His throat bobbed.It does.

Why haven’t I dreamt about you before?

The drugs Manivera gave you have blocked your wolf. Prime couldn’t find her any more than I could find you.

He groaned as Prime and Mea brushed against each other.

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