Page 26 of Claimed By Fur and Fangs

"You should have listened, Amelia," he whispered, his voice echoing through my mind like a scream.

Dark figures emerged behind him, their fangs gleaming in the firelight. Their hollow eyes locked onto me with terrifying hunger.

"Stay back!" I tried to scream, but my voice was barely a breath.

They didn’t stop.

Pain tore through me as flames erupted across my skin. I was burning. I was dying.

"Aidan!" I shrieked.

His eyes widened. "Amelia!" He lunged forward; arms outstretched.

The fire surged higher, blocking him. He growled in frustration, trying again.

"No! Hold on!"

"Aidan, help me!" My voice cracked with agony.

"I’m trying!" He struggled, his body trembling.

The creatures closed in.

"Aidan," I whimpered.

"No! Amelia!" He roared, fighting against the unseen force restraining him.

The last thing I saw before darkness swallowed me was his face, helpless and filled with pain.

I woke up screaming.

Sweat drenched me as I gripped the sheets, shadows looming before my door burst open.

"Amelia!" Sienna’s voice was frantic as she flicked on the light. She rushed to my side, eyes wide with panic. "What happened? Are you okay?"

I gasped, chest heaving, the fire's phantom heat and Aidan’s gaze lingering, but it was just a dream.

"Yeah… yeah, I’m fine." I swallowed hard and nodded weakly.

Sienna didn’t look convinced. "Amelia, you were screaming. I thought someone broke in or something."

I forced a shaky laugh, running a trembling hand through my damp hair.

"It was just a nightmare."

"Do you… want to talk about it?" Her eyes softened.

"No…I just need sleep." I shook my head.

Sienna hesitated, but eventually, she sighed. "Okay. But I’m right down the hall if you need me."

I nodded as she left, then lay staring at the ceiling, knowing sleep wouldn’t come because the nightmare felt too real.

Sleep refused to come, so I pushed off the blankets and padded barefoot to the living room, where Sienna sat curled up, typing on her laptop, her face lit by the screen’s glow.

"Working?" I asked softly.

She jumped slightly, then turned toward me with a knowing look. "And you’re not sleeping," she said, closing her laptop halfway.

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