Page 12 of Midnight Deception

I nod, and without saying farewell, I walk into the bedroom, pushing the mound of cushions to the other side of the bed and climbing up onto the mattress. I vaguely hear the sound of Luna letting herself out. Usually I’d feel bad about how I treated her, since it was rude, however, I don’t feel bad. Too much has happened today, and I know I shouldn’t be pushing away potential allies here, but my mind is too overwhelmed. I’m sure I’ll regret it tomorrow, and I’ll just have to deal with the fallout then.

Pulling the covers over me, I curl up on my side and pull my knees to my chest, wrapping my arms around them. Finally alone, I allow my emotions to be released from my body, tears running down my face as I fall into an exhausted sleep.

ChapterFive

It’s no surprise to me that I don’t sleep well. Nightmares chase me, and I keep waking in an unfamiliar room, panicking because I don’t remember where I am. I can never quite remember what happened in the dreams, but I wake shaking each time. I could get up, but my body is physically exhausted, and I know I need more rest to face whatever is waiting for me in the morning.

Eventually, I fall into another fitful sleep, images filling my dreaming mind. This one feels different from the others though. I’m surrounded by trees, and I realise that I’m currently standing in my woods from home. My chest feels tight as a sad smile pulls at my lips. I don’t know if I’ll ever get to see my home again, so it’s bittersweet to see it now, even in dream form. It’s too quiet though, the lack of birdsong and other creatures moving through the undergrowth making it feel strangely empty.

Spinning in a slow circle, I take in my surroundings, my heart pining to be back home.

“Daughter.”

The voice brings me to an abrupt halt. I know that voice, and even if I couldn’t hear her, my soul would immediately recognise the wave of love and comfort. I spin around so fast my hair fans out around me, and a choked sob escapes me as I see her glowing form. I can never see her face, but there’s no mistaking her.

“Goddess,” I whisper, dropping to my knees and bowing my head. It’s an effort to keep my breathing even as tears prick my eyes. I hadn’t realised how much I needed to see her, needed her comfort, even if this is all a dream.

Her warm glow appears in front of me, and a gentle hand reaches out and touches my chin, lifting my head until my gaze meets hers. She smiles, but it’s full of sadness. Helping me to my feet, she cups my cheeks with her hands, gazing at me like a parent caring for their child. Having her here eases my tortured heart and aching bond, turning it to a dull throb rather than the constant pang of pain I can’t relieve.

Running a hand through my messy hair, she smooths it back, her touch making my skin tingle. “You’ve been dealt a difficult hand, child, but I promise you are strong enough to come through this,” she assures me, as if looking straight into the centre of my soul and seeing what’s troubling me.

“I don’t feel strong,” I whisper. It’s true, I’ve never felt strong, especially now. During the trials, I had to learn to be, both physically and mentally, but it’s been a constant battle. Now, away from everyone I love, trapped and surrounded by my enemies, I’ve never felt weaker.

“Daughter, youarestrong, and you will continue to grow. Know that I’ve never given you more than you can handle.”

I nod, absorbing her words of encouragement. I trust her implicitly, and she’s never let me down before. If she says I can do it, then I believe her.

“You can do this alone,” she continues, caution in her voice, “but remember your mates are there for a reason. Draw strength from them.”

Her mention of my mates makes me wince as I remember the newest addition—Atlas. His behaviour hasn’t exactly endeared him to me so far. In fact, I’m close to loathing him with how awful he’s been.

“Atlas hates me,” I say, pressing the palms of my hands against my eyes, feeling exhausted despite being in a dream.

“Trust in me,” is all she says in response, and while that would usually be all I need, I can’t help the twinge of worry I feel at her answer. If she told me that Atlas would come to his senses, then I’d happily take the assurance, but she’s not confirming either way.

I’m sure she can sense my doubt, but she doesn’t call me out on it. Instead, the glow around her seems to brighten. “I have a gift for you, daughter.”

Through the beaming light, I can just make out her smile as she steps to one side, gesturing to a figure behind her that I hadn’t noticed until now. With the light from the goddess, I’m unable to see exactly who it is, but it becomes clear that they can see me when they pause. In the next moment, they are running towards me, their body a flurry of movement.

“Laelia?”

My eyes widen as Joel’s voice fills the space. He’s here. I don’t care that this is a dream and that when I open my eyes, he’ll be gone again. I’m just so desperate to have even a tiny moment with him. Completely losing my composure, I run towards him, tears running down my face as I leap into his open arms.

He catches me with anoomph, but doesn’t complain as I wrap my legs around his waist, easily lifting me and holding me tight. Our lips meet with a desperation I’ve not felt before. I’m not sure how long we’re wrapped up in each other, as time moves strangely in dreams, but eventually he pulls back and lowers me to the ground, burying his head against my neck.

“I thought you were dead,” he murmurs quietly into my hair. There’s an uncharacteristic amount of emotion in his voice, and when I pull back, I see his eyes glistening with unshed tears.

“I told you she wasn’t.”

The voice of my other mate sparks something inside me, and I squeal and spin to find Syn standing right behind me. He’s smirking, typical Syn, but I watch his mask crack as I throw myself into his arms. His hands skate up the length of my neck, squeezing ever so slightly as he tilts my chin so he can press searing kisses to my lips. Moaning into his mouth, I run my hands through his hair, their touch settling something inside me.

It’s strange, because I can’t smell either of them, but I’m able to feel their heat and physical forms. I would have thought my dream would include scents, seeing as it’s such an important sense for werewolves. I’m not going to overthink it though, because I want to enjoy this moment.

I’m surprised how long Joel stays silent as Syn devours me, and I am thankful when I pull back and look up at my other mate sheepishly. Neither male was particularly happy about the other being my mate. Joel hates Syn because his sister died under the alpha’s watch. Syn was shunned until the council offered him work, and now he is considered a traitor and their lapdog. Syn is so used to being treated this way that he hates everybody. They’ve only come together because I’m their mate, and they are not willing to lose their connection with me, so seeing them here and respecting each other’s time with me just confirms that this is truly a dream. That would never happen in real life. They are both alphas, and therefore competitive over everything.

“Where are you?” Joel asks, and I can tell he’s been wanting to ask for a while. Reaching out, he takes my right hand in his, linking our fingers together.

Not to be outdone, Syn does the same on my left side. I’m not about to complain, though, as their touches soothe me, especially when they do it at the same time.

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